Hi.

I have a dual-monitor setup.  It's time to replace one of my monitors.

The monitor I will be keeping is an Hitachi 751.  I like it.  My new
monitor should be as good or better than the Hitachi that it will sit
next to.

--) My total budget is $300, give or take $50, including shipping.

--) I'm not interested in "cheap".  Nor am I interested in
top-of-line, UNLESS top of the line is really close to $350 ish, in
which case I'd consider it.

--) The monitor will be used for text, not games.  I hear that
"Trintron" are best for text, but I don't care.  I just want clarity
that's easy on the eyes.

--) I work with "ClearType" turned on.

--) I much prefer biege.

--) I work at 1152 x 864.  It's just right.  


#1 Please recommend a handful of monitors *based on customer reviews*
you find and read *from a handful of review sites*.  (Your personal
experience is a nice touch, but I'm looking for a broader base than
just one person's experience.  :-)

#2 Please provide links to the lowest-cost *reputable* seller of your
recommended monitors.

Thank you.  CRs are always welcome.

Hello -

Thanks for your question.  If you choose to rate this answer, please
ask for any clarification you may require prior to doing so.  Thanks
for your understanding.

Firstly, a great article on the topic:

"If you're ready to upgrade your monitor, and have around $300 to spend..."
http://www.consumersearch.com/www/computers/monitors_19_inch/fullstory.html

Consumer Search is a site that "reviews the reviewers."  There's a
section that seems to be exactly what you need for this question:

http://www.consumersearch.com/www/computers/monitors_19_inch/reviews.html

The site lists the sites that review 19 inch monitors.

Here are the top 3 sites:

PC World Top 10 - includes current prices, ratings, etc.
http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,107477,00.asp

Tom's Hardware
http://www4.tomshardware.com/display/20020319/crt-21.html

CNET - again with prices/reviews
http://reviews.cnet.com/4521-6529_7-5021402-1.html?tag=subnav

In each site, there's a Samsung monitor near or at the top.  Two
mention the 957 MB.

Here's the manufacturer's specifications:

http://www.samsungusa.com/cgi-bin/nabc/product/b2c_product_detail.jsp?eUser=&prod_id=PU19ISBB

Also, according to this summary link at consumersearch.com:
http://www.consumersearch.com/www/computers/monitors_19_inch/fastanswers.html

The Viewsonic P95f is a pick between 3 sites.

"Reviewers at CNet, Tom's Hardware Guide and PCStats.com put the
ViewSonic P95f+ at the top of their lists, and most of these experts
reviewed this model when it hit the shelves at $500. Now that the
price has dropped, the ViewSonic is an even better choice. The P95f+
has a high top resolution of 2048 x 1536 and an optimal resolution of
1600 x 1200 at a respectable 87Hz refresh rate?that means less flicker
and eyestrain. The ViewSonic is simply "outstanding" according to
Tom's Hardware Guide."


I searched some of the consumer review sites, and it appears that
Samsung is far and away reviewed most often (for whatever reason). 
They tend to average out in the 4 star range -- the reviews typically
comprise majority 5 star with a few 1 stars.  So most love them, and a
few hate them.  Perhaps there have been a few lemons in the batch.


Samsung 957 MB - relevant links
?????????????????????????????????

Epinions
http://www.epinions.com/pr-Samsung_SyncMaster_957_MB_19_in_CRT_Conventional_Monitor/display_~reviews

Neoseeker Ratings
http://www.neoseeker.com/Hardware/Products/samsung_957MB/reviews.html

Bizrate - pricing with store ratings
http://www.bizrate.com/marketplace/search/search__cat_id--416,prod_id--7349088,keyword--samsung%20957%20MB.html

Pricegrabber- pricing/reviews
http://cobrand246.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=609345/search=samsung%2520957/ut=4241ffdec91a71f6


			?????o o?????


Viewsonic P95f - relevant links
?????????????????????????????????

Epinions
http://www.epinions.com/search/?submitted_form=searchbar&search_string=p95f&tax_name=&dyn_nav=0&dyn_nav_id=&search_vertical=all

Neoseeker Ratings
http://www.neoseeker.com/Hardware/Products/viewsonicp95f/userreviews.html

Bizrate - pricing with store ratings
http://shop.bizrate.com/marketplace/search/search__cat_id--416,prod_id--5133431.html

Pricegrabber - pricing with store ratings
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=1576488/search=p95f/ut=4241ffde308ac6d6


Search strategy:
monitor reviews

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Request for Answer Clarification by donphiltrodt-ga on 05 Feb 2004 13:15 PST

Thank you.

Please explain the different "flavors" of the p95f...

http://shop.bizrate.com/buy/products__search_box--1,keyword--p95f,cat_id--416,ir--90.html

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000CD0DS/qid=1076015527/br=1-5/ref=br_lf_e_5//102-3903354-7751336?v=glance&s=electronics&n=1068300

---

Clarification of Answer by jbf777-ga on 05 Feb 2004 13:48 PST

My pleasure.  Thanks for your clarification request.

According to a Viewsonic rep, and confirmed by their website, the only
difference is the color.  The P95f is no longer being produced.  It's
now the P95f+ (beige) and the P95f+B (black).

There are no functional differences.

Beige P95f+
http://www.viewsonic.com/products/crt_p95fplus.htm

Black P95f+B
http://www.viewsonic.com/products/crt_p95fplusb.htm

Please don't hesitate to ask any additional questions.

jbf

---

Clarification of Answer by jbf777-ga on 05 Feb 2004 14:06 PST

Incidentally, seems the P95f series has won numerous awards (for some
reason they break them up by color):

http://www.viewsonic.com/awards/awards_list.cfm?type=product&region=all&year=all&product=PRODUCT_CRT-55

http://www.viewsonic.com/awards/awards_list.cfm?type=product&region=all&year=all&product=PRODUCT_CRT-7

http://www.viewsonic.com/awards/awards_list.cfm?type=product&region=all&year=all&product=PRODUCT_CRT-54