Thread

I thinking of getting a new LCD monitor to replace a trusty old Mutsubishi Diamond Pro CRT. I’m looking for something for graphics work rather then games.

a couple of possibilities [both 22in] are:
- Samsung SM-225BW
- Samsung SM-226BW

Both seem to get v good reviews but one technical review site thought that the former was better for color reproduction, while the later was more for gaming.

Any thoughts/experiences on these or other options?  what do you all use?

Apple .... 24”

I have the 226BW and it is OK but I think you cannot expect good color differentiation on a TFT display. My 2 years old 17’ SyncMaster 173P is much better but displays like this are more expensive. I use both side by side and I’m quite happy with this arangement 😊

The 225BW has speaker and seems to be a bit slower (2/5ms). I don’t think that this is of any relevance for grafik/webdesign.

Dell’s monitors are actually not bad if you make sure you get the higher quality version.  The usually have a cheap version of each size that looks identical almost to the better one but typically has an inferior screen.

Jamie

I’m an Apple guy through and through, but I love my Dell monitors. I have one of the “higher-quality” 24-inch monitors (the one with a bunch of ports on it) and one of the lower quality 22-inch ones (only a couple USB ports on the side). Like Jamie said - there is a difference in the screens. My 24” is a lot clearer than the 22”.

I’d go for that Alienware curved thing, at CES.

Seriously, I have a Dell 24” that I got after a tip on Slickdeals.  I love it - mine’s widescreen and I wouldn’t choose anything else, though I hear some people don’t like widescreen. (???)

What I would not do is get an Apple Cinema Display a few days before Macworld…. I’d at least see what’s going to happen in a few days. 😉

I have a Samsung 226BW as a monitor for my PC gaming system and for the money it’s a decent monitor but for graphics work I prefer the monitor in my 24” iMac. The Samsung’s colours tend to be a bit oversaturated when compared to the Mac. I agree with Lisa though, Apple’s cinema displays are definitely up for a refresh so why not wait a week or so?

That saturation difference you are noticing could be the difference in gamma defaults in Windows vs. Mac OS.  Windows screens always a feel a little dark and over saturated to me for that reason.

Jamie

Thanks for the replies - food for thought

looking at the Samsungs again it does seem that all the glowing reviews are from gamers, so I’ll research further…

I must admit I had not thought about Apple monitors - so will look into those.  Some Benq monitors and Eizo seem to be spoken well of.

Does anyone happen to know of any compatitive reviews for 22-24in monitors that are not gamer orientated?

BTW do many of you use dual monitors?
- are there problems with retaining your setups?

Maximum PC has a monitor review section. Check it out, some good reviews there.

I have a 226BW and I’m very pleased with it. I was surprised at how negative the Maximum PC review for it was, as I purchased mine on the back of an article at TrustedReviews which describes the monitor as being ‘the pick of the 22in bunch’.

Yes - I sometimes secretly wonder if there is a massive variation from one sample to another, but I’m sure that can’t be so…

Nudged by Crnaovca, Liza & e-man, I’ve been looking at the MacUser site for the first time (not being a Mac owner 😊 ), and the monitor reviews are more slanted toward the needs of graphics work, so thats quite useful.

Proud owner of a 226BW, can’t rate it enough. Unless you’re a print designer I wouldn’t get too into the colour debate or you’ll end up spending a whole bunch of money :D

I have 8 monitors here, HP, Dell, Samsung and Acer and for real reliable graphics work all the consumer TFT monitors suck, except the semi-pro widescreen 20 inch-up monitor from Dell. It is the only monitor that shows very light yellow or blue colours, that I miss on the others. Also it is the only monitor that is consistent horizontal AND vertical. With all the other monitors (Including a 20 inch HP that was reviewed as best buy)I have been annoying myself about the fact that the colours change when you sit higher or lower in front of the screen. The Dell monitor is also better then the Imac screens, but the pro displays of the Mac or also excellent of course (but a lot more expensive).

I’ve noticed that most reviews don’t look enough to colour consistancy. They just look at contrast ratio and brightness. I’ve tested several other Samsung and Iyama monitors in two different computer shops with a big orange graphic and the results were dissapointing. On all the monitors the top was lighter then the bottom of the screen. Which makes it impossible to get an exact idea of the saturation and brightness of your graphic.

For colour reliability also get a decent Spyder, that is an excellent investment.

noregt, I know what you mean about the colours shifting as you move your head up/down!  Thats something I’ve not had to worry about with my old CRT - which sadly is slowly dying :-(

I had hoped that TFT screens had improved from that aspect.

So which was the Dell that you liked - was it the one Liza was mentioning above?

BTW I’ve admired your theatre zaal site ever since you announced it last year - specially the colours!

Nod to the_butcher - I’m striving to keep my feet on the ground 😊 
  Out of curiosity, do you see much color shifting as you alter your head position?