M11X on a Alienware OptX Monitor

So I am about to buy the OptX AW2210 Monitor from Alienware. I got 2 questions about it:

1. What's better to connect with the OptX, Display Cable or a HDMI Cable?

2. Will I be able to get higher resolution than on the M11X screen?

 

Don't buy the Alienware. It's a TN panel and says so in their own tech specs.

Buy an HP ZR22W: HP ZR22w 21.5-inch S-IPS LCD Monitor overview - HP Small & Medium Business products

Newer, S-IPS panel, pretty much the same price.

 

It doesn't matter what cable you choose, in the end the signal is the same.

Also do get the IPS panel, its definitely worth it.

 

The HP has DVI and DisplayPort, both of which have adapters available to HDMI available cheaply from a website like Monoprice. Using analog VGA on a display like the HP would be criminal.

 

Does it matter that it is a TN panel? I'm kinda new to this stuff, I just like the looks of the OptX monitor

 

IPS panels give superior viewing angles and color reproduction. It's just that they can be a lot more expensive to make, but there are a lot of budget IPS panels now.

TN just isn't as good, thats all.

 

But is the OptX Panel still good enough? I heard it's pretty good with 2ms respons time or w/e it is called.

 

I've seen good TN panels and I've seen bad. If you want better picture quality, go with IPS. If you're ok with just getting the job done, go with the OptX.

 

That HP screen has a contrast of 30k:1 while the AW optx has a contrast of 80k:1, any thoughts? I'm aware of the different contrast measure methods which different brands use but this difference does look big nonetheless.

 

http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/13556_na/13556_na.html
HP - 1k:1

Review - Alienware OptX AW2210 21.5in HD TFT Review | bit-tech.net
AW - 1k:1

Let's just not go into 'dynamic' contrast ratio.

 

YouTube - Alienware OptX AW2210 Monitor

Contrast ratio: 80000:1

 

^I quote from their own page:

 

Dynamic vs native.

1k:1 for both monitors means that is their native, and they dynamically TRY to create 80000 shades of grey. If the accuracy is higher on one, it will look better.

Since both natives are 1k:1, the dynamic really doesn't show the difference as much. In reality, I'd probably take the lower dynamic with the same native. (assuming they are as high as these)

However, viewing the monitors side by side is always the best way to pick.

 

AW spec states it has a faster response time though, but at 60Hz each frame stays on screen for 16MS anyways. Not sure how this comes into play.

Also, the AW is brighter.

 

Yeah that is one benefit of TN. Response time is amazing. Probably one of the single most important aspects if all you care about is gaming.

 

Keep in mind that Contrast ratio's above 1000 can generally be equated to Dynamic range. Which means that when there is a dark image on the screen the LCD backlight will dynamically adjust itself to a lower setting to give the impression of richer blacks. This is not really an ideal solution because things can shift into an unrecognizable state due to the darkness of the screen. My samsung P2770H has 70,000:1 and I have to turn dynamic mode off jsut to maitain a proper gaming experience.

This also holds true for LCD TV's.

 

This entire thread reminds me of This is Spinal Tap.

"This one goes up to 80,000."

"But it's older and less advanced than this one."

"But that one only goes up to 30,000."

"Yeah, but it's a meaningless figure made up to make technologically-uninformed people get into 80,000 vs. lesser number arguments."

"But this one goes up to 80,000."

Long story short, let the dating dictate your purchase - the OptX is a year old. The HP is less than six months old, uses a better panel, and is probably better in every single way over the TN panel the OptX uses. Quite literally everything in Alienware's documentation for the OptX surrounds people equating their stuff with "fast." The 2ms response time of TN panels is also as trustable as the dynamic contrast ratio. When it comes to monitors, buy quality over hype every time.

The HP in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHYSNDEpxfI

 

While the screen may have a slightly faster response time, I don't think that really translates to giving you faster response/reaction time while playing a game, lol. I doubt the human brain can even notice a difference in thousandths of a second. I find it funny how that ad for the Alienware monitor is trying to sell you on the fact that there will be super fast response time and reduced lag, but really has anyone ever complained about their monitors for lag or response time? I'd be more concerned about the quality of the picture, but maybe that's just me.

 

Response time is a insignificant factor nowadays, all monitors are pretty damn "fast", and that 2ms manufacturers like to quote is always "rigged".

Sure the Alienware has a cooler bezel, but in the end your looking at whats contained inside the bezel.

 

no mater how cool the hp looks on paper i've never seen this brand live up to it's expectation

on the other hand the AW display is just well a normal display with a cool bezel dell it self probably has something beter

 

UltraSharp U2211H 21.5 inch Monitor Details

What's the difference between the HP and the Dell UltraSharp U2211H? How much of a difference does S-IPS make over IPS?

 

HP says the monitor is S-IPS, which is an advancement of normal IPS tech, but I've seen other mention that the ZR series are H-IPS monitors, which is an advancement further on S-IPS.

The short of it is, IPS of any type is going to be superior to a TN panel.

 

well. much like your APPLE and MICROSOFT stock price. very very high cost, but dividend pay out are the same~ zerooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.