What are the top 3 monitors for under $300? Details inside!

By Stephen Riley
in Hardware Hangout

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Rising Star

Stephen Riley

Posted
Posted

Hey guys,

I'm looking to buy a monitor to connect to my ThinkPad. It won't be connected to a desktop at least for now, maybe a year or 2 down the road.

A concern of mine is whether or not my T410 will be able to run a 24" monitor. It only has the integrated graphics apart of the i5 CPU - is this okay? I've connected an external 17" at 1280x1024 before, but obviously that's not 1920x1080.

Finally - what are the top 3 monitors below the $300 price point?

Rising Star

Stephen Riley

Posted
  • Author
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should be this one?

the Dell UtraSharp U2312HM

http://accessories.u...04&sku=320-2807

This one is bigger, with only difference being 3ms extra in response, no? - http://accessories.dell.com/sna/products/Monitors_Flat_Panel_Widescreen/productdetail.aspx?c=ca&l=en&s=dhs&cs=cadhs1&sku=320-9334&~ck=baynoteSearch&baynote_bnrank=4&baynote_irrank=0

Grand Master

primexx

Posted
Posted

Pick from one of these

Dell 21.5" http://accessories.u...px?sku=320-2736

Dell 23" http://accessories.u...px?sku=320-2807

HP 21.5" http://shopping1.hp....nIAAAEyJjACBwpf

LG 21.5" http://www.lg.com/us...-BN-led-monitor

LG 23" http://www.lg.com/us...-BN-led-monitor

edit: just noticed the LG 22" is actually 21.5", makes a lot more sense now. I was wondering why they had such a weird size

This one is bigger, with only difference being 3ms extra in response, no? - http://accessories.d...aynote_irrank=0

it also has an inferior panel and resolution (24" 1080p is pathetic, on a 23" it is barely passable)

Proficient

tomasarson

Posted
Posted

Pick from one of these

Dell 21.5" http://accessories.u...px?sku=320-2736

Dell 23" http://accessories.u...px?sku=320-2807

HP 21.5" http://shopping1.hp....nIAAAEyJjACBwpf

LG 22" http://www.lg.com/us...-BN-led-monitor

LG 23" http://www.lg.com/us...-BN-led-monitor

it also has an inferior panel and resolution (24" 1080p is pathetic, on a 23" it is barely passable)

if it's barely passable then why would you link to 2 23" monitors that are 1080p. he's asking for the best of the best for the money. passable isn't what he wants.

Rising Star

Stephen Riley

Posted
  • Author
Posted

This one is bigger, with only difference being 3ms extra in response, no? - http://accessories.d...aynote_irrank=0

it also has an inferior panel and resolution (24" 1080p is pathetic, on a 23" it is barely passable)

Honestly, I've been using a ThinkPad for the past 3 years, even a TN panel with half decent color will be a huge upgrade to me. I'll also be using my laptop next to this monitor, so dealing with less contrast might be a good thing, in some weird backwards way :p

Those LGs look like a good fit at ~$200 and less.

Grand Master

Argote

Posted
Posted

This one is bigger, with only difference being 3ms extra in response, no? - http://accessories.d...aynote_irrank=0

Except that one has a ****ty TN panel which will have inferior color reproduction and viewing angles.

The DELL UltraSharp Series are all at least an eIPS panel and a far better choice than other monitors with TN panels.

Rising Star

Stephen Riley

Posted
  • Author
Posted

If I'm not doing any graphic work at all, should an IPS really be a priority? I've put up with TN panels for 5+ years, I'm just not sure it's worth the $100-$150 premium when achieving 100% color accuracy isn't something I'm craving.

EDIT: Regardless I may just go for this IPS - http://www.ncix.com/...G%20Electronics

EDIT2: That has bad reviews. Guess I'm getting a Dell.

Grand Master

Brandon H Supervisor

Posted
  • Supervisor
Posted

EDIT2: That has bad reviews. Guess I'm getting a Dell.

yes, if Dell's ever been good for anything it's that they've always had excellent monitors :)

personally I think the very first reply to this thread looks like the best choice here

Veteran

BoneyardBrew Member

Posted
  • Member
Posted

The Dell UtraSharp U2312HM for sure. I have one and it's a fantastic monitor.

The resolution is perfectly fine and most importantly it's an IPS panel, which destroys any TN panel you can find.

Edit:

By the way, here's a coupon that brings it down to $239 + free shipping. http://www.logicbuy....itor/33732.aspx

Grand Master

Mando

Posted
Posted

Hey guys,

I'm looking to buy a monitor to connect to my ThinkPad. It won't be connected to a desktop at least for now, maybe a year or 2 down the road.

A concern of mine is whether or not my T410 will be able to run a 24" monitor. It only has the integrated graphics apart of the i5 CPU - is this okay? I've connected an external 17" at 1280x1024 before, but obviously that's not 1920x1080.

Finally - what are the top 3 monitors below the $300 price point?

My thinkpad X201s has the core i7 ULV and it powers 2x28" 1920x1080 just fine bud.

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