I know there were some threads about it, but I couldn't find specific models of monitors.

So, I'm looking for a good TFT/LCD monitor until 600 $.

Any suggestion are welcome. Maybe there are some factors I should consider when buying.

What is your opinion about this one:

http://gadget.md/component/page,shop.product_details/flypage,flypage.tpl/product_id,4603/category_id,40/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,26/

Thanks.

The important technical factor when you select a display is the panel type. There are three major types of panels: TN, PVA and IPS. TN is by far worst, with viewing angles around 160°, bad color response (often around 70% of sRGB!). PVA is slightly better, but as a photographer I would not buy anything else than IPS. IPS (In plane switching) has viewing angles at 178°/178° (so does PVA sometimes so it is not a guarantee that it is an IPS panel!), superb color reproduction and good uniformity.

The Philips monitor you have been looking at has an IPS panel, but a rather old one (S-IPS, there are far superior H-IPS panels out now). Also, 20" is a bit small for photography work, and 1680x1050 is not even full HD resolution. I would look at a 24" monitor at 1920x1200 with H-IPS, like the Dell UltraSharp U2410 (factory calibrated!) or HP LP2475W. Both should fit your budget.

If you by any chance need a computer at the same time, look at the iMacs from Apple. The 24" version has a high quality IPS panel (the latest version is glossy though which can be a problem depending on your environment). The new 27" is absolutely amazing with 2560x1440 resolution, perfect colors and quite decent viewing angles/uniformity.

/ Jacob

Wow, Jacob. Thanks a lot for the walk through in the monitor theory. I'll bookmark this thread and have it as an advice.

I checked both the monitors you specified and I think is more likely to find a HP LP2475W monitor than Dell here in Moldova. So, I'll have that in mind.

Thank you!

That's the one I'm using, and I'm very happy with it.
But, you have to have it calibrated. The factory setting was so far out it would not be usable. RGB settings were 255,255,255. After calibration R was still 255, the rest down around 230. And brightness down to zero, which gave a luminosity reading of 93 on the calibrator.

Thanks, Lars. I really wanted to read an opinion from a person who owns this monitor. Now I'm more determined to buy, but the thing is that they don't sell in Moldova. Will have to find a way...But, hopefully I'll be able to save some money until they appear on Moldova markets.

P.S. Are they available in Sweden? and how much would they cost there, in $ ? I have a friend who travels often to Sweden. Thank you.

Thank you!

Were did you by yours, Lars? How much? Think I need one of those......

Btw. What does it mean that the Dell UltraSharp U2410 is factory calibrated?

I own it too :) It is on my desk right now.

They cost 4000 SEK excl. VAT (25%) in Sweden which is a fantastic price for this monitor.

The only negative thing I can say about it is that sensitive eyes will see a bit of "rainbow-effect" (all colors flashing as a rainbow) when light areas are above dark backgrounds and the screen is running on low brightness. I suspect this is because of the wide-gamut technology used in the screen (I have seen wide-gamut Sony screens with the exact same effect). It is not a big issue unless you know that you are sensitive to these kind of effects.

/ Jacob

John, check out this review of the HP2475W. I'll probably buy this myself very soon.

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/hp_lp2475w.htm

JP

Multicom.no 5608.- alt inkl

I tried pricerunner.se and found prices from 5 000 SE and up. That is about 700 $ and up...hmmm, interesting, in USA they are much cheaper... :)

I assume it's worth it.

@John, thanks for the review. Very comprehensive and interesting one.

Thank you.

That's the price including VAT, I guess. You should, as a foreigner, get around that. Norwegian VAT is 25%, I guess Sweden is not much different.

Hmmm... Is it this one? http://www.multicom.no/PartDetail.aspx?q=p:2171722;c:100305 the price confused me.... 3.500 ++

No, 2475w

thanks jacob for that info. I'll check both monitors from where i'm at. =)

A new monitor from HP that looks promising. HP ZR24w.
Just got one of them up and running at work. Looks about as good as the HP LP2475w, and even cheaper. 24" IPS panel, non glare screen. Calibrates well. For some reason first calibration went wrong, but second time it went ok, and looks very much the same as the 2475 beside it.
Just wanted to tell, if somebody need a usable screen and don't have the budget for the Eizo's..

