monitor opinion

[yokosi]

Hi all, how's everyone doing today?

Anyhow im looking into a basic monitor, don't do much gaming or such.  I found this monitor http://caipsgws001.can.ibm.com/store/optionsearch?type=oem&action=searchresults&webcat=Monitors&series=Monitors%5COther&vendor=0&aud=IBM+STORE
It's the first one...

Anyway I know someone selling it for $100 cdn, do you guys think this is worth it? At Canadacomputer they are selling refurbished 17's for around $90 cdn so I was just seeking opinions.  Does this monitor have a good history behind it?

Any tips or advise would be great.  Thanx :)

[query]

It's tough to tell with IBM, which often labels completely different monitors from different manufacturers, with the same model number.

[yokosi]

oh ya right, u serious.  So don't trust this monitor? I believe it comes with a 3 year warranty?

[query]

The best course of action is to have a return privilege in case the unit you get doesn't suit your needs.  You cannot tell from the name IBM what the monitor will be like - I've seen identical IBM model numbers - made by Matsushita (Panasonic), LG, and Daewoo - there's just no way to tell from the model name who made it.

[yokosi]

So if the 3 year warranty is valid I should go for it.  When I install the drivers and all can't I use a program like Sisoftware Sandra Standard to determine if it's a real IBM or not.  Plus how can I tell the difference between a real IBM monitor and a matsu, lg or daewoo? The guy said he bought this monitor brand new from the IBM store? Not sure if he's lying or not..

[query]

If there's an FCC ID on it, it may help you identify the manufacturer.  

The bottom line is not the manufacturer or the warranty - it's how the monitor looks to you.  It's a good idea to buy monitors locally - they do not ship well, and it gives you a chance to return one that turns out to be not as sharp as you'd like it to be.