I want to get a large monitor for my computer so that I can sit on my sofa with a wireless keyboard and write papers, take notes, do excel work, and surf the web. I'd like something 46" or bigger.
My laptop is a Lenovo X61 I bought 1.5 yrs ago with only a VGA output. I might be upgrading it, but whatever I get will probably not have a super fast graphics card designed for gaming, etc.
I don't have cable/satellite/etc and don't watch much TV except for Hulu occasionally. I currently only have a DVD player, but will upgrade to a bluray player sometime soon. I don't care about sound quality as I have a good 5.1 system of my own, but want something that is a large display, can work with 1080p bluray signals, and can work well as a computer monitor, which is what I will primarily be using it as.
Am I correct in thinking that most of today's 1080p plasma/LCD tvs will fit the bill for what I want? I was thinking of projectors, but they seem pricey compared to TVs, and I get a fair bit of sunlight in my living room.
Is LCD still better than the latest plasmas, or are they roughly equal now from the standpoint of using it as a computer monitor?
LCD has never been better than plasma. That said, plasmas can burn-in static images if left there long enough. For a monitor, LCD is better. For a TV, plasma is better.
Thanks. To confirm, is my general idea of using a big screen flat panel TV as a computer monitor OK? That is, will it be possible to use MS word sitting from my couch a few feet from the TV without too much strain?
Yes, you can use a flat panel as a monitor. I don't know about eye strain. I think my LCD monitor is harder on the eyes than the old CRTs were but it's not unbearable.
Thanks for all the responses. Given that I'm going to be using the new TV principally as a computer monitor, does it make sense to just go for a 720p model instead of a 1080p model? The price difference seems to be massive..
From what I've read 1080p is supposed to be better for a monitor. Wheather it's worth the price difference I don't know. If you have a laptop, take it to the store and hook it up to a 720p and a 1080p TV. I've never had any problems doing stuff like that, they want to sell the TV.