I recently switched to a TFT and I can absolutely recommend it. The image is sharper and in my experience a TFT is better for the eyes, especially if you're working on the computer a lot.

Check Alternate.de; they have good prices in general, and that's where I got my HannsG 19" widescreen FTF. As TFTs go it's cheap AND the picture quality is brilliant (I did some research beforehand and had only heard good things about it). Only downside about that specific TFT: the Standfuß is a little wobbly, but considering price and quality, I think that's something one can live with (I can anyway).

On a more general note: if you plan on getting a monitor above 17", and perhaps even a widescreen, check beforehand if your graphic card supports those formats. If not, you may get problems with the resolution. I had them, but managed to fix them with software (freeware) I found online. Should those problems arise for you, feel free to poke me and I'll link you.

How about the resolution and stuff :)

And how about when you create webpages or icons... is the screen really that much lighter? Or sharp do the icons seem?

And I'm thinking either 17 or 19.

What do you mean exactly when you say resolution?

Since you're into webdesign I recommend getting a 19". I got a widescreen one because I watch most 'TV' on the computer.

You can adjust Kontrast and Helligkeit, of course, but yeah, it's better than a Röhrenmonitor. Pictures, icons included, look VERY sharp, in a good way. It's awesome.

like... 1024x768. or more or less... I'm not quite sure what the best one is.. the one on my laptop is way too large though.

I will have to check it out some.. it sucks that at most stores..you cannot really tryout the monitors because morons abuse that.

Personally, I prefer CRT monitors. You get better quality for a lower price range, and there isn't the frame rate delay when doing things like playing computer games. The downside is the obvious size and weight issue :(

Sadly, a lot of the mid-range LCD monitors give a sharpness to static images that I don't care for. Specifically with icons, everything always looks a lot sharper and more pixeled when I'm using mid to low quality LCDs. You can adjust that a bit, but it's still usually there.

However! if you're willing to spend more, then I'd definitely go with a LCD. More desk space, widescreen options, easier to move, decreased eye strain with long use. All definite pluses. I recommend going to your local Best Buy or whatever, testing them all out and then purchasing the actual monitor from http://www.newegg.com

Yeah... the size is a huge issue for me... if it weren't, I'd go with CRT in a heartbeat. Because the colors and kontrast are more realistic.

The rest is better on the lcd... I just wish I could see what it looks like on an lcd.. I have no way of checking...except if I find a store which allows me to bring my own cd.

And I will buy my computer using work..cos we get it cheaper here *g* and faster too.

<3 my LCD.

OTOH, I get headaches when I look at CRT monitor for too long. No problems with LCD though.

*grins*

Now that seriously makes me wonder if I can find that for my latop monitor as well...

Cos my laptop rocks.. but really not so much for art.

I'm just scared it will be like my laptop monitor... the icons don't look too good on it... the color si wrong...everything is way to small. And it seems weird.. I wish I could tryout a monitor somewhere...but it isn#t really possible anywhere...

I switched to a TFT last week and I love it. Especially for watching vids and surfing. I don't photoshop much lately so I can't say about that but the colors a brilliant, and look not much different from my old monitor except for the brilliance that is, and it's all sharp and nice. But of course all adjustable. All in all it feels more comfortable to stare at =)

The resolution on a TFT is native meaning whatever you buy you can't change the resolution, I got myself a 19" widescreen with a resolution of 1440.900 (depending on your graphic card you'd have to change it manually or get a program to switch). I'd not go for smaller than 19". Though it's up to you whether widescreen is useful or not but you can use to programs in two windows next to each other if that's of use for you.

Oh and I bought the Acer AL1916W at Amazon.

Hope this helps.

Snap! That's exactly what I have.

Really? He, well I guess it's pretty popular due to the good price and good recommendations at Amazon and everywhere else I checked. I sure do love that thing, plus the space it leave on the desk compared to my old monster 19" monitor? Awesome!

I bought it largely based on the recs at Amazon, and in a computer mag. And yes, the amount of space it freed up is bliss - it's also so lovely and light in comparison to my old 19" monitor, which nearly broke my back when I got rid of it!

Well..for watching vids I can always use my laptop..so that isn't an issue... the space however, is.


And it does help :)

I have this Acer widescreen 19" TFT (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000CCB0OG/026-4103587-0615647?v=glance&n=560798) and *love* it. It was strange at first, as it felt muted after my old monitor, but I love having a widescreen, especially for making graphics, or for having multiple windows open. And it's good for watching DVDs as well.

How does it feel when you make icons? Distored, too sharp? Too small?

It seemed very small at first, especially for icons, as I went from 1024x768 to 1440x900 resolution. But it only took me a couple of days to get used to it, and now I find it great for icons. My only concern is that my colours might be very vivid for people on other types of monitors.

i don't *really* get on well with TFTs when it comes to creating art, especially because of the sharpness and contrast/brightness thing :/

When my old office monitor was swapped out for a TFT a few months ago, I had such an "OMG!" moment that I immediately went out and bought one for home, too. I love it! Of course, not all TFTs are created equal, so you need to go look at them before you pick the one you want. But it really was a big difference. Everything looked sharper and brighter, and that has made a big difference in icon making. Most of my older ones look decidedly crappier than I had thought previously.

I understand your comment regarding your laptop LCD, though. I have a laptop that's several years old, and I hate its screen. But even those have improved much since it was new, and the husband's newer one has fantastic image quality.