If you’re looking for movies, then 16:9 is a reasonable aspect ratio to choose. However, if you’re more interested in productivity, a 16:10 or 21:9 monitor may be a more interesting choice.
What’s your budget?
No movies or video games. When it comes to computers I don’t buy the best because it becomes old so quick. Most other things I buy, I try to buy the best I can afford. Mostly going to be used surfing the web shopping, forums, and short youtube videos. Definitely doesn’t have to be the fastest or highest resolution. This Viewsonic I’m using now is 10 or 12 years old and is fine for what I do. Max I would spend is about $300, $100 would be better.
When I shifted from CRT to LCD six or so years ago I started looking for Dell 2001FP, 1600/1200 and eventually picked up 3 of them never paying more than $75 to $100. I hate with great passion the cheap TV screens sold as monitors with 1080 or less height, but if that doesn’t bother you those go cheap cheap used.
Most recent monitor is from a Korean company that specializes in refurb larger screens, we got a 2550/1440 27” with zero defects for $200 including shipping to our door. Catch is zero features, no scaling, requires dual DVI, but the picture is great and I can’t pry it away from my son who tested the monitor on his system since none of mine had dual DVI. Next day his old monitor was sitting in office, and new one embedded on his desk.
Monitor technology does not change very fast. I have a 24” 1920x1200 monitor that is almost 9 years old.
I think both those dell deals are good if you actually have stuff you can get from the dell store at reasonably prices with that gift card. Here is a baseline price (not on sale) for a 23” ips : http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/992713-REG/aoc_i2369v_23_led_ips.html
I’ve seen various brands like dell, acer, and asus run sales from time to time on these, but can’t find any good ones right now.
What is the difference between the one you linked and the Dell 23 I linked, both same size and resolution, both ips.
No difference really. They probably use the same panel. It’s just a refurb on sale vs retail pricing. I have a S2340M actually, it’s solid.
re monitors: Dell U2412M Review - TFTCentral these guys walk the talk, bought a monitor based on their recommendation a couple of years ago, downloaded matching ICC profile, been a happy camper ever since.
At Techbargins there are several listings for monitors on sale.
I picked up two 24” Acer G246HL for about $85 each a year ago at microcenter (On sale + price match), they have been working great!
This is the wrong place to ask. I’ve got an Eizo 20” widescreen, outstanding quality, better than any other screen I’ve looked at so far inluding iMacs. Does that help you, give you a definitive answer you can act on maybe? I think not. That Eizo is >8 years old, there may be better, cheaper solutions; maybe Eizo sucks now comparatively, idk.
What you need is an enthusiast forum where people haven’t just bought one single screen and were happy with it, but where they are generally familiar with several models, newest trends and technology and the best deals for a specific application (i.e. office/games/movies in a specific price range…).
This is a flashlight forum. That’s what people specialize in here, not computer screens. We’re marginally more useful than amazon reviews, if at all.
I recommend that approach for everything that’s expensive, has to last for many years and is subject to frequent technological changes.
If you are using or planning to use Windows 8, you might want to consider a touch screen monitor. I have the following monitor, which is on sale currently. You don’t have to use the touch feature, but a few years from now, it might be just the ticket. The only comment I have about the monitor is that it doesn’t seem to be compatible with HD on Netflix, but I’m not sure if it’s my graphics card or some other malady.
I use a LG M2452D 24” TV with an IPS panel for my laptop and a Samsung UN40EH5300F 40” TV for my tower and both are wonderful 1920X1080 monitors.
On sale they were cheap. The 24” was $140 and the 40” $308 October 2013.
My current monitor had a lot of lines in the screen and the part I could actually see shrunk down to about half the screen size. That went on for 3 or 4 days and them the monitor said the signal was lost. Checked the connections and everything seemed tight but the monitor started working normally and has for the last 2 days. Maybe it will last another 12 years, still looking but will see how the current one turns out.
OK, my monitor has really died now, buying one today or Sunday so it can ship on Monday. Any deals going on now?
Well I have been soo happy with my Samsung 28” UHD monitor that I’m getting a second one for my dual monitor set up.
I have this monitor . It is the best I've had .
Monoprice 27in IPS-ZERO-G Slim Monitor WQHD 2560x1440 - Dual Link DVI, VGA, $349+tax/shipping
http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=114&cp_id=11401&cs_id=1130703&p_id=10509&seq=1&format=2
(Assuming your graphics card can output a dual link DVI-D signal)
It appears to use the LG AH-IPS panel, which I believe is what is used in Apple’s 27” monitor, that sells for $1000.
I myself use a Yamakasi 27” with a AH-IPS panel 
($330, shipped from Korea).
My Yamakasi was a noticeable improvement (better dot pitch and color) over my Asus 27” (Q278).
I don’t get people who skimp on buying monitors. You only have a pair of eyes in a lifetime, might as well treat them royally with a nice monitor. Save in other areas, treat yourself good.