This is an interesting discussion. I am thinking of getting a new monitor. A little bigger is very tempting, like Apple 27 inch LED Cinema or Dell UltraSharp U2711. Is there anybody who has looked into this and can share his/her experiences?

Have two HP ZR22W, side by side - very pleased - a large working area for a very friendly price - just bit over ? 500 :)

Dare

... damn chinese keyboard :))) ... want to say: 500 euro ;)

Wich one would all you experts buy...?

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/hp_zr24w.htm

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/hp_lp2475w.htm

Im looking for a new screen so please help :-))

/Wulff

Neils, we tested both of these here at NBC and they both look great. I think your reviewer said it BEST about the zr24w:

If you want an sRGB gamut screen and do not want extended colour spaces, this would be an excellent choice, especially given the price point. Of course, if you want extended colour spaces then the Dell U2410 and HP LP2475W would be a better option in this area of the market.

I have this monitor and would recommend it.

Well, I happen to have both of them side by side at my photo working space offshore, connected to two different computers. Both calibrated with Spyder 3 pro.

I just saw Asus is on the market with a 24" screen with IPS panel too.

I too have since six months the new HP ZR 24W. I am very satisfied with it.
And of course calibrated (with Syder 3 Pro)

Hei Lars,

Sorry, I'm offshore for another week, plus possible some extra volcano ash delay..

Thanks for the advice.  I picked up a used Dell 24" UltraSharp in excellent condition yesterday for 173 Euros.

King !, you mean you have waited two full years to buy that monitor ?
that is a patience specific only for kings,and you are one.
I am impressed.

Al,

I use color-corrected, side-by-side graphics professional CRT's at my SCSI primary workstation--where I also have room for the large CRT's.  The Dell UltraSharp is for the computer in my bedroom, especially for browsing 1X.com.

But you're right...I'm not an especially early adapter since I'm on a limited income.

I'm flattered to be worth teasing.  :>)

Wow!! Talking about old school in a regal way!! CRT's AND SCSI !!  What exactly do have hooked up SCSI? Drives? Scanner? How do you calibrate your CRT's and how old are they. You know Sony stopped making Trinitron crt's about 4 years ago.

Well, CGB, I'm old.  I've had my SCSI workstation for years and have kept it in good shape...running XP professional now, several large drives and my Epson 750P.  My CRT monitors are a 19" LaCie Electron Blue and a 20" Professional Servies ViewSonic, both of which I calibrate with the Spyder2Pro, and pretty well matched.
The SCSI workstation used to be my primary number-crunching PC and it could rip through very large data sets much faster than the IDE drives at my office.  However, it's hard to beat SCSI scratch disks when working with large Photoshop files.

Finally found time to set it up. Had to wait until some print jobs was done.

Folks, I need a suggestion too. I am considering Dell Ultrasharp u2410. Is it still valid? Is there anything better in the similar price range? What would you suggest?

I suggest you rather have a look at the HP 2475w which I think will be within the same price range. I've had one of them since they came on the market and have been very pleased with it. I just changed to the Dell u2711. Not because I think it is better, but I wanted the higher resolution and a larger workspace.

I have also seen some interesting opinions on Asus PA246Q....I wonder how does it compare to Dell Ultrasharp

If that is the new Asus with IPS panel, I've seen reviews that gives it excellent marks. Good color accuracy, and very even measures. Looks promising. Anyway, most, if not all IPS monitors now are using LG panels.

Finally got time to get the Dell u2711 calibrated. Struggling a little.

I experienced the same, therefore I use two different profiles. One for "usual web development" and one for print development.

The Dell u2711 seems to do the job. Pretty happy with it now. Took the brightness down a little and it is now matching the printer perfectly. It might be even better than the HP.. And so nice to work on a 27" screen.