Buy.com has the Planar PL2010M, #997-3469... 20.1", 1600x1200, supposedly S-IPS panel, 250 brightness, 700:1 contrast, 16ms response... for $262 w/ free ship.
Buy.com also has the Planar PL2010M, #997-2827... 20.1", 1600x1200, supposedly S-IPS panel, 300 brightness, 1000:1 contrast, 8ms response... for $362 w/ free ship.
I called Planar tech support and ask about the differences.
1. He could not confirm panel type on either model.
2. He said the 3469 was an earlier model.
3. He also said "I have one of each on my desk and they look the same"...
Buyer reviews on the 3469 at Buy.com are high... (4.5/5 average on 9 reviews)
So, $262 might be a cheap price on a good monitor for other than games.
Thanks for the response--I searched and found the *generic* rebates as you mentioned.
Question--I was also looking at the Viewsonic VP2030b as an option--the specs are very similar to the HP model, but with slightly higher contrast ratio and slightly lower viewing angle--but the panel type for the Viewsonic is P-MVA and the HP is S-IPS--do you know what the major differences in these panels are?
Is there a reference that compares these different panel types--pros/cons?
My best read on the difference between the P-MVA and S-ISP panels is that the P-MVA are somewhat better with multi-media--i.e. video and playing DVD movies.
And S-ISP will slightly better with stationary pictures--i.e. photo editing, text, etc.
It sounds like you have the HP LP2065, 20.1", 1600x1200, S-IPS panel--what's your subjective experience watching DVD movies on it?
Be forewarned--this HP LP2065 is now a *lottery panel* model--most are getting a S-IPS panel (LG. Phillips LM 201U05-SLA1), but some (10-20% ? est.) are getting an A-MVA panel (AUO M201UN02-V6). Most suppliers will not check for the panel type sticker on the box, and will not take the monitor back for refund if you loose the *lottery*! So be careful!
You are about to answer a thread that has been inactive for more than 6 months. If you still wish to proceed, please ensure that your posting is original and does not duplicate or overlap any prior responses to this thread.