[veryniceguy2002]

I just found out the my company has an employee benefits program where I can buy Acer computer stuff for a discount (about 20% off RRP).

I did a quick search for LCD monitor range they have on offer, and I saw there is a 17" model Acer AL732 (I think it's a new model just released) which seems to be very good as a replacement monitor for my other Mac. Now given I am already using an Apple 17" LCD display, I would doubt Acer (or any other manufacturers other than Formac for the matter) would offer something better than what I have already.

I would like to know:

1. whether anyone has experience with Acer LCD monitor, and whether they like (or hate) it.

2. Acer web site has specifications such as

Pixel Pitch: 0.264 mm
Viewing angle (H/V): 160 (H) x 160 (V)
Response Time: 16 ms
Contrast Ratio: 450:1

Now I cannot find such figures available for the Apple 17" LCD display on the web. Can someone provide me the corresponding figures for Apple display?

3. The Australian pricing that I can get for AL732 is about A$820 (US$535) including GST. Do you think it is good value for money??

Thanks in advance!

[-Q-]

I can't answer all your questions in detail, but I can provide some. And some opinions.

1. I've not had experience with an Acer LCD, but I've always found their computers to be crap. I've known more people who've had to get replacements for Acers than any other major brand.

That being said, a lot of LCDs are made by other companies than the ones on the label. The Dell LCD monitor (beeyoutiful!) I have at home was actually made by Samsung. If you can find out how makes the Acer ones, you may be able to discover the quality of the LCD.

2. Those specs compare favorably with the Apple ones on this page (look down at the bottom for the pixel pitch, etc.). However, Apple's monitors consistently score higher on quality tests than other monitors so even tho' the specs may be similar, the quality may be different.

3. The price isn't bad. I got my 18" monitor for about $450 from Dell. Although we don't have GST here in that states so that helped, plus they were having a great sale. In doing a quick comparison at http://wwww.froogle.com that looks to be about the average price (in US $) for a 17" LCD.

Sorry I can't be of more help, but at least you have the specs for the apple monitor now.

[TMLai]

I don't have any Acer LCD, but my office Acer 19" Tube Monitor is the worse monitor I ever own. It's priced low and builted like crap. An equally cheap Samsung tube we brought at the same time serve us much better. We also own a Samsung 15" LCD at the momment. Its no where near as good as my Tibook screen. But it have no dead pixel at all and is quite usable. I also own an IBM 54H LCD (15") for 3 years. It have a DVI interface and is as sharp as the Tibook but it had develope 1 dead pixel lately. It's one generation older then the Samsung LCD in my office but cost nearly 3 times the money. I also own a Professional Sony 22" Monitor for 3 years, it color still look as it just come out from the factory. The screen on a Sony notebook (505) is the worst LCD screen that I have come acrossed, It turn the default Window XP desktop into a mosaic. (Unable to display more than a few hundreds color!)

[veryniceguy2002]

Originally posted by -Q-:

1. I've not had experience with an Acer LCD, but I've always found their computers to be crap. I've known more people who've had to get replacements for Acers than any other major brand.

Some people told me those bad stories as well Some people even tell me "never touch Acer!"

I was bit surprised for the fact that Acer offers 3 year warranty on their products (at least in Australia)

That being said, a lot of LCDs are made by other companies than the ones on the label. The Dell LCD monitor (beeyoutiful!) I have at home was actually made by Samsung. If you can find out how makes the Acer ones, you may be able to discover the quality of the LCD.

I think it is made by Benq, because Benq was part of Acer before (before Acer spun off the peripheral divison as Benq 2 years ago). Also, in the Acer support page it refers customers of Acer monitors to refer Benq support pages.

[veryniceguy2002]

Originally posted by -Q-:

3. The price isn't bad. I got my 18" monitor for about $450 from Dell. Although we don't have GST here in that states so that helped, plus they were having a great sale. In doing a quick comparison at http://wwww.froogle.com that looks to be about the average price (in US $) for a 17" LCD.

I want to know what other LCD monitor has comparable features and prices as those Acer LCD monitors??

The features I liked in those Acer LCD are Analog + DVI + S-Video inputs as well as stereo speakers. Any other manfacturers offer similar things (at an affordable price)?