15" or 17" LCD Monitor [Archive]

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Music Lover

April 16th 03, 04:04 AM

not sure whether to buy a 15" or 17" LCD Monitor.

My major use is to write programs.

my major concern are
1) the difference in the actual viewable area between 15" or 17" LCD
Monitor?

2) any recommndation for specifc brand and model?

Many thanks in advance

Music Lover

April 16th 03, 04:06 AM

Also, one more thing:

is it a big difference in picture quality between Analog and DVI if I watch
VCD and DVD?

"Music Lover" > wrote in message
...
> not sure whether to buy a 15" or 17" LCD Monitor.
>
> My major use is to write programs.
>
> my major concern are
> 1) the difference in the actual viewable area between 15" or 17" LCD
> Monitor?
>
> 2) any recommndation for specifc brand and model?
>
> Many thanks in advance
>
>
>

Len Segal

April 16th 03, 04:18 AM

Unlike CRT monitors (and TVs), the viewable area of an LCD monitor should be
as advertised. Thus a 15" LCD = 15" viewable space, etc.

To answer your question about difference in viewable area:
- 15" LCD = 225 sq in of viewable space.
- 17" LCD = 289 sq in of viewable space.
64 sq in differential/225 sq in = 28.4% larger viewable space on a 17" LCD
monitor.

Thus, the difference is very significant, however you need to decide if it
is worth the large differential in cost.

Look at relative specs, then look at reputation for support and warranty to
determine which product offers the best bang for the buck.

I've installed LCD monitors for others, but haven't used them myself, so I
can only say that the digital signal "should" (logically) have the potential
for higher quality output than an analog signal. How perceptible this is to
the eye, I'll leave to someone else who has actual experience with them to
answer your question. [Approx 1 year ago I was working in a computer support
job where my boss offered me a new 15" Dell LCD monitor to replace my 17"
CRT. I tried it for a day or two and decided that I didn't like it . . .
gave it back and took back the 17" CRT monitor! Other than usable space
difference 15" vs. 16" viewable space = 13.7% more viewable space on the 17"
CRT, I don't recall any other reason why I didn't like the LCD.]

--

Regards,
Len Segal, MCP
Microsoft - MVP
--------------
My reply address is intentionally wrong to reduce SPAM Email.
NOTE: We do not respond to unsolicited Email support questions,
please post questions in newsgroup.

"Music Lover" > wrote in message
...
> not sure whether to buy a 15" or 17" LCD Monitor.
>
> My major use is to write programs.
>
> my major concern are
> 1) the difference in the actual viewable area between 15" or 17" LCD
> Monitor?
>
> 2) any recommndation for specifc brand and model?
>
> Many thanks in advance

---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
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Steve C. Ray

April 16th 03, 04:21 AM

On LCD monitors the viewable size is the advertised size, so a 15" is 15"
diagonal measurement. I have a 17" Viewsonic (VE170b), my wife a 15"
Viewsonic. The size difference is very noticeable. The disadvantage is the
price - my 17 cost almost twice what my wife's 15 did. The quality of the
Viewsonic is excellent. I have the analog model; my brother has the digital,
I don't see much difference in most applications.

--
Steve C. Ray
Replace "email" with "brazoria"
"Music Lover" > wrote in message
...
> not sure whether to buy a 15" or 17" LCD Monitor.
>
> My major use is to write programs.
>
> my major concern are
> 1) the difference in the actual viewable area between 15" or 17" LCD
> Monitor?
>
> 2) any recommndation for specifc brand and model?
>
> Many thanks in advance
>
>
>

Music Lover

April 16th 03, 04:35 AM

Many thanks for your reply.

I understand more about LCD mon after reading your post.

My no. 1 concern is viewable area. In my office I am using 15" LCD running
at 1024 * 768. I use Visual Studio .NET and it is still liitle bit "small"
So, I think I really need a 17" LCD. Given that the price difference is
really huge (around USD 200), I may consider a middle end 17 " LCD hoping
that my secondary use (watching VCD / DVD) can have reasonable quality.

