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Go wide with a 22-inch LCD monitor, $189

eCost has a well-reviewed Samsung 22-inch LCD, complete with built-in speakers and HDCP support, for a great price. However, it's recertified, not new.

Rick Broida Senior Editor
Rick Broida is the author of numerous books and thousands of reviews, features and blog posts. He writes CNET's popular Cheapskate blog and co-hosts Protocol 1: A Travelers Podcast (about the TV show Travelers). He lives in Michigan, where he previously owned two escape rooms (chronicled in the ebook "I Was a Middle-Aged Zombie").
Rick Broida
Samsung

Anytime I find a 22-inch LCD for under $200, you can bet I'll post it here. eCost has the manufacturer-recertified Samsung 220WM for $189, quite a bit less than you'd pay for a new one.

Highlights include built-in speakers, a 700:1 contrast ratio (that's according to Samsung's specs--eCost mistakenly lists it as 1000:1), and support for HDCP (meaning you can watch Blu-ray movies and other protected digital content--something not all monitors allow). Alas, connectivity is limited to VGA and DVI; no HDMI here. Like most 22-inchers, the 220WM tops out at 1680x1050 resolution.

CNET hasn't reviewed this model, but most users who bought it from Newegg rated it five stars out of five. Keep in mind that because eCost is selling recertified units, the warranty expires after 90 days. That's the only real hitch in an otherwise killer deal.