need a new monitor

SideEffect

Hello!
I'm looking to replace my burnt out second monitor right now and was wondering if you guys could help me out.
I'm looking to spend about $300.

I'm a bit confused with the Samsungs I've been looking at.
Online I see a 226CW a 2232BW and a 2232GW with pretty similar specs and are pretty close in price.

Does anyone know what the best one out of the 3 is?

Also would you recommend looking at other brands for the $300 price range or would Samsung be the way to go?

SideEffect

Was searching for some comparisons and came across this:
226CW vs 2232GW
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=1714527

226BW(left) vs 2232GW(right)
http://www.pcpop.com/doc/0/206/206636_3.shtml
http://www.pcpop.com/doc/0/206/206636_4.shtml
http://www.pcpop.com/doc/0/206/206636_5.shtml
http://www.pcpop.com/doc/0/206/206636_6.shtml
http://www.pcpop.com/doc/0/206/206636_7.shtml

Do you guys think the 2232GW would be the way to go?

j_bradford

I have the 226CW, which is the version that is guaranteed to be a Samsung panel. 226BW is the same thing but has a version of the panel not manufactured by Samsung. I haven't heard of the 2232GW, but I suspect it to be a newer version with swapped components.

I really like the 226CW, it's a great widescreen without breaking the bank. I made sure to avoid the BW, since I don't want some mystery company manufacturing my panel.

thomasp

whatever brand you're looking at - dig through the technical specs and check the panel type. if it says TN - twisted nematic, then simply RUN. unless you like a picture with terrible viewing angle and colors that shift like crazy.

SideEffect

J_bradford: I did come across that whole mystery panel nightmare and really don't feel like dealing with that. Thanks for the heads up.

thomasp: All the ones I've seen are TN.... Whats the deal with that?

I've decided on a Dell SP2208WFP. The whole panel mystery panel thing just makes me want to have nothing to do with Samsung.

Thank you for the help!

katzeimsack

TN can't display the whole RGB spectrum. It's good for games and movies, but if you want to work with it, an VA based panel is much better.

Rob Galanakis

I have had a 226BW since November 07 or so. The first one I got broke after a couple days, had to send it back for a new one, though. It is an awesome monitor and I'd definitely recommend it, but go with a 226CW as was suggested earlier (had I known about the manufacturing difference I would have gotten the CW originally).

Jaco

I've also got the 226BW, highly recommended.