"Len Segal" > wrote in message
...
> Unlike CRT monitors (and TVs), the viewable area of an LCD monitor should
be
> as advertised. Thus a 15" LCD = 15" viewable space, etc.
>
> To answer your question about difference in viewable area:
> - 15" LCD = 225 sq in of viewable space.
> - 17" LCD = 289 sq in of viewable space.
> 64 sq in differential/225 sq in = 28.4% larger viewable space on a 17" LCD
> monitor.
>
> Thus, the difference is very significant, however you need to decide if it
> is worth the large differential in cost.
>
> Look at relative specs, then look at reputation for support and warranty
to
> determine which product offers the best bang for the buck.
>
> I've installed LCD monitors for others, but haven't used them myself, so I
> can only say that the digital signal "should" (logically) have the
potential
> for higher quality output than an analog signal. How perceptible this is
to
> the eye, I'll leave to someone else who has actual experience with them to
> answer your question. [Approx 1 year ago I was working in a computer
support
> job where my boss offered me a new 15" Dell LCD monitor to replace my 17"
> CRT. I tried it for a day or two and decided that I didn't like it . . .
> gave it back and took back the 17" CRT monitor! Other than usable space
> difference 15" vs. 16" viewable space = 13.7% more viewable space on the
17"
> CRT, I don't recall any other reason why I didn't like the LCD.]
>
> --
>
> Regards,
> Len Segal, MCP
> Microsoft - MVP
> --------------
> My reply address is intentionally wrong to reduce SPAM Email.
> NOTE: We do not respond to unsolicited Email support questions,
> please post questions in newsgroup.
>
> "Music Lover" > wrote in message
> ...
> > not sure whether to buy a 15" or 17" LCD Monitor.
> >
> > My major use is to write programs.
> >
> > my major concern are
> > 1) the difference in the actual viewable area between 15" or 17" LCD
> > Monitor?
> >
> > 2) any recommndation for specifc brand and model?
> >
> > Many thanks in advance
>
>
>
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.471 / Virus Database: 269 - Release Date: 4/10/2003
>
>

Len Segal

April 16th 03, 04:42 AM

Glad to help.

Addendum to the Digital vs. Analog issue: All the Digital LCD monitors that
I have seen also have an Analog connector. To actually use the Digital mode,
one must have a new, special Digital video card. All the Digital LCD
monitors that I installed, connected to machines that had Analog video
cards, so there would be no difference to the user (except a lighter
wallet).

--

Regards,
Len Segal, MCP
Microsoft - MVP
--------------
My reply address is intentionally wrong to reduce SPAM Email.
NOTE: We do not respond to unsolicited Email support questions,
please post questions in newsgroup.

"Music Lover" > wrote in message
...
> Many thanks for your reply.
>
> I understand more about LCD mon after reading your post.
>
> My no. 1 concern is viewable area. In my office I am using 15" LCD running
> at 1024 * 768. I use Visual Studio .NET and it is still liitle bit "small"
> So, I think I really need a 17" LCD. Given that the price difference is
> really huge (around USD 200), I may consider a middle end 17 " LCD hoping
> that my secondary use (watching VCD / DVD) can have reasonable quality.
>
>
> "Len Segal" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Unlike CRT monitors (and TVs), the viewable area of an LCD monitor
> > should
> be
> > as advertised. Thus a 15" LCD = 15" viewable space, etc.
> >
> > To answer your question about difference in viewable area:
> > - 15" LCD = 225 sq in of viewable space.
> > - 17" LCD = 289 sq in of viewable space.
> > 64 sq in differential/225 sq in = 28.4% larger viewable space on a 17"
> > LCD
> > monitor.
> >
> > Thus, the difference is very significant, however you need to decide if
> > it
> > is worth the large differential in cost.
> >
> > Look at relative specs, then look at reputation for support and warranty
> to
> > determine which product offers the best bang for the buck.
> >
> > I've installed LCD monitors for others, but haven't used them myself, so
> > I
> > can only say that the digital signal "should" (logically) have the
> potential
> > for higher quality output than an analog signal. How perceptible this is
> to
> > the eye, I'll leave to someone else who has actual experience with them
> > to
> > answer your question. [Approx 1 year ago I was working in a computer
> support
> > job where my boss offered me a new 15" Dell LCD monitor to replace my
> > 17"
> > CRT. I tried it for a day or two and decided that I didn't like it . . .
> > gave it back and took back the 17" CRT monitor! Other than usable space
> > difference 15" vs. 16" viewable space = 13.7% more viewable space on the
> 17"
> > CRT, I don't recall any other reason why I didn't like the LCD.]
> >
> > --
> >
> > Regards,
> > Len Segal, MCP
> > Microsoft - MVP
> > --------------
> > My reply address is intentionally wrong to reduce SPAM Email.
> > NOTE: We do not respond to unsolicited Email support questions,
> > please post questions in newsgroup.
> >
> > "Music Lover" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > not sure whether to buy a 15" or 17" LCD Monitor.
> > >
> > > My major use is to write programs.
> > >
> > > my major concern are
> > > 1) the difference in the actual viewable area between 15" or 17" LCD
> > > Monitor?
> > >
> > > 2) any recommndation for specifc brand and model?
> > >
> > > Many thanks in advance
> >
> >
> >
> > ---
> > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> > Version: 6.0.471 / Virus Database: 269 - Release Date: 4/10/2003
> >
> >
>
>

