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babyduckmonger · Aug 9, 2006, 09:47 AM

So I find myself in the position to upgrade the 17" LCD I have been using for a while with one of the two following monitors. Which would you pick, and why?

Monitor the First:

Dell 2007fpw
20.1" widescreen
1680x1050
16ms response time
800:1 contrast ratio
300cd/m^2 brightness
DVI, Composite, RGB, S-video
Picture-in-picture
USB hub

N.I.B. $330

Monitor the Second:

Gateway FPD2185w
21" widescreen
1680x1050
8ms response time
1000:1 contrast ratio
300cd/m^2 brightness
DVI, VGA, Component, Composite, S-video
Picture-in-picture
USB hub

Used $375

Both monitors get pretty good reviews, and both are similar in features, but the Gateway has slightly higher specs. It's also an inch larger, but the resolution of the two monitors is the same. It would seem like a no-brainer to pick up the larger monitor for only $45 more (I think it would, anyway), but I can get the Dell new whereas the Gateway is used.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

babyduckmonger · Aug 9, 2006, 01:48 PM

Alright, so there are two votes for the Dell so far, and that's just fine and dandy. Anyone care to give a reason, though?

slpdLoad · Aug 9, 2006, 04:29 PM

I'd buy (and voted for) the Gateway, myself. Better specs all around, and it goes for $600 retail, assuming the one you're getting is in decent condition.

SSharon · Aug 9, 2006, 08:38 PM

I have the 19" dell and have been very happy with it. I hear they are good at replacing it if you have problems or dead pixels and I like the stand as well. Have you seen it in person? 20" is plenty large so for the same resolution I think it is fine.

babyduckmonger · Aug 9, 2006, 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by SSharon

I have the 19" dell and have been very happy with it. I hear they are good at replacing it if you have problems or dead pixels and I like the stand as well. Have you seen it in person? 20" is plenty large so for the same resolution I think it is fine.

I have seen both in person, I was just trying to figure out if it was still worth it to go for the used, slightly more advanced one over the new, slightly less advanced one. I think they're both pretty great, and both an improvement over what I have now.

imitchellg5 · Aug 9, 2006, 08:55 PM

I have a friend with the Gateway and after a year it showed some burn in and 3 or 4 dead pixels.

babyduckmonger · Aug 9, 2006, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by imitchellg5

I have a friend with the Gateway and after a year it showed some burn in and 3 or 4 dead pixels.

I hadn't read anything about that in the reviews, but I guess those are mostly first-impressions instead of long-term things. Of course, the 2007fpw hasn't really been out long enough to figure anything like that out, so I guess it's still an unknown.

drewcifer · Aug 9, 2006, 10:02 PM

the dell is just so universally agreed upon, everyone who buys one is extremely satisfied.

plus, i definitely wouldnt buy used. but thats just me

babyduckmonger · Aug 9, 2006, 10:05 PM

It definitely sounds like I will be getting the Dell. I shall pick it up on Monday.

generationfourt · Aug 9, 2006, 11:41 PM

I'm very happy with my dell 2007wfp. I ordered mine back when they had banding problems and got a rev A00. The earlier models suffered from color banding problems and blurred text. You want a rev02, not an A01 or A00. A00 is the first batch, A01 was thought to be a fix but didn't work. A02 works. When I learned I got an A00 I simply called them and told them I had banding problems and a day later they shipped a replacement out.

Even though it was a hassle it is a great monitor and totally worth it. Keep in mind with the dell you are getting a 3 year warranty. Meaning if you have problems within the first two weeks they will overnight you a new one. Any time after that and for the remainder of the 3 year period they will overnight you a refurb replacement. This is really handy for deadpixels and the color banding issue.

Unfourtanetly you really have no way of confirming what rev you get. I'm pretty sure you should get a rev02. It'll say on the box and on the back what rev it is, but i'd maybe call dell and see what is up. It is def. worth it though, I wasn't too big of a fan of the 2005w, and the 2007 blows it outta the water imo

imitchellg5 · Aug 10, 2006, 05:43 PM

Tell us how you like the Dell please

AppleOptionFour · 01:44 AM

Just bought one. They are on sale this weekend. 367.20

Be prepared to pay tax if you live in Texas.

Planning on hooking it up to my Macbook.

Note to self: Check the Rev version to ensure it's A02

mduell · Aug 13, 2006, 01:19 AM

You call the Gateway "more advanced" probably due to the specs. Keep in mind they're probably just fudging them, like half the LCD industry does.

AppleOptionFour · 12:17 AM

Just got mine hooked up. Its big. OMG.

I like it so far. Got Rev A02, no dead pixels.

Oh also, the fans haven't come on during normal use.