Flat Panel Face-Off
Here we look at two new flat-panel displays, one that's ideal for widespread distribution in large offices and another that's better suited for more specialized needs and bigger budgets. The displays were tested for image quality using DisplayMate Technologies' DisplayMate for Windows Multimedia Edition Version 2.10, a program containing images and test patterns that push displays to their limits.
AOC 193P+
Envision Peripherals Inc. (EPI) makes both Envision- and AOC-branded displays. The new AOC Precision Series of flat-panel displays is ideal for business use because of its affordable price, ergonomic correctness and three-year warranty. Solution providers should consider this brand when rolling out multiple displays at once in large offices. The CRN Test Center looked at the 19-inch AOC 193P+, a unit with a fast 4-millisecond gray-to-gray response time, an attractive slim bezel design and both analog and digital inputs.
The AOC 193P+ comes with a silver-and-black finish. Its dual-hinge base provides height adjustment and tilting, and also lets the screen be folded down flat for easy viewing from above. That could be useful for displaying information in retail stores and trade shows with the display situated inside a glass-top display case. Even if it's not protected inside a display case, the 193+'s screen features an antiglare protective hard coating. The VESA-compliant display is compatible with any mounting brackets that adhere to VESA standards.
The AOC 193+ has a native resolution of 1,280 x 1,024 with a 500:1 contrast ratio. It offers a viewing angle of 150 degrees horizontal and 135 degrees vertical. Its fast response time is well-suited for both business applications as well as multimedia. Controls for the OSD menu are highly visible along the lower right edge of the bezel. Offering both analog VGA and digital DVI inputs, solution providers can match this display with any computer. It displayed sharp text, good grayscale and good white scale. The color scale was acceptable but dropped off a bit too sharply at the darker end of the color spectrum.
The display has a suggested retail price of $329.00.
AOC's partner program offers a dedicated Web portal, enhanced support and margins ranging from 10 percent to 20 percent. A three-year warranty backs up the company's products. Partners are serviced by two levels, which are based upon sales volume. The company offers rebates on some products and supplies partners with marketing support and materials. AOC's basic channel program is a good fit for AOC's basic products.
Philips 230WP7NS
Philips' high-end 230WP7NS is a 23-inch, widescreen display with a native WUXGA resolution of 1,920 x 1,200 pixels. Offering so much screen space, the display is perfect for engineering and graphics applications. Of course, a widescreen display is more or less a must for pairing with the latest Media Center PCs, where widescreen entertainment is often a main course.
The 230WP7NS offers good ergonomics. The display's base offers height, swivel and tilt adjustments, and also pivots for use in either landscape or a portrait modes. The portrait mode allows 11-inch x 14-inch pages to be displayed in a vertical orientation. The monitor's 12-millisecond overall response time enables a viewing angle of up to 178 degrees both horizontally and vertically. For comparison purposes, the 230WP7NS's gray-to-gray response time is 8ms.
Solution providers will have an easy time installing the 230WP7NS. The display features both analog VGA and digital DVI inputs for compatibility with any computer. A four-port USB 2.0 hub integrated into the monitor's bezel makes for easy connection of peripherals such as digital cameras, thumb drives and external hard drives. As a convenience, Philips bundles all necessary cables with the display, including VGA, DVI and USB. The 230WP7NS supports the Standard Color Space initiative, or sRGB, to allow for easy color calibration with sRGB-compatible printers.
Once connected to a networked computer, Philips' SmartManage technology allows the monitor to be tracked by asset management systems. Network administrators can observe usage hours, verify locations, adjust and reset display settings and so on. Image quality of this display was quite good, as it displayed very sharp text, strong grayscale and white scale and a crisp color scale as well.
The Philips 230WP7NS has an MSRP of $1,299, which includes a three-year warranty with a one-year advanced exchange policy that provides a replacement unit within 48 hours.
Philips' channel program has a vertical structure. To become an Authorized Philips Reseller, VARs must prove their business is based on business-to-business selling as opposed to selling strictly via the Internet. Authorized resellers receive evaluation units at no charge to the VAR, specially priced demo units, promotions and other rewards. Premier resellers reap all of these benefits plus more. The channel program is designed to help partners meet demand and keep the product moving without encountering additional hurdles.
