LCD Monitors

Choosing a size

In determining the monitor size you want, the diagonal measurement is less important than the resolution (number of pixels) and shape. A larger diagonal size does not necessarily mean a monitor has more pixels.

Conventional (4:3 aspect ratio) 17- and 19-inch monitors both have 1280 x 1024 resolution -- this means that while you'll see the same amount of a web page on the screen, the text and graphics will appear larger on a 19-inch model. Widescreen monitors that range from 20 to 22 inches have a 1680 x 1050 resolution. With the larger screens in these cases, you get a wider screen, but about the same amount of usable vertical space. That makes everything a little bigger, which is an advantage if you find larger text easier to read. The trade-off is that text quality will not be as fine.

With the transition to widescreen monitors, screen size specifications can be misleading. Most 19-inch widescreen monitors, for instance, have less resolution (1440 x 900 = 1,260,000 pixels) than a conventional 19-inch monitor (1280 x 1024 = 1,310,720 pixels), even though both have the same diagonal measurement.

If you have an older computer -- especially one with integrated video -- it might not support a very large monitor. As a first step, check the specifications for your video card or computer to find out what resolutions it will support.

Types of LCD panels

LCD monitors use a variety of flat panels; the panel is the "guts" behind the frame and stand of the LCD monitor. Panels are made by only a few companies, and many monitor brands actually use the same panel behind different frames and stands.

Most inexpensive and general-use monitors use TN (Twisted Nematic) technology. TN panels have several disadvantages compared to more expensive types, including narrow viewing angles, light blacks and inaccurate color reproduction. But unless you use your computer monitor extensively for editing photos or watching movies, or spend hours at a time editing documents or working on spreadsheets, TN panels are a reasonable and inexpensive choice. For gamers, TN panels are actually preferred since they have a faster response time. But the biggest advantage is that they are the least expensive type of panel. Most budget and many mainstream LCD monitors use TN panels.

If you have a bigger monitor budget, experts say two other panel types offer some advantages for certain users. For office use, especially if you spend lots of time working in word processing, spreadsheet or database programs, a monitor with a VA (vertical alignment) LCD panel might make sense. That's because a VA panel has a better contrast ratio than a TN panel, easing eyestrain when used for long stretches. VA panel variations include MVA (Multi-Domain) and PVA (Patterned); the comments above apply to both. AMVA (Advanced MVA) and S-PVA (Super-PVA) panels have better contrast than standard VA panels.

While VA panels have better color reproduction than TN panels, if you do semi-pro photo editing, video editing or other graphics-intensive work, a monitor with an IPS (In-Plane Switching) panel might be worth its premium price. Such monitors have the best color accuracy and wide viewing angles so they can be used effectively in a group setting. S-IPS (Super) and P-IPS (Premium) are the best quality IPS panels.

Other types of panels exist, but are uncommon in computer monitors. Note that many manufacturers don't disclose what type of panel a monitor uses, though some third-party sites attempt to provide that information. Those are listed in Best Research, below. While there certainly are exceptions, where a manufacturer doesn't disclose the type of panel, it is probably safe to assume it is an inexpensive TN panel.

Best general purpose LCD monitors

For general use, TN-based monitors remain a practical choice. Though they are outshined by more expensive monitors using more advanced LCD panels, reviews point out that many TN monitors are strong performers in their own right, especially if you respect their limits. All of the general-purpose monitors below use TN panels.

Currently, 17-inch LCD monitors are the smallest commonly available size. Unfortunately, reviewers don't often cover these models. Even Consumer Reports has stopped rating 17-inch LCD monitors.

That's not to say that some useful guidance can't be found. For example, if you want a 17-inch monitor, you could consider one in a series in which another size is strongly recommended in reviews. For example, the 17-inch Samsung 740BX (*est. $220) is a good bet since it’s the smaller version of the highly rated 19-inch Samsung 940BX (*est. $260) .

User reviews can also be good guidance. The Samsung 740N-BK (*est. $190) and Hanns·G HW-173DBB (*est. $150) have lots of user reviews and the top average ratings among 17-inch LCD monitors at Newegg.com. The Benq FP72G+S (*est. $230) has some support elsewhere.

