Monoprice is taking pre-orders on a 27-inch, 1440p IPS monitor. It runs at 2560x1440—the same resolution as a 27" iMac. The panel is even made by LG, which is Apple's supplier for both the Thunderbolt Display and the iMac. This is a big, beautiful, pixel-dense screen.
Fans of big, beautiful displays first noticed cheap WQHD panels about a year ago, when monitors made by Korean brands like Crossover and Yamakasi started showing up on Ebay. They were—and still are—quite the deal. The Wirecutter recommended them for folks looking for a 27" monitor on a budget. But they were shipped from Korea, and if you found dead pixels, well, good luck shipping it back. It wasn't an easy deal to score.
Then Micro Center started selling a model, and a company called Nixeus got in the game too. Even so, the cheap LG-paneled displays only really went mainstream when Monoprice started selling them. But Monoprice's version was extremely popular: it was almost never in stock, and when Monoprice found more, they sold out within minutes.
Yesterday, Monoprice started taking preorders on their CrystalPro IPS Monitor. Basically, you can reserve your spot in line: no more hovering over the sale page, waiting for it to restock. $390 plus shipping gets you your very own big-ass screen, which is a steal compared to a grand for Apple's Thunderbolt Display or $700 for Dell's Ultrasharp line. It might not be on sale, but it's a hell of a deal. [Monoprice]
Note: This should go without saying, but if you're going to drop $400 on a computer monitor you should make damn well sure it'll work with your computer. Monoprice's monitor requires a DVI-D Dual Link connection.
Even millionaires need dealz: Follow @dealzmodo
Top Deals
• 27" Monoprice CrystalPro IPS Monitor ($390) | Monoprice
• 50GB Free Storage from Tresorit | Lifehacker
Accessories
• Poetic Exact Folio for Kindle Paperwhite ($5) | Amazon via Dealmac
• 16GB TDK Flash Drive ($8) | Buydig.com via Ben's Bargains | Originally $10
• 16GB Samsung Class 10 MicroSDHC ($11.16) | All4Cellular via Dealmac | Originally $15 | Use coupon code SAVE20
• XtremeMac BT Connect Reciever ($15) | Tanga via Cheapskate Blog | Originally $45
• Xbox 360 Controller with Tomb Raider Skin ($40) | Newegg via Dealmac | Originally $50 | Use coupon code EMCXSWW57
• Logitech Harmony 1100 Universal Remote Control ($158) | Newegg via Ben's Bargains | Originally $200
• 50% Off InvisibleSHIELD from Zagg | Zagg via Slickdeals | Use coupon code ARMOR50
Miscellaneous
• Container Store Sale | Container Store via Ben's Bargains
Apple
• iPad Mini 16GB WiFi ($300) | Sam's Club | Originally $330 | Also at Walmart
• iPad 3 Refurbs ($379) | Apple Refurb Store via Dealmac
Audio
Luda's vanity-branded noise-canceling headphones are half off the street price today: they're $100 from Amazon, and $200 or $300 everywhere else. [Amazon]
• Sennheiser DJ Stero Headphones ($34) | Newegg via Dealmac | Originally $50
• Soul Noise Cancelling Headphones ($100) | Amazon via Brand Name Coupons | Originally $200
• Jawbone JAMBOX ($100) | All4Cellular via 9to5Toys | Originally $130
Gaming
• Sleeping Dogs [Steam] ($8) | Amazon via Reddit | Originally $20
• Wii Classic Controller ($12) | Amazon | Originally $20
• Dishonored [Steam] ($30) | Steam via Reddit | Originally $60
Physical Media
Nope.
Digital Media
Clothing
• Seiko 5 Military Watch ($53) | Amazon via Ben's Bargains | Originally $80
• Woolrich Mountain Parka ($90) | Woolrich via Reddit | Originally $180
• 30% off Gap | Gap via Ben's Bargains | Use coupon code GAPSHOP
• 40% Thinkgeek Backpacks | Thinkgeek via Dealmac | Try coupon code APRILONEIL for another $10 off
• Amazon Winter Clothes Clearance | Amazon via c0r3y
Dumb TV → Smart TV
Back in Febuary, we featured the Mohu Leaf antenna as the deal of the day because Adorama was selling it for $20. Amazon's selling it for $30 today, which isn't quite as good, but it's still a 25% discount on a great antenna that doesn't go on sale too often. [Amazon]
• Apple TV ($85) | Target via 9to5Toys | Originally $100
Laptops
No laptops.
Desktops
No desktops. But the deal of the day would make an excellent desktop monitor.
Tablets
• iPad Mini 16GB WiFi ($300) | Sam's Club | Originally $330 | Also at Walmart
• iPad 3 Refurbs ($379) | Apple Refurb Store via Dealmac
Screens
• Pre-Order Monoprice 27" IPS LED Monitors ($412.07) | Monoprice
• Optoma GameTime 720p DLP Projector ($570) | Amazon via Ben's Bargains | Originally $800
• Cheap 50" 4K HDTV ($1300) | Tiger Direct via Ben's Bargains
Portables
• Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini ($250) | Ebay via Ben's Bargains | Originally $350
Camera
• Kata DSLR Small Backpack ($50) | Adorama via Photography Bay | Originally $100
• Rokinon 24mm T/1.5 Wide Angle Cine Lens Canon ($600) | Buydig via Dealmac | Originally $750 | Use coupon code Cine150
• Canon Refurbished Sale | Canon via Ben's Bargains
Bare Drives
• 2TB Seagate Internal HD ($90) | Newegg via Dealmac | Originally $120 | Use coupon code EMCXSWW79
Apps
iOS
• Brotherhood of Violence ($0) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $4
• Magic Craft: The Hero of Fantasy Kingdom ($0) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $1
• Sakura Quick Math ($0) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $2
• Sonic Dash ($0) | iTunes via Dealmac | Originally $1
• TEDiSUB ($0) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $1
• Bubble Blitz ($0) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $2
iPad Only
• Bubble Blitz HD ($0) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $3
Android
• Chromasphere ($0) | Amazon Appstore via Brand Name Coupons | Originally $1.29
• Plants vs. Zombies ($1) | Google Play via Apps-aholic | Originally $3
Hobomodo
• Text SWEET to 711711 For a Free Slurpee
A note on Dealzmodo: We're professional shoppers. We wade through virtual mall after cyber storefront to figure out what's actually a bargain. Yes, we make money if you end up buying. That's capitalism, but we're absolutely looking out for your best interest. Read this if you want to know more.
DISCUSSION
So the Monoprice monitor will work for some people and those people will rave and rave and rave about it. Meanwhile, it will not work at all for the rest of us and we'll never shop there again. I just can't get over the fact that no one that writes for a reputable website (Gizmodo, Lifehacker, etc.) has had a bad experience with Monoprice. Just because it's cheap doesn't mean it's great. #neverhadagoodmonopriceexperience