20"-plus LCD widescreen monitor for a Mac Mini

[PKIDelirium]

Okay, making a new thread since I'm for sure getting a Mini now, it's just a matter of which one. Main decision now is a good widescreen LCD monitor.

I decided against getting this Dell (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Displays/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=19&sku=320-7438) after seeing reviews saying it was a cheap panel and had backlight bleed around the edges.

Mainly, I just want a good 20" or more widescreen LCD that the Mac Mini can drive without problems.

Couple candidates I found last night:

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-2333SW-23-Inch-Widescreen-Monitor/dp/B001P5CAV6/ref=pd_cp_pc_1?pf_rd_p=413863401&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B001QVLD8A&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0ZWA8F1RTQ2DD4QXD2TA
http://www.amazon.com/Acer-V223-WBD-Widescreen-Monitor-Black/dp/B0017AR13G/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=pc&qid=1243372111&sr=1-3
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OD76SG/ref=s9_subs_gw_s0_p147_t3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=0BPW3ZGYJ0QV2BRD29F6&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938811&pf_rd_i=507846

TIA. I've never bought a standalone LCD monitor, especially not a widescreen one, so I'm a bit of a n00b in that department. I've been using a laptop as my main computer since 2001.

[Luca]

I'll throw in a recommendation for the Dell 2209WA. It's an E-IPS monitor so it has really nice picture quality, viewing angles, etc., and it's only a touch over $200 (an amazing price considering Apple's now-discontinued 20" IPS is still selling for $400+).

Another thing to consider is there are now a lot of 21.5" and 23" widescreen LCDs with a native resolution of 1920x1080 (a 16:9 aspect ratio as opposed to the usual 16:10 you see on 24" LCDs). There are some 21.5" ones on NewEgg right now for under $200. Pretty low price for that resolution.

I don't know a whole lot about quality differences in TN monitors though. I've pretty much just gone for the cheapest one available.

[PKIDelirium]

Hmm, how do these two differ?

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&cs=04&l=en&sku=320-7825
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Displays/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=320-6107

[FFL]

I've installed a couple Acers in the last few months, including the middle model in your Amazon links (if not that exact model, it was very close). My only gripe was that just a VGA cable was included (no DVI cable). Other than that - very nice for the price.

[FFL]

Hmm, how do these two differ?

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&cs=04&l=en&sku=320-7825
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Displays/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=320-6107

Main difference I see in the specs is that the 2209WA has a viewing angle that is 18 degrees wider.

[PB PM]

I've installed a couple Acers in the last few months, including the middle model in your Amazon links (if not that exact model, it was very close). My only gripe was that just a VGA cable was included (no DVI cable). Other than that - very nice for the price.

Strange, I have the Acer X223W and it came with a VGA&DVI-D cable.

[MCQ]

Hmm, how do these two differ?

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&cs=04&l=en&sku=320-7825
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Displays/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=320-6107

2208 doesn't use an IPS panel. 2209WA as Luca mentioned uses an e-IPS panel.

Based on reviews, I'd also suggest the 2209WA.

[PKIDelirium]

I haven't ordered yet - been checking out stores trying to find a Dell 22" in person to look at, but no dice.

2208 seems to have vanished from the site. At Best Buy today, they said Dell was discontinuing the 22" screens and replacing them with 23" screens, so the 2209WA is an "old model" now. Argh.

I just saw this and it's tempting: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Displays/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=320-7976

I wonder if that webcam would work with Photo Booth/iChat...

[PKIDelirium]

WHAT THE FUCK.

The 2209WA with the E-IPS panel just shot back up to $279. :mad: :mad:

Assholes. Guess it's back into the product pages to find another one. I was just about to order it, too...

[Luca]

WHAT THE FUCK.

The 2209WA with the E-IPS panel just shot back up to $279. :mad: :mad:

Assholes. Guess it's back into the product pages to find another one. I was just about to order it, too...

I've heard that people have had good success by either calling customer service or doing an online chat and asking if they can get it for the old price. I've even heard of that working as much as a week past the price increase. I remember a couple months ago, Dell was selling it through the small business section for like $200. Even after they increased the price, people were getting it for the old price.

[PKIDelirium]

Hmm. I think I'll try the online support chat in a little bit to see if that will work.

Otherwise it's between these two:
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Displays/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=320-7184
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Displays/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=320-7958

This is also an option but I HATE any monitor that rotates into a portrait mode: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Displays/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=320-8103

Edit: Dell chat FAIL.

18:13:45 System System
You are now being connected to an agent. Thank you for using Dell Chat
18:13:45 System System
Connected with BE_XPS_Rep_Judy_B
18:13:55 Agent BE_XPS_Rep_Judy_B
Welcome to Dell Sales Chat! I hope you are doing well and thank you for waiting. My name is Judy and I will be your personal sales agent today. Feel free to email me at us_dhs_chat_reply@dell.com or leave me a message at 1800-379-3355 ext. 2160085, from 8AM CST – 12 CST. Please provide your e-mail address and phone number where I can contact you in case we get disconnected. How may I help you with your purchase today?
To better serve you, Dell now offers Secure Payment via Chat for our chat customers.
18:14:34 Agent BE_XPS_Rep_Judy_B
Hi Donald
18:14:41 Customer Donald Flint
This is a fairly simple question. Last week I was looking at monitors, and I found the 2209WA for $229
18:15:36 Customer Donald Flint
However, a couple days later, when I went to order, I saw that the price had suddenly jumped back up to the original price of $279. Someone told me I should get on here and see if it's possible to get it for the previous price?
18:19:36 Agent BE_XPS_Rep_Judy_B
Are you actually referring to S2209W?
18:19:43 Customer Donald Flint
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&cs=04&l=en&sku=320-7825
18:19:56 Agent BE_XPS_Rep_Judy_B
Let me check the link
18:26:36 Agent BE_XPS_Rep_Judy_B
I have it up..would you mind holding while i check if there's something we can do
18:26:41 Customer Donald Flint
Sure
18:27:01 Agent BE_XPS_Rep_Judy_B
Thanks..
18:33:27 Agent BE_XPS_Rep_Judy_B
Thanks for your patience
18:33:57 Agent BE_XPS_Rep_Judy_B
But we can no longer get the sale price on it
18:34:39 Customer Donald Flint
Alright, thanks
18:34:52 Agent BE_XPS_Rep_Judy_B
YOu can try this
18:38:42 Agent BE_XPS_Rep_Judy_B
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Displays/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=320-7438
18:39:45 System System
The session has ended!

[PKIDelirium]

Okay followup

I just bought the e2209W with the TN panel. The E-IPS one was apparently out of stock since it said it would take like 5 days just to ship from Dell, and my Mini is sitting here NOW without a monitor, can't even turn the damn thing on.

Big thanks to MCQ who sent me a coupon code for 10% off Delp monitors. :D My total was just under 200 despite the monitor being 209 list, and paying a little extra for 2day shipping.

Posted on my Touch so slightly sloppy.