Entry-level Monitor and color calibration

[roostabunny]

After several color-related challenges (and I mostly process portraits), I'm convinced now that I need to start saving for a new monitor.

Some minimal research has taught me that I need to be in the market for an IPS LCD.

I will have to go toward the low end budget-wise, but curious if anyone has any experience with the NEC EA231WMi-BK, HP ZR22w, or Viewsonic VP2365wb (all in the "just over $200" range) or other units you use with acceptable color accuracy in that price range?

Also curious about entry-level calibration. Can I rent? How often do you calibrate? Are units not that expensive? What's the minimum to say I'm getting anything for my investment?

No snobbery, if you please (part of me fears that this is like asking about the "best motor oil" on my motorcycle forum). If I have to buy a $1200 monitor to get accurate monitor color, then I will give up on having accurate monitor color and learn to calibrate my brain instead.

Thanks for any tips!

[DoctorP]

I have the same problem with my laptop. I process my photo and then have it printed and it is either darker or lighter or any number of differences than what I expected it to be. I use a dell laptop and have never had it calibrated. It's just not in the budget for me right now. However I have found that if I hook my laptop to my LCD TV and use it as a monitor what I see on the tv is very close to what I see when I print. Cheap but effective. I'm not a pro by any means but I do like my shots to turn out as I have edited them and this method certainly does that.

Scott

[JFSanders]

Dell ultra sharp U-2410. Not much more than your budget and comes pretty well calibrated from the factory. I LOVE MINE.

Jim

[roostabunny]

Thanks, Scott! Yeah, I have a Media PC hooked into a Vizio flatscreen in the living room, and seriously considering installing the GIMP on that for final color adjustments until I get the monitor I want. Not perfect, but better than the others in the house.

Thank, Jim, I've read really good things about those Dells, too!