Very expensive blunder... advice needed

[Pollux]

Alright, so the other day i had some friends over and we were hanging out and everything, and one of my friends was playing around on my computer. So i see that he has a beer sitting near his hand and i move it so he doesn't knock it, and i set it on the shelf above the computer (yes, very dumb i know), anyhow, the beer falls and pours in my Sony CPD420GS, and i get a call today saying it will be $500+ to fix.
So obviously i'm going to buy another monitor, and i'm going to use my college fund so i can get a nice one (i'm a programmer and a CS major so i spend a lot of time in front of the monitor). Anyhow, i'm deciding between these two:

SONY 21"/19.8V CPD-G500 .24 2048X1536 75HZ FD TRINITRON for about $690

and

VIEWSONIC 21" P225 .25 2048X1536 for about $730

the prices are close enough so what i want to know is what you guys think. i loved my sony, but i've heard so much good about the viewsonic. Thanks for all your help, this is a huge blunder that i need to get solved so i can keep working
-Pollux

edit for spelling

[This message has been edited by Pollux (edited 06-01-2001).]

[zskillz]

c'mon all, i would certainly think that someone would know the answer to this one....

I went to compare the two of them, and couldn't really find a good basis for comparison because the specs given weren't the same...

at least give him your opinions and why you like a specific monitor..

-Z

[Bovon]

Well, geeese...I would like to help, but never have had a Viewsonic.

I have a 17" Nokia now, and it has been a good one, about 4 years old now, and still going strong. Their tech people are great as well.

I bought my daughter a KDS (Korean Data Systems 17 with a Sony Trinitron tube, it went bonkers, KDS shipped her another one (refurb for the original and replacement) and it worked one day. I had just sent her a new video card, which turns out to have been the problem all along...she put her old card back in and the first monitor worked fine, but the second was dead apparently. KDS said they would have UPS pick up the second for return. After 1-1/2 years, and several phone calls/emails...we just said to heck with it. Finally, we were gonna chunk it, but I called KDS first, they didn't know anything about the deal...even after I gave them the RMA number. They wanted me to ship it back for evaluation, which I did. 12 days later, FedEx rolled up to my house with a brand spanking new 17 monitor...no charge.

I kinda think that speaks well for KDS, and would buy another new one when the time comes. The screen is beautiful, and I think it is a good monitor, resolution is very good as well...

My 2c worth..

[daveleau]

We have used both Viewsonic and Sony at work on several systems. The Sony seems to be a crisper picture. Granted, we have only used the 17" models. In my use though, Sony makes the best looking monitor of any.

Dave

[Mntsnow]

I love my 21" viewsonic. Nice flat screen. Good resolution and even colors. I know several that have the Sony and have been very pleased with them. So in short I would say either would be a great choice. Which ever "looks" best to you is the one to get.

[Pollux]

Thanks a lot folks... i've decided to go with the sony g500. i was just so impressed with my last sony i didn't think i should jinx myself. thanks
-Pollux

[This message has been edited by Pollux (edited 06-01-2001).]

[sedu]

Buy an $80 15" monitor and spend the rest on beer. College students today have lost the concept of priorities.

[daverme]

Amen, Sedu ... but ... Pollux has it right!

Ok, that was off topic. I use a Viewsonic A75s almost every day for work (I telecommute) and I like it just fine. My wife has a Dell/Trinitron. I think it's a great monitor and she has never complained.

[This message has been edited by daverme (edited 05-31-2001).]

[madfish]

just my .02 I like my two 17" nec's multisync's

edit: spelling

[This message has been edited by madfish (edited 05-31-2001).]

[prexaspes]

Not to be cheesy and throw on the pile but,

have you thought of tiger direct? They have refurbished 22" monitors for $400, 21" for $300, and the list goes on. I mean, really, that's a lot of money... I'd choke on $800 for a monitor...

[Imanage]

Geez, did you ever consider flat panels LCD monitors? 17" are in your price range. I've switched from 19" CRTs to 15" LCDs and the relief from eyestrain is amazing even though the screen is smaller.

[SoopaStar]

I agree with Imanage. Hell, you can get 15" LCD's (same viewable as a 17") for abotu $400 now. You could get two of those and really pimp on prgramming. Have one window to code and other to debug...heh.

Paul

[MiKe85]

Good luck with the new monitor..
Tell us how it works out for you

[MiKe85]

Oops
Double post http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by MiKe85 (edited 05-31-2001).]

[Warthog]

Even though you already decided, I would also get the Sony monitor http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Warthog

[Pollux]

I definitely thought about the flat panel lcd monitors, but in the end i want a big screen, that's about the gist of it. Since i toasted my monitor (somewhat literally) two weeks ago I've been working on a 17" and not to sound snotty but it's just no where near the same as having a huge monitor to look at. With a 21" i think that i'll have plenty of room to multitask on the screen and unless they come out with cheap plasma monitors any time soon this monitor should be one of the best for the forseeable future. i'm still open to replies though.
-Pollux

[Imanage]

If you are talking screen real estate, 18"LCDs usually are set at 1280x1024 and 15" LCDs normally at 1024x768. A CRT cannot match the crispness of a flat panel display. Even though I don't have a DVI digital out to mine, it is super sharp. It would be cool to set have a "Matrix" console using dual-output video cards.

[Pollux]

i've also heard that the LCD's are not very good for gaming. That the refresh rates just can't keep up or something to that effect. is there any truth in this?

[Imanage]

I only use my pc for "serious" work so I can't really say but I have no problems with DVDs.