Which Monitor

[LuckyKenny]

Hi guys, basically i want a new 22" widescreen monitor for around the 300 pounds mark ive narrowed it down to only two possible candidates, the Viewsonic VX2235WM and the Samsung SM225BW. The monitor is primarily for gaming and also for wordprocessing and web surfing. I know these two monitors havent had fantastic reviews in places but websites seem to have some happy buyers. I know i could get a better quality 20.1" for the same money but i dont want a screen that is smaller than a 19" vertically.
Could any of you boffins out there suggest the best chioce for my requirements, alternative suggestions in the same sort of price bracket are also welcomed.
Thanks in advance, Tom.

 

[omega52]

I had the 225BW for a few weeks & exchanged it for a Samsung 215TW. The 225BW was very nice & if it hadn't had a few problems I would probably have stayed with it. The problems: 1st had stuck red pixel & the second developed a buzzzz near the bottom right side. I use mine mostly for CAD, graphic design & browsing. Not much into gaming. The 225BW has a very nice picture, but being a TN panel it is better suited to gaming that critical graphical applications. I am extremely impressed with the 215TW. I immediately noticed the better contrast & color fidelity. Both monitors need some work to get the best picture, but either would make most people very happy. I decided to move up to the S-PVA panel when it was offered at a discount & a free printer. I tricked myself into affording the more expensive monitor by upgrading after I had recovered from the shock of the first purchase price. I told myself that it was just $100 more! Anyway, It's really a tough choice. Both monitors are great & if you don't have a pressing need for the 8bit panel or the price is a factor go for the 22" 225BW. BTW I didn't really notice a big difference in the size of the two.
Good luck

 

[LuckyKenny]

Thanks for the reply omega52, ive heard that 215tw is an excellent panel but as i want it primarily for gaminng i think i have to restrict myself to TN panels. I prefer the look of the smasung and also like the fact it doesent have built in speakers, however do you believe i will have a better visual experience from an 8bit panel. If so then i would be inclined to go for the viewsonic despite its slightly cumbersome apperance.
Thanks again for the reply, Tom.

 

[omega52]

8bit probably isn't a necessity for gaming, but if you do decide that you want 8bit, make sure that the unit you choose is actually 8bit & not 6bit. The actual color numbers is deceiving as most 6bit units use interpolation to get close to the performance of an 8bit panel. The 22" 225BW looks very good & I can recommend it for most every application. I'm not a gamer though. Keep in mind that quite a number of LCD monitors on the market use Samsung panels, so if all else is equal I choose Samsung.

 

[LuckyKenny]

Cheers Omega, very fast response, you've sold me on the samsung, i'm ordering today, thanks for helping me make an informed decision, like you said its a tough choice.
Good luck with the graphic design. Tom