---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.471 / Virus Database: 269 - Release Date: 4/10/2003

Jim Macklin

April 16th 03, 05:32 AM

a 15" LCD is approximately equal viewing area as a 17" CRT
because the CRT is measured diagonally while LCD are
measured straight across the bottom. CRT measure the
hypotenuse and LCDs measure the base.

I'd get the biggest I could afford and both 15 and 17" LCDs
are now much more reasonable in cost. Name brands and
policies on replacement for bad pixels are important
considerations.

Look at different monitors and buy what looks best to you.
PCWorld has reviews of hardware each month. www.pcworld.com

"Music Lover" > wrote in message
...
| not sure whether to buy a 15" or 17" LCD Monitor.
|
| My major use is to write programs.
|
| my major concern are
| 1) the difference in the actual viewable area between 15"
or 17" LCD
| Monitor?
|
| 2) any recommndation for specifc brand and model?
|
| Many thanks in advance
|
|
|

Jim Macklin

April 16th 03, 05:38 AM

Tim Fierro

April 16th 03, 06:07 AM

"Music Lover" > wrote in message
...

> not sure whether to buy a 15" or 17" LCD Monitor.

I just bought a new computer last week and previous to this new computer, I
used a 17" CRT. It has served me well over the past few years but I wanted
to update the monitor at the same time.

On deciding on a 15" or 17" LCD monitor myself, I saw that the 15" LCD (the
ones I looked at) could not do 1280 x 1024 resolution; so they were out of
the equation. I tried looking at 1024 x 768 and I couldn't stand it. I
have been running 1280 x1024 for a few years now and I just couldn't go back
to that lower resolution.

Of the 17" LCD monitors, the price rose quite a bit and I had to contemplate
on whether or not a new monitor was in the budget when going over the $400
just for the monitor.

Turns out when I had the system built, my wife came with me to order it,
they had monitors on display. She really liked the 19" CRT monitor the
best, of course part of it was because of price. Since this monitor would
go to my resolution I have been using the past few years and my desk was
already big enought for the old 17" CRT; a new 19" CRT was not out of the
question.

I ended up buying a CTL 900VX 19" monitor for $159 and after 4 days, I seem
to really like the viewing area and the resolution @ 1280 x 1024. I don't
play movies on this machine, I have a big screen in the living room for
that. My 19" CRT gave me more room on my screen that the 17" did and I
mostly read on the Internet, write contracts, keep in contact with clients,
and do some programming on the side in VB. I usually have a few windows
open at a time.

I only point the above out to you to give you another angle on your
purchase. If that digital quality is important or your desk space does not
accomodate a 19" CRT, then it may not be for you. Another thing is that I
have not purchased a monitor since the 17" one back in 1996; so I have no
idea if CTL is a good brand or not. That last one made in 1996 is now
sitting in the living room to give to a friend who doesn't own a computer;
it still works like a champ; I just wanted a fresh new system.

Good luck on your decision!

