Laptop/Desktop/Monitor OH No!
 

So, my 3yr old 15"LCD is about to die. It is slowly losing contrast, and does not always turn on(can you say annoying). I was going to buy a new 15"LCD cause they are way cheaper now. But then I started weighing my options.

Before I vote, how old is the PC, and what is the config, and what do you do or want to do with it?

I'd personally get a 19" CRT monitor. 1280x1024 for $150, and for gaming or other motion applications and photo editing, it definitely works better. The higher resolution will also be better. The advantage of an LCD is that it is a bit sharper, usually brighter, and of course thin and light. A 17" 1280x1024 LCD (comparable to that 19" CRT) is about $400-600.

Laptops are great, but you have to spend quite a bit more than with a desktop. You can build a pretty rocking desktop for about $1000. Step down from the latest 3D graphics (equal to or slightly better than the best laptop 3D graphics), big hard drive, even a DVD burner. A $1000 laptop is still very much on the low-end in everything. $1500 is really the point where the good laptops begin appearing. Laptops are also a proprietary system, while desktops you build for yourself are completely modular -- if a part fails, you can replace it with a better part for an acceptable price, much like you are considering doing now that your monitor has failed.

So basically it's whatever is worth it for you. Mobility comes with a price.
(Disclaimer: I sell laptops for www.powernotebooks.com)

Pent. 1.4
512 ram
really cheap Video and Sound cards
I'm still running windows 98 wOOt!

I really dont need a new computer, since I don't really plan on doing anything really intense.

My 3D gaming days are behind me now.

I wouldn't mid having a piece of shit laptop that can run Diablo 2, and perform well with the internet(I have DSL, so that's what really matters right?).

I like the way Joel is thinking. CRT's are so cheap and good nowadays.

BTW. My other concern with my computer is how loud it is! The fuckin heatsink fan or whatever. Do they make new wisper quiet fans. My desktop is too LOUD. :lol:

And where should I get my 150 dollar 19"CRT?

Or what kind? Samsung, Sony, Mits?

There are a few ways you can do it. First, you can actually get a pretty decent one for $100 after rebate.

First, if you're patient, you can check this thread about once/week. There's nothing particularly good there right now, but that might change over the next few weeks.
http://forums.anandtech.com/messagev...AR_MSGDBTABLE=

The second option is to go here:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...roperty&DEPA=1

The $160-175 monitors are all pretty much good quality. Alot of people are very pleased by the Samsung 955DF. I have a short-depth Viewsonic 19" monitor that works well. I think the E90 is fairly similar to that monitor. The monitors are a little more expensive, but they are also higher quality.

Sounds like you are stuck between one of the sub $1000 notebooks, or a sub $200 CRT monitor.

Costco had some decent 19" CRTs, but I have no idea what they have now.

A quick look at last Sunday's paper, $899 gets you 2.6Ghz, 256Mb, DVD/CD-RW, 15"TFT, 40Gb at Office Depot.

My approach is to buy everything like this at Costco. Keep the receipt and you can return it 10 years later. This applies to everything they sell except complete computer systems. They offer a six month return on these now.

When I used to do the home theaters systems for the homes in Montreux, allmy clients would set the same deal up through us. They would purchase a system through Costco, and return it less then 6 months later and get a whole new system. Since doing this, my roommates and I have began to do the same thing. IT really is a awsome way to go.

:lol: As long as you dont mind loading software and backing up file every 6 months i dont know :lol:

Pssshhh...Of course I don't mind. Trading in a 6-month old computer for a brand new one...

This way you are always up to date.

Art, You crack my ass up. You are as bad as I am! :twisted:

I need to mark my calendar so I don't forget when it is time to "upgrade" my notebook.

Bahhahaha!

Franz