Retro styling aside, the FP591's impressive visuals and unique features oozes major geek appeal but it's not quite as well-suited for multi-windowed environments such as graphics and CAD/CAM applications.

When it comes to 3D gaming and video, Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) usually don't cut the mustard. Despite being compact and stylish, gamers and videophiles still have a tendency to avoid LCD panels because of the steep price tag and less-than-stellar image quality. But the latest outing from BenQ aims to buck this trend: With its ultra-fast 16 millisecond pixel response times (the time pixels take to respond to changes in image), rich feature set and trendy cosmetics, the new AU$829 BenQ FP591 15-inch LCD promises a visual joyride for both multimedia mavens and avid gamers alike.

Design-wise, some may find the FP591's loud retro styling a bit imposing for the formal backdrop of modern offices. The two-toned black-and-silver fascia does provide the screen with plenty of panache, but the bezel is too thick for our taste and ergonomically the pedestal could have been better--the inflexible stand offers just a 20-degree vertical swivel range, but nothing much else in terms of height and rotational adjustments.

The FP591 features a dual input interface, both digital as well as the traditional analog connectors. An analog D-Sub cable is included in the package, but you'll have to fork out extra if you plan on using the separate DVI-D socket. Other niceties encased within the 5.3kg housing include a bank of "feather-touch" buttons (for controlling brightness, contrast and the on-screen menu), a headphone jack; and a pair of stereo speakers.

Flashy cosmetics aside, part of the FP591's appeal also lies in its memory slots: The monitor has built-in CF (compact flash), SD (secure digital) and Smart Media card slots that enable digital camera hobbyists to download and view their images directly onscreen without connecting to a personal computer or memory card reader. Add $229 more and you can also purchase BenQ's optional, external TV module which turns the FP591 into a chic 15-inch TV.

With a native 1,024 x 768 resolution, the FP591 doesn't offer avid multi-taskers the luxury of opening lots of windows. However, the panel's wide 140-degree horizontal and 120-degree vertical viewing angle make off-axis viewing easy on the eye; the display appeared clear and readable from any normal range of positions. A brightness of 500cd/m2 and contrast of 450:1, and speedy 16ms response time also lose out to very few other panels, regardless of price.

Thanks to the BenQ's slick pixel response times, gaming tests with Quake 3 Arena showed no sign of the blurriness associated with poor refresh rates, when the pixels don't change colour fast enough during rapid action scenes. With the contrast and brightness settings maxed out, Web pages looked very crisp, with very sharp text and richly hued pictures. DVD movie playback was also a pleasure.

The display also scored in two other areas in our Lab tests, namely brightness and colour reproduction. Although screen illumination at maximum setting was a tad too bright for our tastes, colour and image reproduction were very good at maxed resolution, with text and pictures being the main beneficiaries of the panel's high 450:1 contrast ratio. The major blot on the FP591's otherwise proficient visual presentation was the single bright pixel that suddenly popped out after a week of use.

Luckily, BenQ's solid three-year carry-in warranty also covers dead pixels--if seven or more bright or dead pixels occur within three years, you get an exchange.

In the FP591, BenQ has a well-oiled LCD monitor that delivers the goods, especially with games and movies. Multimedia types on a budget may balk at the steep $829 sticker price, but the FP591's blend of solid performance and rich feature set make it stand out from pretenders in the competitive 15-inch LCD category, and a potential suitor for any high-end gaming systems.

BenQ FP591 15.1-inch LCD
Company: BenQ
Price: AU$829
Distributor: Selected resellers
Phone: (02) 9714 6800

Copyright © 2009 CBS Interactive, a CBS Company. All Rights Reserved.
ZDNET is a registered service mark of CBS Interactive. ZDNET Logo is a service mark of CBS Interactive.