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Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Monkeyleg on September 27, 2006, 06:39:36 PM

Title: Good source for used computer monitors?
Post by: Monkeyleg on September 27, 2006, 06:39:36 PM
For about eleven years, I've been running two 21" monitors side-by-side: the one directly in front of me for whatever photograph or other file I'm working on, and the left monitor for all the toolbars.

The current left-side monitor is a Radius Precision View that I bought new in 1995. And it's starting to act like it may be going.

Much as I'd like one of the new 23" plasma photo-quality monitors, I just can't spend the money.

So, I'm wondering where I can find a monitor at a good price just for displaying the toolbars.

Chances are, I'll need a different video card as well as driver software to go with it.

I run a Mac G4.

Any suggestions?
Title: Good source for used computer monitors?
Post by: jake7457 on September 27, 2006, 07:56:13 PM
if you want to go the REALLY cheap route you can check freecycle.org

the local university has surplus equipment sales where used CRTs can be had for less than $20
Title: Good source for used computer monitors?
Post by: charby on September 27, 2006, 08:14:49 PM
+1 for local universities.
Title: Good source for used computer monitors?
Post by: Guest on September 27, 2006, 08:17:23 PM
the free section on Craigslist can sometimes offer such things. Especially if your area has banned the disposal of computer monitors in landfill sites (we have to pay to have them removed by a private "recycler").
Title: Good source for used computer monitors?
Post by: lee n. field on September 28, 2006, 03:31:59 AM
Garage sales (a bit late in the season, I know).  I've piced up more than one perfectly good 17" CRT monitors for nothing or very cheap, just because the original owner moved to an LCD monitor.
Title: Good source for used computer monitors?
Post by: Perd Hapley on September 28, 2006, 03:48:38 AM
You lazy liberals.  Always looking for a handout.  There's no free lunch, buddy!


Tongue
Title: Good source for used computer monitors?
Post by: InfidelSerf on September 28, 2006, 03:51:18 AM
what kind of price range are you looking at?

right now you can buy new 22" widescreen LCDs for under $300

As far as used I'd check with your local mom and pop computer parts store.  They often get deals with companies they sold new equipment for.
Mine would have 17" crt's for $40 and 19" for $75  

But you can buy new stuff for pretty close to that.
Title: Good source for used computer monitors?
Post by: Headless Thompson Gunner on September 28, 2006, 05:19:07 AM
Quote from: fistful
You lazy liberals.  Always looking for a handout.  There's no free lunch, buddy!


Tongue
This, actually, is quite true.  (The no free lunch thing, not the lazy liberals thing.  Although...)

A few years ago I mail ordered a used IBM 21" monitor.  I bought it because it was cheap, and because the manufacturer and the reseller both had sound reputations.  

Well, you get what you pay for.  The monitor I received had problems with poor brightness, low contrast, and some color casts in the corners.  The image would go blurry after a few hours of on-time.  The stupid thing was simply worn out.  I suppose I could have returned it for a refund, but the shippings costs made that impractical.

I eventually had to replace that monitor with a new 17" monitor I bought from a local store.  I would have saved a lot of money if I'd ponied up for the new monitor first.
Title: Good source for used computer monitors?
Post by: Monkeyleg on September 28, 2006, 12:22:47 PM
Thanks for the replies.

All I use the left monitor for is my toolbars in Photoshop and Dreamweaver. It don't use it for accurate color.

Maybe an inexpensive 21" CRT would be the way to go.

The photo studio I work for recently got rid of a bunch of monitors when they went to 23" LCD's. Maybe they still have one around I can buy.

I paid about $2000 for this Radius PrecisionView over eleven years ago. I guess I got my money's worth.
Title: Good source for used computer monitors?
Post by: Standing Wolf on September 28, 2006, 06:02:46 PM
Quote
The current left-side monitor is a Radius Precision View that I bought new in 1995. And it's starting to act like it may be going.
I bought a few Radius monitors years ago. Most were pretty good, but not even the best was worth looking at longer than three or four years. If you like eye strain, keep your monitor forever and a Sunday afternoon.
Title: Good source for used computer monitors?
Post by: doczinn on September 28, 2006, 10:22:03 PM
If your area has a 1-800-GOT-JUNK franchise, ask them. I work my way through college picking up junk, and I get so many monitors it isn't even funny.
Title: Good source for used computer monitors?
Post by: proud2deviate on September 29, 2006, 05:05:58 AM
I got my current moniter (HP Pavilion M50) out of the alley on trash day. Brought it home, hit it with the hair dryer, and all was good.  


Three months with no internet after I beat my old sony to death with a dumbell. . . Learned not to do that again.
Title: Good source for used computer monitors?
Post by: Monkeyleg on September 29, 2006, 12:26:38 PM
Hmmm. The monitor isn't acting up anymore. It had been flickering very slightly yesterday, but now it's fine.

Not having to spend money = good.
Title: Good source for used computer monitors?
Post by: trapperready on September 29, 2006, 04:02:42 PM
Maybe your monitor is just getting its affairs in order.
Title: Good source for used computer monitors?
Post by: Gewehr98 on September 29, 2006, 04:19:09 PM
Two places I always look:

http://www.craigslist.org   (You'll want to go Wisconsin/Milwaukee in your search)

http://www.pcsurplusonline.com

The latter place is where I get my corporate lease turn-in workstations and servers, for pennies on the dollar.  I bought, reconfigured, and sold many of them to local businesses in the Melbourne, FL area before I left there.  I found the place to be considerably more reliable and trustworthy than eBay.