So you’ve decided to buy a new monitor, picked out a brand and model and are now searching around the net for reviews. You come across an editorial review and click on the link only to discover that the review consists of 2 pages full of meaningless technological gibberish.
What are these reviewers thinking!? Two pages of generally incomprehensible terminology, interspersed with equally incomprehensible charts and graphs, when all we really want to know is – is the bloody thing any good!?
Message to monitor reviewers – KISS (keep it simple stupid).
Some monitor reviewers do in fact include a brief précis of their findings, often presented in the form of a simple list of “Pros” and “Cons”, before they launch into the usual verbose and complex evaluation – and to these particular reviewers, I doffs me hat.
The other aspect I find annoying is that these experts always manage to find something negative to say about every monitor they review, seemingly never satisfied. It’s almost as if they have to find fault in order to confirm their expertise, or perhaps justify their existence. Whatever, it does not help make selection any easier.
I recently purchased two new monitors. I actually only needed one, but that’s another story. These monitors may only be available in Australia, so if you can’t locate the exact model number in your country, that could be why.
Anyway, here are my reviews for the two monitors:
#1 Phillips 247E68 24″ LED Monitor
Absolutely brilliant!!
See how easy that was Mr. Monitor Reviewer, summed up succinctly in just two words. I could go on to say that the superb contrast and colors on this monitor make for a brilliantly vivid display, and the 2 x 3watt built-in stereo speakers deliver quality audio – but even that expanded information requires no more than a single paragraph.
#2 Samsung S22D300H 22″ LED Monitor
Absolute crap!!
There you go, that’s all we really need to know, isn’t it? Again, I could expand by saying that the display on this monitor is awful with poor contrast and insipid colors contributing to a washed out, flat picture (even after settings adjustments), plus, no built-in speakers. And again, just one paragraph – a long way off two whole pages.
Needless to say, I bought the Samsung first because I needed a spare monitor and it was priced right. But then, shortly after and in true Murphy’s Law fashion, saw the superior Phillips, with larger display and quality speakers build-in, advertized on special for a mere $20 more than the Samsung. Grrr!
Anyone want a near new Samsung 22″ LED Monitor, going cheap? 😉
Just replaced both monitors on my two machines. My wife is using the Dell S2340M on her W8.1 machine and I am using a Samsung S27D390H on my machine. The Dell has VGA and DVI and the Samsung has VGA and HDMI but since I only use VGA that was OK for me. The main reason I am using the Samsung is the lack of XP support with the Dell. Yes I still play with XP. Daniel.
Guess I’m lucky that I can see the monitor(s) in a store and make my comparison on what I see and the specs (which I read). I cannot see why anyone would purchase a monitor less than 24″ and not have HDMI and/or DVI ports. I find the units with built-in speakers, kinky, so even purchasing one, you’ll surely use external speakers. An odd observation, the resolution on most is only 1920 by 1080, and when you do get more, the price is almost double, Mindblower!
Choosing a TV and/or monitor is like buying a car, buying a cigar or choosing a spouse. There are so many to choose from. What one person finds as a good point another would call a bad one.
First you can choose the size which is usualy determined by how or where it is to be used.
Then you select the interface/s you will be using.
Contrast and brightness and sharpness are determined by what you intend on using it primarily for.
Sound can be a deciding factor as well. An external sound system may be best. I find what they call “theatre sound” to be quite annoying, but some will find the echo to be a nice touch.
Brand loyalty or brand hatred comes into play as well.
Read the reviews and find the one with the best reviews for what you are looking for. Once you find what you’re looking for, getting the best price is easy. Just Google it.
In my history of purchasing monitors, my first monitor was a View Sonic, an old CRT, back in 1996. Then, I saw a KDS (Korea Data System) 21″ CRT monitor, with a 3 year warranty and replacement!!! For several years, I only purchased a KDS. I even got one for my daughter, a 17″ CRT. Well, it went out, after about 16 months and KDS was true to their word, they replaced the whole monitor and paid for shipping, both ways!!!
My first LCD monitor was a KDS 22″. I was so happy and once again, it had a 3 year warranty, with shipping paid, both ways. About 27 months of use, the monitor was going. I was so disappointed. I tried contacting KDS online and got no where.
So, I called the support number of the warranty company. I spoke with a woman, who informed me that KDS went out of business, in January of that year. But, the warranty would be honored. No, I didn’t get a KDS LCD monitor, instead I got a Motorola 22″ LCD. Trust me, it wasn’t as good as the KDS, but, how often are you going to find a warranty, being honored, when the main company is out of business???!!!
Now, I only buy ASUS monitors, that have a 3 year Rapid Return warranty. The ASUS picture is outstanding and ASUS monitors, just seem to keep on going! I have my original 19″ ASUS LCD monitor, which, I purchased about 5 years ago and it is still going. Another daughter is using that monitor.
I personally think, when you find a brand that has given you outstanding service, you tend to stick with that brand. I happen to love ASUS motherboards, Western Digital hard drives, ASUS or Lite-On DVD+RW’s, Kingston memory modules, Cooler Master computer cases, so on and so forth. Why do I prefer these brands? Because, all of the components have truly “held up” and gave me, good, quality computers and computer time!!!
Hi Jim,
Speaking of monitors, is there any problem in using an HDTV instead of a monitor? They appear to be cheaper than a monitor and have more functionality, so what’s the downside?
Dan
Hi Dan – I agree, there appears to be no downside to using a TV as a monitor. However, I did have occasion recently to hook up a machine to a 22″ LG TV and had a devil of a job trying to get the display to fit the screen. I did manage to adjust it somewhat but still not 100% right. Also, the picture seemed too wide for the depth, a bit out of whack.