30-Inch LCD Monitors

30-inch big-screen LCD monitors

Huge 30-inch LCD monitors have 2560-by-1600-pixel native resolution and require the use of a high-end video card that supports a dual-link DVI connection. That means a monitor of this size is only an option for power users. If you have the desk space and the means, a 30-inch LCD monitor is a luxury. Some reviewers would enjoy living with a 30-inch monitor; others would not. Loyd Case of ExtremeTech, for example, thinks two 24-inch monitors would be a better value. Most reviewers say the qualitative differences between 30-inch monitors are not huge.

We found many reviews of the Gateway XHD3000 (*Est. $1,700). This monitor only has a one-year limited warranty. That's not common for monitors in general but is common for Gateway, which is primarily regarded as a budget brand. We think that caveat needs mentioning before telling you that reviewers love this behemoth.

ExtremeTech says, "We think that the Gateway XHD3000's mix of excellent overall image quality and the flexibility inherent by using a sophisticated video processor makes this an almost exceptional display." The review explains that the monitor is very versatile because you can hook up so many devices to it and it does most things very well.

PC World's viewing panel prefers the Gateway to competing LCD monitors from Samsung and Dell. Computer Shopper selects it as an Editors' Choice. Les Shu likes it as a television monitor as well as a computer monitor. Techgage Networks also selects it as an Editor's Choice. All reviews think image quality is fabulous. MaximumPC rates the Gateway XHD3000 over 30-inch models from Apple, Dell, HP and Samsung. Its big advantage is scaling technology that allows the monitor to run at multiple resolutions. This big Gateway monitor uses an S-PVA panel.

The widescreen Samsung SyncMaster 305T (*Est. $1,200) also has an S-PVA panel. It earns top ratings from TrustedReviews.com, PC World and PC Magazine. Reviews are older, though, and the monitor is not compared with current competitors. TrustedReviews' Riyad Emeran concludes, "Once you get used to having this much desktop real estate, along with bright and vibrant colours and crystal clear image quality, you'll never want to use another screen again."

The 30-inch widescreen Dell UltraSharp 3008WFP (*Est. $2,000) has an S-IPS panel. Among its many connection options is a DisplayPort jack, which is thought to become the new standard for connecting computers to monitors.

The Dell 3008WFP has the weakest support from reviewers for any 30-inch monitor. BeHardware.com says the performance doesn't match the price. ExtremeTech cites the same technical flaws. Computer Shopper and PC World give higher ratings to competing products. However, some other reviews, such as HotHardware.com, think it is the best in its class. Even those who strongly criticize it call the Dell a great monitor.

Far and away, the Eizo Flexscan SX3031W (*Est. $3,500) is the most expensive new 30-inch LCD display. GCN's John Breeden names it a Reviewer's Choice, despite the whopping price tag, thanks to its "laser-precise accuracy," which gives it "perfect results in almost every image test." PCPro concurs, noting that, as with Eizo's other screens, you get what you pay for with this model. But PCPro's David Bayon concludes the Flexscan SX3031W is not for home entertainment, because, aside from two USB ports, it lacks the connectivity of smaller, multi-function displays.

Reviewers make it clear that 30-inch LCD screens, while often stunning, are simply not a good value for the average user, whether at home or at the office. For this reason, even the most impressive models aren't enough to warrant inclusion of this size class in our Fast Answers.