Help me pick a monitor

[fleshman03]

Help me MacRumors, you're my only hope.

I want to find something cheap b/c I'm going to buy the new ACD in about a year. This is only to help me with some simple web development. (15" isn't to enough.)

I have some questions. Is the TFT active matrix and TN the same technology or not? Does it go like TFT < TN < IPS?

What is in the early '08 MBP? I don't want the laptop display putting the monitor to shame. (At least not too badly.)

I'm hoping to get out of it ~ $100-$130. If it has speakers, that would be a plus. Also, it needs to be 19"+.

So is it possible?

[TheStrudel]

All monitors you're likely to buy use active TFT matrix technology. Ignore that for now. In terms of quality, you have three panel technologies to choose from, to wit:

TN (Twisted Nematic film) < PVA (Patterned Vertical Alignment) < IPS (In-Plane Switching).

You'll be able to find a cheap monitor around 19" probably on tigerdirect or newegg if you look for it; you'll certainly be able to find it used. Any monitor in this price range will be TN, so don't hope for much in terms of quality or color fidelity. I suggest buying used, since it's apparently disposable. Check out ebay.

[fleshman03]

Thanks for your input. I was beginning to think this thread was DOA.

I get what you are saying. I'll take a look online @ some places.

Here are three I'm looking at
Dell SE198WFP (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/popupproductdetail.aspx?sku=320-5629&?~lt=popup&c=us&l=en&s=dfh&cs=22)
SVA 9005W 19" (http://www.staples.com/office/supplies/p17__247943_1_Business_Supplies_10051_true_FEATURED:SC3:CG4)
Samsung 19" Widescreen (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4311480&CatId=2388)

I'm just concerned the screen will look like crap next to my MBP.