PC Monitor

[atomcrusher]

It's time to dump an old Mecer monitor, used on my SO's Desktop PC, and replace it with a more modern monitor.

We don't want to spend top dollar, as the monitor is only used for general web browsing, i.e. no gaming at all, so do not need super-high image resolution

My problem is that where I live there are no hi-tech stores selling decent quality products, so I will need goods couriered to my home.

Are there any reputable :erm: dealers out there who could ..

(1) give me an idea of prices & what is available
(2) estimated insured courier charges to Swellendam, WC,
(3) advise me if we can get a monitor with built-in webcam, microphone, & speakers?
(4) advise what type I should use, e.g. LED or LCD, etc

We would look at monitor sizes in the 18" to 26" diagonal (eyes are getting old).

Dealers / sellers are invited to PM me their offerings

 

[atomcrusher]

Do any dealers read this section?

 

[koeksGHT]

Just got a LG 23" 3D monitor for 1699 ex vat from Esquire... deal and a half!

 

[NomNom]

atomcrusher most if not all online stores should be able to ship to you.

I have never seen a PC monitor that has a webcam and microphone built in available in SA, I know that you get monitors with speakers but at the end of the day they are just very basic and most if not all the time you are better off getting dedicated 2 channel speakers.

Wootware are in Somerset West. Any online store will do though.

I would recommend you one of the following, depending on what your budget allows:

Samsung S20B300B 20" 1600x900 LED Monitor - R1,284.00

Samsung S23B300B 23" Full HD WLED 1920x1080 Desktop Monitor - R2,101.00

Shipping to Durban is R115.00 so it should be cheaper to you since you are closer, it will also be insured.

If you are looking for a cheap good quality speaker set this should do: Logitech Z130, 2.0 Channel, 5W (2x2.5), with Headphone Jack, Volume Control - Black + Silver - R239.00

In terms of the microphone you could either use the built in microphone that's in the webcam or you could look at just getting a cheap headset with a microphone on it suchas this one: Logitech 981-000271 H110 Stereo Headset with Mic, with NCAT, Inline Volume and Mute Control - R180.00

For the webcam, it depends on what quality you are looking for a standard webcam is pretty cheap these days, you can look at different ones here: http://www.wootware.co.za/catalogsearch/result/?q=webcam&x=0&y=0

Here is the cheapest one Wootware has available, it has a built in microphone: Logitech 960-000759 C170 Webcam - R137.00

 

[atomcrusher]

@ NomNom .. your input much appreciated - thank you.
I have used Wootware before, when I bought my current laptop last year, and they were excellent.
For the desktop, it seems I may need to just get a monitor and use external webcam, mic, speakers.
I guess I will also need to spec a monitor that my SO's elderly desktop PC can handle ... this still runs XP, so I will use the utility "speccy" to determine the graphics capability of the current PC, and give that info to Wootware, so they can supply me a suitable monitor

EDIT ... re: speaker sound quality we're not looking for great sound from speakers. No gaming, no music, just skype calls to my 2 sons, and my grandkids in Ireland

 

[NomNom]

@ NomNom .. your input much appreciated - thank you.
I have used Wootware before, when I bought my current laptop last year, and they were excellent.
For the desktop, it seems I may need to just get a monitor and use external webcam, mic, speakers.
I guess I will also need to spec a monitor that my SO's elderly desktop PC can handle ... this still runs XP, so I will use the utility "speccy" to determine the graphics capability of the current PC, and give that info to Wootware, so they can supply me a suitable monitor

EDIT ... re: speaker sound quality we're not looking for great sound from speakers. No gaming, no music, just skype calls to my 2 sons, and my grandkids in Ireland

As far as I know VGA supports up to 1920x1200, both monitors have VGA so it shouldn't be a connectivity problem. You shouldn't have a problem with resolution as Windows XP supports them, your graphics may become a bit strained the higher the resolution you go for videos depending on how old the motherboard is.

In terms of the speakers, the Logitech ones I linked above are over kill for just Skype, maybe you should look at getting a monitor that comes with built in speakers.

These monitors have built in speakers:

AOC 53 Series Razor Ultra Slim 23" Full HD LED IPS Monitor, Black - R2,249.00

Samsung S23B550V 23" Full HD LED Monitor - R2,478.00

 

[CataclysmZA]

I guess I will also need to spec a monitor that my SO's elderly desktop PC can handle ... this still runs XP, so I will use the utility "speccy" to determine the graphics capability of the current PC, and give that info to Wootware, so they can supply me a suitable monitor

Also post it here. Some older GPUs didn't have driver presets for 16:9 resolutions or couldn't go higher than 1280 x 1024, particularly Via chipsets and older Intel embedded graphics chips. Wootware may be able to recommend a good monitor, but they might not know about your GPUs capabilities, especially resolution caps.

I would also vote no for built-in speakers. The ones most monitors gave are terrible. Stick to external desktop ones, they won't sound so terrible.

 

[SYNERGY]

Actually, you do get monitors that have built in Webcam & Microphone, thou you do pay a premium for these devices.
Monitor speakers are crap. The only ones that are semi decent, were the Asus range (Discontinued). It had a micro subwoofer built in

Btw, I purchased the http://www.wootware.co.za/aoc-53-series-razor-ultra-slim-23-full-hd-led-ips-monitor-black.html , very happy with it