Practical Monitor Advice

Maybe what I want is not realistic. I have been reading about monitors for a

couple of weeks and I almost purchased a Samsung 245BW (a separate deal fell

through which stalled my purchase). I've read about how TN and TFT screens are

not good for photo editing and that MVA and IPS are better. I am looking for

practical advice regarding monitors in the $500 range. I know these are not

ideal and they have generally poor viewing angles, but...IF I am sitting

directly in front of it and IF I use Monaco software to calibrate it...can I

get a $500 monitor that while not ideal, will do the job. Right now I have two

17" CRT's sitting on my desk (a Sony and an HP), and they work well, but they

are taking up a lot of real estate for the amount of screen space that they

provide. I'd love to turn that ratio around, but I am not going to spend

$1,000 to do it...not now anyway. So...keep the CRT's and just deal with it or

try TN or TFT monitor like the 245BW?

Thanks folks.

the older dell 2005fpw had s ips panels and were pretty good for the money. They changed to a different panel at some time, but the ones I have in front of me seem okay. The samsung I bought and returned I think was a 245bw, but it was terrible.

 

You might look at dell for good deals on relatively inexpensive monitors.

Thanks Robert.

I was in your shoes a month ago. I did a lot of research and ended up spending a bit more to get the dell 2408WFP. This is an excellent monitor that is a much better screen. It is not TFT or TN. I am very impressed by it' viewing angle, color consistency across the screen and sharp text. I spent well over $700 on it when it came out and I don't regret it. I was so happy with it I bought a second for my work. Best wishes

The good news is that it is on sale as we speak for $624.

Hi Joel. I too was in your position not long ago. I settled on a Samsung 215TW. It is "only" a 21" wide but it is gorgeous. I paid $460 through Tigerdirect.

Thanks folks for all of the good advice. Decided on a new old-stock 20" HP LP2065 with an S-IPS panel (yes...I did get a visual conf. on the actual panel first) for around $250.