Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

VRL · Sep 4, 2001, 03:23 AM

The other day, I posted this in another thread - it probably belongs here:

Actually, I'm also am looking at getting a new monitor. I thought of getting an Apple LCD (for my G3 desktop), but thought they were designed to work with a G4???

The reason I need a monitor, my 17" Apple Studio Display is dying (after about 27 months of constant use), and according to everything I've read at the Apple Discussion board, the behavior is an indicator of an imminent death. (It flickers, goes to black, the power light pulses between green and yellow. Small white vertical lines appear in the center of the screen. It tries to come back, but then goes back to black, etc. I turn off the monitor, come back in a hour or so, and it works again for a couple hours. Then, the same thing starts happening.)

The monitor I'm considering is a 17" Samsung LCD. Has anyone used one/does anyone own one? The Samsung displays are highly rated in MacWorld magazine, but I haven't tried one yet. (I looked at one in a store last night - very nice.)

Sony and LaCie CRT's seem pretty nice, too. But I don't believe that CRT's last longer than LCD monitors. And the LCD's I've seen seem to be very close to the quality of CRT's (color, sharpness). Anyone have thoughts on this?

Anyway, I'm leaning towards the 17" Samsung LCD (170MB).

What I use my computers for: Database design, software development, web page design, graphics design. Also enjoy computer games.
Any recommendations/thoughts would be appreciated

Hydra · Sep 4, 2001, 03:59 AM

You might want to check out the Mac-fit-it site's front page, they have an article about the CRT 17ich Studio Displays being replaced/repaired out of warranty due to known issues with the tubes (yes -even ones out of warranty). I had the 17 inch crt SD and loved it (the B&W one) and am now using the new 17inch Apple lcd with my new dual 800 and LOVE it. I don't think you can go wrong with the Samsung 17 becasue I think all Apple's own LCD come from Samsung anyway (I think Apple own's part of Samsung). Before you buy a new display see if Apple will fix/replace the old one, it can't hurt to find out. Either way you won't lose.

macfixit

here's part of the article:

"Studio Display repair and KB articles: a case in point

We've mentioned this so many times already that we could be accused of beating a dead horse, but here we go one more time - because of a new case in point:

Apple's policy of not providing a convenient way to access a list of recently created Knowledge Base articles is unhelpful at best (see previous coverage). The new case in point relates to our coverage (see a and b) of KB article 88195, citing a problem with some Studio Display 17" units; Apple will repair or replace the units at no cost even if they are out of warranty."

Hope this helps

-Jerry C.

AlanApple · Sep 4, 2001, 04:46 AM

I used to have a 17" CRT and I have to say for as nice as it looked I wasn't a big fan. First there was the vertical lines which are caused by wires fusing together. The Apple fix for this is to give the machine a whack on the side. Beating the **** out of my monitor didn't seem very conducive to keeping it healthy. Then one of the boards went which caused the colour to fluctuate. All bloody annoying especially as it all happened within the first four/five months. I suspect I was just a bit unlucky.

The second time Apple tried to fix it they had it for two months and ended up giving me a full refund plus �50. So I bought an Apple 17" LCD and I have been absolutely blown away. The colour is better - it seems sharper. It is also much bigger than my old CRT which transforms games, movies and web design which are my particular uses.

I don't know about Sony etc but I recommend you go for a LCd over a new CRT.

VRL · Sep 4, 2001, 06:28 AM

Thank you for the quick replies. I'll check out the info at macfixit.

AlanApple: I had a similar "line" issue when I first got this display. I was told to whack the side of the ASD, too. Funny thing is, it worked. It was still was strange/worrisome to me to be hitting something that I just spent $500US on!

More comments welcome

nana2 · Sep 4, 2001, 06:08 PM

Keep in mind that the backlight of an LCD panel has a finite life. It will gradually fall off in brightness, before finally conking out all together.

janicegalloway@mac.com · Sep 5, 2001, 05:37 AM

I have read this thread with interest and am surprised I still seem to be the only person who prefered CRT. I have a perfectly flat-screen Iiyama CRT 19 inch screen which is gret for my eyes, has no harmful radiation emissions and terrific screen controls. I have tried out LCDs at a local store and was irritated by their flimisness ont he desktop (the slightest jot caused them to shift) and the fact that anything other that DIRECT vewing means shadow on the picture and odd colours. I guess it all comes down to what you are using it for. I have children who like to use mum's computer. Which means bummping and more than one person att he screen (therefore a need for all-roundvision) is frequent. Someone who doesn't have this to contend with won't think these things a factor. For my own work, writing, I need a BIG screen to see two pages at once and like the sheer spread of the 19 inch screen and its stability. It's also clear as a bell. Personal preference comes into it a great deal, It's not just about the newest thing on the block or notions of clarity. I find LCD screens hard to read too - the text I saw on the in-store screens was grainy compared to what I see now as I type. Maybe I'd have found out different if I'd bought. Then again, maybe not. I am a CRT fan. Just thought I'd chuck that in.

Macola · Sep 5, 2001, 04:06 PM

Janice, you're not the only one. As you said, it depends on what type of work you do (and your budget). LCD monitors save space, but for color-matching, nothing comes close to even a low-end CRT. The resolution on LCDs has improved, but it's still not on par with a good CRT. Besides, you can buy 2 or 3 CRTs for the price of an equivalent size LCD. That's hard to beat.

zigzag · Sep 5, 2001, 04:24 PM

CRT advantages: price, viewing angle.

LCD advantages: lack of flicker, lack of distortion, sharpness, weight, size, emissions, energy efficiency.

I vote for LCD for most uses - the lack of flicker reduces fatigue greatly. But if viewing angle is critical to you - and it is for many graphics people - stick with CRT. LCDs definitely have a color/contrast shift when viewed from different angles.

VRL · Sep 6, 2001, 03:32 AM

What the heck ... how about one of each? (You guys are right - CRT's are getting cheaper by the day.) I picked up an inexpensive CRT and ordered the Samsung LCD. Actually, this will work out, since my "PC monitor" died about a month ago (of course, just beyond the warranty). And I have other computers (Macs), so when I need to, I can use a CRT for graphics design, etc.

Yes, I totally agree with you zigzag. The viewing angle/color accuracy concerns me. I've noticed inaccuracies with my laptop (G3). Then again, I work on computers sometimes 10-12 hours a day. Less eye strain would be a bonus.

Macola/janice - good points. I loved my Apple Studio Display. It will be interesting to see if I like the Samsung as much?

Thank you for the help

yukon · Sep 7, 2001, 06:03 PM

the message on macfixit was related to the "pop of death", I believe (cannot access apple's til anymore). It was a static "POP!" with dimming and zooming. The monitors apple sells seem to be very prone to troubles.

I actually suggest crt. they are >200$ (more like 50$). They have no blurring of animation, characteristic of lcds. They have good colour/contrast, and are at the peak of their technology. LCD is still not good enough for the price (unless you have terrible eyestrain even with new monitors). I suggest LCD when the technology improves the life, colour, contrast, resolution, pixle response, and compatability of the monitors. You won't need to wait too long though....