TFT Monitor is this a good deal?

[Frik]

I'm thinking of getting one of these.
I know not all TFT's are created equal (although am not too hot on which is which) and was wondering if this was one of the better ones at a reasonable price.

[docevi1]

I don't know about TFT's, but Samsung were somewhat celebrated for making very good, cheap CRT's. Thats a good price for that screen as well (from the other sites I frequent for prices at least).

[Frik]

docevi1 said:

I don't know about TFT's, but Samsung were somewhat celebrated for making very good, cheap CRT's. Thats a good price for that screen as well (from the other sites I frequent for prices at least).

That's pretty much what I was thinking but I know there are other factors to considered with TFT. I also thought I'd better add that I mostly use it for ADAMS and CAD work (and PH of course!)

[docevi1]

from what I know about them TFT's are poop at moving images in general i.e. DVD's and games but are much better for text and the like.

One presumes this has been solved, but maybe it's just on the more expensive units? Most likely someone will come along and give you a better idea...

check out www.tomshardware.com for some reviews (don't know about this TFT).

[Muncher]

Samsung make superb TFTs, my Samsung 181T (18.1") is the dogs bollards, is 18 months old now so the new ones must be even better. I paid £708 for mine!

[victormeldrew]

Ho-hum. My Samsung 520TFT (15") was £720 a few years ago. These things are pretty mass market now, so early adopter prices look a little silly now. Its performed faultlessly though!

[egomeister]

I'll throw a spanner in the works here and suggest you go for a bigger monitor which would obviously be a CRT unless you can up the budget.

I have just upgraded to a 21" CRT (which didn't cost me a thing ) from a 17" and it makes a world of difference, especially for the likes of CAD.

Your eyes will really thank you if you can get a bigger monitor. I think there was a thread on cheap 2nd hand CRT's a while back.

EDIT: It was here and you started it!
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=83087&f=95&h=0

>> Edited by egomeister on Sunday 2nd May 13:28

[Jay-Aim]

Good price for a good average monitor

[Muncher]

egomeister said:

I'll throw a spanner in the works here and suggest you go for a bigger monitor which would obviously be a CRT unless you can up the budget. I have just upgraded to a 21" CRT (which didn't cost me a thing ) from a 17" and it makes a world of difference, especially for the likes of CAD. Your eyes will really thank you if you can get a bigger monitor. I think there was a thread on cheap 2nd hand CRT's a while back. EDIT: It was here and you started it! www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=83087&f=95&h=0 >> Edited by egomeister on Sunday 2nd May 13:28

I disagree, every TFT I have used (4 in the house) has been far superior to any CRT I have ever used. So much sharper it's untrue.

[Frik]

egomeister said:

I'll throw a spanner in the works here and suggest you go for a bigger monitor which would obviously be a CRT unless you can up the budget. I have just upgraded to a 21" CRT (which didn't cost me a thing ) from a 17" and it makes a world of difference, especially for the likes of CAD. Your eyes will really thank you if you can get a bigger monitor. I think there was a thread on cheap 2nd hand CRT's a while back. EDIT: It was here and you started it! www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=83087&f=95&h=0 >> Edited by egomeister on Sunday 2nd May 13:28

So I did

The reason I'm asking this question is that me Dad's offered to buy me this particular monitor out of the blue (seeing that technically it's relevant to my education). If I was buying one myself, I would have put a lot more research in.

The other factor is bulk. The idea of a more manageable display is very attractive, not least as 6 times a year, it is going to be travelling between Surrey and South Wales. I did use a TFT on an ADAMS course recently (think it was a 19 inch) and found it immeasurably superior as Muncher has suggested.

[chrisjl]

TFTs are sooooo much easier on the eye - I can use my Sony 18" (£1200 two years ago ) all day long without problem, whereas the hunk-o-junk (rhymes with Llama) I'm forced to use at work is headache city.
Run it at it's native resolution or it'll look rubbish (to varying degrees).
Watch out too for potential syncing problems if you run an analog input TFT off a cheap video card - you might find it has trouble deciding exactly when to sync, but it can usually be tweaked through on-screen menus.
Digital all the way is better, but more £££, and you'll need a card with DVI out.

[egomeister]

I can't comment on the differences in sharpness between CRT and TFT, but I was talking more about the amount of information that can be displayed on a larger screen. The monitor you are looking at has a maximum resolution of 1280x1024 whereas I tend to run a higher resolution than that when doing CAD so that the screen isn't taken up by menus and there is more space for the model.

I can certainly see the benefits of a flat screen if you have to move it with any regularity though!

[spandexx]

Get a DVI card - not expensive and then, if you have the time and the spare cash - do what I did:

Go to Dell's site and go to their outlet (hidden in the menu system). Buy the very cheapest PC you can find (sometimes around £250) and spec a TFT monitor with it. Hey presto a cheap TFT DVI Ultrasharp 18 or 19 inch monitor with a free PC. Selling the computers after is a doddle - possibly even with some profit.

I have a Dell 18" Ultrasharp with adjustable stand and a Dell 19" Ultrasharp with adjustable stand (plus 3 year warrantee on both) using this method for the ridiculously low sum of £430 (together from the ‘proper part’ of Dell’s site is well over a grand)!

My friend also now has a cheap new Dell laptop and a desktop PC that he sits under his telly for DVDs, music etc (Dells SFF machines are VERY quiet) but I am sure you can shift them on Ebay no problem.

[ATG]

TFT is prettier, but if you want/need big and hi-res, CRT is affordable where equivalent TFT is astronomical. Shouldn't dismiss CRT out of hand. A good CRT with high refresh rate and correctly set up contrast can be quite easy on the eye and give you UXGA or higher res without breaking the bank.

[Apache]

Sure, it's a good deal, till you add vat and postage. You're better off buying at a local store, no waiting, no risk and on yer doorstep if it all goes pear shaped. PC World all in for £250

[cirks]

Apache,
this model at PCWorld? Can't see it. The 15" is £270. Or are you talking about PCWorld Business?

Anyone else, what are the real advantages of Digital vs Analogue for home use? I also saw the eBuyer promotion but not being digital put me off a bit. I want to go TFT and will be using PC for mainly normal 'home' type working plus some video editing etc.

[victormeldrew]

I bought a number of 17" TFT panels for my company recently for about £220 + VAT; these were Dell panels sold through the Dell Outlet. Cancelled orders etc; not new per se but as good as. Worth a try.

[busta]

www.aria.co.uk

read it and weep, wondering why you've ever payed more for anything.

They are currently doin 15inch tft for £115+ vat, 17inch for about £140 etc.

Reliable and speedy delivery too.

[roop]

I have one of the latest spec Dell 19" TFT's. Not very high resolution (1280x1024) but witht he DVI connection the image is absolutely superb (800:1 contrast ratio). Highly recommended. Dunno what it cost though. Came with my PC. It was a £350 upgrade over the regular 15" TFT.

[trooper1212]

busta said:

www.aria.co.uk read it and weep, wondering why you've ever payed more for anything. They are currently doin 15inch tft for £115+ vat, 17inch for about £140 etc. Reliable and speedy delivery too.

The 17inch isn't the best TFT in the world though. I've got one as a second monitor on one of my machines and it's average at best. I wouldn't use it as my main monitor.