[Nocturnus]

Thanks! So, letters will look smaller on a 23″ monitor with a low pixel pitch (0.2652) than on a 23.8″ monitor with a high pixel pitch (0.2745), right? sorry for all the questions but I’m not an expert like you.

[PCM2]

That’s alright, questions are always welcome. Your understanding is correct, the lower the pixel pitch the higher the pixel density and the smaller text will appear. 23″= lower pixel pitch, higher pixel density and smaller text than 23.8″.

[lucky2]

Hello PCM2, this thread may very well be a godsend for me since I have eye problems staring at my monitor all day. Can I ask a couple questions?

1) You mentioned on the 1st page that a BenQ VA monitor would be best for text work. However, I’ve got my eye on either the ViewSonic VX2263Smhl-W or VX2363Smhl-W AH-IPS monitors that were announced this week.

In regards to eye strain, how large is the benefit of a VA panel over AH-IPS – huge, minor or somewhere in between? (my specific example would be a BenQ GW2255 vs. one of the ViewSonics)

2) When checking to see if a particular BenQ is flicker-free, where is the “P/N” to be found – is it on the box or the actual monitor?

[PCM2]

Hi lucky2 and welcome!

The benefit of a VA panel in this regard is generally quite minor. In fact on cheaper models it’s usually offset by the fact that VA panels tend to be less well set up for comfortable viewing from the factories (colour and gamma can be all over the place). Some users are also slightly sensitive to a very slight ‘3D effect’ that occurs on VA panels due to the alignment of their pixels. So if the new ViewSonic’s appeal then I wouldn’t discount them for their AH-IPS panels at all from a viewing comfort perspective.

Out of interest what is it about the VX63 series in particular you find appealing? The fresh white look? 🙂

[gelen4o]

Hi, I’m new to the forum and before I begin I would like to thank you all for the valuable input on the topic ! 🙂

”PCM2” you seem to know a great detail about computer monitors so I was hoping you can help me choose a new monitor for my setup.

I’m a student and use the computer mainly for writing essays, reading e-books/ articles or doing research on the internet. I do some casual gaming from time to time as well as watch movies but this is not the main purpose I need the monitor for. Very often I spend up to 8 hours in front of the computer so a good screen will make my life easier.

I had an old GNR 15” monitor that just died on me last week and I’m currently using a LG Flatron E2341 which I borrowed from a friend of mine. The LG monitor is all great but gives my eyes a really hard time. I tried playing around with the colour settings but it did very little to easy eye strain and headaches. F.lux doesn’t help much either. It worked ok with my old GNR screen but fails to perform as good on the LG one. Perhaps is to do with the screen size. Given the fact the Flatron is not mine and I need a new piece of hardware I’m after I budget friendly monitorbetween 17” and 19” . 21.5” and above will be too big for needs to be honest.

I was looking at a Dell monitor. Comments and suggestions on this one will be much appreciated.

Despite being a bit bigger than 19” I’m also considering the BenQ VW2235H.

I would be grateful if you can recommencement me a screen between 17”-19” for up to €150 that will be good for my eyes. I’m not too picky about viewing angles, build quality or HDMI ports for as long as the screen doesn’t hurt my eyes and gives me headaches.

Any suggestions and recommendations will be much appreciated !

[PCM2]

Hi gelen4o and welcome!

I couldn’t see the Dell monitor you linked to as the link lead to an error page. What is the model number?

Unfortunately my personal experience with 17-19″ monitors is very limited really and manufacturers are mainly focusing on larger screens (typically 21.5″+) now. There are a number of factors that could have contributed to eyestrain on the LG E2341 and it’s unlikely that screen size was a factor unless you were sitting extremely close. I think one key culprit in this case could be the use of PWM to regulate the backlight of the E2341, but brightness and image setup could also have played a part.

The VW2235H is one of BenQ’s original ‘flicker free’ models and should offer a comfortable viewing experience with its VA panel and flicker-free backlight. If you’re really keen on a smaller monitor then I’d try to stick to the ones on this list as they’re confirmed to be flicker-free.

[Nocturnus]

gelen4o, maybe this one DELL P2214H 21.5 inch

[gelen4o]

Hi,

Thank you for the quick replies !

PCM2
Seems I forgot to include the link for the Dell monitor so here it is – Dell E1913. Looks decent enough (at least on paper) and the price is appealing.

Indeed, I find it hard to come across decent offers for 19” monitors and smaller so perhaps I should settle for 21.5” where my options will be a lot more.

With regard to the LG E2341, I sit at least 30 cm (12 inches) away from the monitor. I focus my eyes on something else every 20 minutes or so and my desk is located right next to a big windows with plenty of natural light coming in. Glare doesn’t seem to be an issue but for some reason my eyes feel dry and irritated by this monitor even after having adjusted brightness and colour settings. For comparison my university library uses the HP 8300 (the all-in-one version) which is the same screen size but tends to be much softer on the eyes despite the artificial light and not being able to play with settings. Anyways, I’m not too bothered about the LG because it’s not mine and I’m gonna have to give it back soon or later so a new monitor is needed.

Nocturnus: DELL P2214H seems like a good piece of hardware and I can find it on Amazon.de for about €150 which is good for the kitty !

If I compare it to the BenQ VW2430H few questions come to mind:

What is the difference between IPS, TFT and VA panels and which one is better ?
If TFT is any good ?
Pixel pitch 0.276 (BenQ) against 0.248 mm (Dell/ Philips). The way I know it is the lower the better, correct ?

Other than that the 3 screens are identical apart from the VW2430H and Philips E-line 227E4LHAB having HDMI port but this is not of great concern to me. The Philips is also the cheapest one.