Among 19-inch widescreen LCD monitors, most of what we saw regarding the HP w1907 (*est. $225) is encouraging. It has a glossy screen, which bothers some people in general, but reaction in this case is positive. Computer Shopper rates the HP w1907 the best 19-inch LCD monitor. Reviewer Les Shu says, “The screen rendered gray-scale images well, something we don't normally see in low-cost 19-inch LCDs.” He adds, “The w1907 also showed generally good color reproduction.” Text quality is good, but small font sizes are difficult to read.

The HP w1907 ranks second on PC World’s chart of the best 19-inch monitors, with sharp text and good graphics quality. The HP widescreen monitor fares very well in user reviews at CircuitCity.com, Amazon.com, Newegg.com and CNet.com.

The Viewsonic VX1940w (*est. $220) is another strong contender among 19-inch widescreen monitors. Techtree.com thinks it’s a good value, and it tested well with text, graphics, games and movies. The Viewsonic VX1940w uniquely has 1680 x 1050 resolution; other 19-inch widescreen monitors only have 1400 x 900 resolution. It gives you the same usability as a 20-, 21- or 22-inch monitor, but takes up less space and costs less. One obvious negative is that text and icons are smaller than on conventional 19-inch widescreen monitors, bit Bit-tech.net's Jeremy Laird says image quality is “razor-sharp.” and that it is a good general-use LCD monitor.

Moving up in screen size, many 20-inch monitors with conventional (4:3) aspect ratios have 1600 x 1200 pixel resolution, but cheaper models only have 1400 x 1050 resolution. The 1600 x 1200 resolution is ideal for graphic artists and those who work with photos, since it's close to the resolution of a 2-megapixel digital photo, which allows editors to work at full resolution with photos at 2 megapixels or smaller. Widescreen monitors are made in diagonal sizes from 20 to 22 inches; all have 1680 x 1050 resolution.

Widescreen 20-inch monitors are the cheapest in this group. They are slightly taller than conventional 17-inch monitors, but much wider. The HP L2045w (*est. $280) is a moderately priced TN-based 20-inch widescreen monitor. Although it can be slow at rendering fast-moving images, X-bit Labs says, “This model stands out from among the crowd of TN-based monitors with similar characteristics thanks to its very neat color reproduction setup and good ergonomics.” GCN also praises image quality. John Breeden says, “The HP L2045W was impressive in its display of fine details and it’s good for video viewing.” He thinks it’s an excellent value.

MaximumPC gives the HP L2045w a very high rating. Katherine Stevenson says, “In our tests, the screen produced a deep, uniform black, with virtually no evidence of backlight seepage. Grayscale reproduction was also strong.” Like other reviewers, PC Magazine says the HP is good for office use and gaming or movies, but down-rates it for a lack of features. Owners love this model; most users at Newegg.com award it the top rating. The L2045w has a three-year limited warranty with on-site service.

PC World rates the 20-inch HP w2007 (*est. $270) as the best 20-inch monitor. Reviewer Roy Santos says it has “great graphics and text, and a reasonable price.” The glossiness bothered him occasionally. PC Magazine's John Delaney says the W2007's glossy screen could be too reflective for some people and he criticizes the one-year limited warranty. CNet.com gives it a high rating, but would prefer more features and better movie playback. Like its sibling, the w2007 has excellent average ratings in user reviews at Amazon.com and Newegg.com.

The price jump between 20- and 22-inch monitors is actually quite small on average, but not all reviewers are enamored by the quality of the LCD panels typically used in the larger size. For example, AnandTech’s Jarred Walton counsels, “Despite their popularity 22-inch LCDs are not at present able to match the overall quality of other LCDs." He adds, that "for some, the extra 2 inches in size might be enough to justify that tradeoff, but for once we're not going to recommend the larger size without some reservations.”

The 22-inch Samsung SyncMaster 2232BW (*est. $330) is one of two winners in a roundup review of ten monitors conducted by BeHardware.com. It’s also one of the two best in an X-bit Labs roundup of a dozen 22-inch monitors. Reviews say the monitor has distinctive, rounded styling that you may or may not find attractive. Reviewers do note that the monitor lacks adjustability and features. Overall, however, reviewers agree that the widescreen Samsung LCD monitor is one of the better choices.

