Personal computing discussed

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FireGryphon
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One big, or two small?

Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:04 pm

I need a new monitor, and have little money. I've been putting off upgrading in the hopes that I'd run into some money, but that hasn't happened. So I still need to get a new monitor.

So, the question is: one large, cheap LCD, or two smaller, but still cheap LCD's? Which solution is most productive for things like coding and photoshop? Any model recommendtions are welcomed, too.

I'm trying to fit this into a pretty tight budget, like $200. Maybe a bit more.
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BobbinThreadbare
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Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:21 pm

I think it would be difficult to buy two LCDs of any size for $200, maybe used.
 
MaxTheLimit
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Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:25 pm

Definitely one large. I'm not a fan of multi monitor.
 
JustAnEngineer
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Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:48 pm

For that price range, you're looking at a 20" 1680x1050 monitor with DVI input.
 
JJCDAD
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Wed Dec 19, 2007 8:32 pm

I am not a big fan of multi-monitors. Some things are nice, but all the buggy crap like dialogs opening on the wrong monitor, and one monitor shutting off when trying to view multimedia made me give it up.
 
arsenhazzard
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Wed Dec 19, 2007 9:31 pm

I find that I'm much more productive with 2 monitors than 1. However, like BobbinThreadbare said, it will be difficult to find 2 monitors in your price range.

Considering you want to do work in Photoshop, you might be better off buying a better, smaller LCD (or at least one with the best color reproduction you can find that still fits your price range). You can always get another monitor later (or use a CRT if it fits your setup).
 
computron9000
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Wed Dec 19, 2007 10:30 pm

This Acer 22" is $245 shipped at newegg. I've seen it, and for the price, it is a good 22" screen. One issue with TN panels is that they show 254K colors and then use sophisticated dithering to simulate 16.7m. If you use them professionally for Photoshop/image editing/etc, that may be an issue. The colors also change depending on your viewing angle, which can present problems. If you do not need to be that precise in your work, then you would be OK.
 
etilena
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Thu Dec 20, 2007 12:58 am

Prefer one large LCD to two small ones, especially for Photoshop. More space for you to move toolbars around. For $200, a 20" 1680 x 1050 monitor is the way to go. Do not recommend the 22" because they are the same resolution and are TN panels.
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Flying Fox
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Thu Dec 20, 2007 1:09 am

etilena wrote:
Prefer one large LCD to two small ones, especially for Photoshop. More space for you to move toolbars around. For $200, a 20" 1680 x 1050 monitor is the way to go. Do not recommend the 22" because they are the same resolution and are TN panels.
Not going to happen with just $200 if you don't want TN panels. :-?
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ApockofFork
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Thu Dec 20, 2007 1:14 am

I think taht the 22 inchers are all basically made off the same panel. I have one and it works great its huge and right now at $245 shipped you won't find a better value. Unless color reproduction really matters to you the 22 inch screen is definetly the way to go these days.
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