ok, what are the name of the panels one class above TN? Or what are the panel specs I have to look at when I need a brilliant monitor?
Makers usually don't disclose "type of panel" (sometimes you can find out with some digging, sometimes not), but you can get an idea by the Viewing Angle Spec... 160 and less is definitely TN. 176-178 is definitely VA or IPS.
Your choices are - pay $300 for an inferior TN panel or pay $500++ for an IPS or PVA panel. The difference is not only viewing angle, IMO. Color reproduction is way better, there's no 'dithering' and a lot less backlight bleed. Re: viewing angle, in the TN panels I have seen, I can see the difference in color between identical page elements while just sitting directly in front of the unit. For example, the green bars at the top and bottom of this page looked way different on the Dell TN panel I saw. Good thing about Dell is that you can send a TN panel back if you don't like it. These sites give the panel types for some monitors http://axofiber.no-ip.org/inside/monitor.lcd.panels.htm http://www.flatpanels.dk/panels.php
i agree with the 'what's a couple hundred bucks more" sentiment, but value for the money is not an unreasonable consideration, on any level. Who doesn't have a couple hundred to squander but....
@ all: thanks for infomation and the links! a clear and sharp view is really important for me and my eyes when I work the whole day in front of the monitor.
TN or better panel? I've had about 20 LCD monitors. I recently cleared out all my old and replaced with new... all of the new ones have S-IPS panels.
Excellent post. Just one minor quibble though.... Backlight bleeding has nothing to do with the type of panel utilized.
Then just go for the Ultra sharp panel and get a decent graphic card. The text font will be crisper and clearer than the normal version (not by much but if this is what you value most then go for it). As someone has mentioned earlier, if you don't like it just return it back. - Also check out SONY monitors, but you'll be looking to pay much more than the DELL.