The entertainment-oriented 22-inch Dell SP2208WFP (*est. $300) is selected as an Editor’s Choice by PC Magazine and CNet.com. It’s loaded with features, including an HDMI port, a webcam with microphones and a USB hub (speakers are optional). PC Magazine’s John Delaney concludes, “If you're looking for a full-featured 22-inch display, this model should be at the top of your list.” He finds only minor flaws, such as a poor viewing angle. Colors are sharp and text is readable down to a 5.3-point font. The SP2208WFP performed exceptionally well in CNet’s DisplayMate tests. Matthew Elliott was also delighted with it when playing games and watching movies.

Techtree.com India says that the 22-inch Dell E228WFP (*est. $290) is fine for home use, but has limitations: "The Dell E228WFP is a great monitor for average users who would want to use it to see movies, play games; just anything else but professional image or movie editing." MaximumPC says quality is average in image testing and usage tests. Katherine Stevenson notes, "It lacks a richness and vibrancy that we’ve found in our favorite screens … still, it’s not a bad buy for the price." We've included the Samsung 2232BW in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers as the best 22-incher, but the Dell would not be a bad choice.

Budget large-screen monitors

If you want a really big screen, the Samsung SyncMaster 245BW (*est. $450) is a good value in its size class. It is the first monitor this big with a TN panel. Color accuracy and contrast are surprisingly good, according to X-bit Labs. Oleg Artamonov cautions that the limited viewing angles of a TN panel are exaggerated at this size. From a sitting position, some of your normal viewing could be off-axis.

TFT Central’s Baker says the Samsung 245BW’s text is “crisp and clear,” but he advises that some people will be bothered by the limited viewing angles. This LCD monitor is great for playing games. “The performance from the panel, despite being TN Film, is also good in many regards, with its only obvious weakness being the viewing angles,” he concludes. We found more than 50 user reviews of the Samsung 245BW at Amazon.com. Owners echo the reviewer’s findings. This is a good monitor for play, but not well suited to work.

The 24-inch HP w2408 (*est. $450) is a direct competitor to the Samsung SyncMaster 245BW. MaximumPC rates it fairly highly, but contradictorily. Katherine Stevenson says, “Despite all the features in its favor, the w2408’s performance failed to win us over.” She says that flaws revealed in DisplayMate tests weren’t evident in real-world use, however.

At AnandTech, Jarred Walton says the HP w2408 is OK, “but it's still a TN panel,” and not a good value. PC Magazine, Computer Shopper and others have generally favorable reviews; ExtremeTech does not. Jason Cross summarizes, “If you really need an affordable 24" widescreen monitor that swivels to portrait view, this will do. For most users, you would be better off spending a little more to avoid the image-quality problems of HP's latest monitor.”

Best specialty LCD monitors for office work

While general-purpose and budget monitors will satisfy many users, high-end choices typically use more advanced VA and IPS technology that can be important for many applications.

Most 17- to 19- inch monitors use TN LCD panels. If you want a panel in this screen size range for full-time office work, the 19-inch HP LP1965 (*est. $315) bears consideration. As Aleksey Meyev of X-bit Labs notes, this 4:3 monitor is one of the few 19-inch options that uses a VA panel instead of a cheaper TN panel. This model has the ability to rotate into portrait mode, which is also a benefit when working on documents.

Surprisingly, though contrast is a strong point with VA panels, Meyev isn't overly impressed with the LP1965's performance in that regard. Otherwise, however, it's judged fast, with good usability and wide viewing angles. PC World reviewed the HP LP1965 LCD monitor more than a year ago. The magazine’s panelists found crisp text quality in office applications, and graphics and photo quality were also very good. While this LCD monitor gets good user reviews in general, the HP LP1965 has only a middling score from users at Newegg.com.

The strongest argument against this non-widescreen LCD monitor is that the price difference between it and the 20-inch HP LP2065 (*est. $360) is relatively small, making the LP2065 a better value. The HP LP2065 has the best text quality of any monitor tested in GCN’s roundup. Its color accuracy is good too, but it’s very poor at displaying shades of gray. PC Magazine oddly found grayscale performance to be one of this monitor’s strengths. The monitor is fully adjustable and can rotate 90 degrees. As it is marketed as a business monitor, the LP2065 has a three-year limited warranty with next-business-day on-site service.

