Considering how much I use my PC, I should've replaced this 17" CRT years ago. It's fugly, takes up way too much desk space, and worst of all everything is abit blurry. Text is abit hard to read sometimes. I often get some comments about it whenever someone jumps on my pc.

Is there a good specific place to buy some cheap/decent 19-22" refurbished LCD's? I found a 22" WestingHouse monitor for $117. Is WestingHouse a good brand? Should I jump on it or try looking around for something else?

You can get all kinds of cheaper monitors at Newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254035

130$ + free shipping, 1680x1050, if that's what resolution you're looking for.

I have seen some Black Friday deals floating around , like a 23" Acer 1080p 5ms for 123$... Might have been Staples? I recommend Newegg like jefforange, unless you find a killer Black Friday deal.

 Personally I prefer to buy monitors at local stores, just in case something is wrong with it - I can just haul it right back in and get a new one. But thats just my own preference, nothing wrong with newegg at all.

http://www.geeks.com/

Sells a lot of refurbished computer stuff at a very low price

So very tempting....the free shipping is what gets to me.

Ok well I think I'm set on getting that Hanns-G LCD at Newegg.


Now I was wondering about dual monitors. My nephew said that if I lent him $550 until his unemployment check arrives, he might give me his 20" LCD TV. If he doesn't give it to me though, he'll definitely sell it for super cheap.

Assuming I get both, how exacly do dual monitors work? I think it'd benefit me most when I'm making music since I always have a ridiculous amount of windows I have to navigate through in the programs I use. What common uses are there for dual monitors?

Now the lame part is, my current PC's built-in vid card won't work with his TV (we tried it today). The amount of money it'd cost to get a new case/psu/vid card would go upto about $150, so I'm still not sure if it's worth it or not.

Yes, it is worth it. If you are serious about music, dual monitors is a must. In fact it is a must for anyone who does "serious bizns" work on their PC. Not only is it more space, but the seperation you get prevents overlap etc... you can flip through programs and windows on one monitor without disrupting whats on the 2nd monitor. In all honesty I could pretty much talk all day about how great it is to run dual monitors, but to really appreciate it, it is one of those things you have to experience for yourself.

 You get more done, more quickly, with less irritation, and often greater accuracy if you are having to constantly cross reference anything and flip through windows.]

Edit:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127456

Grab that, or somehting similar with the Hanns-G... you shouldnt need a new PSU to run that card. Though that card can run games, it is not a "gaming" card.. but since you are currently using onboard vid, I am guessing you dont game on PC anyhow. Also, I do not have a super specific recommendation for that card in particular, it was just the first one I saw that had decent review and fit the bill.

If you're looking for a multi-monitor setup, I'd get two of the same monitor. And you may wanna look into bigger ones as well is space is a concern for you (or maybe even just one larger one for starters, and then buy a new one in the future).

Also, if you buy one of the new 5000 series Radeon HDs, they support three outputs, as opposed to two - the cheapest ones are around 120$ right now, but I'm pretty sure the next set of lower-end ones are launching soon.

I find there is no real reason to have 2 of the same monitor, if anything having 2 different sizes for 2 different purposes works... ofc its a matter of personal taste.

I run 2 different on my home setup, one is a 19" Samsung that runs in 1400x900 that I play FPS on ( used to the format ) and keep outlook/voip/msn/misc on, or xreference material and the other is a Sony Bravia XBR 32" in 1920x1080 which is more or less main monitor.. and I also got my PS3 on it.

There is no need really for 2 32" , but no way would I want to trade my 32" for another 19" for symmetries sake =)

I have however, considered getting a 2nd 19" and sticking it on the other side of the 32", for yet more space.... and that symmetrical look.

But like most things, is a matter of preference.. however there is no technical reason that makes have 2 identical monitors superior.

Well, I'd personally rather have two that are the same. Or at least the same resolution.