Just had an offer of 149 plus VAT (175.08) for a Mitac 15 AX LCD monitor from Simply Computers. Has anyone got one?
I'm slightly concerned as
a) I suspect it's a discontinued model from looking at Mitac's website,
b) Contrast is 200:1 whereas some better are 300:1
c) Brightness is 220cd, some are more like 250cd.
As it's going to have to last, I suspect I'd be better paying slightly more for a better model. Probably talked myself out of buying it now, but would be interested in people's experience of brightness etc with LCD monitors.

My IT guru tells me that you want as high a contrast ratio and brightness level as possible. Im not sure of values but comparing the Early Dell TFTs in work with current models there is a marked increase in user comfort on the current models so on that basis I would keep away from older models.

I guess you pays your money and takes your choice.

Neil

Thanks Neil, suspected you get what you pay for. I think this is only just discontinued but visual comfort is very important to me - as my username might suggest, so will wait for the newer models to srop in price, as I can cope. Interestingly, a few years ago paid 450 ish for a iiyama 17" monitor, thought is was dear but a good investment. Look at the price of them now!

Seymour

I've got a 15" NEC 1535vi. The 1535/1550 model seemed to do well in lots of comparisons but the vi was the higher spec version with better contrast, brightness and angle of view. I paid @350 but of course they've come down since. Certainly v. happy with it and I'll have another when I next decide to treat myself.

Regards
Rob

I'm having problems accessing L2 'the normal way'. Spoken to am and they think it could be a prob with Norton Internet Security 2003 as I had it set to ban pop-ups. I have disabled everything except anti-virus but still get white screen if attempting to access via L2 tab. Using XP, IE6. Could anybody proffer suggestions, please?

further to vasey's comment:

Having tested using the exact URL for level2, it works fine, there is something, possibly with javascript somehow being disabled or blocked from working...

J.

I need a dual Head video Card.
Any clues as to the best model to buy?
Cheers Iain.

Iain - I use a matrox G550. Easy to set up and never had a problem with it.

Cheers Robb.
Iain

A little help on Win 2000 please.

Can anyone (you know who you are :) ) tell me whether a copy of win2000 Pro that was originally distributed with a new Compaq pc, is likely to install on any other PC brand?

I know for example that a similar Dell version works only with Dell.

Thanks very much.

Robb, Thanks for post 168, will have a look

Seymour, if you are still after a TFT screen. Ebuyer.com are doing a Sharp LL-T15G3B 15" in black with a contrast ratio of 350:1 and brightness of 260cd. It'll cost you any extra 35 though.

Neil

Neil / Robber, thanks, I'll take a look. In no great hurry unless I see a bargain!
edit Found the Sharp model you mentioned - looks VERY good. Not worried by the extra 25 - money well spent.

Seymour, have you seen the 17" ones, Now thats what Im after But I need 3 of them :-((

Yes, I'm considering the 17" now, look very good. But times 3, serious money! Just a good day's trading !!! (Not by me I hasten to add)

LOL, I wish

Seymour
Ths Sharp 17" TFT panels are really excellent. I have just bought lots of these in and was so impressed I decided to keep 3 in black for myself! They have very high contrast and brightness with a nice thin frame and built in speakers underneath. Matched with the new Matrox Parhelia graphics card they provide an almost perfect solution for trading & for general home use. The Matrox demonstration software with the coral reef across 3 screens is stunning!

bought new laptop and it has XP but cant get D4F to download any ideas please.

Croc, that's a recommendation and a half! Just have to persuade my business Partner they're essential so I can get the VAT back!

Hi everyone,

I have to agree with Croc regarding the Sharp monitors, even set to the highest resolution they are positively relaxing to look at. The Matrox Parhelia card is quite amazing as well.

I have spent the best part of a day in front of the PC, and by now I would normally be suffering from a bit of Red eye, but there's no such problem with this set up.

Just as an aside, I went out earlier and left the PC on, too lazy to switch off, I set my Tiny persoanl firewall to 'completely cut me off' from the net. On returning, I accidentally hit standby button instead of shut down. I've never put a PC into Standby before so didn't know how to get out of it.

I turned the PC on and then off, it re-booted fine, but the Matrox power desk kept reporting an unexpected error and refused to load. I then set about re-installing the video drivers etc. thinking I'd somehow messed up my settings with the standby business and got myself into a right pickle. Croc came to my resuce by suggesting I use system restore. And of course it worked a treat.

Afterwards I wondered what it was exactly I did to cause the problem in the first place?.... I think it may be that I forgot to switch the firewall to normal mode before shutting down - The Power desk software obviously uses some of the internal ports to communicate with the card or something. Just thought I'd mention it in case someone else has a similar problem.

Good luck everyone for next week.

Regards,

Pete