The HP LP2065 monitor earns favorable reviews and moderately high ratings from a number of reviewers, including PC Magazine and CNet. User satisfaction is very high. Price is a criticism of reviewers, but typical prices were about twice as high when this monitor was reviewed. It’s clearly a good value now.

Widescreen 24-inch LCD monitors have 1920 x 1200 resolution. "The resolution of 1920 x 1200 is as high as you can go with a single-link graphics card," according to TrustedReviews, so at this point you have to be mindful of your hardware limitations. Reviewers disagree about the practicality of a huge monitor. Some unequivocally think bigger is better. Others think they are too big.

Simon Baker conducts exhaustive tests of the 24-inch Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP (*est. $600) for TFT Central. He says the monitor’s ergonomics and connectivity options are fantastic. Text quality is generally good. Baker acknowledges that it’s a matter of personal preference, but he finds 1920 x 1200 resolution to be ideal for office work. “The resolution easily affords you enough desktop real estate for side by side working,” he says. Color accuracy is a major weakness, according to Baker, and blurring in video is evident. Yet he concludes, “The 2408WFP is still an excellent choice offering great all round performance and features.” The S-PVA monitor has a full complement of connectors, including a USB hub.

The 24-inch NEC MultiSync LCD2470WNX (*est. $790) earns awards from TrustedReviews.com, I4UNews.com and others. The LCD2470WNX is versatile. The LCD monitor has business-oriented features, including full adjustability, rotation and a USB hub, yet in his tests for I4UNews.com, Shane McGlaun decided it was very good for entertainment, too. Benny Har-Even of TrustedReviews recommends it for photographers. The LCD2470WNX has an S-PVA display.

Bit-tech.net gives a high rating to the 24-inch widescreen Hyundai W241D (*est. $495), a 24-inch PVA monitor that doesn’t cost much more than the budget TN monitors covered above. Jeremy Laird compares those options and advises that it should be on the shortlist of those who can stretch their budgets just a little bit further to "enjoy a more vibrant but not necessarily more accurate PVA model.” It’s not reviewed elsewhere.

Best LCD monitors for photo and video editing

If you do a lot of photo editing, 4:3 monitors in the 20- to 22-inch size seem to be the best option according to reviews.

GCN compared eleven LCD monitors and determined that the NEC MultiSync LCD2190UXi (*est. $1,020) is the best in all aspects of performance and use. Reviewer John Breeden would unhesitatingly recommend it if it weren't so expensive. The 21.3-inch monitor has a conventional 4:3 aspect ratio; NEC markets it as a professional product rather than a consumer product. It has an S-IPS panel and every feature you could expect from a product with a premium price. Breeden adds, "Text was extremely easy to read on the LCD2190UXi screen, particularly gray text over a black field, another testimony to its grayscale color reproduction." Full-motion video is also excellent.

X-bit Labs compares the LCD2190UXi with the 21-inch NEC MultiSync LCD2190UXp (*est. $845) and the 20-inch Samsung SyncMaster XL20 (*est. $1,200) without expressing a preference for one over another. Reviewer Oleg Artamonov’s description of the differences between the two NEC monitors fits the standard distinction between S-IPS monitors like the LCD2190UXi and S-PVA monitors like the LCD2190UXp.

The high price of the Samsung SyncMaster XL20 is partially attributable to LED backlighting. Reviewers see this as a coming trend in high-end displays. The XL20 comes with a color-calibration device. This LCD monitor has an AMVA (Advanced MVA) panel. TrustedReviews.com gives it a Recommended award and the maximum rating for image quality. Benny Har-Even gushes, “I've never seen an LCD display with colours as rich.”

TFT Central is also very impressed with the XL20. Simon Baker explains, “It is capable of offering not only some excellent performance in its target area, colour work, but also in other areas as well.” He adds, “The only thing which was a little disappointing was the black depth of the screen.”

The 20-inch NEC MultiSync LCD2090UXi (*est. $800) receives mixed reviews. X-bit Labs recommends this S-IPS model for image-editing applications, but says it’s expensive for any other purpose. Oleg Artamonov advises, “This is a model for people who are perfectly sure what they want to get from their PC monitor and are ready to pay for that.”

