How we tested
Interoperability
How will the monitor work with your existing equipment; which connectors does it have?
Futureproofing
Does the monitor support emerging standards such as DVI inputs and widescreen format?
ROI
Does the monitor provide good value for money and do the features justify the price?
Service
How long is the warranty and what is the vendor's policy on repairing the monitor if it has dead pixels?
If you are looking at upgrading from a CRT monitor to an LCD, particularly in the larger sizes, it's worth checking if your existing graphics card has a DVI port on it, or buying a graphics card that supports it. The difference in image reproduction on some monitors between the 15-pin D-Sub port and the DVI port is amazing; somewhere around a 10 to 15 percent improvement in visible image sharpness.
Look out for...
When buying an LCD monitor, look out for the following:
- Extra features that may suit your business, eg, S-video and composite inputs, TV tuners, widescreen panels, and features like the BenQ picture frame.
- If you are looking for superior picture quality in the office, then ensure that your PCs and LCD monitors have DVI interface.
- In-built speakers are a bonus on some models, particularly if you are aiming to reduce the desktop clutter around the office, but many offices may not need them.
- If your business plans to put these monitors in a stylish environment where clients could potentially see the rear of the units (eg, reception desks or customer service areas) then ensure that the cable routing is good and that there are no stickers or awkward styling on the rear casing.
Final Words
This review certainly shows that the larger LCDs are finally hitting the mainstream, and with this bunch of ten 17in LCDs, we can see that the future is looking good. Competition is certainly hotting up and it looks like it will be a features competition instead of price. Some models now sport relatively unique features, such as TV tuners, flash memory card slide show slots, or a 16:9 widescreen format. There was very little difference between the models, and virtually any one could work well.
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About RMIT Test Labs
RMIT IT Test Labs is an independent testing institution based in Melbourne, Victoria, performing IT product testing for clients such as IBM, Coles-Myer, and a wide variety of government bodies. In the Labs' testing for T&B, they are in direct contact with the clients supplying products and the magazine is responsible for the full cost of the testing. The findings are the Labs' own--only the specifications of the products to be tested are provided by the magazine. For more information on RMIT, please contact the Lab Manager, Steven Turvey.
Help! From the above page, the links to the "Features Table", "What to Look for" etc. etc. do not work. Can you please fix?