The Latest Look At LCDs
I tested eight monitors ranging in size from 17 inches to a mammoth 20.1 inches from LCD vendors BenQ, CTX, NEC-Mitsubishi, Philips, Planar, Samsung, Sony and ViewSonic. These models were the latest ones available from the vendors at the time of the review. Prices for these units were in the $550 to $1,100 range; although that's a wide spread, it's typical for these kinds of displays and an indication of the variation in features available.
I connected this passel of panels to various Windows and Macintosh desktops and laptops running Windows XP and Mac OS/X and OS 9.2. My preference was to initially test each monitor without installing special software drivers, checking image quality and usability of the various on-screen menu features. If needed, I would then install any of the drivers that were included. All in all, every monitor worked well. The real issue for VARs is deciding whether the "extras" are worth the additional cost.
All eight monitors were capable of at least connecting to a single computer via a standard analog VGA connector and displaying an image of 1,280-x-1,024 dpi resolution. ViewSonic's higher-priced display, the VP201s, displayed images at the highest refresh frequencies of the bunch. The higher the refresh frequency, the easier the monitor is on your eyes, especially when viewing for extended periods of time.
With the exception of BenQ's FP767-12 monitor, all the others in this roundup come with multiple inputs that span both digital-video and standard VGA-input connectors. Certainly, the image quality with a digital-video connector is superior, particularly when doing digital-video editing or intensive photographic manipulation. However, all of these monitors do a great job of displaying most general-purpose applications, and the 19-inch and larger screens are gorgeous when compared with equivalent CRT monitors.
What I think makes the Sony SDM-X93 unique among this group of displays is its ability to switch easily among its multiple inputs. It is also equipped with a second VGA connector so it can be shared among three different CPUs. When it comes to eliminating desktop clutter, that is a very nice feature, indeed. The other monitors can switch inputs via a series of on-screen menu prompts, but that's not as simple or as convenient as pushing a real button like the one on the SDM-X93's front panel.
Speaking of crowded desktops, all the monitors except those from NEC (MultiSync LCD1960NXi), Samsung (SyncMaster 172X) and ViewSonic came with built-in stereo speakers. While that isn't essential, it is a nice feature to have, especially for overloaded power strips, because you save an additional AC adapter to power the speakers. The Planar PL1910M offers the best compromise between video and audio quality; while not stellar in either category, it worked well enough.
Some other odds and ends: The CTX S962G monitor came with a DOS-command line utility that I couldn't get working with XP to adjust the audio. Interestingly, the lowest-priced monitor from BenQ was informally judged to have the best sonic quality of the bunch.
No doubt, the ViewSonic and Sony monitors stood out--as well they should given their higher price tags. Their overall image quality, always a subjective matter, anyway, was superior. As mentioned earlier, the Sony unit has a built-in input switcher, while the ViewSonic VP201s has the ability to pivot in either horizontal or vertical orientation, the latter useful for page layouts and some spreadsheet applications. To take advantage of this feature, you will need to install a special software driver, which only functions with Windows. The ViewSonic also comes with an integrated USB 2.0 hub, again a nice addition and space-saver.
One of the reasons to switch from CRT to LCD panels has to do with power consumption, and several of the monitors offer additional low-power options in sleep mode. Most notable here is the Samsung unit, which can sleep and consumes less than 1 watt of power. (NEC's monitor takes about 2 watts, which is still pretty good for those customers worried about energy costs.) For Samsung's sleep mode, you'll also need to install special software.
A few notes about some of the specifications mentioned in the summary table (see "A Look At the Latest LCD Monitors," below). The BenQ monitor features a very fast 12-nanosecond response time. This makes it useful for video editing and other fast-moving applications, although the general-purpose video quality wasn't as good as some of the others. The CTX and Philips monitors sport 700:1 contrast ratios, making colors and text sharper. Many of the monitors can deliver wide viewing angles in both horizontal and vertical directions; the NEC stands out with a whopping 176-degree specification. NEC also makes it easier for VARs to add touch-screen electronics in their bezels. Finally, the Philips monitor comes with special Windows software called LightFrame that is used to enhance the photo quality displayed, and at the same time can optimize the monitor for text applications.
My bottom line? BenQ offers the best value, while Sony offers the best overall video quality and is great for multiple-CPU desktops.