mishi8

Hello,

Sorry for posting a new thread before properly introducing myself. I'm on a tight timeline today, and need a quick answer if possible!

My Apple Studio Display 17" CRT monitor bit the dust a couple of days ago (after a nighttime power outtage...surge protected power bar may be the culprit?!) I picked up a Samsung SuncMaster 730B LCD, but am really unhappy with the colour and image quality...working with photos is horrible!

So, I'm taking the LCD back and getting a new CRT instead. Don't have the funds for top-of-the-line, so am looking at cheaper monitors. Have narrowed it down to either HP, NEC or Samsung...17" or 19". There are so many models to choose from, I'm at a loss. At this point, I'm considering:

Samsung DynaFlat 997MB 19" $269.99
Samsung DynaFlat 793DF 17" $159.99
Samsung SyncMaster 793MB 17" $179.99
HP S9500 19" $289.99
NEC AccuSync 900 19" $269.99
NEC MultiSync FE992 19" $289.99

All of the above 19" have 1600x1200 max res, the 19" have 1280x1024

I'm really not very savvy on which brand or model is best. I've always used Apple monitors, and know that I like the quality... Do any of the models I'm considering fit the bill? Is there one brand that's better than others? Of these, which would be best for colour correction and working with photos?

Thanks for any help!

mishi8

ArtistSeries

I have a subjective preference for the NEC FE992 and DynaFlat 997MB.
Have you looked at Viewsonic in that price range?

mishi8

No I haven't. I'm unfortunately limiting myself to shopping at Compusmart, Futureshop and Best Buy. Checked at West World and their prices and selection didn't compare. Reality is that I've got three small children to haul around with me, and I can't shop at too many places easily...and I can't be without a monitor for too long (I've become too dependent on my computer for everything I do!) It would be a lot easier if I wasn't shopping to replace a dead monitor.

ArtistSeries

Enough said - I now how that is....


Stay with a 19" the space does make a difference.
Quality of CRTs has gone done a little but you are getting much more for your money.
Remember that the monitor will not look the same when calibrated and when you have a look at them in the store ensure that they don't have "ultrabright" or some other articifial brightener on.

mishi8

So, why a preference for those two?

ArtistSeries

The NEC FE992 is a model I know - it's using a different technology (ClearFlat) than the other NEC model.

BTW, the estimated street prices for the NEC models are FE992=270$, AccuSync 900= 250$.

The preferences are due on specs and past experiences with the makers you have mentioned.

HJS

If it's a Graphite or B&W CRT(not the transparent ADC) 17" Studio Display, you can probably get it repaired/replaced by Apple. There's an little known extended warranty of sorts on these models.

Look here: Apple Discussions

Here is the Apple Article#88195 you should mention when you call Apple. Just tell them it had been popping, fizzing etc. at some time and then died one day.

I've had a number of these monitors repaired/replaced for myself and clients. At times when Apple is out of parts, they will credit you or send a cheque for $250 or so to buy a new monitor. Worth checking into...

mishi8

Perfect! That's exactly the issue I ran into. Thanks for the info. I'll get on the phone with Apple right now!

mishi8

Okay, so I'm going to be calling Apple about my monitor. In the meatime, I've found out info on ViewSonic CRTs and found a G90f on sale at London Drugs for $249.99 ($10 less than MSRP). Is this a good choice? ViewSonic lists it as a good monitor for graphics.

ArtistSeries

If you can have a look at the Viewsonic and NEC. They both use the same technology (PerfectFlat). If you are used to a curved monitor, you will find it odd but will get used to it real quickly.