# I just got a flat panel monitor. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 16, 2003, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-a-flat-panel-monitor/175776 "2003-05-16T21:51:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2003, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-a-flat-panel-monitor/175776/21 "2003-05-18T22:36:18Z")
Might be a great way to impress women. One woman came in my house & the first thing she said was, ‘wow, you got LCD monitors.’ 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-a-flat-panel-monitor/175776/22 "2003-05-23T03:19:13Z")
Well, here I am; online with my new Envision EN-7100S LCD 17" display. The image area is larger than the CRT. It will take some getting used to. The contrast is a bit weird. That will take some getting used to as well. _But!_ I now have more room on my table. And I haven’t had to whack it on the side yet. 😉🙂 ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-a-flat-panel-monitor/175776/23 "2003-05-23T04:07:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by handy \* > \*\*“Just had to whack the monitor again. I hope my LCD monitor gets here soon.” > > You might want to take out the connector in the back of computer &/or monitor & put it back on to make sure its tight. > > I love the energy savings of the lcd monitor & its light weight. > > Staples has a NEC 1860NX 18" LCD Monitor > For $449.94 Shipped After Rebate… [spoofee.com](http://spoofee.com) if you need the specs. \*\* I looked at this unit handy and _almost_ got one until I looked at the specs. and [the PC Mag review of the sister 17" unit](http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,976800,00.asp). The performance is mediocre and the specs (especially contrast and color accuracy) are lagging. [This is apparently the unit to have and the one I am interested in.](http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,976808,00.asp) ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-a-flat-panel-monitor/175776/24 "2003-05-23T04:10:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Stinkpalm \* > \*\*After having used it for a day now I would have to say that my only complaint is that the contrast is not the same as a CRT monitor. I have seen alot of flat panels and they all have this problem. Its not bad, just gonna take getting used to. Like when you have dark blue against a bright white background the blue kinda looks black unless you know its blue before you see it. In order to rectify the contrast I have to drop the brightness down a few notches, which isn’t a big deal either. \*\* If your video board supports it, try nudging up the gamma. It’s most likely tucked away somewhere under advanced properties for the video board. I’m running mine at 1.2 (the default is 1.0) Also, if you have color management capacities, you should either use the definitions for your particular monitor or the “sRGB” color profile. If you really want to wring out the best image, head over to [http://www.displaymate.com/demos.html](http://www.displaymate.com/demos.html) and pick up the demo program and run through the “obstacle course” DisplayMate also has a pile of good info on setting up monitors. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-a-flat-panel-monitor/175776/25 "2003-05-23T16:51:09Z")
"The performance is mediocre and the specs (especially contrast and color accuracy) are lagging. " Nuts, but monitors are really one of those things you want to look at in person. If you bought from staples, you could take it back. Thing is room lighting at the store isn’t anywhere near what you have at home &t hat effects how the monitor looks to your eyes. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Tiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Mama\_Tiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Tiger)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-a-flat-panel-monitor/175776/26 "2003-05-23T17:28:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Guybud5 \* > \*\*THe only thing I don’t like is the keyboard. Perhaps I’ll eventually start using an external one, but for as little as I type (save for message boards and email) it’s not a big deal. (I’m a student, but all my homework is in Hebrew, and I havent bothered learning to type it yet) \*\* I use a Dell Inspiron as my main computer, and use an external keyboard and USB mouse. I’m anxiously awaiting delivery from the mailman of a keyboard from ThinkGeek that rolls up to stuff in your computer bag and is totally silent so I can be completely portable. Being self-employed, it’s nice to fit my entire complement of work equipment into one bag I can throw over my shoulder and go. Talk about job portability. Butrscotch Jr. is anxious to replace his 17" monitor with a flat panel. First he needs to get a JOB, though. (Thus speaketh his mother.) ---
**Author:** ![Gozu\_Tashoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7993a0/32.png) [@Gozu\_Tashoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu_Tashoya)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-a-flat-panel-monitor/175776/27 "2003-05-23T18:07:58Z")
\ Replacing? What’s all this talk about replacing? You don’t use your flat panel to _replace_ your existing monitor, you use it _in addition_ to your existing monitor (well, except for **Johnny** , what with the old one being dead and all). Trust me, a 19" CRT dual screened with a 15" LCD is damn near unbeatable geeky goodness. \ 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Seven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Seven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seven)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-a-flat-panel-monitor/175776/28 "2003-05-23T18:39:59Z")
Stinkpalm: Watch out for those Kogi monitors. I used to work for a rather large electronic store and we sold those. We went though two displays in about 60 days and had a ton of returns on them. Double check your return policy and if ANYTHING happens to it before that time, return it pronto. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-a-flat-panel-monitor/175776/29 "2003-05-23T21:13:59Z")
> [@](#): > > (well, except for **Johnny** , what with the old one being dead and all). _Mostly_ dead! 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-got-a-flat-panel-monitor/175776.md?page=1)