Top 5 Widescreen LCD Monitors Under $150
Submitted by jwhitakr on Thu, 07/30/2009 - 10:45
Considering that many of us spend hours each day staring at a monitor, you would be wise to give some thought to the quality of the monitor you buy. Let’s have a look at the top five budget widescreen LCD monitors available right now.Once the single most expensive part of any computer system, the humble monitor has had something of a revolution in these past few years. From big, bulky CRT screens that flickered, took up most of your desk space and gave off enough radiation to fry an egg - to slim, sleek LCD screens that most of us enjoy today.
Considering that many of us spend hours each day staring at a monitor, you would be wise to give some thought to the quality of the monitor you buy. Let’s have a look at the top five budget widescreen LCD monitors available right now.
Currently the biggest selling budget widescreen LCD is the HannsG HW191D at $147.
Screen Size: 19”
DVI Interface: Yes
Resolution: 1400x900
Response Time: 8ms
This monitor is simply a good value for your money. Although the resolution isn’t the highest, the colors are rich once you have adjusted them, crisp and there is no backlight bleed or ghosting. This is perfectly suitable for both games and day to day use, and the rated 8ms response is nearer 5ms in real life.
Next up is the Acer X203HB which costs $149.
Screen Size: 20”
DVI Interface: No
Resolution: 1600x900
Response Time: 5ms
Despite not having a DVI connection, this monitor works very well. It displays clear vibrant colors and is sharp enough for even the most choosy of buyers. Images come to life whether watching a movie of working with spreadsheets. It will work straight out of the box, but to get the best out of it you will need to install the drivers for it. All in all this is a good monitor for the price.
Our third monitor under review is the LG W1941S-PF which is currently $140 in stores.
Screen Size: 19”
DVI Interface: Yes
Resolution: 1366x768
Response Time: 5ms
Although not the best resolution in this test, this monitor certainly puts out a quality image. LG have gone from strength to strength over the years and now produce some of the finest LCDs around. This one is no exception. Colors are bright, and there was absolutely no distortion in 4:3 mode like you see with some brands. Overall this is an excellent monitor for work or play.
Hewlett Packard don’t generally appear in the top anything review categories. They are generally just average at whatever they do. This HP 2009M ($149) monitor is a welcome exception.
Screen Size: 20”
DVI Interface: Yes
Resolution: 1600x900
Response Time: 5ms
Not only does it look sweet, but it performs well too. HP’s Brightview technology sharpens images and keeps them crisp and clean, while keeping the response time quick enough even for FPS (first person shooter) games like Unreal Tournament. The design is sleek, and as long as you keep the frame clear of fingerprints, looks great on the desk. Overall this is probably the best monitor in this price point.
Last, but certainly not least is the Samsung 2233SW at $179. Ok ok … it doesn’t technically fit under our “Top 5 Widescreen LCD Monitors Under $150” title, but it’s an impressive monitor and the title “Top 5 Widescreen LCD Monitors Under $179” didn’t sound nearly as snazzy.
Screen Size: 21.5”
DVI Interface: Yes
Resolution: 1920x1080 HD
Response Time: 5ms
Samsung make some of the best LCD screens in the world which is why the 2233SW is featured here, even though slightly over budget. In fact they make the screens for many other manufacturers, including one other in this review. The frame is shiny and looks good but the screen is where the strength of this monitor lies. It shows rich, beautiful colors and is the only one here that can show full HD. Games look amazing and the response is plenty quick enough even for the most frenetic user. Overall I rate this second only to the HP 2009M.
Conclusion
If you are looking to buy a new LCD, you woulld do well choosing any of the monitors mentioned here. They all stand head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to crispness, clarity and overall picture quality. The pick of the bunch has to be the HP 2009M though. Not only does it look good, but it performs extremely well too.
Discuss this article in the TopReviewShop forums.
Considering that many of us spend hours each day staring at a monitor, you would be wise to give some thought to the quality of the monitor you buy. Let’s have a look at the top five budget widescreen LCD monitors available right now.Once the single most expensive part of any computer system, the humble monitor has had something of a revolution in these past few years. From big, bulky CRT screens that flickered, took up most of your desk space and gave off enough radiation to fry an egg - to slim, sleek LCD screens that most of us enjoy today.
Considering that many of us spend hours each day staring at a monitor, you would be wise to give some thought to the quality of the monitor you buy. Let’s have a look at the top five budget widescreen LCD monitors available right now.
Currently the biggest selling budget widescreen LCD is the HannsG HW191D at $147.
Screen Size: 19”
DVI Interface: Yes
Resolution: 1400x900
Response Time: 8ms
This monitor is simply a good value for your money. Although the resolution isn’t the highest, the colors are rich once you have adjusted them, crisp and there is no backlight bleed or ghosting. This is perfectly suitable for both games and day to day use, and the rated 8ms response is nearer 5ms in real life.
Next up is the Acer X203HB which costs $149.
Screen Size: 20”
DVI Interface: No
Resolution: 1600x900
Response Time: 5ms
Despite not having a DVI connection, this monitor works very well. It displays clear vibrant colors and is sharp enough for even the most choosy of buyers. Images come to life whether watching a movie of working with spreadsheets. It will work straight out of the box, but to get the best out of it you will need to install the drivers for it. All in all this is a good monitor for the price.
Our third monitor under review is the LG W1941S-PF which is currently $140 in stores.
Screen Size: 19”
DVI Interface: Yes
Resolution: 1366x768
Response Time: 5ms
Although not the best resolution in this test, this monitor certainly puts out a quality image. LG have gone from strength to strength over the years and now produce some of the finest LCDs around. This one is no exception. Colors are bright, and there was absolutely no distortion in 4:3 mode like you see with some brands. Overall this is an excellent monitor for work or play.
Hewlett Packard don’t generally appear in the top anything review categories. They are generally just average at whatever they do. This HP 2009M ($149) monitor is a welcome exception.
Screen Size: 20”
DVI Interface: Yes
Resolution: 1600x900
Response Time: 5ms
Not only does it look sweet, but it performs well too. HP’s Brightview technology sharpens images and keeps them crisp and clean, while keeping the response time quick enough even for FPS (first person shooter) games like Unreal Tournament. The design is sleek, and as long as you keep the frame clear of fingerprints, looks great on the desk. Overall this is probably the best monitor in this price point.
Last, but certainly not least is the Samsung 2233SW at $179. Ok ok … it doesn’t technically fit under our “Top 5 Widescreen LCD Monitors Under $150” title, but it’s an impressive monitor and the title “Top 5 Widescreen LCD Monitors Under $179” didn’t sound nearly as snazzy.
Screen Size: 21.5”
DVI Interface: Yes
Resolution: 1920x1080 HD
Response Time: 5ms
Samsung make some of the best LCD screens in the world which is why the 2233SW is featured here, even though slightly over budget. In fact they make the screens for many other manufacturers, including one other in this review. The frame is shiny and looks good but the screen is where the strength of this monitor lies. It shows rich, beautiful colors and is the only one here that can show full HD. Games look amazing and the response is plenty quick enough even for the most frenetic user. Overall I rate this second only to the HP 2009M.
Conclusion
If you are looking to buy a new LCD, you woulld do well choosing any of the monitors mentioned here. They all stand head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to crispness, clarity and overall picture quality. The pick of the bunch has to be the HP 2009M though. Not only does it look good, but it performs extremely well too.
Discuss this article in the TopReviewShop forums.
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