Five Inexpensive FPDs Shine Bright
Smaller, 15-inch flat-panel displays now cost less than $200, but most users have already been spoiled with larger displays. Nineteen-inch flat-panels are a nice size, but they can still be somewhat pricey. That brings us to the 17-inch category. Here we look at five entry-level 17-inch flat-panel displays from BenQ, CTX, Philips, Planar and Samsung. All the vendors offer similar channel programs and margins, but the CTX unit offers good performance and the best value.
Besides their appearance, these displays have a lot in common. All have a native resolution of 1,280 x 1,024, which is easy on the eyes.
All have an internal power supply, so resellers don't have to deal with external power supplies. All are analog-only with no digital DVI input. All have a three-year warranty, and all cost less than $300. The displays were tested for image quality using DisplayMate Multimedia Edition and a Hewlett-Packard desktop system with an Intel 82865G graphics controller.
BenQ FP71G+
BenQ's 17-inch FP71G+ is technologically up to date with an 8ms response time, a horizontal viewing angle of 140 degrees and a vertical viewing angle of 130 degrees. This display costs $299, making it the most expensive unit in the bunch, but there's no reason why it should cost more than the others. The FP71G+ has a standard VESA mount and comes with a snap-on base that tilts; it does not swivel or pivot. The display has a black and silver exterior that looks fancier than the all-black units but doesn't have as good a fit and finish as the CTX unit.
The FP71G+, however, has a good set of on-screen display (OSD) controls and a separate auto-setup button so users don't have to hunt through OSD menus to find the function.
The BenQ unit was shipped in the smallest box of all the units tested. Solution providers that often keep multiple displays in stock may be interested to know that twice as many of the BenQ displays will fit in the same amount of storage space as the Philips unit, which came in the largest box. This display also sends less packaging waste to landfills.
The BenQ unit produced an acceptable image, but nothing about the display was above average. If solution providers can get the best price from BenQ, or if they already do a lot of business with BenQ, then there's no reason not to go with the FP71G+; it's good for everyday use. Otherwise, there are more impressive displays to choose from that cost the same or less.
The BenQ Qreseller program has been in place for three years. Qreseller comprises two levels of membership: Qreseller and Platinum Qreseller. Qreseller is open to all resellers while Platinum Qresellers must sell $75,000 per quarter in BenQ products purchased through authorized distributors. Partner benefits include lead referrals, seeding units, MDF, sales support and training, and more. The average solution provider margin is 15 percent.
CTX S762A
The CTX S762A is the best-looking unit of all those tested. Housed in a silver and black enclosure, the S762A has a high-quality fit and finish. The OSD buttons are clearly labeled and easy to see. It has an effective auto-adjust function, but it's hidden within the OSD menu. The attached tilting base folds flat for shipping. This display costs just $249, making it also the least expensive unit.
The CTX S762A has a viewing angle of 160 degrees both horizontally and vertically, with a response time of 16ms. CTX equipped the display with a pair of built-in speakers so users won't need external speakers that can clutter their desktop. The display also has a handle on the back for carrying it and lifting it out of the box; it's a nice touch and a great convenience.
Image quality is above average. Good image quality combined with built-in speakers make this monitor ideal for both business and pleasure. It also offers the most value.
CTX's channel program was established in 1989. The single-level program provides an average solution provider margin of 15 percent. There are no authorization requirements, and benefits include advanced express warranty replacement, sales and marketing support, demo and evaluation equipment, lead referrals and more. Training is available via the Web.
Philips 170S6FB
Philips' 17-inch 170S6FB LCD monitor has a slim design with a 12ms response time. This unit has a horizontal viewing angle of 160 degrees and a vertical viewing angle of 140 degrees.
IT departments will like Philips' SmartManage function, which provides LAN-based asset management capabilities to help keep track of IT resources and prevent theft. This display costs $259.99.
Finished in black, the Philips display doesn't feel as sturdy as the competition. The tilting base folds flat for shipping or storage.
This display has more OSD buttons than most, making it easy to navigate the OSD menus. It has a separate auto-setup button. The 170S6FB displayed good image quality, making it ideal for everyday use.
The Philips channel program has been in place for more than three years but is being restructured. It soon will transition to a tiered program with multiple partner levels and corresponding benefits and awards. Few details were available at the time of this writing, and Philips would not disclose profit margins.
Planar PL1700
Planar's 17-inch PL1700 LCD monitor has a response time of 12ms, along with a horizontal viewing angle of 150 degrees and a vertical viewing angle of 135 degrees.
The snap-on base tilts but does not pivot or swivel. The OSD buttons could be more intuitive, and there's no separate button for the auto-setup function as it's hidden within one of the OSD menus. This display costs $259.
The image quality of the Planar unit is about average, although text appeared a bit sharper on this unit than on the other units. The PL1700 is the best choice for users who stare at text most of the day.
Like all the other manufacturers, Planar covers this display with a three-year warranty. But Planar provides free two-day advance replacement, including shipping both ways, for all three years. This could mean big savings for installations where hundreds of monitors are in use—not that many of them should fail.
Planar's channel program has been in existence for four years. Multiple partner levels include direct programs and programs for partners purchasing through distribution. Annual sales determine the partner level. Elements of the program include MDF, volume incentive rebates, sales rep incentive programs and on-site training. The average solution provider margin is 12 percent to 15 percent.
Samsung 710N
Samsung's SyncMaster 710N produced the best image quality of all the units tested. It displays a very bright, crisp, sharp and vivid image. It has a wide viewing angle of 160 degrees both horizontally and vertically and a response time of 12ms. The display is available in black or ivory to match virtually any system. The Samsung display costs $259.
The SyncMaster 710N's control buttons are hard to read, but the OSD menus are easy to navigate once a user is familiar with the buttons. Fortunately, Samsung equips the display with a separate auto-setup button so users can access the function easily.
Samsung's Power Partner program was revamped in January 2002 to include three levels based on sales revenue of Samsung products and market potential. Benefits include a sales incentive fund, a reward program, rebates, bid pricing, government and education pricing, free collaterals, a training program, a leasing program and a toll-free reseller line. The average reseller margin is 15 percent.
