Samsung SyncMaster 750S 17 inch CRT Monitor
Out of stock |
Similar in Monitors
- Screen Size: 17 inch
- Display Max. Resolution: 1280 x 1024
- Monitor Type: CRT
- Family Line: Samsung SyncMaster
- Overview
-
Reviews
-
Compare Prices
User ReviewRead All Reviews »
Samsung SyncMaster 753DF Flat Screen Monitor Rocks
Pros
Fantastic display quality and value
Cons
Controls leave a little to be desired
Recommended it?
Yes
I?ll be honest? Samsung is a name I?ve never taken seriously in the computer world? until now. Let?s get it on. Why did I choose this above all other choices?
The Requirements
When I went shopping for a new monitor, I had very specific criteria in mind- It had to be a flat screen or Trinitron display, had to be relatively lightweight for a flat screen, and had to fit into my computer hutch. Sure, I?d love to be able to close the hutch too, but I long ago realized that folding down the front door of this piece of oak bliss would require me to go back to a 15? monitor or go with a very expensive flat panel TFT display. The monitor also had to be a good performer with a bright screen and fast redraw rate- all for under $350. A 19? Monitor was unlikely to fit, but I did find a few non-flat screen models that did.
Round One? FIGHT!!!
I did not want to battle over shipping costs (anyone in the know will tell you that rarely does it pay to ship a monitor- especially a nice heavy Flat Screen), so I took a tour of local resellers looking at my options.
There were a list of contenders including, but not limited to, Sony, Compaq, Princeton, NEC, ViewSonic, Mitsubishi, and a few ?value? brands boasting some Swedish standard. I?ve seen these before and had one fail within five months at my last job. Not a chance. I?d rather spend an extra $200 than have a monitor fail at a bad time. Finally, Samsung and ViewSonic were the contenders. Why?
Round Two? FIGHT!!!
The Sony was too expensive for the features as was the Compaq (please don?t fire me!). The Princeton was not completely flat, either was the NEC. The ViewSonic and Mitsubishi were great quality and price, but ultimately the comparison between price and performance fell on the Samsung.
The Samsung has a fantastically realistic display- the ViewSonic I tested had some gamma problems. I will admit that the Mitsubishi display was brighter than the Samsung, but I did find that the brightness level vs. contrast was better on the Samsung than the Sony Trinitron (believe me, no one could be more surprised at that than myself). The Mitsubishi was $50 more on average and was about ? inch taller. The Sony was heavy as all heck and over $100 more! The ViewSonic I tested was exactly the same price as the Samsung.
Winner!!!
I got the monitor home and went thru the procedure of getting it running. Windows did it?s usual thing, yadda, yadda? I had a monitor. I was immediately amazed at the difference between the 14? Bubble I called a monitor and this screen. It was like night and day. A few adjustments and games of Starcraft later, I felt satisfied with my new purchase.
Buuuuutttt?..
I have run into a problem, which I don?t know the source of- It could be the monitor or the Video card. I have to think it could be the card- an old Rage 128. The problem is that the display shifts to the left to an annoying degree- about ? of an inch from the proper center. The problem is sporadic and only happens after a cold reboot, which is why I suspect foul play from either windows itself of the card.
So this brings me to the next point- the Monitors adjustment controls. Clearly Princeton Graphics has been the leader in this arena, but how often should you need to adjust your monitor, right?
I couldn?t put it any other way- the controls for the Samsung are confusing at best. Going too quickly will not work, you have to stop and think about it. When I am immersed in my production duties? okay, when I?m immersed in a tense multiplayer Starcraft game? I don?t want to have to stop to think about my monitor. I want it to be intuitive and quick so I don?t lose any train of thought. Well, the train derails with this monitor, unfortunately. But don?t let that sway you a whole lot- after all, it?s not like its something we do every five minutes.
Summary
I could only find one thing wrong with this fantastic flat screen monitor, which says a lot. Those of you that know me probably hear me complain daily about my 19? bubble at work and the headaches I get from it. Complements aren?t easy to come by in the monitor realm, but the Samsung delivers the price and performance value to make it a worthwhile purchase. The display is worm and very widely adjustable (if you have the time to navigate thru the menus and remember that exit doesn?t always mean exit), more so than other brands. The design of the monitor box is appealing (more than I can say for the monolith Sony) and simplistic.
