General Chat

Fantastic. I have a 17" too and am giving away 3 or 4 old ones. I had my first computer in 1987, and this new screen is the best so far. Sylvia

Thanks all you helpful people for your views and comments. Have been busy today, went out and bought a 17" TFT model hp with speakers already in. Comet had a good deal for £299 which online couldn't find that brand and model cheaper. Prefer the security of having a shop to go back to if need be for an item like this. We did extend the warranty for an extra 2 yrs (could have had 4) we are told that it covers accidental damage too, and that if we do need to claim it will be on a new for old basis, with the warranty transferred to the new model, and can if need be make up to 5 claims in the warranty period. Normally we don't go in for extended warranties on most items. Have now got it up and running, and as it takes up less room we have been able to get everything looking a lot neater. Val

I agree with you guys, that it isn't always worth extending the warranty on a monitor. I really meant if you are buying the whole works. My laptop which is a toshiba had to go back after 6 months to have a new motherboard. It wasn't until after I bought it I found out that Toshiba are prone to overheating ( I know should have checked out first) but at least I know i'm covered if it happens again over the next five years. lynda

You shouldn’t be limited to two resolutions mine has seven . (Perhaps graphics card not set up right) Remember that a 17” TFT is about the same as a 19” CRT so they are even bigger than you think. Another thing is “dead pixels” some manufacturers accept one or two but others none. The technology of TFT should mean greater reliability over CRT’s so I personally wouldn’t get extended warranty. You can get 17 inch ones for ~ £200. How much in a year? I have a Samsung 172v from e buyer, many reviews there. Bob

TFT is great for all the reasons above. The grey area problem isn't really an issue now though so the extended warranty isn't worth the money. It will cost you nearly as much as buying a new screen and will be full of get-out clauses. PC World/Dixons make more money from extended warranty than from selling the new equipment. You should decide which one you want then buy on line to get the best price eg: The excellent SAMSUNG 15" FLAT PANEL TFT MONITOR is available from: http://www.microwarehouse.*co.uk/product.aspx?SKU=E469288 for a shade over £200 and I bet you could find it cheaper using Kelkoo. Comes with a 3yr warranty too. Bob

Hi, I bought my flat 17" screen about 12 months ago, it cost then £400, I wish I'd waited! Be careful though when you clean it, long fingernails can scratch them very easily if you put too much pressure on. I've got it set at the higher setting because I do artwork on it, 17" looks gigantic compared to a 15" and I wouldnt go back even if someone offered to pay me. Good luck - John Harvey.

Val Not sure about the grey area, but I think any PC, Monitor etc is well worth extended warranty, about the only items I bother doing it on. The hard drive went on my PC about 2 years after I bought it, so was certainly glad I had extended. Lynda

Thanks girls, glad you are liking your TFT's, would like a little more space on my worktop, and something light enough to shift easily to get at my window to clean!! Had heard that they can develop a grey area, in which case might be as well to have an extended warranty. Val

Hello Val, I bought mine from Dabs.com. 17in,NOC, for £279 and worth every penny. Wouldn`t go back to crt now.

Val I use my laptop nearly all the time now because of the flat screen and much prefer it, also have one at work (on it all day) also find it much easier on the eyes, they don't get nearly as tired. Lynda

Anyone using a flat screen PC monitor, and how are you finding it? thinking of purchasing one soon. Val