# Graphic designer shopping for a monitor--what should I buy?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphic-designer-shopping-for-a-monitor-what-should-i-buy/229549>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 16, 2004, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphic-designer-shopping-for-a-monitor-what-should-i-buy/229549 "2004-02-16T21:20:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![LeeshaJoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@LeeshaJoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LeeshaJoy)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2004, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphic-designer-shopping-for-a-monitor-what-should-i-buy/229549/1 "2004-02-16T21:20:48Z")

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(This may be more suited to IMHO than GQ, but I trust the mods to guide this thread to its rightful home.)

My dad has informed me that sometime in the near future, he’s going to buy me a new computer. (It was my mom’s idea–she wants him to get me a new machine so she can have my old one to replace the ancient Power Mac she’s using now. Go figure.)

Since I’m a graphic designer in training, we’re looking at getting a top-of-the-line dual processor G5. Unfortunately, that doesn’t leave a lot of money left over for a monitor. An LCD display is probably out of the question; the high-end models are obscenely expensive and the low-end models aren’t good for accurate color. Therefore, our best bet is a high-quality CRT monitor…but we’re not sure which one to get.

Thus, I’m looking for recommendations from fellow computer geeks and/or designers, so I can at least know where to start looking. Any companies or models that are particularly good? Are there any that I sould avoid at all costs? Is there, in fact, a low-cost high-quality LCD monitor out there that I should try to get my hands on?

Thanks in advance.

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**Author:** ![rookie523](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71c47a/32.png) [@rookie523](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rookie523)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2004, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphic-designer-shopping-for-a-monitor-what-should-i-buy/229549/2 "2004-02-16T21:56:26Z")

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I guess it all depends on how much you want to spend.  
What size monitor for LCD or CRT?  
19" CRT are really cheap now and you can get a flat trinitron tube one for a decent price. A viewsonic P95f+ goes for $350CDN…  
a nice 17" LCD monitor like the Sony goes for $699CDN…  
I think Apple has the best LCD screens although they are expensive.  
Sony’s are pretty nice too with brightness and sharpness.  
Samsung LCDs are the best overall in price and quality I think… LG is nice too.