Serious dilemma: 32" HD TV or 28" LCD monitor for my laptop???

Hello,

I am looking for external monitor for my laptop. Currently I am having hard time to go with 32" Toshiba's 1080p TV or Hanns-G's 28" monitor. i don't watch TV but I guess it's nice to have. What I care is about clarity and resolution. For some reason, I think LCD has better resolution compared to HDTV.

In terms of price, I don't care. Any recommendations or can anybody point out pros and cons for each? Oh, is there a problem using VGA cable?

lcd monitor:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254026

TV

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889253134

 

Quickly looked at each link.

The TV might be 1080p, but is far less when used as a monitor-- the specs state S-XGA (1280x1024?)

Although not widescreen, that would be somewhat decent for games, but (IMO) nearly useless as an everyday use PC monitor. (32" @ SXGA).

The monitor is better, at least in terms of resolution, but seems to be a cheap TN panel with all the baggage that brings (6 bit/dithered color, viewing angles, etc.)

Personally, I'd use the money to get a smaller 22-24" LCD screen that's higher quality (H-IPS or at least PVA technology) or, if you want the larger size, I'd spend more for something better.

FWIW, computers come and go, but a decent monitor will last you 10+ years if you don't cheap out.

 

Thank you Tony A!,

That was the answer I was looking for. I'll be using HDTV as daily monitor (6+ hours). If you can; why is 1280 x 1024 useless as PC monitor?

Thank you,

PS. I just checked Toshiba's spec and Recommended Resolution is 1920 x 1080. Now that, this is 1920 x 1080, would HDTV work better as pc monitor?

Thank you,

 

(cut + paste off the spec sheet)

"High Res PC Input (S-XGA, 15 Pin, D-sub)"

source: http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/televisions/lcd/product.asp?model=32rv530u

S-XGA/1280x1024 is what I used 12+ years ago on a 19" monitor. The larger screen size will make it look that much worse. Why use it today when much better options exist?

I'm not saying not to buy it, but keep in mind that when you try to buy the biggest monitor/TV you can for a given price, you'll usually get one that's poor in other aspects (like IQ)

For example, $500 will buy you close to the world's greatest 20" monitor, or the worlds worst 40" one. The "sweet spot" is different depending on your own taste/requirements.

edit---There's something else, try to find someone who owns/games on one.

Lots of HDTVs (especially less expensive ones) have a problem with input lag (the time between when you say, move the mouse, to the time the pointer actually moves on the screen.) It doesn't bother some people, but anything over 30-40 milliseconds drives me nuts and affects fast-paced gameplay.

Unfortunately, it's not something you can see from a screenshot or spec-sheet, you have to try it out or talk to someone who has.

 

TOSHIBA REGZA 32" has 4 HDMI inputs ! That means you can use 1920x1600 (1080) full resolution even with a PC.

There are pros and cons for both:

TV :
+ Built in tuner
+ bigger screen,
+ uses a 8bit (true 16.7M colors), most probably have better viewing angles too.
+ Can connect other video peripherals directly(i.e : DVD players, Cameras etc..)

- High response time and input lag may have a negative impact on gaming.

Monitor :
+ Physical dimensions would be smaller (therefore compact),
+ has a 3ms response time (above average compared to many monitors);

- most probably using a 6bit TN panel as suggested, wouldn't look as good as the TV
- Smaller in size
- No tuner

 

Mine only has a refresh rate of 30hz and response rate isnt that great and i still dont experience any sort of lag. Its awesome using a HDTV as an external monitor.

I use a Samsung 32" btw

 

Couple things:

Full 1080 is 1920x1080 @ 60fps, not 1920x1600.

Response time is not input lag. Both matter, but for gaming, input lag usually matters more and is never listed. Response time helps prevent things like ghosting.

Does your laptop have HDMI? I thought you said it uses an (analog) VGA connector, if so, you'll be using the (S-XGA) DVI port with an adapter....

What are your reasons/requirements for this thing? Does accurate color and screen clarity matter (like photo editing)? Or are you basically just looking for a big gaming display?

If it's just gaming, the TV is not a bad idea. Not having full 1080p for your laptop doesn't really matter as its (listed in sig) 8600GT would really struggle to be at all playable at that res for any recent game anyway. Your next laptop will most likely have an HDMI-out connector, so 1080p would be both possible and desirable by then.

 

I think that is probably a typo. If it is a 1080p screen it should be able to display 1080p for PC use. Only reason otherwise would be a forced limitation. Probably due to DRM.

Anyway I think the Vostro does not have HDMI.

 

Can I use 1920 x 1080 resolution with VGA? My laptop does not have HDMI output.

Thank you.

 

VGA itself supports 1920x1200 so 1920x1080 should be doable. However the interface on the LCD itself may not.

 

Can anybody confirm this?

 

The tv totally! I have the 37" version. Its really nice.

As for the vga thing i do not know. I have only used hdmi on it once.

 

Chances are the VGA is a no go from a quick search online. You may want to call up Toshiba.