DJ_Longfellow

Ok, I'm looking to get a new PC monitor that will double as a TV for my "computer room/office". Anyways, I don't want to spend TOO much for one, but I would like something bigger than I have. I currently have a 17" WS Gateway LCD TV/Monitor.

I would like to go to a 23" or 26" (that is the biggest my desk wil hold). So, does anyone have any good recommendations for the CHEAP LCD TV's out there? I'm talking Syntax, Westinghouse, Tatung, ect ect.

Thanks.

johnson_design

I picked up a 32 Westinghouse from the Best Buy deal, $800ish. Its awesome. HD is stunning. Works great as a monitor too. I think the Syntax 26 is floating around for $500ish or less right now as well.

DJ_Longfellow

Thanks...I just went to Best Buy, the Westinghouse looked decent, but the 27" might be too tall for my PC desk/cabinet. They had the 26" Insignia for $699, which seemed to be ok. They had an open-box Westinghouse for $649 though....I guess I have to measure...but more than likely, I'll keep looking.

DJ_Longfellow

So, any more reviews? I'm leaning towards a real brand after seeing the Olevia next to a Samsung

BobDole42

Are you going to be using the set as a computer monitor? If so, even the brand name sets like the Sammy are fairly low resolution for use as a computer monitor. I have a Sammy 26 inch LCD and love it, but I'm using it as a tv.

The Bus

You don't want to use an off-brand LCD TV/Monitor as your main monitor, unless you think you'll use it for at most 15-30 minutes per day. If this is what you do all day, definitely get a bigger and better screen!

DJ_Longfellow

I'm going to use the LCD as my PC monitor at HOME. It will double as a TV also. I redid my computer room recently so it's more office like.

I keep reading mixed reviews on some of the off-brand monitors. Some LOVE them, some say you get what you pay for.

I'm just curious what resolution I should look for if it will MAINLY be a PC monitor. I'm looking at the 26" Syntax Olevia for around $400 after rebate. I would love a Samsung or Sony, but a 26" wll run me over a $1000.

Deftones

Aren't the DVI connections in a regular LCD tv different than what's on a monitor? I thought there were DVI-I and DVI-D.

BobDole42

I have never used my Sammy 26 inch as a monitor, but I can't imagine that it would work very well. I use 17 inch LCDs as computer monitors, and they run at 1280x1024. The Sammy isn't nearly that resolution and is much bigger. I may be wrong though.

DJ_Longfellow

Well, my Dad bought a 23" Samsung LCD TV and uses it as a monitor and it looks great. I think they run at 1280x768 (or 1024x768). The picture looks good as a monitor, I'm just wondering how the cheap ones look.

I currently have DVI running to my Gateway LCD TV/Monitor (I consider it a TV since it has the seperate cable input).

Spiky

It should look just as good, just fewer pixels. Ok for some quick surfing or something. Maybe even some gaming. I wouldn't want it with my main PC for working. Esp since the TV type costs more than the PC type. For no apparent reason.

fujishig

I just picked up a Viewsonic N3250w 32" from Fry's. Specs are:
http://www.viewsonic.com/products/de.../lcdtv/n3250w/

It was $999, with a $200 mail-in rebate. Seems like a good enough deal to me, though I haven't taken it home to use it yet. I'm gonna use it as a monitor/TV too, since my LCD monitor just broke. Any drawbacks to using an LCD TV as a monitor? Will it die quicker or anything?

Spiky

Well, it was discussed above. HD res is much smaller than typical PC resolutions these days. That's the main drawback. Obviously, if you use it more, it will die quicker. But you still have years before expected failure, even if you double your usage time.

DJ_Longfellow

Well, I may wait a bit for LCD prices to drop more...unless I find a REALLY good deal. I like the way my 17" WideScreen LCD looks now, but I just want bigger to fill the room. I'm not worried, I don't use my PC for work, just Internet and basic computing. No gaming even.