1 TN?  IPS?

You wouldn't really want to go DOWN in size, would you?

2 TN panels are the cheap ones, where the colour, brightness, and contrast shift when you look at them from an angle.  IPS panels (also known as PVA and other TLAs) are the expensive ones, where that doesn't happen nearly as much.

I'd rather not go down in size or panel quality, but there's no ideal solution at present...  At least, not at a reasonable price.  The only solution that gives me everything I want would cost about $7000, because I'd need the monitor itself (close to $3000), a super-high-end video card to run games at 4K resolution because the monitor only does 4K (around $1800), and a new computer to put the video card in because it won't actually fit in my current computer (upwards of $2000).

So if I give a little on panel quality, I can get pretty much what I want for 1/8 the cost.

3 Here's a review of the Samsung:



Their take: If you're not doing professional graphics work where colour accuracy is key, go buy one.  If you are, go buy one and keep a standard-resolution colour-calibrated monitor for doing colour checks.

I do some design work, but entirely for web, not for print.  To a first approximation no-one at all browses the web on colour-calibrated monitors, so no matter how accurate your own setup is is, no two people will your work see it the same way.  So good enough for me.

I think I'll get the Samsung when it arrives next month.  Unless the price of the Dell 24" comes down even further...

4 If you don't need ridiculously-sized monitors like Pixy, IPS prices have come down drastically relative to TN.  I bought an Asus 22" VS229, then gave it to my son a month later, and replaced it with another Asus, the 23" VX238, which is actually a step up, and while I bought both on sale, they were both within spitting distance of non-IPS monitors (I paid maybe $10-20 more in each case and it was totally worth it.)
The VX238 is pretty awesome:  it's insanely bright, has 2 HDMI inputs, and built-in speakers that are better than you would expect, given that the monitor is massively thinner than the run of the mill (for example, it's probably 1/3 as thick as your average Dell monitor.)

5 But not 4K.

6 Well, no, I thought that was covered by "don't need ridiculously-sized monitors like Pixy."

7 Except that the Dell I listed is a 24" monitor, barely larger than the ones you mentioned.  For the first time, more pixels doesn't necessarily mean a larger screen.

Your point about quality IPS displays being much more affordable than in the past is very true, though.

8 Oh geez yes.  After mentioning what I use at home, I'll point out that at work, they bought me some TN Dell monstrosity.  It's much dimmer and the colors aren't nearly as vibrant.  I'd pay more than $20 more for IPS, frankly, and when it comes time to replace my current POS box I might just ask them to get me something better if I spring for the difference.

9 Check out the seiki 4k at 39 inches.  Not a super fast refresh rate but it's only 499 at amazon and is pretty great for coders /  developers

10 No-one seems to sell Seiki in Australia, or I'd have one already.