User-interface hardware

Chipsets

Computer	Date	Source	Video	Audio
`muncher`	1998-09-30	ASA Computers	$31.25 4MB PCI Trident 3D Image, TGUI 9750 chipset	none
`twog`	2000-07-17	Micro X-Press	$38 8MB AGP ATI Charger, 3D Rage IIc chipset	none
`stoneport`	2001-02-27	Micro X-Press	2MB Cirrus Logic GD 5480 included on motherboard	none
`forcewall`	2001-02-27	Micro X-Press	$35 8MB AGP ATI Charger, 3D Rage IIc chipset	included on motherboard
`thoth`	2001-02-27	Micro X-Press	$35 8MB AGP ATI Charger, 3D Rage IIc chipset	included on motherboard
`crystal`	2001-02-27	Micro X-Press	$289 32MB AGP ATI All-In-Wonder, RADEON chipset	$35 Creative Labs SoundBlaster 128 PCI
`silverton`	2001-03-19	Minotaur	$39 8MB AGP Visiontek 72748.0, NVIDIA Vanta LT chipset	$29 Creative Labs 50E3711000 Ensoniq AudioPCI S5016
`fireball`	2002-03-14	UIC freebie	AGP NVIDIA Riva Ultra Vanta TNT2	included on motherboard

Monitors

1996-11: I bought a 14'' Shamrock CRT through Treasure Chest Computers. Not for regular use---I had a 17'' Trinitron CRT on my SPARC---but I was getting a new computer and needed a PC-compatible CRT to boot it.

This monitor was still working four years later when I gave up on CRTs.

1998-09: I bought a generic 19'' CRT ($547.00) through ASA Computers.

Two thumbs down on the monitor. It was an ADI PD-959M monitor with a shoddy flyback transformer that died twice in the first two years.

2000-05: My new Sony VAIO PCG-F490 laptop included a very readable 15'' active-matrix 1024x768 LCD with a 6MB NeoMagic 2360 video card. (XFree86 didn't know about that card yet but could use it as a NeoMagic 2200 with 4MB.)

2000-07: I bought an IOGEAR G-CS14 MiniView 4-port KVM switch ($140, cables included) and a black Princeton Graphics APP520B 15'' 1024x768 0.297mm TFT LCD monitor ($670 after a discount) through PC Connection.

The switch allows one keyboard-monitor-mouse set to control four computers. Ctrl-Shift-Alt 1 Enter switches to computer 1; Ctrl-Shift-Alt 2 Enter switches to computer 2; etc. The monitor sometimes has trouble synchronizing to the new video input, but switching back and forth clears up the problem.

2001-02: I bought another MiniView KVM switch (same price) and a beige Viewsonic VG151 15'' 1024x768 TFT LCD monitor ($685 after a discount) through PC Connection.

VG151 physical specs: maximum power consumption 38W; 210 cd/m2, noticeably brighter than the APP520B; contrast ratio 350:1; 120 degree horizontal viewing angle; anti-static, anti-glare glass; 12.1 pounds.

The VG151 has two video inputs: one 15-pin analog and one 24-pin DVI-V digital.

2001-07: I bought a beige Viewsonic VE150 1024x768 TFT LCD monitor ($419) through PC Connection, eliminating the last CRT from my set of four primary monitors.