LCD monitors and Web viewing

[Bob Duncan]

Hopefully this sneaks in under the posting policy bar.

We are considering springing for a couple of LCD flat-panel desktop
monitors for our reference desk (for a couple of reasons). Most of the
reviews I've read describe performance in basic productivity and graphics
applications, but not the kind of use seen at our ref desk -- two people
standing on opposite sides of a counter-height desk, viewing mostly textual
Web pages, with a large amount of scrolling to find the desired info (i.e.,
scanning for content while scrolling).  I was all set to purchase the NEC
Multisync LCD1510 (15") display because of its (reported) superior viewing
angle, until I read a snippet from the May 1999 _Windows_ mag which
suggested the same technology which enables the NEC's 170 degree viewing
angle also slows down the screen refresh to the extent that scrolling text
becomes a blur.  (The review was looking at an 18" model with NEC's
"XtraView" technology, not a 15", but I'm not sure if the size difference
matters?)

My question:  is anyone using LCD's with a Web browser at their reference
desks, and if so, could you share your thoughts with me off list on any
experiences (good or bad) with LCD displays in general, or any specific
models in particular.  I'm interested mainly in the visual aspects --
legibility of text; does running a 15" monitor in the typical native res of
1024x768 make for bad group viewing; etc.  I will summarize for the list.

Thanks,

Bob Duncan

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`
  Robert E. Duncan
  Systems Librarian
  David Bishop Skillman Library
  Lafayette College
  Easton, PA 18042
  610-330-5156
  duncanr at lafayette.edu
  http://www.library.lafayette.edu/