Monitor Help

[intense.ego]

Hi guys,

I need help choosing which of these two monitors I should get.

1 http://www.ebuyer.com/product/158908
2 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-23-inch-LCD-Monitor-40000/dp/B001QFP0X0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1245621297&sr=1-1

They are somewhat similar, but I can't decide which one to get. Also, do you think that the VGA connection mentioned in Number 2 is a 15 D-sub (like the first option is)?

Thank you for your help

[intense.ego]

Anyone have any input?

[starcraft.man]

Anyone have any input?

I was about to recommend my panel (link (http://www.amazon.co.uk/SAMSUNG-245T-SyncMaster-Format-Screen/dp/B000YELB9Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1245704840&sr=1-1)), but one look at the price and I must ask what amount of crack their on? I mean that's no where near the price I paid (was on heavy discount, around 450 CAD), it's like they just took the US price (http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-SyncMaster-245T-LCD-Monitor/dp/B000QEITJE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1245705016&sr=8-1) and put a pound sign in front.

I'm a Samsung person, that said, I can't vouch for the quality of that monitor. At the price point, I'm pretty sure it's a run of the mill TN panel, if that's acceptable to you then ok. If you don't know about panel types, you probably don't care. Just never stare at a PVA panel or you'll never go back >.>. If you want better advice, I ask that you describe what exactly you want to do with it. Gaming? 1080P movies? Neither? Other?

Edit: TN Confirmed. (http://www.pixmania.com/fr/fr/2597393/art/samsung/sm2343nw-23-2048x1152-5ms.html)

[intense.ego]

I was going to just do normal everyday browsing, and watch quite a few videos with some occasional gaming. I am leaning towards the Acer because of it's price, but I just wanted to know if there are any major differences anyone can spot between the two monitors.

Also the Acer is described as having a "1 x Analog: VGA" input single. Will I be able to connect it to a laptop with a 15 pin VGA connector?

[jimv]

Samsung > Acer.

They both have the same connector. VGA means the littler one that most laptops have. It's analog. DVI is larger and digital.

[kernelhaxor]

I like the first one's resolution: 2048x1152 (little more screen real estate than the second one's 1920x1080)

[intense.ego]

I know the Samsung has a slightly better resolution, but will the difference in contrast ratio (while the Samsung one is 20,000:1 the Acer is 40,000:1) be much better on the Acer?
Also will I be able to connect to these monitors if my laptop (the thing I'm going to connect these monitors to) has a 15 pin VGA slot?

[gn2]

Samsung every time.
You get a zero defective pixel warranty on every Samsung monitor sold in the UK.
Manufacturer's stated contrast ratio figure is entirely meaningless.

They will work with your laptop, but check up what resolution your laptop can handle on an external monitor.
It might not be able to get up to the native resolution of either of the two screens you're considering.
If the monitor is being purchased solely to be used with the laptop, you could potentially be wasting money if you can't use all the resolution.

[intense.ego]

I checked my laptop's documentation and there is no information about this, is there some software I can use to find out what resolution my laptop can support?

[gn2]

You'll get the information from the manufacturer's website.

[intense.ego]

Yeah I checked the website too, it doesn't give me any information. In fact my laptop is not even on the website (Acer). Is there anything else I can use to find out the resolution it can support on an external monitor?

[gn2]

What's the exact model number of your Acer?
(should be on a sticker underneath)

[intense.ego]

It's an Acer Aspire 1414WLMi part of the Aspire 1410 series. There is absolutely no information about the 1414WLMi on the Acer website.

[intense.ego]

Can anyone tell me if there is any other way to check what resolution my computer supports? Is there some program that can tell me?

[JohnFH]

The chipset found on your laptop (Intel® 855GME integrated 3D AGP graphics) will support upto 1600x1200 @ 85 Hz and 2048x1536 @ 75 Hz.

[intense.ego]

Yeah I verified it, my laptop has a i855GM/GME chipset.

Do you think that this chipset will support
An Acer monitor at 1920 x 1080 @ 60Hz
A Samsung monitor at 2048x1152 @ at an unmentioned Hz? Is it worth the risk?

Also do you think I will be able to run this external monitor while still running my laptop monitor? In other words, having both monitors run next to each other so I can use two screens?

[intense.ego]

Can anyone help?

[JohnFH]

Do you think that this chipset will support
An Acer monitor at 1920 x 1080 @ 60Hz
A Samsung monitor at 2048x1152 @ at an unmentioned Hz? Is it worth the risk?

Yes.



Also do you think I will be able to run this external monitor while still running my laptop monitor? In other words, having both monitors run next to each other so I can use two screens?
Yes.

[Jackelope]

I also vote for Samsung, but my dad has an acer monitor and its actually very well made and has decentish color. So either is probly alright if you're not picky.

[intense.ego]

Why is the Samsung so much of a better choice than the Acer?

[gn2]

Samsung are a real manufacturer of monitors, Acer are a rebrander.

In the UK Samsung guarantee that there will be no defective pixels on their monitors.
Acer do not.

[jbrunton]

I just got an Acer 23 inch to use with my Ubuntu 9.04. Unfortunately, my display settings don't go up to 1920x1080 (I have an 82865G Integrated Graphics Controller). The monitor is great with my Windows XP system (I have an A/B switch). I bought the monitor on sale which made the decision for me. A monitor isn't such a major purchase. Actually it is similar to a new car purchase. Once you get the first scratch - that new-monitor feeling will be gone. I say look at the line-up at a store like BestBuy and pick one that looks good and is on sale. Use your left over cash for something worthwhile.

[MaxIBoy]

This one is a lot smaller than most of the ones being suggested, but it's a very good price (I got an extra $20 off it because it was on sale,) and the low-latency display and good contrast ratio are quite amazing.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005110