Mike's Thoughts

Well, it’s official! My new computer is up and running smoothly. The hardware installation went through fine, without any real hitches. I wish that I could say the same for the software installation. After a blazing fast 27 minute Vista installation (I mean that genuinely, not sarcastically… that’s quick for a Vista install), I had the OS up and running, and all of the mother board drivers installed. However, when I went to run Windows Update, the system crashed. To make a long story short, every time I went on the internet, the system would crash. Great! I ended up reinstalling the OS, and since then, everything has been working hunky dork!

I will post pictures and specifications on a new page in my blog called “My Rig.” It should be up in the next few days. Now, the monitor is another story.

So, here is my quick review of the Westinghouse L2610nw 26″ monitor. My first impression was that it was absolutely huge. I mean nausiatingly huge. The unit overall feels quite flimsy considering how big it is. The bottom of the panel had what appeared to be a glass piece bearing the Westinghouse logo, which turned out to be a cheap plastic piece. As for quality, the screen displayed flawlessly using the VGA cable at 1920 x 1200 (the native resolution). However, the monitor is WAY too bright; but this is where the problem comes in. If you turn the brightness down past 90%, the unit starts to emit a whinning, screetching noise. It is definatley noticable when you are working, and becomes louder the more you turn down the brightness. After navigating Westinghouse’s rediculous support menu, I was connected with a very helpful agent on the first ring. I was quite impressed! He said that the noise is not normal, and that it could be the electrical current passing throught the components.

In the end, I returned it to newegg, who made an exception to their normal “non-refundable” LCD policy for me. I am awaiting a credit to my bank account, after which I will be buying another, smaller monitor, perhaps an HP. My final verdict on the Westinghouse… great support, but their products are not up to par. The unit feels too cheaply built, and the noise is completely unacceptable, especially considering the need to turn down the unit’s brightness. If you are stuck with this unit, you have two choices, live with the noise, or go blind from the monitor’s brightness!