bradley.grigor@canremote.uucp (BRADLEY GRIGOR) (11/03/90)
frank@odetics.com (Frank Merrow) writes;
fm>I have sent several messages on the net asking about monitors and
fm>cards. The word I get is that a 2A is OK for VGA, but not for
fm>SuperVGA. A 3D is good for both VGA and SuperVGA, but for VGA1K I
fm>really need a 4D. Hey guys, we are getting into some bucks here.
fm>What is really NEEDED to run a reasonable windows environment? I
fm>gather EGA is NOT enough. Would the average programmer type be
fm>happen with VGA? or is SuperVGA (or VGA1K) "really" needed these
fm>days?
fm>P.S. I consider myself a medium to high end user. For instance I
fm>would probably not buy a 33MZ or 486 machine because they are still
fm>too pricey. I might buy a SX, but would probably prefer a 20 or 25MZ
fm>if the cost delta was not too big. What is the similar logic for
fm>monitors?
I would recommend one of the low-cost multiscanning monitors and
run Windows in 800x600 resolution. E.g. I have an ATI VGAWONDER
with 512K (version 4 board) and a Delta DM-142M multiscanning
monitor. Windows in 800x600 (with an ATI-supplied driver) is
perfectly acceptable, fast enough on my 20MHZ 386DX, the fonts
are quite readable and the interlace flicker is only noticeable
on large, white expanses.
NOTE: I use the 1024x768 modes very occasionally in CAD work. But
the interlace flicker is much more pronounced at the higher
resolution, the 1K drivers are noticeably SLOWER, Windows fonts
become almost unreadably small and the low-cost monitor does NOT
REALLY RESOLVE 1K resolution graphics much better than 800x600,
even though it is rated at 1K. This is to be expected for the
money and I don't consider it to be a flaw in the monitor.
In US$, the Delta monitor would be approx. $450. CorData brands
the same monitor, judging by the photos I've seen. There are
plenty of other low-cost true multiscanning monitors available
under various brand names. Check PC Magazine SuperVGA reviews.
Be sure it's true multiscanning (and not just dual-frequency like
the NEC 2A) and always test the monitor with the exact same type
of video adapter you intend to use. Or better yet, get a 7 day
money-back, no-questions guarantee.
...bag bradley.grigor@canremote.uucp Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
PCRelay public key: 7596 11-03-90 at 2:14am
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