BeHardware.com agrees that the NEC provides great color accuracy, but says the monitor isn’t suitable for movie watching or games. PC Magazine concurs. John Delaney sees it as much more of a professional than consumer product.

If you need a professional model for working with images, and can afford it, GCN says the 24-inch Eizo S2431W (*est. $1,300) is the best. All-around image quality and uniformity of brightness are superb. Eizo monitors have no retail distribution, but reviews are always very favorable. Value is questioned. The monitor uses an S-PVA panel.

The 24-inch NEC LCD2490WUXi (*est. $1,105) is selected as a Reviewer’s Choice by GCN. John Breeden says it “excelled in all display categories, especially readable text.” Resistance to glare is another virtue. We found no other formal reviews, but some interesting discussion in several photography forums confirms this is a serious contender for photo editing -- not a surprise since it uses an S-IPS panel.

The Samsung SyncMaster 275T (*est. $1,045) is very widely reviewed and is a nearly unanimous choice as the best 27-inch LCD monitor. PC World, ExtremeTech.com and many others all reach that conclusion. ExtremeTech raves, “It outperforms almost any monitor we have yet tested.”

The Samsung 275T has an S-PVA panel, yet most reviewers agree that is intended for movies and games. Some reviewers say text quality isn’t great. As the monitor has 1920 x 1200 resolution -- the same as 24-inch monitors -- that’s to be expected. Reviewers agree that color is great and ghosting is non-existent.

The Samsung 275T has every type of input and a USB Hub. The stand is adjustable and the base swivels. Alternatively, the LCD monitor can be mounted to a wall. The monitor has picture-in-picture capability, but reviewers fail to explain how this feature differs from ordinary Windows capabilities.

30-inch big-screen LCD monitors

Huge, 30-inch LCD monitors have 2560 x 1600-pixel native resolution and require the use of a high-end video card that supports a dual-link DVI connection. That means a monitor of this size is only an option for power users. If you have the desk space and the means, a 30-inch LCD monitor is a luxury. Some reviewers would enjoy living with a 30-inch monitor; others would not. Loyd Case of ExtremeTech, for example, thinks two 24-inch monitors would be a better value. Most reviewers say the qualitative differences between 30-inch monitors are not huge.

We found many reviews of the Gateway XHD3000 (*est. $1,700) . This monitor only has a one-year limited warranty, which is not common for monitors in general, but is common for Gateway, which is primarily regarded as a budget brand. We think that caveat needs mentioning before telling you that reviewers love this behemoth.

ExtremeTech says, “We think that the Gateway XHD3000's mix of excellent overall image quality and the flexibility inherent by using a sophisticated video processor, makes this an almost exceptional display.” The review explains that the monitor is very versatile because you can hook up so many devices to it and it does most things very well.

PC World’s viewing panel preferred the Gateway to competing LCD monitors from Samsung and Dell. Computer Shopper selects it as an Editor’s Choice. Les Shu likes it as a television monitor as well as a computer monitor. Techgage Networks also selects it as an Editor’s Choice. All reviews think image quality is fabulous. MaximumPC rates it over 30-inch models from Apple, Dell, HP and Samsung. Its big advantage is scaling technology that allows the monitor to run at multiple resolutions. This big Gateway monitor uses an S-PVA panel.

The older HP LP3065 (*est. $1,400) racks up honors like the Gateway. Note that it cost several hundred dollars more when reviewed, and some reviewers down-rated it based on price. HotHardware.com, I4UNews.com, TrustedReviews and AnandTech all name it the best 30-inch LCD monitor. PC World and ExtremeTech are among the other reviewers to also give it high ratings.

The HP has an S-IPS panel. Reviewers say image quality is spectacular. That’s pretty standard for 30-inch LCD monitors, all of which are flagship statement products for the manufacturers.

The widescreen Samsung SyncMaster 305T (*est. $1,230) has an S-PVA panel. It earns top ratings from TrustedReviews.com, PC World and PC Magazine. Reviews are older, and the monitor is not compared with current competitors. TrustedReviews’ Riyad Emeran concludes, "Once you get used to having this much desktop real estate, along with bright and vibrant colours and crystal clear image quality, you’ll never want to use another screen again."

