LCD brand important?

[pejsaboy]

As the title suggests, I'm curious how important the brand of LCD is when looking to buy. I figure a lot of these brands/manufacturers buy their internals from a handful of makers and just assemble with their own name, so that's probably a good thing for the end user.

Anyhow, browsing newegg just to get an idea on prices for a 20" widescreen I see them ranging from $179-$900+. There's a couple Acer panels at 2 and 5ms that are only about $10 difference, but those are about $80 cheaper than the samsungs.

Any insight? I'm no videophile [that a real word?], so I really don't want to spend $250+ on something due to a name when I can get the same specs on one that's only $180. :shrug: Oh, and I really don't care what the brand is, the Acer was just an example at the bottom end of the pricing.

[PhysX]

acers are all right, haven't really heard or seen anything to bad with them, samsungs are a bit more due to the name of course, some better quality, but if its just for normal use it shouldn't matter :)

[pejsaboy]

yeah, just normal use. internet, non-competitive gaming. Not like I'm a pro FPS player or anything...

[RangerXLT8]

I have had Samsung LCDs for 4 years now and love them. They are great multi-purpose LCD.

[montaillou]

If you don't know the difference in brands/quality, then you probably won't know what you're missing :)

I use LCD's at 2 different jobs, and have 2 monitors at home. The best monitor among all of them is my Sony. It's also the most expensive. For what I use the other monitors for though, accounting, writing letters, web surfing, they're just fine. However, when I need to look at something for the best colour I find that my Sony provides the best image.

[silkshadow]

Do a bit of research on the models you are looking at. For example, some Sammy LCD don't even use Sammy made panels but from generic LCD factories. Worse part with the Sammys is that they will use panels from their factories and from generic factories in the same model and not indicate anywhere which panel is used. Finding out what type of LCD and where its made is more important than brand name IMO. That said, if you pass your newegg exchange period, you might be unhappy to find that a generic brand offers lousy support options.

[pejsaboy]

Good info, and some things to think about. Thanks!