ndows 95 configured the PnP monitors on the fly. For the monitors that did not support PnP, we configured them in 1280- by 1024-pixel SVGA resolution.
With an average dot pitch of 0.26 mm, the text appears crisp and clear on the screen. The maximum vertical refresh rate was 97 Hz at 1280- by 1024-pixel resolution and 82 Hz at 1600- by 1280-pixel resolution. At these high refresh rates, the display is absolutely flicker-free.
These neat features, however, come with a huge price tag. The most-expensive monitor we tested was Nanao USA's Flexscan FX2-21 ($3499), and the least expensive was Smile International's CA2111 ($1780). In this roundup, the average price
is $2255. (In our last report, the average price was $2243.)
You'll need a strong back to lift these behemoths and a large work area; the average weight is 74 pounds, and they take up voluminous desk space. The Philips Magnavox CM2137 consumed the least power at 110 W, and the NEC Multisync XP21 the highest at 197 W. Fortunately, all the monitors we tested, except for the Daytek DT-2102M, are Energy Star-compliant, so they consume less than 30 W in idle mode; and with VESA Display Power Management Signaling (DPMS) compliance, the internal power management system kicks in (consuming less than 30 W of power) when the monitor is idle. If the monitor is in idle mode for a long time, the VESA DPMS will put the unit in sleep mode, consuming less than 8 W of power.
The IBM P201, Nanao Flexscan FX2-21, Nokia Multigraph 445X, and the Philips Magnavox CM21BA cost more than the rest of the products tested here for a reason; they have higher bandwidths (up to 250 MHz) compared to low-priced products at aroun
d 130 MHz and thus provide higher vertical refresh rates (close to 85 Hz) at higher (1600- by 1200-pixel) resolutions. Because we tested all the monitors in 1280- by 1024-pixel resolution, we did not evaluate these four monitors at these high refresh rates. We consider them to be in a class of their own, offering a higher usable resolution that is worth the price for those who need it.
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
Our overall score for the best color monitor is based on the weighted-average results from quality tests and usability and features evaluation. The quality tests are executed using the NSTL-developed software tools, Klein gauge, power meter, luminometer, and eyepiece. The best-overall and low-cost winners are based on overall performance scores. The high-quality winners are based on the quality scores.
Price:
The prices listed here are the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP). Street prices will be lower.
Viewable Size (inches):
The viewable size is the diagonal measurement of the maximum display area.
On-Screen Menus:
If this column is checked, the monitors are shipped with software controls to adjust the display orientation. Press a menu button on the front panel, and the control menu pops up on the screen.
A Look at the Big Picture
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20 Big-Picture Monitors
