Lab

LCD Monitor price test 2006

If your desk is still submerged under the bulk of a CRT screen, it's high time you sent it to the great landfill in the sky and invested in a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. LCD screens are smaller, lighter and produce a sharper image than CRT displays, and they take up hardly any space at all. If you've already got a 15" or 17" LCD, though, it might be the right time to upgrade to a larger screen or one with a higher resolution.

This month we've tested 18 LCD screens. Six are 17" models, which are ideal for those who want a flat-screen display at a reasonable price. Six are 19" models, which have the same resolution but a larger panel that's easier on the eyes. We've also tested six screens that have panels larger than 20". These are more expensive, but they have a higher resolution that's perfect for professional or more demanding users.

We've put each display through a set of stringent tests to ascertain any problems with image quality. Whether you dabble in digital photo editing, like to watch DVDs on your computer or spend hours using your computer for office work, this price test is sure to help you choose the ideal display for your needs.

CHOOSING AN... LCD MONITOR

Before you commit to the LCD of your dreams, you must decide whether your priority is size, colour accuracy, pixel response or something else. Our guide makes your decision crystal clear

The displays in this test range from around £180 to almost £900, which means there's plenty to consider before you open your wallet. Size and value for money are obviously important, but it's also worth paying attention to the number and type of inputs, how easily the screen can be manipulated and the presence of useful extras such as USB hubs or speakers.

Before you even think about these, though, you need to think about what you'll use your display for. If you're interested in digital photography, colour accuracy should be at the top of your list. If you have a powerful PC and play 3D games, look for a screen with a fast pixel response time to prevent blurring. If you are a designer and need to work on large documents or images, get a high-resolution display that can show a lot onscreen at once.

EYE SPY

The size of an LCD is measured across the screen, diagonally, in inches. The most common sizes are 15", 17", 19", 20.1" and 21.3", but we consider 15" screens too small for everyday use. We've divided them into three groups: 17", 19" and 20" or above.

The 17" displays have a native resolution of 1,280x1,024, which provides plenty of Windows desktop space and is ideal for surfing the web, working with digital photos and word processing. The 19" displays have the same resolution and so display the same amount of visual information as 17" displays, but they are easier on the eye and better if you want to watch DVDs from a distance.

If you want a higher resolution, you need to make the jump to a 20.1" or 21.3" display. These both have a native resolution of 1,600x1,200 and display almost 50 per cent more information than a 17" or 19" display. Until recently these large screens were prohibitively expensive, but they are becoming more affordable. AOC's LM2028 now costs less than £350 including VAT. Windows can seem lost in this amount of space, but creative artists and designers will find the extra room ideal.

Eye test

Most monitors in this group test produce an image that will satisfy computer users. To differentiate between them, we had to be rigorous in our testing. To find out more about our testing methods.

We found that the price of an LCD is an unreliable indicator of its image quality. Our reviews explain which can reproduce colours and greyscales accurately, and which had problems producing pure white and pitch black.

ASSUME THE POSITION

The monitor is the most visible part of your PC and remains on your desk even when it's switched off, so it helps to find one that looks good. Attractive monitors are useless if you can't get them into the right position, though, so it's important that you find a display that you can adjust to suit your needs. We prefer displays that can be adjusted vertically as well as horizontally for comfortable viewing. The option to pivot the screen into portrait mode is useful for designers and photographers who want to make the most of the resolution.

As with most PC equipment, the extras included with certain displays are useful only if you will use them. Most built-in speakers are a poor substitute for a proper speaker system, but a built-in USB hub can be handy.