Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!clyde.concordia.ca!uunet!samsung!usc!ucla-cs!wales From: wales@valeria.cs.ucla.edu (Rich Wales) Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc Subject: Re: Modest-budget XT color video recommendations? Message-ID: <30673@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU> Date: 10 Jan 90 16:25:29 GMT References: <30666@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU> Sender: news@CS.UCLA.EDU Reply-To: wales@CS.UCLA.EDU (Rich Wales) Organization: UCLA CS Department, Los Angeles Lines: 33 In article <30666@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU> I wrote: Can anyone offer recommendations for a reasonably priced color monitor and 8-bit-bus VGA card? Is there any way I can get away with something acceptable for a total price (monitor + card) of under $400? If not, then how about under $500? Based on the initial feedback I've received (suggestions that I scan magazines like Computer Shopper, and/or buy used equipment), perhaps I should clarify a couple of points. I was (am) hoping to hear from people who have actual experience with specific monitors and/or cards. I am leery of the idea of simply going to a magazine like Computer Shopper and picking some mail-order outfit with a one-liner like "VGA: $XXX" in their ad. I've heard people say that not all "VGA" cards are created equal (e.g., some aren't even close to being register-compatible with "real" VGA) -- and the only really good way I can think of to avoid being stuck with a "lemon" card is to get feedback from people based on what they have actually tried. If my concern in this area is ill-founded (i.e., if most or all no-name "VGA" cards being sold these days really *are* OK after all), then I'm certainly open to being told I have nothing to worry about and can safely shop for the lowest price. But I do confess to some (hopefully healthy) skepticism on this point. Also, I'm willing to consider the idea of buying used equipment -- but again, I would prefer to hear from someone who has actually used a given make of card or monitor before I buy it (new or used). -- Rich Wales // UCLA Computer Science Department 3531 Boelter Hall // Los Angeles, CA 90024-1596 // +1 (213) 825-5683 "I never lie when I've got sand in my shoes, Commodore."