Other Thoughts
One possibility that we didn't even touch on yet is the option to use an LCD HDTV in place of a computer monitor. There are pros and cons to taking such a route, but if it's something that you're interested in doing there's nothing to stop you. HDTVs do have a few really nice features compared to computer monitors, like built-in speakers that actually sound decent if not great, numerous input options, and a remote control for those times when you want to sit back in your chair. Perhaps one of the best reasons to consider an HDTV is that you can get a 32" 1080P LCD for a lot less than a 30" computer LCD, and you also get larger pixels so text might not be quite as difficult to read. Speaking from experience, those without great eyesight may find 2560x1600 on a 30" display to be difficult on the eyes when reading text -- I usually work at 150% magnification in Microsoft Word, for example. You could even go nuts and get a 50 inch or larger "display" and use a wireless mouse and keyboard from 5 to 10 feet away.
Right about now, you might be thinking that HDTVs as computer monitors sound like a great idea. While they certainly work, there are some important caveats that you need to remember before taking the plunge. First, LCD HDTVs typically don't have base stand with adjustable height/tilt, so you will need a desk that puts the display at eye level. Second, HDTV LCDs tend to weigh more than computer LCDs, in part because they include larger speakers and other features. Finally -- and potentially the real killer -- HDTVs often come with a large amount of the internal processing lag. 50 ms or even 250 ms really doesn't make any difference when you're just watching TV and videos, provided that the audio and video remain in sync. Before going out and purchasing an HDTV for computer use, you might want to browse around the web first and verify that processing lag is not an issue. Some HDTVs include a "game" mode to bypass the video processing, which is something else to consider.
Because of the type of environment most people expect when using a computer, we would stick with LCD HDTVs that are at most 32" -- although some people might be okay with up to 42" displays. Definitely stick with 1080P options, unless you don't mind having really big pixels. As far as particular models are concerned, Sharp makes some 32" LCDs that are quite popular for gaming/HDTV/computer use. Overall, HDTVs tend to excel in video playback but fall behind in other areas. Regardless, it's definitely an option to consider if you're looking for a large display. As usual, you get what you pay for, so don't just go out and grab the cheapest option you can find. The better HDTVs will use IPS panels, whereas inexpensive models again make use of TN panels.
To wrap things up, here's a table summarizing some of our LCD recommendations. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but we do feel all of the displays in the following table are at least worth considering.
| 2008 LCD Recommendation Summary | ||||
| LCD | Size | Resolution | Panel Tech | Price |
| Entry-Level | ||||
| Acer X223Wbd | 22" | 1680x1050 | TN | $170 |
| ASUS VH226H | 22" | 1920x1080 | TN | $210 |
| ASUS VW222U | 22" | 1680x1050 | TN | $230 |
| Midrange | ||||
| LG L226WTY | 22" | 1680x1050 | TN | $260 |
| BenQ E2200HD | 22" | 1920x1080 | TN | $265 |
| Samsung T220 | 22" | 1680x1050 | TN | $270 |
| ViewSonic X Series VX2260wm | 22" | 1920x1080 | TN | $280 |
| Acer X243Wbd | 24" | 1920x1200 | TN | $290 |
| BenQ E2400HD | 24" | 1920x1080 | TN | $330 |
| BenQ G2400WD | 24" | 1920x1200 | TN | $340 |
| Dell SP2309W | 23" | 2048x1152 | TN | $380 |
| Hanns-G HG-281DPB | 28" | 1920x1200 | TN | $380 |
| Acer G24 | 24" | 1920x1200 | TN | $390 |
| Samsung 2493HM | 24" | 1920x1200 | TN | $390 |
| Gateway FHD2401 | 24" | 1920x1200 | TN | $400 |
| High-End | ||||
| Dell 2408WFP | 24" | 1920x1200 | S-PVA | $482 |
| Lenovo L220X | 22" | 1920x1200 | S-PVA | $485 |
| HP LP2475w | 24" | 1920x1200 | S-IPS | $585 |
| BenQ FP241VW | 24" | 1920x1200 | S-MVA | $600 |
| Planar PX2611W | 26" | 1920x1200 | S-IPS | $765 |
| Dream | ||||
| DoubleSight DS-305W | 30" | 2560x1600 | S-IPS | $950 |
| NEC LCD2690WUXi | 26" | 1920x1200 | H-IPS | $1050 |
| Samsung 305T | 30" | 2560x1600 | S-PVA | $1125 |
| Dell 3007WFP-HC | 30" | 2560x1600 | S-IPS | $1200 |
| HP LP3065 | 30" | 2560x1600 | S-IPS | $1250 |
| NEC LCD3090WQXi | 30" | 2560x1600 | S-IPS | $2000 |
As a final thought, just remember that your computer display is one part of the computer that you constantly look at, so spending more money to get a higher quality display is definitely something your eyes will appreciate. Not only can it have an immediate and dramatic impact on how you use your computer, but also keep in mind the fact that computer displays tend to stay in use for five years or more, as opposed to being out of date the instant you buy them. That being the case, we recommend trying to spend more money and get a nicer display if at all possible.
