What do u guys think of this monitor???

[iLLWiLL]

Samsung SyncMaster 753DF 17" monitor (http://www.samsungusa.com/cgi-bin/nabc/product/b2c_product_detail.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1360549316.1012973953@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccccadcefilddgmcfejceefdfggdhgk.0&prod_id=753df)
.
.
.
Samsung SyncMaster 753DF 17" monitor
specs:
- 16" Viewable
- 0.20mm dot pitch (horizontal)
- 1280x1024@66Hz Maximum Resolution
- DynaFlat - Infinitely Flat Tube
- Smart III surface treatment (anti-static & anti-glare)

...thats an amazingly low dpi (.20mm). It is $133 on pricewatch, $150 at Fry's (after rebate).

Good buy ?????

[iLLWiLL]

or...any other suggestions? im looking for a 17" monitor and have a budget of about $200-230. thx in advance

[Leon]

I think it's fine for a budget monitor, but just don't be fooled by the 0.20mm dot pitch. The diagonal dot pitch is what matters. Also, keep in mind that 1280x1024@66Hz is not a real usable resolution. With that low refresh rate, you will start straining your eyes almost immediately. Realistically, you will be using it as 1024x768@85Hz.

My take: Your monitor is the one thing you absolutely should not skimp on. It is what you will be staring at 100% of the time. Right now there are some deals on monitors with Sony FD Trinitron tubes that are vastly superior. You should look into those. Go to the Deals page and search for "trinitron" or "aperture".

[Memo]

iLLWiLL, I have the 19" version of that monitor (955DF) and my friend has that exact same monitor (753DF). I play on his computer from time to time. I think it's a great monitor. Personally, I love the look of the Samsung DynaFlats. I don't think you'd be dissapointed one bit.

[Ladogaboy]

Do you need just a 17"? You might be able to find a 19" in your price range.

Also, a couple of sites that sell refurbished Trinitron monitors:

Compgeeks (try the G|A? banner)
www.Tigerdirect.com (http://www.tigerdirect.com)

Remember, it will probably be atleast $40 to ship.

[Heihachi]

agreeing w/ Memo....

955DF is an awesome monitor.. I'm loving it.

[iLLWiLL]

actually, i dont compute at any higher than 1152 x 870 (which can run at 75Hz on that Samsung). 1280x1024 is too small for my eyes anyways. At 1152x870, is 75Hz enough to prevent eye strain ???

second, regarding 19" monitors in general.....wouldnt the 19"ers in my price range have pretty low specs (ie, clarity, high dpi) to begin with ???


thanks for the suggestions everyone....keep them comin

[Ladogaboy]

Originally posted by iLLWiLL
second, regarding 19" monitors in general.....wouldnt the 19"ers in my price range have pretty low specs (ie, clarity, high dpi) to begin with ???

It depends on where you go and whether or not they are refurbished, but generally, they should have pretty decent specs.

[iLLWiLL]

i just came back from Fry's and checked out monitors...

personally, i think that Samsung has a very nice, clean picture. and i like the screen surface, it really eliminates glare much better than the other monitors.

i didnt see any Sony monitors in my range, but i found some of the monitors from big name brands like ViewSonic (A75f) and NEC to be unspectacular. they all looked real fuzzy around images and fonts.

actually, through my eyes, it appeared the best images came off the Futura LDF770 and Envision EN780, along with the Samsung. anyone heard anything about the Futura or Envision monitors ??

