computer screens again

[Ann]

I know this is an old topic but I'm after the latest information. My work will get a large monitor for me; which ones have people bought or tried out recently and which would they recommend? One that I've been recommended before is not being made anymore and I feel a bit overwhelmed by choice and don't know what's best. Sorry to repeat old topics!
Ann

[GarethB]

This is the monitor I have at work;

HP L1902 Flat Panel Monitor


This is the monitor I have at home;

Dell E197FP 19'' mainstream LCD Flat Panel Monitor


The above links will give you all the information.

Regards

Gareth

[John Smith]

Ann,

It really doesn't matter too much which model monitor you get, just make it
1) large
2) with a small dot-pitch as possible (anything quoted as 0.23 or smaller should be ok) this measures how close the pixels are to each other.

If it's an LCD panel, make sure that you turn ClearType on in windows (or alternative for the mac), and then get a well-sighted friend to adjust the settings for you. It can make a huge difference.

[chrism]

I would recommend:

1. LCD (they have come way down in price recently)
2. 20" or larger. (I have seen a few nice 22" widescreen LCDs for under $300 (US) online).

Brand isn't usually a big deal, though I personally like Dell and Samsung monitors.

I have a 19" Dell LCD at work and a 20" Samsung widescreen LCD (205BW) at home.

[Eddie S]

Hi,

I'm a software developer and spend far longer in front of a monitor than I should do - leading to a deep intake of breath every time I tell an optometrist!

I definitely go with the suggestions of the Dell LCD monitors. If you can twist the arm of the person buying them enough, go for the Dell Ultrasharp monitors as they are WELL worth the extra (having worked in front of both the standard and Ultrasharp).

If you are looking for large monitors to get large text can I suggest that (if there is even more room to bend!) that you go for two monitors. I know that it sounds excessive but Windows XP with the right graphics card is more than capable of driving 2 or 3 monitors. I am in a team of developers and we all use 2 monitor setups.

Have a look at this
I'll shut up now Ann as I can hear somebody from your office growling!

Ed

[Matthew_]

Dell LCD Flat Screen. Can't go wrong.

[Pat A]

John
How do I check whether "clear type" is turned on on my monitor please?

I thought I was quite good with computers but I've never heard of that and having had a good poke around the programs and settingsetc I can't find this anywhere!

I've got a Dell LCD monitor..!

Thanks

[chrism]

Hi,

I'm a software developer and spend far longer in front of a monitor than I should do - leading to a deep intake of breath every time I tell an optometrist!

I definitely go with the suggestions of the Dell LCD monitors. If you can twist the arm of the person buying them enough, go for the Dell Ultrasharp monitors as they are WELL worth the extra (having worked in front of both the standard and Ultrasharp).

If you are looking for large monitors to get large text can I suggest that (if there is even more room to bend!) that you go for two monitors. I know that it sounds excessive but Windows XP with the right graphics card is more than capable of driving 2 or 3 monitors. I am in a team of developers and we all use 2 monitor setups.

Have a look at this
I'll shut up now Ann as I can hear somebody from your office growling!

Ed

I agree wholeheartedly with this. I am also a software engineer and while I personally do not have two monitors, many who I work with do (I'm just too lazy to set it up) and I have in the past. It really is great.

[Eddie S]

Hi,

To enable ClearType, the easiest way is to download this "powertoy" from Microsoft

http://www.microsoft.com/typography/ClearTypePowerToy.mspx

Ed

[John Smith]

Once you've enabled the powertoy, just go into control panel and you'll find a new "Cleartype tuning" control.

Just run it and follow the instructions...