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anandtech02148 - Thursday, December 18, 2008 - link
nice review,I bought the Dell 2408 when it was 512, price have drop a little in 4weeks. Regarding input lag, some suggest using hdmi cable to connect instead of dvi to improve signal lag. Does this really work?
Spivonious - Thursday, December 18, 2008 - link
I wouldn't see why. HDMI is DVI+Audio.USRFobiwan - Thursday, December 18, 2008 - link
Nice but a little short I think. I have one thing I do not agree on HD TV's and their lag story. What about all the people that play their Xboxes and PS3's. Never seen any lag on those on the big screendijuremo - Thursday, December 18, 2008 - link
He taking about input lag, not response time. Take a look at this:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Input_lag">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Input_lag
It has an animation/video where you can clearly see the LCD is running behing the CRT. Now you should realize how those kids frag you so much in counterstrike using their old CRT... :)
HollyDOL - Thursday, December 18, 2008 - link
well, human optical nerves have reuse downtime of about 35-40ms, so anything below that is unrecognisable for human... Count in brain cheating with the image big way as well and you find out there is no chance to detect that without some device help.Spivonious - Thursday, December 18, 2008 - link
Ever noticed flicker in a 60Hz or even a 75Hz monitor? I have. That means my eye can pick up changes of 13ms.HollyDOL - Thursday, December 18, 2008 - link
You are mixing two things together. First of all, CRT monitor flickering you can see is result of your eye catching with various pixel intesities over time... While LCD screen pixel loses only relatively small part of intensity before it gets refreshed, CRT screen pixel virtualy goes between nothing and everything every time. I'll try to find out pictures describing it and post it here later.Hard fact is that data running from your eyes to brain is transfered as a electrical currency (=fast) only inside neurons. Two neurons transfer the 'bit' between themselves using chemical reaction of Natrium - Kalium bridge. Simple as that to be able to transfer next bit, the chemical levels need to rebalance and perform further chemical processes to provide that and thus you have got huge speed bottleneck there.
If your eye could pick up 13ms, you would see your old CRT screen like waved something with bad colouring and light intensity would go up and down like if you were turning your light in room on and off.
It's very much same with watching movies - it seems fluent to you. You don't watch series of photos with sound (like you would if you had 13ms nerves), but movement. What everybody recognises as fluent movement is just and only your brain interpolating between two static frames it received through optical nerve... that's the reason all the videos are in about 25FPS (40ms) frame rate. Simply because human doesn't need more because human can't recognise more. Whoever says otherwise is either E.T. or lies to his own pocket. The hard cap of eye nerve bandwidth simply doesn't allow that.
mczak - Thursday, December 18, 2008 - link
LCD screens do not lose any part of intensity whatsoever over time - unless you'd count backlight flicker (which is afaik several kHz)...JarredWalton - Thursday, December 18, 2008 - link
I can tell you from experience that you will certainly notice the 40ms lag on some monitors; I don't have a problem with 20ms models, but the 2408WFP, Samsung 245T, and several other LCDs are perceptibly slower. You can't *see* it looking at things side by side, but use it and you can feel the lag. Even in using Windows, the mouse just feels like its sluggish and unresponsive. Gaming is even worse at times, depending on the game and how competitive you are.I didn't think it was a problem either, until I got a few truly laggy displays and did further testing. For a while I actually just thought the lag was the cheap Dell mouse I had connected to a test system, and then when I tested one of the TN panels I suddenly realized that the mouse was fine. Basically it felt like I had a cheap wireless mouse where everything was imprecise.
HollyDOL - Thursday, December 18, 2008 - link
Well, don't forget there is significant lag on computer side as well. It takes some msecs for the software to move the cursor as well... Effect acumulates with further lag on monitor and pain begins. The lag effect should be much more visible with linux systems due to their switching of kernel and user modes of cpu. Could be worth trying out.