Sharpest monitor still images

[thoadasks]

Hello,

I'd like to get recommendations for 24-27 inch monitors that have the sharpest still images and text.

The application is engineering, where I need to view schematic diagrams, text/2-D graphs, color layouts (color exactness is not important, detail sharpness is), and multiple open windows. Video/gaming speed is of little use.

I'd like to keep the price at $400 or below, but would consider more for a strong contender.

Thanks.

 

[buwish]

This topic has been moved from the section Opinions and Experiences to section Computer Peripherals by Buwish

 

[MagicPants]

If you don't have much ambient light or you don't care about reflections, you might consider a panel with a glossy screen. Anti Reflective coating can make text hard to read, and on 27" panels with a resolution of 2560x1440 the pixel size is so small that the grain of the AR coating can interfere with legibility.

That said, I like cloudy's suggestion. I just ordered one of those myself.

 

[Ubrales]

Take a look at the Dell Ultra Sharps: http://www.dell.com/content/topics/topic.aspx/global/products/landing/en/ultrasharpmonitor?c=us&l=en&cs=04

I use two Dell 2208WFP monitors in dual extended mode for Autocad and also for Photoshop.

 

[ssddx]

with a budget of only $400 you are most likely looking at a 1920x1080 panel. the bigger you go the less sharp things will look. in general though anything 22-23" and under should still be sharp enough for your engineering work.

1920x1200 panels also exist. you gain an additional 120px vertical but prices are higher so you might not retain the original budget. the smaller the panel the more crisp it will be just like the 1920x1080 resolution.

2560x1440 panels exist but it looks like they start at the $650-700 range for the cheap options. while these would definitely be a step up in terms of pixel density between larger screens (lets say a 27" 1920x1080 compared with it) you might not find a reputable brand in your budget.

2560x1600 panels are one of the largest homeowner screens available but start at around $1000 so blow your budget by a good margin.

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since you dont care about color exactness, panel type doesnt really matter.

tn panels are the cheapest to purchase but do have horrible viewing angles. e-ips panels are a little more expensive but offer a very wide viewing angle. this might be something to think about since you will be having a larger screen.

go with a matte finish to save your eyes. the reflections off of glossy screens are horrible from above lighting. i've never had issues with any sort of "antiglare coatings" in regards to pc monitors. cell phone screen protectors? yes. pc monitors? no. in any case you're most likely not budgeted for a x1440 or x1600 screen so its a non-issue.

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i work in the engineering/drafting/design field myself and i can tell you that even older lower end 1280x1024 19-20" monitors have enough pixel density for reading small text. at 1920x1080 (as i said before) 22-24" monitors should be more than enough. anything larger and pixel density suffers without you increasing the resolution. the larger the screen though, the larger the budget.

 

[jaguarskx]

For sharpness you want a monitor with low pixel pitch which is the distance between each pixel. That means you want the smallest 1920x1080 monitor out there. I think there's a 21.5" or 22" monitor with that resolution.

But since you are looking for a 24" - 27" monitor, then I recommend you look at 24" monitors.

 

[MagicPants]

Maybe this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824176174