>
> My major use is to write programs.
>
> my major concern are
> 1) the difference in the actual viewable area between 15" or 17" LCD
> Monitor?
>
> 2) any recommndation for specifc brand and model?
>
> Many thanks in advance

April 16th 03, 07:16 AM

You know another advantage of a 19" or larger monitor????
You don't have to worry too much about anyone STEALING it ;)
Those things are so darn heavy, it would almost take a pair of
burgalars to steal one LOL.
I had a Samsung 17" (16.1" viewable) for almost 3 years, and gave
it up for a 17.1" LCD (analog output). I was fortunate to compair
both an analog output and digital output and if there was a
difference, my 43 year old eyes couldn't tell the difference. I
wanted the extra desktop real estate, plus I think the brightness and
razor sharpness of the letters is a plus for me. I ran my CRT monitor
at 1280x1024 @ 75hz because it's about at the end of what that CRT
could drive. My LCD runs natively 1280x1024 flawlessly. The refresh
rate isn't an issue in LCD screens like it is with CRT's because there
isn't a beam tracing on the screen. I've used this thing for hours on
end doing e-mail, word docs, photo touchups without any eye strain
what so ever.
If you can afford an LCD, get a good quality one, AND get in writing
what their return policy for dead/stuck pixels is. So far, there
isn't any on mine......3 months into using it.

>
>Turns out when I had the system built, my wife came with me to order it,
>they had monitors on display. She really liked the 19" CRT monitor the
>best, of course part of it was because of price. Since this monitor would
>go to my resolution I have been using the past few years and my desk was
>already big enought for the old 17" CRT; a new 19" CRT was not out of the
>question.
>
>I ended up buying a CTL 900VX 19" monitor for $159 and after 4 days, I seem
>to really like the viewing area and the resolution @ 1280 x 1024. I don't
>play movies on this machine, I have a big screen in the living room for
>that. My 19" CRT gave me more room on my screen that the 17" did and I
>mostly read on the Internet, write contracts, keep in contact with clients,
>and do some programming on the side in VB. I usually have a few windows
>open at a time.
>
>I only point the above out to you to give you another angle on your
>purchase. If that digital quality is important or your desk space does not
>accomodate a 19" CRT, then it may not be for you. Another thing is that I
>have not purchased a monitor since the 17" one back in 1996; so I have no
>idea if CTL is a good brand or not. That last one made in 1996 is now
>sitting in the living room to give to a friend who doesn't own a computer;
>it still works like a champ; I just wanted a fresh new system.
>
>

Steve C. Ray

April 16th 03, 03:57 PM

I think LCD displays are still measured on the diagonal, but they are "true"
measurements. A LCD monitor advertised as a 17" has a 17" viewable screen,
where most CRT monitors have a viewable screen smaller than the advertised
size :-)

--
Steve C. Ray
Replace "email" with "brazoria"
"Jim Macklin" > wrote in message
...
> a 15" LCD is approximately equal viewing area as a 17" CRT
> because the CRT is measured diagonally while LCD are
> measured straight across the bottom. CRT measure the
> hypotenuse and LCDs measure the base.
>
> I'd get the biggest I could afford and both 15 and 17" LCDs
> are now much more reasonable in cost. Name brands and
> policies on replacement for bad pixels are important
> considerations.
>
> Look at different monitors and buy what looks best to you.
> PCWorld has reviews of hardware each month. www.pcworld.com
>
>
> "Music Lover" > wrote in message
> ...
> | not sure whether to buy a 15" or 17" LCD Monitor.
> |
> | My major use is to write programs.
> |
> | my major concern are
> | 1) the difference in the actual viewable area between 15"
> or 17" LCD
> | Monitor?
> |
> | 2) any recommndation for specifc brand and model?
> |
> | Many thanks in advance
> |
> |
> |
>
>

April 16th 03, 05:09 PM

Just my two cents.
The main thing you should be concerned with regardless of which size you
choose is the Aspect Ratio. The higher the Aspect Ratio the sharper the
picture will be on an LCD screen. Try to get at least a 400:1 Aspect Ratio.
This will eliminate a lot of ghost images on moving objects, such as when
playing games or watching videos.
The draw back on higher ratios is the price you will pay. This is because
it is a higher performing LCD monitor.
HTH

"Music Lover" > wrote in message
...
> not sure whether to buy a 15" or 17" LCD Monitor.
>
> My major use is to write programs.
>
> my major concern are
> 1) the difference in the actual viewable area between 15" or 17" LCD
> Monitor?
>
> 2) any recommndation for specifc brand and model?
>
> Many thanks in advance
>
>
>