Need new monitor

[mccoady]

My mom's 17'' LCD Dell monitor went out so she needs a new one and I'm trying to help her buy it. Her old monitor was set at a resolution of 1024x768 which was about right for her.

I want her to get a 19" or 20" LCD this time but I'm trying to decide if she should go with a Widescreen this time, any opinions? I've noticed that the resolutions of a regular 19" LCD is 1280x1024 and the 20" LCD Widescreens have a 1680x1050, could my mom still set the resolution to 1024x768 if she wanted to or would she need to set it at the monitor's resolution?

Would my mom notice a big difference (alot smaller text) if she had to go to a 1280x1024 or 1680x1050? Much difference in text size with the regular 1280x1024 verses the Widescreen 1680x1050?

[rallynavvie]

You almost always want to use the LCDs native resolution. The text will be smaller on either of those replacements, however you can change the settings for Windows to use a larger font. For web browsing hold down CTRL and use your mouse's scroll wheel to change font sizes.

[ntscuser]

I want her to get a 19" or 20" LCD this time but I'm trying to decide if she should go with a Widescreen this time, any opinions?

Dunno if this is typical but I saw a 19" 4:3 and 21" 16:9 HD ready LCD side by side at Staples. The sizes were comparable but the W/S monitor cost exactly double the 4:3. Worth it?

[Jale86]

I think text size won't change if you switch from 17'' to 19'', the only thing that changes is the desktop area when setting it to 1280x1024. In other words, screen resolution is relatively growing with the monitor's size.

I don't really know, I'm still using an old 15'' CRT monitor at 1024x768

[Nelson37]

If she is not watching movies and it is more expensive, no real reason to spend extra money on a wide screen.

Take a close look an true vertical parameters, you may not be gaining much going a widescreen.

[mccoady]

Well the Dell LCD monitors I was looking at was a 19" 4:3 with a glossy screen and a 20" 16:9 non-glossy screen both for the same price of $229. I guess I will see what my mom wants to get. It's good to know that she can change the font size.

[MJA]

check newegg.com

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010190020%201309821320&bo...nd&Order=PRICE

[Faustus]

Actually a GOOD 19" wide should be 1440x900. When my old 19" NEC died I took the plunge and got a 19" wide Samsung and let me tell you. I LOVE THIS THING.