[NuTs62]

How bout up your budget about another $40 and get an LCD? Click on this thread http://www.gotapex.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=298932&t=8206#post298932

[iLLWiLL]

wow that is a good deal. i think envision has quality monitors. but i'm kinda lookin for at least a 17"er, mainly for gaming. hopefully someone can use it. thanks anyways :)

[NuTs62]

Originally posted by iLLWiLL
wow that is a good deal. i think envision has quality monitors. but i'm kinda lookin for at least a 17"er, mainly for gaming. hopefully someone can use it. thanks anyways :)

Well, if you are in for one of those suckers, head on over to Outpost.com. They have the following:

Envision EN-980e 19inch .25mm 1600x1200 CRT Monitor.
(249.99-50 rebate=199.99)

Envision EN710e 17" .27MM 1280x1024 CRT Monitor.
(179.99-65 rebate=114.99)

Envision EN-910e 19" .25mm 1600x1200 CRT Monitor.
(229.99-50 rebate=179.99)

Envision EN-780e 17" .25mm 1600x1200 CRT Monitor.
(179.99-40 rebate=139.99)

But they charge tax and shipping. Although, since they are combined with Fry's now, these deals might be at their store too, so you can avoid the shipping!

[topane]

I have two 753DFs on my desk here at work, they work just fine. They are running 1152 X 864 @ 75Hz which seems OK, but I would rather have something a bit bigger and a bit higher refresh.

[iLLWiLL]

topane, how do u like the sharpness of the monitor, good/bad? also, @ 75Hz, does the monitor flicker or strain your eyes?? thanks for the input

[Ladogaboy]

Originally posted by iLLWiLL
topane, how do u like the sharpness of the monitor, good/bad? also, @ 75Hz, does the monitor flicker or strain your eyes?? thanks for the input

All CRTs strain your eyes, regardless of the refresh rate. The only difference is, does it take 1 hour or 12 hours to give you a splitting headache.

[Memo]

My monitor never strains my eyes. They are very used to it. When I changed my resolution to 1600x1200 on my 955 DF monitor. I could totally tell the refresh late was lower. The screen just looked different. But after a day or two, I can't tell the difference. I guess my eyes have adjusted to it. My friend who has the 753DF runs 1024x768, the res you said you'd like to use. I think at that res his picture looks slightly crisper and better than mine at 1600x1200, but I love my monitor and wouldn't change it for the world. Unless I could get a 18.1" LCD with 1600x1200 res :)

[iLLWiLL]

thanks everyone for ur input, i appreciate it. It all helped out a bunch... :)

im either going with the Samsung 755DF or 753DF. Im leaning towards the 755DF, since its max rez goes up to 1600x1200, and the refresh rate is little higher at 1280x1024. I really liked the picture on these monitors. I was quite surprised to see that fuzzy look or "halo" effect from the images off of the ViewSonic and NEC monitors on display...

anyone know of any STORES (not online) that sell the 755DF? If possible, i'd like to avoid the $30 for shipping...

[NuTs62]

Originally posted by iLLWiLL
anyone know of any STORES (not online) that sell the 755DF? If possible, i'd like to avoid the $30 for shipping...

There are quite a few places with free shipping. Just gotta work out the price.

Amazon has it the 955DF for $279.99 (free shipping on orders over $99), and depending on where you live, you may not have to pay tax. California doesn't! They have the 753DF for $199.99. and the 755DF for $209.99 (but it appears that the 755DF can only be purchased from other users. I'd try to call and find out. the user is selling it for $218.15).

Staples has the 755DF for $213.00. (free shipping on *most* orders over $50). 753DF for $186.75. Purchase online and use their coupons. For yours, $30 off $150 purchase=Disc. Code 74952. Then you just pay tax. Probably your best option. Don't know whether or not you can use the codes at the B&M store. Works out to $183+tax or $156.75+tax respectively.

[iLLWiLL]

thx for the reply Nuts...yeh, i already calculated the total prices (including s/h+tax) for the both online. from where i live (CA), the total would be about $170 for the 753DF; and $206 for the 755DF, both from emscomputing via pricewatch. too bad those $40 rebate deals offered [in stores] for the 753DF all expired last week, it seems (i coulda just payed $150+tax)...

but, i would like to purchase locally cuz returning it would be easier, but if the price is too much, then i'll just buy online.

[iLLWiLL]

actually, i found 755DF at CompUSA for only $217 (total), which is only $11 more than buying online :)

thx for the help