The 30-inch widescreen Dell UltraSharp 3008WFP (*est. $2,000) is the newest and most expensive 30-inch LCD monitor. It has an S-IPS panel. Among its many connection options is a DisplayPort jack. This is supposedly the forthcoming method for connecting all computers to monitors.

The Dell has the weakest support from reviewers for any 30-inch monitor. BeHardware.com says the performance doesn’t match the price. ExtremeTech cites the same technical flaws. Computer Shopper and PC World give higher ratings to competing products. However, some other reviews, such as HotHardware.com, think it is the best in its class. Even those who strongly criticize it call the Dell a great monitor. The consensus is that it’s a poor value.

About dead pixels

A pixel is an individual module made up of three sub-pixels -- one each of red, green and blue. A screen's resolution (such as 1280 x 1024) tells you how many horizontal and vertical pixels make up the screen.

Malfunctioning pixels are surprisingly common. They can be stuck in either lit or unlit mode or one of the sub-pixels can be stuck, which is the most common problem. A dead pixel most likely means you'll see a tiny red, blue, or green dot on your screen. You might think that a dead pixel would be enough to invoke your warranty, but that usually isn't true. Companies have varying policies on how many pixels must be dead or stuck before they will replace your LCD panel. These policies change often, and can vary by monitor model or screen size. Manufacturers' websites should be a good source for up-to-date information, but reviewers say it can be impossible to find. French website BeHardware.com surveyed manufacturers and a major online retailer, publishing results in May 2007. In the short run, manufacturer responses in that report are probably the best source of information, but keep in mind that policies might be different in the U.S. The article also describes the industry standards for dead pixels.

According to BeHardware.com, policies are fairly similar, and generally not consumer-friendly. ViewSonic is the only major manufacturer to report that it will, in some cases, replace a monitor with a single dead pixel. For buyers, this is only going to make a difference if you get a panel that has or develops dead pixels, which certainly isn't a given. But, you can hedge your bets by going with a company that tries to better the standard, or one that at least has a written policy in place. Many experts say that you may not mind a dead pixel, especially if you have a high-resolution LCD monitor. A free program called Dead Pixel Buddy will let you easily scan your screen for dead pixels. See Best Research below for a link.

Important Features: LCD monitors

Here's what experts say to consider when choosing an LCD monitor:

• LCD panel types make a difference. A monitor using VA panel technology is a great choice for business use as it reduces eye strain when working on documents or spreadsheets for long stretches of time. If you have the budget, they are great for multipurpose use as well. A monitor with a TN panel is cheaper, but also faster, and therefore best for gaming. TN panels aren’t the best, but they are more than satisfactory for most general purpose uses as well. IPS-based LCD monitors are best for image editing, but very expensive.

• Widescreen displays have weaknesses. Experts say that lighting, brightness and viewing angles on widescreen monitors are often not uniform throughout the display. Reviewers frequently mention distortion around the edges. The technology introduces video noise. Conventional shapes avoid this problem. Furthermore, experts say that quality declines as size increases with monitors larger than 20 inches.

• Get a monitor with response time compensation for gaming. X-bit Labs says this capability makes a big difference in performance.

• Resolution consists of the number of pixels displayed in a horizontal row multiplied by the number of pixels displayed vertically. More pixels means you can see more information on your screen at once. Most monitors allow you to adjust settings to lower resolutions, which can be necessary for people with vision challenges. However, unlike CRTs, LCD monitors usually work best at what’s called their "native resolution."

• A monitor's contrast ratio is the difference in light intensity between the brightest white and the deepest black. This specification can help you determine how rich the color will be in on-screen images. Unfortunately, this is another specification without an official standard, so be suspicious of vendor claims.

• The viewing angle is how far you can move to the left or right (or above and below) the screen's center and still see a satisfactory image. This specification is important if you are using the monitor for presentations, or if more than one person is viewing at a time. It is also more critical for larger-screen monitors. Again, since there’s no official standard for this specification, it’s best to view the monitor for yourself if this might be a concern.

• Consider adjustability features. Some LCD monitors are height-adjustable; they can tilt forward and back, swivel from side to side, pivot between landscape and portrait views and mount on a wall. These features are critical for some users but unimportant for others. Most individual users will set up the monitor and have no further need for any adjustments. However, families with multiple users may prefer a monitor that is easy to adjust.

