Did I get a good buy on my monitor???

perplexed · #1 October 12th, 2003, 10:10 PM

I decided to go back with an Hp monitor after pricing
the flat panel ones.I had a 15 inch and got a 17 and I can still hang my speakers on the side like they are now.

I found one at Hp shopping on line.
See it on the big screen, with perfect views and vivid color. The 17" MX70 multimedia display compliments and enhances your HP Pavilion PC with high-resolution performance and added features.

• built-in microphone and Polk audio speaker mounts
• our exclusive one-touch display tuning automatically delivers the perfect picture for working, playing games or for photos and video
• the larger screen brings all of your favorite applications to life

note: monitor color matches with HP Pavilion 500 and 700 series, and HP media center 800 series desktop PCs. A slight color variance exists with HP Pavilion a200 series and HP media center m200 series desktop PCs.

It was on sale for119.00 and shipping was 10.99 and I had a code for 10.00 off It had a 50.00 rebate with it so I got it shipped for 70.98, so what do you all think. Is that a good deal?

Thanks so much!

renegade600 · #2 October 12th, 2003, 10:19 PM

Sounds like you got a good deal. However, I look at it this way, if you are happy with it, you got a greeeaaaat deal

**Murf** · #3 October 12th, 2003, 10:59 PM

.27-mm diagonal pitch for sharp text and defined graphics. The monitor offers a maximum resolution of 1280 x 1024 with flicker-free performance at 1024 x 768. Convenience features include a built-in microphone, tilt-swivel base, and speaker mounts.

That is a great deal, although the dot pitch is a little high, you usually like to see 24-26mm for a 17inch, that monitor will serve you well.

perplexed · #4 October 12th, 2003, 11:21 PM

Thanks so much one more question please, will it work my windows 98 is the resolution too high.
Mine only goes up to 1024X768 and right now it is set at 640x768

I don't want the print to be too small, can one of you explain this to me?
Thanks again!

**Murf** · #5 October 13th, 2003, 12:05 AM

That monitor will suport any setting your video card supports.

You basically have the following resolutions:

640 X 480
800 X 600
1024 X 768
1152 X 864
1280 X 768
1280 X 1024
1600 x 1200

Within each of these support for various color combinations and refresh rates,
Color Resolution The color depth, such as 256 colors or 32 million colors, of a specific adapter/monitor set.

A lot depends on your eye's, I like big print as my sight is a lot to be desired, and I don't really care about well defined and crips color (I can't see it anyway's lol), so I use 800 X 600.

HERE is a good articlel on color resolutions.

The higher the resolution set the smaller the icons will appear on the screen due to a larger desktop space.

For example, at 640 x 480 everything appears big on a 14 inch monitor. At 800 x 600 everything is a little harder to see on a 14 inch monitor since everything is smaller. However, on a 14 inch monitor everything is still readable and more desktop space is available for use and thus more can fit on the screen at once! Thus multiple windows can be opened and more of the windows themselves can be viewed at 800 x 600 than at 640 x 480 resolution. At 1024 x 768 resolution everything becomes so small on the screen many items are difficult to see on a 14 inch monitor thus this resolution is recommended only for larger monitors. A 20 inch monitor running at 640 x 480 resolution looks very big but a 20 inch monitor is not being used to it's full potential at 640 x 480 resolution.

Mine only goes up to 1024X768 and right now it is set at 640x768

Try 800 x 600, if your a gamer then you want a higher one. You can adjust the size of the icons etc.. in Properties | Appearance

perplexed · #6 October 13th, 2003, 12:41 AM

Great info, so what your saying is I can set it lower than
maximum resolution of 1280 x 1024 to get bigger print? Am I understanding that right?

If the screen is 17 Inch and I want the page to cover the whole screen what would I set it on and not have small print. I will post back after I get it in and set up as I have no idea what I am doing. I don't wanna go blind trying to use a 17inch screen.

Thanks so much for all the great help here.

**Murf** · #7 October 13th, 2003, 01:09 AM

Try 800 x 600 first

If you right click on a blank area of your desktop and go to Properties, then you can change the size of the icons, print, etc under the appearance TAB.

perplexed · #8 October 13th, 2003, 01:39 AM

Murf hang in there with me please and thanks, I did as you said as I was curious, I basically know that stuff as far as changing the settings and screen and stuff.

When I went to the appearance tab where it says font (I assume thats where I change the font size) It is grayed out. DO you know why that is? How do I change the font size when I get my new screen, I am leery now of the 17th inch lol lol I like my big letters and seeing well lol lol.

I figured it out but I do not notice an increase in the font size of web pages, oooooooooh I wish I were smarter. I better get a 15 inch if I can find one on sale. This monitor is going out fast as I am seeing swirls on the screen.
THanks!

**Murf** · #9 October 13th, 2003, 01:45 AM

In that box click on ICON, now the font box should be OK.

Are you currently running 16bit color and not 256???

perplexed · #10 October 13th, 2003, 01:57 AM

Where it says active window I had to click selected to get the font ungrayed
In what box click on icon???
No I have to use 256 bit to get my callwave to work.
Thanks

I got it again, your making me work here I tell u that lol lol lol I had to
click the box next to ITEM, well I had to click the arrow and the menu dropped down.WHEW!!!!!!!!!! lol lol

JoJo Gunn · #11 October 13th, 2003, 05:17 AM

If you got a brand new MX70 for that price, yeah, you got a good deal!! They were going close to 400 bucks a couple of years ago, if memory serves.

Isn't the standard for a 17" monitor 1024x768?

**Murf** · #12 October 13th, 2003, 05:40 AM

No I have to use 256 bit to get my callwave to work.

That's a shame as your losing a lot of color.. Are you sure it has to be set at 256 to work?

perplexed · #13 October 13th, 2003, 03:47 PM

Murf your a trooper lol lol for hanging in here with me, I just tried to change the color again and it seems to be working, I am noyt getting that popup telling me the color needs resetting for callwave to work (I may get it when I restart though) it is set at high color 16 bit.

My monitor has shipped so I hope I like it. I will try and set it at 800 x 600 first, maybe it will cover the screen of the 17 inch and not be too small.

Thanks so much to all of you.

**Murf** · #14 October 13th, 2003, 07:29 PM

I have a Princeton Graphics 17 inch and once you set the screen and the refresh rate (manual will tell you which refresh rate is the best). It should cover the entire screen. Mine does.

renegade600 · #15 October 13th, 2003, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perplexed

My monitor has shipped so I hope I like it. I will try and set it at 800 x 600 first, maybe it will cover the screen of the 17 inch and not be too small.
Thanks so much to all of you.

Also try 1024x768 and if you need larger fonts, then change the setting to large fonts. 1024x768 is common with the larger screens.