Hi.
My old CRT monitor is biting the dust (there are light shades next to dark contrasts like text - degaussing doesn't help) and I really need to replace it. I've been very happy with it (a 17" Sony Multiscan 200 PS) and spent a long time finding the right one at the time.
Everything seems a lot more confusing with LCD screens, at least within my limited budget. Ideally I would like a 20" widescreen, but if it's not available with decent image quality within my budget I'm willing to settle for a 19" regular monitor for now.
I was rather drooling at the Dell 2005fpw because I could stretch my budget to it, but between apparently a lot of problem with the backlight (have they been solved yet?) and too bright for photo work(?), I'm not as keen. The corresponding Apple Cinema 20" wide is rather expensive for me (if it's really great and can last me many years it would be worth it), and I've read that it's not fully adjustable with Windows XP (is this correct?). Dell has a 2007fpw model coming but since it's not out yet I have no idea whether it's better than the 2005fpw (nor what it will cost).
Are there any widescreen 20 inch monitors out there like the Dell and Apple Cinema with decent image quality at similar prices? I would really like a widescreen since it would be a great help in my photo and graphics work.
If not, what good monitors are there in the 19" regular format segment? I understand NEC and LaCie are supposed to make good ones, but they have a lot of models, as do the other brands. Image quality does not seem to be much of a parameter in monitor reviews these days, so most of what I see recommended are all-round or games monitors. I don't need to watch films on it (although it would be nice), so my main concern is image quality and cost. Something that would roughly be like my old Sony CRT would be great.
I haven't used any hardware profilers so far, have actually been able to get satisfactory results through software and eyeballing my own profiles and I have my prints made at a lab. But if necessary I would probably get a Spyder 2 or similar to calibrate my new monitor.
It doesn't make all that much sense stating a budget since I don't live in America and the models available here often trade at different prices relative to each other, but the Dell and Apple models I mentioned should be able to indicate it roughly..
Any help and recommendations would be greatly appreciated as I'm beginning to get rather frustrated trying to find something I can afford.