Captain Packrat (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
captpackrat) wrote2007-05-17 12:23 am
captpackrat) wrote2007-05-17 12:23 am
I was bad today
Several years ago, Microsoft was sued in California and settled. As part of that settlement, anyone who'd bought a copy of DOS, Windows or Office (or bought a computer with this software) in California between 1995 and 2001 could file to receive part of the settlement. I had a ton of Microsoft software, so I was expecting a pretty big refund.
After many years, I finally got a voucher for $240. The only hitch is that I have to buy software or computer equipment (monitor, keyboard, printer, scanner, mouse or a complete pre-fab computer) to cash in the voucher. I don't need any software, I don't need a printer or scanner, I build my own computers, and I certainly don't need $240 worth of keyboards and/or mice. But I did have an old 17" monitor, and LCD's have come WAY down in price, so I figured that would be the way to go.
I did some shopping around and found that Sam's Club has a 22" widescreen ViewSonic VG2230wm for $299, a pretty good deal in its own right. With tax and after the voucher it came to a mere $80!
I wanted to use the new monitor along with my old 17" in a dual-display setup, but my antique Matrox G400 (real men use graphics cards without fans!) couldn't handle two monitors with different resolutions. Fortunately, my SO gave me his ATI X1600, so I was able to get the two hooked up. And the old monitor looked SOOOO horrible next to the new one. So small and so dim. I was immediately tempted to go buy another 22" monitor.
So today I did.
Oh... My... God...
This setup is soooooo freaking amazing. 44 inches of monitor! 3360x1050 of desktop. It takes up almost my entire desk! I have a half dozen windows open, all at the same time with nothing covered up.
This is just... wow.
And I now have a video card that can support modern games. Too bad I'm still running Windows 2000.
After many years, I finally got a voucher for $240. The only hitch is that I have to buy software or computer equipment (monitor, keyboard, printer, scanner, mouse or a complete pre-fab computer) to cash in the voucher. I don't need any software, I don't need a printer or scanner, I build my own computers, and I certainly don't need $240 worth of keyboards and/or mice. But I did have an old 17" monitor, and LCD's have come WAY down in price, so I figured that would be the way to go.
I did some shopping around and found that Sam's Club has a 22" widescreen ViewSonic VG2230wm for $299, a pretty good deal in its own right. With tax and after the voucher it came to a mere $80!
I wanted to use the new monitor along with my old 17" in a dual-display setup, but my antique Matrox G400 (real men use graphics cards without fans!) couldn't handle two monitors with different resolutions. Fortunately, my SO gave me his ATI X1600, so I was able to get the two hooked up. And the old monitor looked SOOOO horrible next to the new one. So small and so dim. I was immediately tempted to go buy another 22" monitor.
So today I did.
Oh... My... God...
This setup is soooooo freaking amazing. 44 inches of monitor! 3360x1050 of desktop. It takes up almost my entire desk! I have a half dozen windows open, all at the same time with nothing covered up.
This is just... wow.
And I now have a video card that can support modern games. Too bad I'm still running Windows 2000.
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I'm looking at LCDs, but will probably go with a 4:3 aspect ratio because I tend to keep all programs full screen.
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Dell has what I hear is a nice 20" though. The Canadian Dell website had it on sale up until last Thursday. But I stalled on getting it since my CRT still works. Well, did work until Saturday. I'll only wait a week to find a sale or coupon, then get it at regular price.