Should I buy this LCD monitor before the deal runs out?

**GenIV** · 02-15-2003, 01:51 PM

I'm in need of an LCD becaues of problems with eyestrain
read post here:
http://www.sharkyforums.com/showthre...hreadid=178309

Walmart has the Microtek C893 18.1-inch Flat LCD Monitor for $399.
but it's actually around $442.99 for me with tax and shipping included

the only spec I can dig for the monitor is:

Super-wide, 160-degree viewing angle
1280 x 1024 resolution
400:1 contrast ratio
0.279 mm dot pitch

not even the manufacturer site has any info on the monitor

the only thing that bugs me is that I don't know what the refresh rate is and if it has DVI input.

I looked at the 593 model and it has no dvi input and I read somewhere of another microtek lcd (forgot the model but it's 18" ) review and it has good review but it said it has no DVI..

so my more knowledgable friends is this a worthy buy?

thanks in advance for all your help

**mrspm2003** · 02-15-2003, 01:58 PM

I saw it at walmart the other day, and to my knowledge, 1280x1024 is horrible for a 18.1 inch, that's what I do normally with my 17" LCD. Also the 0.279 mm dot pitch isn't that good, especially for an LCD. Mine is set at .24x, again, on a 17". But due to the price, if you can't go for anything better, go ahead and buy it, LCDs do help ALOT on the eyestrain.

**YahoKa** · 02-15-2003, 05:48 PM

$400 for an 18.1" LCD seems great, but i wouldn't get that. In fact, if i were to buy an LCD i would spend ~$350 on a 15" inch, because a quality 15" beats out a crappy 18.1".

**GenIV** · 02-15-2003, 05:51 PM

as for regular 9pin vga connection and DVI on a LCD

is there REALLY much of a difference in image quality if I connect a regular vga connector to an LCD as oppose to a DVI coonection?

I'm uisng a ATIRadeon 7500

sorry for my ignorance but can u explain more how a quality 15" is better.

I play games but I will do mostly office type work and c++ programming on it. the price do seem very attractive to me.
my main concerns is to help me with the eyestrain problems.

I also have another 19" CRT on another machine for gamming anyways so as much as I like to have the LCD to play games good on. I can sacrifice that aspect

**AMD Soldier** · 02-15-2003, 05:59 PM

BB has a OEM Samsung 171V for $300 AR right now.. even cheaper if applied with a 10% off and $10 GC.

I'm gonna try and grab one this evening.

**GenIV** · 02-15-2003, 06:12 PM

can you give me the link and necessary info for the
bestbuy deal on the 17 in LCD?

thanks in advance

**gateways_rule** · 02-15-2003, 06:12 PM

That is a very cheap price for such a big LCD display. If you can't spend a little more money, this one if fine I guess. Just remember, you get what you pay for.

**gotmonopoly?** · 02-15-2003, 06:36 PM

Hell yea bro, there is a huge difference in overall LCD quality with the DVI connection vs. analog 9pin. If you are merely browsing the web or typing pages, not much difference. But if you are playing games or watching movies, the DVI input usually cuts down ghosting dramatically, as well as giving overall better color quality.

Although, I've used a Samsung 17in w/ analog and had only slight ghosting with very good image quality. Some companies do it right even with analog, but if I were to buy an LCD there's only good reasons to go with DVI.

**Isezumi** · 02-15-2003, 07:26 PM

I would say go for it.

I mean its not going to have an incredibly high refresh rate, but LCDs are different beasts then CRTs. If you are using it for text editing and simple graphics work (like OOP in C++). It will be just fine. Its really hard to mess up text.

Just keep in mind the price you are paying and what you are getting.

And dont yell at us if you dont like it after you get it.

**serotone9** · 02-15-2003, 07:33 PM

definitely go with the Samsung in AMD Soldier's post. $300 is a great price for that monitor. don't even think about that microtek ($400, are they kidding?)

**AMD Soldier** · 02-16-2003, 12:53 AM

Um I feel dumb... the BB deal ended on the 8th, man I was a bit late. And then the Dell deal for a 19" LCD $549 ended yesterday. So what I'm saying is that good deals are always around the corner. I would wait a little bit for a better deal.

**GenIV** · 02-16-2003, 01:47 AM

I was looking at that expired deal Dell Planar LCD deal from last time
and that thing wasn't even that good.

looking at the specs the Planar is about same spec as the MIcrotek LCDs with the Planar having a 300/350:1 contras ration while the Microtek have a400:1. and both don't have DVI

and I found the Microtek 17" review here:
http://www.hardcoreware.net/reviews/review-95-1.htm

but it's for a 17" model. so I figure MicroTek is an OK LCD line.

but I hope the Walmart one is not a "crapped" up version of their LCDs that why it's so cheap. I can't find any review for the 18" versoin that Walmart is selling tho

anyway I just ordered the Walmart one, wish me good luck with that guys

but man it would be great to have my desktop space back.
after seeing people with LCD I hate how big my CRT is..

**Trav2003** · 02-16-2003, 01:55 AM

Originally posted by mrspm2003
I saw it at walmart the other day, and to my knowledge, 1280x1024 is horrible for a 18.1 inch, that's what I do normally with my 17" LCD. Also the 0.279 mm dot pitch isn't that good, especially for an LCD. Mine is set at .24x, again, on a 17". But due to the price, if you can't go for anything better, go ahead and buy it, LCDs do help ALOT on the eyestrain.

1280x1024 is the highest you'll see on an 18.1 and even a 19 incher... I believe the only time you'll see 1600x1200 on an LCD is at 20 inches and higher. That is until they come out with some newer technologies.

The real drawback to the wally world monitor is the response rate, but the 160 degree viewing angle is pretty good. Only a few have better (and they are 170degree)

**AMD Soldier** · 02-16-2003, 01:56 AM

Hehe I was reading quickly and if your talking about the Walmart deal, than I'd say go for it!

Ppl seem to like it http://forums.anandtech.com/messagev...y&keyword1=lcd

I will probably making a stop there Monday, hopefully they won't be sold out.

**GenIV** · 02-16-2003, 06:52 AM

hehe, sounds like an OK buy.

if anyone is interested after I get my LCD I'll do a review of it on my site.

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