More Advice Wanted: Computer Monitor
I need a new monitor. Mine is one of the last three original pieces of the computer I got in 1996. It's been a great monitor for the past 10 years. Recently, it's begun to whine, and I'm extremely sensitive to that. The solution that worked on my work monitor (the Gateway VX1100) - changing the refresh rate - doesn't work on my home monitor because its highest possible refresh rate (85 Hertz) is my lower limit of tolerance. This week, the whining has gotten even worse, and I've finally really had it. I also realized that I have Hanukkah money, birthday money, and bonus money, so I can buy something new without any sort of worry or guilt.
Here's what makes this tricky: I hate LCD monitors and my desk will only support 39 pounds. I actually need a monitor a bit lighter than that because I tend to keep a bunch of other stuff on my desk. (I could stop keeping other stuff on my desk, but I'm sure we all know the likelihood of that happening.) I also don't want anything too big because then I won't be able to see the TV from the kitchen. (For those of you for whom that made no sense: the way my house is set up, the computer is between the kitchen and the TV.) However, I would like something a little bigger than what I have. Currently, I have a 15-inch monitor set at 640x480. Mostly this is okay, but there are some LJ layouts (tesla321 is currently using one) and fic sites (such as Pretty FBI Boys) that require side scrolling for access to fic.
Realistically speaking, I don't do that much with my computer and I don't need a hugely top of the line monitor. The only programs I use on a daily or near-daily basis are SeaMonkey, Notepad, and Windows Explorer, with the occasional foray into Word for its spellcheck function. However, I do spend a lot of time on my computer, and as such, I don't want to look at something substandard. I'd like a flat-screen, but it's not an absolute requirement.
CNET Shopper.Com lets you browse CRT monitors by weight. It looks like my serious options in the 17-inch, under 36 pounds category are Philips, NEC, ViewSonic, Samsung, AOC, and HP. I'm disinclined to buy the HP, and I know I don't want ViewSonic because I hate the little bird logo on the monitor housing. I seem to remember that NEC made great monitors at one time. Does anyone have any experience with them and know if that's true? What about AOC? I've never even heard of them. Does Philips make good monitors? Any other suggestions of things I should look at?
Here's what makes this tricky: I hate LCD monitors and my desk will only support 39 pounds. I actually need a monitor a bit lighter than that because I tend to keep a bunch of other stuff on my desk. (I could stop keeping other stuff on my desk, but I'm sure we all know the likelihood of that happening.) I also don't want anything too big because then I won't be able to see the TV from the kitchen. (For those of you for whom that made no sense: the way my house is set up, the computer is between the kitchen and the TV.) However, I would like something a little bigger than what I have. Currently, I have a 15-inch monitor set at 640x480. Mostly this is okay, but there are some LJ layouts (tesla321 is currently using one) and fic sites (such as Pretty FBI Boys) that require side scrolling for access to fic.
Realistically speaking, I don't do that much with my computer and I don't need a hugely top of the line monitor. The only programs I use on a daily or near-daily basis are SeaMonkey, Notepad, and Windows Explorer, with the occasional foray into Word for its spellcheck function. However, I do spend a lot of time on my computer, and as such, I don't want to look at something substandard. I'd like a flat-screen, but it's not an absolute requirement.
CNET Shopper.Com lets you browse CRT monitors by weight. It looks like my serious options in the 17-inch, under 36 pounds category are Philips, NEC, ViewSonic, Samsung, AOC, and HP. I'm disinclined to buy the HP, and I know I don't want ViewSonic because I hate the little bird logo on the monitor housing. I seem to remember that NEC made great monitors at one time. Does anyone have any experience with them and know if that's true? What about AOC? I've never even heard of them. Does Philips make good monitors? Any other suggestions of things I should look at?