Need opinions + reviews on 19" LCD - Acer AL1916B

[lpdcunha]

Anyone have this 19" Acer monitor? Acer AL1916B
Just want to know if it's allright and no annoying issues.
I couldn't find any reviews online, maybe because it's newer.

I'm considering getting it because of the price and 3yr warranty from a
local vendor (Toronto)
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1599981&CatId=0

It's only for basic PC use (web, emails, photos) no gaming or movie
watching.

Feedback or review links appreciated.
Thanks!

Larry

 

[Doug Kanter]

Anyone have this 19" Acer monitor? Acer AL1916B
Just want to know if it's allright and no annoying issues.
I couldn't find any reviews online, maybe because it's newer.

I'm happy with mine. However, it would've been a frustrating purchase for a
new user. The documentation was pathetic, and the thing didn't come with
video drivers. Had to visit their web site, which appeared to have been
designed by non-English speakers who'd had their eyes poked out with sharp
sticks. Sort of the way Sony used to do their documentation 30-40 years ago
before someone informed them of how cheaply they could hire writers for
these things.

Found the drivers, though, and the screen works nicely. If you're good at
hunting these things down, buy the monitor. But, if you would describe
yourself as occasionally helpless, choose something different.

 

[Ed Light]

I tried a 17" Acer at Staples. It had the best picture, but it turned orange
yellow. I tried checking the settings.


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[kony]

I tried a 17" Acer at Staples. It had the best picture, but it turned orange
yellow. I tried checking the settings.

The problem with using monitors in stores is often that they
use a large distribution block that can degrade signal
quality. If the store doesn't mind too much, it can help to
jiggle the connectors and swap them back and forth from one
monitor to another when there seems be significant
differences.

Acer monitors are ok, but they're more alike most other 17"
6 bit TN screens than different. For someone who isnt'
gaming, it might be better to get a slower VA type panel for
near (perhaps slightly more expensive) same price. Motion
blur will be worse but it will have a little better contrast
, black level.

 

[Ed Light]

6 bit TN screens than different. For someone who isnt'
gaming, it might be better to get a slower VA type panel for
near (perhaps slightly more expensive) same price. Motion
blur will be worse but it will have a little better contrast
, black level.

You mean pva's like some Samsungs, with such wonderful viewing angles, such
that it doesn't dim down if you're not looking down at it?


--
Ed Light

Smiley :-/
MS Smiley :-\

Send spam to the FTC at
(e-mail address removed)
Thanks, robots.

Bring the Troops Home:
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[kony]

You mean pva's like some Samsungs, with such wonderful viewing angles, such
that it doesn't dim down if you're not looking down at it?

The better viewing angle is nice too, but mostly the lower
black level allows nice contrast without having the screen
so bright you feel like you're inside a space ship.
Samsungs are good, but not all theirs are VA either. A lot
of people like the 930BF but it's TN, not VA... but then so
many of the online reviewers are always giving a higher
ranking towards gaming potential which the end user may not
do.

 

[lpdcunha]

Doug Kanter wrote:

I'm happy with mine. However, it would've been a frustrating purchase for a
new user. The documentation was pathetic, and the thing didn't come with
video drivers. Had to visit their web site, which appeared to have been
designed by non-English speakers who'd had their eyes poked out with sharp
sticks. Sort of the way Sony used to do their documentation 30-40 years ago
before someone informed them of how cheaply they could hire writers for
these things.

Found the drivers, though, and the screen works nicely. If you're good at
hunting these things down, buy the monitor. But, if you would describe
yourself as occasionally helpless, choose something different.

THanks for all the replies. Didn't come with video drivers? Well that
shouldnt be a big deal. (I hope). It is a big deal when a video card
doesn't come with drivers. Since I do NO gaming or even watch or edit
video/DVDs, I think this is an ok monitor esp with 3yr warranty.

Larry

 

[kony]

Doug Kanter wrote:



THanks for all the replies. Didn't come with video drivers? Well that
shouldnt be a big deal. (I hope).

It's not a big deal, but then monitor drivers never were,
they only specify the supported timings and resolutions
which are standardized. For example, on a 19" LCD you could
just as well use a generic driver model and manually set
1280x1024 and 60Hz refresh. Color profiles may be different
but then the modern video cards have a wealth of adjustments
in addition to those in the monitor control panel (buttons
on the monitor).

It is a big deal when a video card
doesn't come with drivers. Since I do NO gaming or even watch or edit
video/DVDs, I think this is an ok monitor esp with 3yr warranty.

Naw, it is better when a video card does not come with
drivers. Seriously, then the user won't get lazy and use a
very old buggy driver and then encounter all kinds of
problems. It is best to get the newest driver from the
video chipset manufacturer and never install the old driver
that comes with the card. Occasionally there is benefit to
the card manufacturer, rather than chipset manufacturer,
driver for example if the card has a special fan control and
monitor utility or the user wants a fancy overclocking
utility that the control-freak programmers coded to only
work with branded versions of the same drivers.
Unfortunately that means extra work has to go into the
branded driver rather than just a redistribution of the
standard driver, which tends to mean they're always a few
driver versions behind the curve relative to where they'd be
if all they had to do is throw the same driver into a
package for download and link it on their webpage.