My desktop CRT (Gateway VX900 19" [18" viewable]), bought used [CCC, circa 2003? -- so it's pretty old] is making occasional popping noises, and the contrast doesn't seem ever seem to have been as good as I think it might be, and it does use a lot of power, I'm sure.. ..and besides I just kinda want something new, ok?
I'm wondering, good friends, what kind of advice you might have for me. My preferences/habits: - I like having a lot of real estate. I now use 1600x1200, a too-high dpi setting (giving tiny fonts), and suffer barely readable menus just so I can occasionally tile multiple apps on the screen. Wide format (or dual head?) seems appropriate for me. But maybe my aging eyes would do better at a lower dpi than the present 110 or so. - I'd like to be able to color-calibrate, not for professional needs, but just because I like to play with photos and gimp. And good dynamic range (contrast) would seem very desirable. - I don't play games. - I am presently comfortable with a viewing distance of about 24". - I have occasionally (once every few months) noticed fatigue (retinal persistance?) that seems to require getting away from the CRT for a period. This on a CRT at 75Hz refresh. I don't know how to factor that in, but maybe somebody else does. I do spend a lot of time in front of the screen. - Standard CB bias applies, meaning I very definitely don't want the "at-any-cost best". But I might be able to argue myself into "beyond-bare-minimum functionality" if I can personally recognize the benefits. - Budget is not really pinned down, but the 24" panels occasionally found at $300 sound quite attractive and tolerable. I do wonder whether paying more like $400 might give a noticeable improvement, and would probably consider that. I'd prob^wcertainly have difficulty talking myself into thousand(s) of dollars, though. - I've never spent any time in front of such a large screen though. Maybe 24" might actually be too large? Perhaps dual head is significantly better than one wide? I would like to hear of others' impressions on this issue. Recommendations? Regards, ..jim (recommendations aside from "get a life", please) -- [email protected] http://www.kernel-panic.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/kplug-list