[PCM2]

The Philips E227E4LHAB and the Dell E1913 both use TN panels and PWM-regulated LED backlights. They are poorer choice for viewing comfort and a pleasing image than the others.

All current LCD monitors are TFT – that just describes the ‘technological arrangement’ common to all current LCD monitors and is nothing to do with panel type or anything else. I’d recommend reading this article on panel types for the key differences between TN, VA and IPS-type panels and also this thread for a more detailed look at how IPS and VA compare.

For your uses I’d generally side towards IPS because they offer the best (and most comfortable) ‘out of the box’ setup. Some users find VA panels quite ‘natural’ for reading text on but others find the very slight ‘3D effect’ that you get from the alignment of the pixels slightly distracting. It’s personal preference, but out of all of the choices your looking at the Dell P2214H Nocturnus mentioned is probably the ‘safest’ bet. I must say I haven’t tested this model myself but I would assume it’s similar to the P2314H and P2414H I’ve tested.

P.S. If buying anything from Amazon please remember to use our links. It doesn’t have to be for the same specific product, you could go through to Amazon on our link to the P2414H and end up getting something else for example.

[lucky2]

Hi PCM2,

Thanks for your reply. It’s not the white housing of the ViewSonic VX63’s that appeal to me. It’s just that when it comes to 21.5-23 inch flicker-free AH-IPS monitors with VESA mounting, there’s not many that are priced under $200 and available in the US.

Therefore I was going to go with one of the newer flicker-free BenQs. That was until I saw the press release for the ViewSonics yesterday. However, since that time, I discovered the LG MP55/56 series, which are all being advertised as being flicker-free. I may end up purchasing one of those, as they would be available immediately, as opposed to having to wait for the ViewSonic.

Could you please answer my question about the BenQ P/N? Are they to be found on the box or the monitor? Thank you.

[PCM2]

The P/N is found on the rear of the monitor on the product label and sometimes on a sticker on the box as well.

What about the Dell P2314H? That’s $199 and you get a fully adjustable stand, VESA mounting and a a better warranty service to boot. And at least I’ve tested that monitor so can attest to the viewing qualities.

[lucky2]

Ah yes the Dell…I had that on my list but it slipped my mind. That entire lineup (P2214H, P2414H, P2714H) are all the same compared to each other, correct?

Do you think they are substantially better than the LG MP65 line or is it pointless to try to assess without seeing it in person?

By the way, thanks so much for your generosity with your time. I’ll make sure to use your amazon link if I buy my monitor and arm mount from them.

[gelen4o]

Thank you for the detailed information. PCM2 ! I went through the articles you recommended and finally decided to go for the LG 22MP55HQ. Never thought choosing a monitor can be this difficult …. 🙂

I liked the P2314H a lot ! It’s a good piece of hardware, its clean design looks very appealing and I’m sure the build quality will be top-notch but unfortunately doesn’t really fit my budget that well .In contrast the LG looks plasticky and not as well put together but design and looks don’t bother me too much. On the other hand the 22MP55HQ is about 40 bucks cheaper and taking into consideration everything I read it should do just fine. I will be placing the order this weekend so hopefully LG won’t disappoint me.

Thanks again for all your help !

[PCM2]

It would be very difficult to assess the MP65 series specifically without testing them. The general impression about LG’s cheaper monitors from the many I’ve used previously is that you get what you pay for with them. Build quality tends to be poor and there tends to be little give in the screens themselves, meaning the panels are flexed and open to other pressures that perpetuate uniformity issues such as backlight bleed.

The P2714H is a bit different as it uses a PLS panel that uses PWM regulation (it’s not flicker-free). The smaller models all use similar AH-IPS panels offer similar performance with screen size being the key difference.

Edit: Didn’t see your second reply there. Hopefully the LG you get will be of satisfactory quality, I’m sure you’ll love it and I can definitely see the appeal given the price. I look forward to hearing your impressions when you get it! 🙂

[lucky2]

Actually, that’s a different user that purchased the LG. I may end up going with the Dell based on your recommendation. Thank you for your insight.

[PCM2]

Ah yes… Oops 😉 .

[Tom Abramov]

Hello. I just have bought GW2750HM BENQ monitor after your recommendations in this topic. My computer is DELL E5400 laptop and the monitor is connected via VGA while working in the office. After lowering monitor’s brightness and contrast, the desktop is quite good for my eyes, but the problem is the white backgrounds in Outlook, Chrome etc. They are too much bright for me. Please give me some advice about this issue.
Some details about my current settings: windows 7, 1920×1080, Monitor Brightness: 40, Monitor Contrast: 40, Gamma – the darkest one, Colors – Standard.
Thank you.

[PCM2]

Hi Tom,

It sounds like you’re having a problem with ‘pure white’ on the monitor, which isn’t really affected by the gamma setting. By using the ‘darkest’ gamma setting, white remains as bright as ever but darker shades (other than pure black) will look darker which can make things less distinct. I’d advise trying an even lower monitor brightness setting instead. And just to be sure, what is the P/N of your GW2750HM? It should be on the label at the back.

[lucky2]

Hi PCM2,

Just wanted to say I ordered the P2314H based on your rec. (and used your amazon link). I should be receiving it in the next week or so. Thanks for your suggestion…look forward to using it for many flicker-free years to come.

[Umbral]

Any news on GW2760HS successor or newer 27″ 1080p panels from BenQ ?

Also what is the difference between :
a) M270HVN02.0 and M270HVN02.1 panels ?
b) M240HVN02.0 and M240HVN02.1 and M240HVN03.0 panels ?

[Author]

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