Compaq MV940 Monitor: This is a big, bad boy!
Written: May 28 '02
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Pros: True to life color, large viewing area, no flicker,easy on the eyes
Cons: It's big and bulky, not something you want to move around a lot!
The Bottom Line: I have been very pleased with this monitor's performance and features: large viewing area; glare-resistant; sharp, realistic color; good sound with the JBL Platinum speakers; integrated Telex® microphone.
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| diverpam's Full Review: Compaq MV 940 19 inch CRT Monitor |
I've seen a lot more of this computer monitor than I have my husband in the last few months. As a self-confessed computer addict with not-so-young eyes any more, it was important for me to have a monitor that would be easy to see.
In fact, this monitor is one of the primary reasons I purchased the Compaq computer I'm using. Big Boy, as I like to call him, came with the package.
I have been very pleased with this monitor for a myriad of uses. It certainly performs well for basic email, word processing, and spending (way too much) time on the Internet. It's excellent for web design and photo and graphics manipulation.
What you See - Sharp Colors, Crisp Text
Good, realistic color is very important to me in a monitor. This monitor has been great for use with PhotoShop -- the colors are very true to life.
I spend a lot of time touching up photos and designing graphics for use on my websites. Having the large viewing area and good color makes these tasks much easier!
Sometimes the pictures of my grandchildren look so beautiful on here that I make my husband come in my office to take a look.
Basic Specs:
.26 dot pitch
1600 x 1200 (maximum resolution)
1280x1024 @ 75Hz (maximum flicker-free)
The flat screen has a coating that makes it glare-resistant. Unless I have a light shining directly on the screen I don't see any reflections.
Speakers
The sound is also good, but I have to admit I primarily use it for "You've Got Mail" and the sound effects on my "Slots II" gambling CD. Every now and then I will listen to music and the JBL Platinum Series speakers do a very nice job. They can be positioned on each side of the monitor to keep them up and out of the way. That's very handy feature for a klutz like me who has been known to fry a keyboard with a spilled can of Coke.
This monitor also has an integrated Telex® microphone on the top center of the front. I have not used it, but it does remind me of a knight in shining armor. It's a silver oval with three openings. Sometimes I think maybe Big Boy is staring back at me through those openings... but I digress.
Positioning
You can swivel this monitor from side to side for easy positioning. Heck, I could be sitting at my computer, tell my husband about something and turn the monitor around for him to see with no effort at all. It also tilts up and down easily for adjustment to my preferred angle.
Screen Adjustment
This monitor has required very little adjustment. The on-screen menu makes it easy to set up and adjust. There are three buttons on the front to use in adjusting. I have adjusted color, contrast, and shifted the viewable area horizontally and vertically to ensure the picture takes up the maximum possible area.
I've seldom needed to adjust anything. And then, normally only after having moved the monitor around a great deal or having a rampant grandchild with busy fingers poking at buttons.
Price
Unfortunately, I don't know what the separate purchase price would have been on this monitor because I got it as part of a package when I bought my computer at Costco.
~~Now, Let's Get Personal About Big Boy~~
Size and Weight - Yes, this can be a touchy subject
I don't call him Big Boy for nothing. He tips the scales at just over 50 pounds. He's about 20 inches tall and 25 inches wide from speaker to speaker. Without the speakers, the width is 18 inches. Depth is 20 inches. He's pretty much a Big Boy all around.
I lugged Big Boy around a lot last summer during my ordeal of replacing my downstairs carpet. Trust me, he is not one you want to carry too far or too long. I had to move him out of my office twice in two weeks. I have to confess I did call him an ugly name or two as I struggled to get him from room to room. Luckily, he has forgiven me and continues to serve me faithfully.
Big Boy is very easy-going. Basically, he's considered plug and play. Normally he just sits on my desk, easily taking up the middle third of the space.
I have toyed with the idea of a flat panel monitor (don't tell him!), but until I can find one that has a better picture than Big Boy (that I can afford) then he will continue to hog up my desktop.
Sure, those flat panel models are pretty sleek and sexy looking, but there's something to be said about a Big Boy with some substance to him.
Energy Saving Feature
Yes, he's Energy-Star compliant - a good citizen of the world. Big Boy takes a nap when I'm not around, saving energy and also preventing screen burn. In fact, I never need to hit the off/on button that is conveniently located on his lower right-hand corner in the front. I just wake him up by moving the mouse.
Back to Business - Recommendation
This Compaq MV940 monitor has me spoiled. I would never be able to go with any smaller size screen than this 19" monitor (18 inches viewable). I have been very pleased with the performance of this monitor and would recommend it to anyone who spends a lot of time sitting in front of a computer.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): part of pkg
Operating System: Windows
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diverpam
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Member: Pam
Location: Collierville, TN
Reviews written: 263
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About Me:
~~~~So many oceans...so little time!~~~~
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