Overall, bang for buck- get this monitor. I highly doubt anyone would be severely disappointed by it.
**Update 11/21/2000**
A voltage surge or something has had an odd effect on my monitor- every now and again after the monitor has been on for a while, wierd distortions will occur. Always use a good surge protector/UPS, folks.
I am currently working on a resolution and will keep you all posted!
The Requirements
When I went shopping for a new monitor, I had very specific criteria in mind- It had to be a flat screen or Trinitron display, had to be relatively lightweight for a flat screen, and had to fit into my computer hutch. Sure, I?d love to be able to close the hutch too, but I long ago realized that folding down the front door of this piece of oak bliss would require me to go back to a 15? monitor or go with a very expensive flat panel TFT display. The monitor also had to be a good performer with a bright screen and fast redraw rate- all for under $350. A 19? Monitor was unlikely to fit, but I did find a few non-flat screen models that did.
Round One? FIGHT!!!
I did not want to battle over shipping costs (anyone in the know will tell you that rarely does it pay to ship a monitor- especially a nice heavy Flat Screen), so I took a tour of local resellers looking at my options.
There were a list of contenders including, but not limited to, Sony, Compaq, Princeton, NEC, ViewSonic, Mitsubishi, and a few ?value? brands boasting some Swedish standard. I?ve seen these before and had one fail within five months at my last job. Not a chance. I?d rather spend an extra $200 than have a monitor fail at a bad time. Finally, Samsung and ViewSonic were the contenders. Why?
Round Two? FIGHT!!!
The Sony was too expensive for the features as was the Compaq (please don?t fire me!). The Princeton was not completely flat, either was the NEC. The ViewSonic and Mitsubishi were great quality and price, but ultimately the comparison between price and performance fell on the Samsung.
The Samsung has a fantastically realistic display- the ViewSonic I tested had some gamma problems. I will admit that the Mitsubishi display was brighter than the Samsung, but I did find that the brightness level vs. contrast was better on the Samsung than the Sony Trinitron (believe me, no one could be more surprised at that than myself). The Mitsubishi was $50 more on average and was about ? inch taller. The Sony was heavy as all heck and over $100 more! The ViewSonic I tested was exactly the same price as the Samsung.
Winner!!!
I got the monitor home and went thru the procedure of getting it running. Windows did it?s usual thing, yadda, yadda? I had a monitor. I was immediately amazed at the difference between the 14? Bubble I called a monitor and this screen. It was like night and day. A few adjustments and games of Starcraft later, I felt satisfied with my new purchase.
Buuuuutttt?..
I have run into a problem, which I don?t know the source of- It could be the monitor or the Video card. I have to think it could be the card- an old Rage 128. The problem is that the display shifts to the left to an annoying degree- about ? of an inch from the proper center. The problem is sporadic and only happens after a cold reboot, which is why I suspect foul play from either windows itself of the card.
So this brings me to the next point- the Monitors adjustment controls. Clearly Princeton Graphics has been the leader in this arena, but how often should you need to adjust your monitor, right?
I couldn?t put it any other way- the controls for the Samsung are confusing at best. Going too quickly will not work, you have to stop and think about it. When I am immersed in my production duties? okay, when I?m immersed in a tense multiplayer Starcraft game? I don?t want to have to stop to think about my monitor. I want it to be intuitive and quick so I don?t lose any train of thought. Well, the train derails with this monitor, unfortunately. But don?t let that sway you a whole lot- after all, it?s not like its something we do every five minutes.
Summary
I could only find one thing wrong with this fantastic flat screen monitor, which says a lot. Those of you that know me probably hear me complain daily about my 19? bubble at work and the headaches I get from it. Complements aren?t easy to come by in the monitor realm, but the Samsung delivers the price and performance value to make it a worthwhile purchase. The display is worm and very widely adjustable (if you have the time to navigate thru the menus and remember that exit doesn?t always mean exit), more so than other brands. The design of the monitor box is appealing (more than I can say for the monolith Sony) and simplistic.
Overall, bang for buck- get this monitor. I highly doubt anyone would be severely disappointed by it.
**Update 11/21/2000**
A voltage surge or something has had an odd effect on my monitor- every now and again after the monitor has been on for a while, wierd distortions will occur. Always use a good surge protector/UPS, folks.
I am currently working on a resolution and will keep you all posted!
