LCD Technology - TN or IPS?

Hi all, I need a recommendation on the latest LCD technology. I've gathered so far that LCDs are preferred over Plasma for general computing, but which type of LCD works better in the field - TN or IPS? Which manufacturers are best?

I'm looking to buy one or possibly a pair of LCDs in the $200-$300 range. A few friends own Dell UltraSharps and I've heard Dell comes highly recommended. I'm considering currently:

• Dell P2310H Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor

• Dell 2209WA 22" Flat Panel Monitor

• Dell P2210 22 inch Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor

I'm told TN's have reduced color-representation (6-bit per crystal) but higher response time than IPS? And that the "Professional" designation is more than just a moniker and signifies less dead pixels and higher quality.

All things considered, which seems the better deal/quality?

 

IPS panels are considered better hands down, but a good IPS monitor can cost almost double of what a similar size TN panel would.

 

I'll try to answer your questions one at a time:

Yes, because, well, there's no plasma desktop monitors Besides, plasma is better for movies than gaming anyway.

IPS is way better than TN. If you want to see the difference for yourself and own a 42" or bigger LCD HDTV*, put your laptop next to your TV and play the same video on both.

*Nearly all 42"+ LCD HDTVs use IPS. Nearly all laptops use TN.

Absolute best? Eizo, Apple, and NEC, but their cheapest monitors start at $1000.
Best for your price range? Dell

Yes, this is correct.

No, TN has lower (which is better) response time than IPS.

This I'm not sure about.

I'd take any IPS over any TN any day (and in fact I own the 2209WA and like it), but it really depends on what you want/need to use it for.

 

Thanks guys. This is the information I needed. The 2209WA (IPS) on sale for the same price as a TN now seems an easy decision. If anyone else is looking to get in on this deal, see the second link in OP!

 

That link only applies to Canadians. Americans, Europeans, Asians, and others here at NBR will have to continue coupon hunting

Also, you might want to try calling if you've got time to spare. I got a couple more dollars knocked off that price when I ordered another one last night.

 

ah, right you are, lucky us canucks then! Thanks, I think I'll double-up as well, maybe they'll knock off a few more.

 

ive just bought a 24inch 2ms TN panel, Acer H243HX, and im fairly pleased with it. the blacks could be blacker, the colours sharper, but since it cost me £200 vs £600 for an IPS i can deal with it.

my flatmate has a 24inch apple display, and putting the 2 next to each other, the apple does look better, but 3 times better? not really.


if true representation is key, go with IPS, but unless your work depends on it, id save the £400 difference (£800 if your getting 2).

plus if you game, you should know IPS arent as responsive. in addition to the slight ghosting you will get you also get inverse ghosting, where the previous frame inverts in colours, making the ghosting more noticable and look bad. (flatmates does it)

have a look through www.digitalversus.com. they have some good tests and you can compare panels easily. then google for other reviews.
(they praise the samsung f2380m to god status, yet youtube shows some damning black crush. im talking about people disapearing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOkGjFru4x0)

 

The F2380 in that Youtube video is PVA, not IPS, though that is downright disappointing by PVA standards.

Also, if you'd bothered clicking the links, you'd see that the maximum price difference between the 3 monitors is $30. And none of those monitors costs $10

 

good spot peon.

with regard to the price, that IPS costs almost double in the UK, so sorry about that.

http://www.digitalversus.com/article-358-4862-88.html

thats the data for the 2209wa. looks good, but not for me. i needed 1080 res, deep blacks and high contrast for films, and decent response times for gaming. everythign else on my monitor was just icing on the cake.

 

tn has better (lower) response time, not higher

but it doesn't much matter.

IPS is better for all practical purposes