Monitor conundrum: HP ZR24W vs. Dell U2412M...

<p>Sorry for another "which monitor" question...<br /> This one is really more a poll. I'm looking at getting a new monitor to replace my trusty CRT.<br /> I would like a ~24 inch screen, 1920x1200 resolution, and my budget is about $350.<br /> There seem to be two main categories of monitors that fit, represented by the HP and Dell units:</p>

<ol>

<li>8-bit panel using CCL backlight (ex. the HP ZR24W)</li>

<li>6-bit panel with FRC using LED backlight (ex. the Dell U2412M)</li>

</ol>

<p>I'm torn between the slightly older, but more proven, technology in the HP, and the newer monitors which seem to be essentially as good (i.e. the FRC is not intrusive).<br /> There seem to be some (minor) issues with the uniformity and backlight bleed with the new LED panels, but nothing terrible:</p>

<ul>

<li>http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/hp_zr24w.htm</li>

<li>http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/dell_u2412m.htm</li>

</ul>

<p>Suggestions?<br /> Which one would you buy?</p>

<p>Well, neither IMHO. But I’d looking at a high bit, wide gamut (that can simulate non wide gamut), highly calibrated system. NEC SpectraView PA241W-BK.</p>

<blockquote>

<p><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=361342">Andrew Rodney</a> <a href="../member-status-icons"><img title="Subscriber" src="../v3graphics/member-status-icons/sub10plus.gif" alt="" /><img title="Frequent poster" src="../v3graphics/member-status-icons/2rolls.gif" alt="" /></a>, Sep 15, 2011; 08:56 p.m.</p>

 

<p>Well, neither IMHO. But I’d looking at a high bit, wide gamut (that can simulate non wide gamut), highly calibrated system. NEC SpectraView PA241W-BK.</p>

 

<p><a name="pagebottom"></a></p>

</blockquote>

<p>That would be my first choice, too - all I need to do is find someplace selling them for $350...</p>

<p>Do you really want a $350 display <g>? Not a pretty picture. </p>

<p>Get a 28" screen and save. HannsG that is. Some people do not like it, most love it. There are 96 reviews on Amazon. <br>

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hanns-G-HG281DPB-Widescreen-LCD-Monitor/dp/B000TJV9KW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316252353&sr=8-1">http://www.amazon.com/Hanns-G-HG281DPB-Widescreen-LCD-Monitor/dp/B000TJV9KW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316252353&sr=8-1</a></p>

<p> 28" is great at 1920 x 1200. Works like a charm for last 2 years. Was for $300 on sale at Costco web. Since Costco store accepts returns from Costco web, I tried this with possible intention to return, but actually I like it. Did not want to spend $2000 or so.</p>

<p>Frank: thanks for the link, but the Hanns.G is a TN panel, and I'm really looking for the quality of an IPS.</p>

<p>I have the ZR24w, I like it. I don't know much about the Dell, but the HP is 16:10, and I appreciate the extra vertical real-estate. It takes a couple/few minutes for the backlight to fully warm up, which is a disadvantage compared to LED backlit monitors. I also notice more of the "sparkly" appearance to even backgrounds compared to my old monitor (a Dell 2001FP, which was a 4:3 IPS CCFL panel), but it's not too bad. For the money I'd say it's probably the best value in its class, although granted a couple years old in design.</p>

<p>Consider the NEC P221W which is closer to $350 ($367) and is high bit and wide gamut. I've got one in front of me now and think it's great and not "sparkly" as it's not IPS.<br>

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/602072-REG/NEC_P221W_BK_MultiSync_P221W_BK_22_Widescreen.html</p>

<p>The displays mentioned here may be cheap now, but it seems from my experience buying the e-IPS Dell 2209WA at $300 new and raving about it here, they don't remain cheap for long the more any particular model receives an inordinate amount of attention online (see YouTube on my Dell model).</p>

<p>They soon sell out and the remaining go online for nearly double the price which is what happened to the Dell 2209WA which can't be found new for less than $500.</p>

<p>NEC brands seem to control pricing on their models as well as some dropping in price instead of increasing. I can respect NEC for allowing market demand to rule pricing if that's what's really happening. Competition is good.</p>

<p>But hoarding and holding by third party vendors so they can demand a higher price when the unit is discontinued by the manufacturer seems to be a problem when that happens.</p>