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To buy nice, or cheap?

1ddqd1ddqd Registered User regular
edited May 2008 in Moe's Stupid Technology Tavern
So I work at a call center and they only use CRTs. The problem is, my eyes hurt after a day of looking at the screen. The computers aren't uber-locked down, so I checked and the refresh rate is 75hz @ 1600x1200 - I changed the res to this so I could fit more on the screen (we have a dialer + a database open at once).

Anyways, to get around the problem and bypass the IT guys (who have no incentive to buy me one) I'm going to invest in a LCD. I need one with a res of 1680x1050, but all other factors are irrelevant. It's for data only, I can't do anything else on the PC.

That said, should I buy a cheap 1680x1050 monitor (~$150) or should I go all out and buy one that I can take home and use for gaming/HD etc? My limit, if that's the winning option, is $250, so even then we're not talking high-freaking-end, but better than $150.

1ddqd on

Posts

  • GihgehlsGihgehls Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    If you can find one, a Dell 2005FPW is a hell of a monitor.

    Gihgehls on
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  • bbmartinibbmartini Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    how long do you plan on having this job, and are you going to lug the monitor home every night?

    bbmartini on
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  • 1ddqd1ddqd Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    The monitor will sit on my desk, I intend on working here until I get fired or find something better (i.e. araound 6 months AT LEAST).

    Not opposed to buying used, I'll check ebay for some Dell2005FPWs

    1ddqd on
  • FatmanGamesFatmanGames Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    Tell your IT guys that they have a choice, you will buy them something at 1/2 the value of the monitor (make it good), or "never mind". If they say no to outright bribery, buy the monitor.

    But I've never seen an IT guy turn down favors.

    Not saying it's right, just saying.

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  • TM2 RampageTM2 Rampage Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    Is the CRT set too bright or something? Probably not, eh...

    TM2 Rampage on
  • 1ddqd1ddqd Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    No, I went through and configured the Intel "Extreme" Graphics control panel. The settings:

    1600x1200 @ 75hz 32-bit
    All other settings are default, but Gamma was turned down for true blacks and whites. All I know is that I have literally ZERO eye fatigue at home (natural light only) and TONS of eye strain here (fluorescent). The little I've used a flat panel AT work has been great, so that's what I'm looking at.

    Just kicked myself; Fry's had a 22" 1680x1050 LCD for $130 after $50 MIR this weekend, but I didn't get paid till today. Damn...

    1ddqd on
  • cliffskicliffski Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    holy crap. call center jobs suck. Dont do anything that makes it seem tolerable, otherwise you wont have enough of an incentive to get the hell out of there

    cliffski on
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  • 1ddqd1ddqd Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    No, the idea here is to make it bearable until my girlfriend chooses a law school and we move. I don't want to go through the rigor of job hunting, only to move out of state in 5 months.

    Thus, making myself as comfortable as possible in the time being.

    1ddqd on
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