WHAT'S HOT: Eizo Nanao's first 17-inch LCD landed top scores for text and graphics quality in our battery of tests. When tested using its digital video input (it also has an analog connector), the handsome all-black panel displayed smooth, crisp letters on word processing and spreadsheet screens--it was much better than any other panel in our current test set. Its graphics also impressed our judges, who noted the unit's ability to show subtle differences between shades on a color-scale test. A Web page screen had bright colors and easily readable text; icons on a desktop screen looked both colorful and pinpoint sharp.

The L565's on-screen controls include a few unusual extras, such as a submenu with settings for adjusting color-saturation levels and flesh tones.

WHAT'S NOT: Our complaints are minor. Though its $799 price is lower than we've seen from Eizo Nanao before, it still costs more than any other LCD on our chart, and in some cases it's nearly double the price. If you plan to use an LCD for general business applications, you could choose another model costing a few hundred dollars less and get image quality that, while not matching the L565's, would still be more than adequate.

The glossy black icons that label the control buttons contribute to the monitor's sophisticated look, but they're hard to read (several times we pushed the power button by mistake). And before you can make adjustments you'll need to consult the manual to identify the buttons. Once you figure out that "exit" also means "entrance," you're on your way to mastering the controls. Other flat-panels' controls, such as the ones on the Dell UltraSharp 1702FP, didn't require this much work to figure out.

Tech support for this monitor isn't as generous as for many others: Eizo Nanao provides assistance for 8 hours on weekdays, which may leave some users in the lurch.

WHAT ELSE: The L565's panel can tilt back a few degrees, but it doesn't swivel on its base or rotate into portrait mode.

When desktop space is short, speakers built into a monitor can be convenient. But we rarely hear very good audio from these small units--and the L565's were no exception. With only 1 watt of power each, they produced sound adequate only for general business uses. Bass notes, for instance, sounded like mere thumps, and vocal tracks on a music CD were tinny.

Eizo Nanao's documentation includes a large hard-copy manual, plus a quick-reference card on using the on-screen controls--handy, considering how difficult the icons are to see. The manual includes troubleshooting information as well as helpful explanations for when and how to make adjustments.

UPSHOT: This classy-looking flat-panel feels sturdy and delivers best-of-breed image quality, but it comes at a top-shelf price.

SUMMARY

Eizo Nanao FlexScan L565 $