Flat panel LCDs?

[Chingwa]

My 19" princeton CRT which I've had for 7 years looks to be a bit on the fritz and I was looking at a few LCD screens to replace it with when it finally goes to the big junkyard in the sky. I was looking at a 17" Samsung 173P or 19" Samsung 192t, or 20" Viewsonic VP201s. I can find no real helpful info on the 20" viewsonic. :( Does anyone have any experience wih any of these monitors?

Also I'm wondering what people's opinions are on a double monitor setup. Is it more useful to have 2 17" LCDs or 1 19" or 20" LCD? I've never had a dual monitor setup but have recently been pretty intrigued at the concept.

[Chingwa]

anyone? anyone? Bueller?

[Chris J. Anderson!]

whatsup man,

I was referred to buying a Viewsonic by a fellow co-worker. I got one in January, works great, good picture, good color, etc.

I've talked with other artists about using LCD monitors. They brought up a good point that you don't really seem to get an accurate color and value with them while painting, if it was your main monitor. Better to use it as a second monitor in the dual set up. They got me into using dual monitor set up, I think it's a milion times helpful because you can unlarge your Navigator window to see your painting well on one monitor, and zoom in and out with your picture all you want on your main monitor. It helps make sure the shapes and etc are working right more easily. PLus you can move all your tools over on the second screen giving you more space to work your painting on your main screen. I think LCD's are great for a second monitor, they take up less space. BUt not for your main monitor that you focus your painting on because I personally don't like the fact that the values and colors on it change when ever you look at it at certian angles. But other artists may not have any problems with it.

[Chingwa]

Well thanks for the reply Chris! However my old cRT was bugging out so much I had to get a new one quick :D I ended up getting the Samsung SyncMaster 173p... and holy #$! what a great monitor! It's a 17", but compared to my previous 19" it's I'd say only 2% smaller in actual view space. I had both up and running on a dual monitor setup this morning, but that only lasted about 5 minutes... in comparison my old monitor was dull, blurry, and washed out (not to mention it reflected everylight in the room.) The LCD is sleek, small (hey I have a desk!) has a nice matte reflective coating, and the color is gorgeous, especially using the digital connection. So I've only had it a day... Ill give an update in a week or so to see how the euphoria lasts.

(Now I really want to get a second lcd of the same make/model and put it next to this in a dual monitor setup... don't think the wife will let me though :( )