Yet another post on LCD monitors — the price has just dropped so much these days and it is just crazy looking at how much we have paid 2-3 years ago.

I have just received the weekly catelogue from Aldi Australia, and they are selling 20 inch wide screen LCD monitor for AUD$699 this week. Just noticed that it is available in Queensland Aldi Stores only, but it is pretty good spec’ed:

• 20″ wide screen LCD running 1680×1050
• Contrast ratio 800:1
• Brightness 300cd/m2
• Response time 8ms
• DVI with HDCP + D-Sub
• Built-in speakers
• 1 year warranty

Dell is also having heavy discount on their UltraSharp 2007WFP 20inch wide screen LCD as well — also AUD$699 delivered until 27 April, and it is not limited to the bloody Queenslanders. Spec wise they are pretty similar — same resolution, same contrast ratio, same brightness, also HDCP capable, etc. However 2007WFP has a slower panel (16ms) and it does not appear to have built-in speakers. You do get a named brand though, and there are lots of review on the web.

See how technology drives down the prices of these items? I can still remember paying almost $1,000 for a 19″ CTX CRT monitor back in 1999, thinking that I’ve got a bargain… Don’t even mention how much we need to pay for that 14″ SVGA monitor in 1990.