• Except for entry-level models, most LCD monitors provide both analog and digital (DVI) connectors. While both connectors will generally provide acceptable performance, if you have a video card with a DVI output, DVI may produce a better image.

• Look for a three-year warranty. Although three-year warranties are standard, some manufacturers only provide one-year coverage for some or all models. Manufacturers use warranties as a marketing tool: longer warranties are often meant to indicate better parts and build quality. A short warranty can be the catch behind a low price.

• Extras like video inputs and USB ports are nice, if you'll use them. Video inputs make it possible to feed a monitor a signal from sources such as a DVD player. A few newer monitors have HDMI inputs.

• Look for Windows Vista compatibility if you plan or hope to watch high-definition movies on your monitor. Vista incorporates a content protection scheme called HDCP, which stands for High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection. Its purpose is to prevent video piracy by encrypting the signal between the source and the display device. If you play a high-definition video from a Blu-ray disc or a computer file, Vista will first check to make sure your monitor is HDCP compliant. If it isn’t, Vista will reduce the resolution. This is only an issue if you plan to use the monitor to view high-definition movies and other content on a Windows Vista system. Look for packages with a "Works with Windows Vista" logo. Vista imposes no special requirements on monitors for most other purposes. HDCP-compliant monitors will have an HDCP-compliant DVI input or an HDMI input (all HDMI inputs are HDCP compliant).

Be aware that not all monitors are compatible with all computers. Most have analog and digital inputs, but some only have analog inputs. Older video cards and computers with integrated video rarely have digital outputs. Some new ones may lack analog outputs. Therefore, be sure that the monitor you choose has the port you need. Experts disagree about whether a digital connection provides image improvement, but they can prevent interference. Some monitors don’t include a digital cable in the box.

Monitors larger than 27 inches require specific video cards to drive their higher resolution. Manufacturers post compatible video cards on their websites. If you are considering a large LCD monitor and you have an older computer, be sure your graphics card can support the monitor.

A number of LCD monitors are not Macintosh-compatible (though some will work with an adapter). Many monitors that work with Macintosh computers have less functionality than they do with PCs.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Model (with retailer links)	Details from Amazon.com	Size
4	Gateway XHD3000 (*est. $1,700)	details	30-inch
3	HP L2045w (*est. $280)	details	20-inch
2	HP LP3065 (*est. $1,400)	details	30-inch
2	Dell UltraSharp 3007WFP-HC (*est. $1,400)	details	30-inch
2	NEC MultiSync LCD2470WNX (*est. $790)	details	24-inch
2	Samsung SyncMaster 2232BW (*est. $330)	-	22-inch
2	Samsung SyncMaster XL20 (*est. $1,200)	details	20-inch
2	Dell SP2208WFP (*est. $300)	-	22-inch
2	Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP (*est. $600)	details	24-inch
2	Viewsonic VX1940w (*est. $220)	details	19-inch
2	Samsung SyncMaster 275T (*est. $1,045)	details	27-inch
1 each	Apple Cinema HD , ASUS VW222u , Benq FP72G+S, Dell 2007FP , Dell 2007WFP, Eizo FlexScan S1931SH , Eizo Nanao FlexScan S2431WE-BK, Hanns.G HG281GPB, HP LP1965 , HP w2007 , HP w2408 , Hyundai W241D, LG Electronics L196WTY-BF , NEC LCD2190UXi , NEC LCD2490WUXi , NEC MultiSync LCD2090UXi , Samsung 244T , Samsung 740BX, Samsung SyncMaster 940UX , Viewsonic VG2030wm , Viewsonic VX1940w , ViewSonic VX2255wmb

The large number of models and the small number of top reviews for any of them gives credence to the cliché that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It’s also a reflection of the fact that models from many manufacturers use the same panels from a few manufacturers. Still, certain manufacturers have great track records in producing LCD monitors that meet with approval from reviewers and users. Those include HP, Samsung and Dell. Gateway, normally considered a budget maker, makes the monitor that garners the greatest number of positive reviews from experts, but at its selling price and screen size -- both outsized for most users -- it misses the cut for being a ConsumerSearch Fast Answer.

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