Hewlett-Packard L1530

In a category where vendors often cut corners, HP still puts some nice extra features into its 15-inch LCD, and for a reasonable price of $330 (at the time of our review). For starters, it offers full adjustability, including tilt, height (via a double-hinged arm), swivel, and pivot from landscape to portrait orientation. (Software to re-orient the screen is included). The double hinge lets you fold the panel down flat, making the monitor easier to transport. The L1530 provides both digital and analog video inputs (though you get only an analog cable) and an input for the built-in speakers, which are controlled by a volume wheel at the bottom (handier than requiring the user to enter the on-screen controls, as many monitors do). While the integrated speakers are no substitute for a separate, high-quality set, they sounded both richer and more powerful than those built into most other monitors. Image quality was solid. The L1530 earned a word score of Very good for both text and graphics quality at the time of our review. Print documentation was thin (par for the course with monitors these days), but the bundled CD includes a thorough manual, in PDF format, with nice extras such as basic photo illustrations for setup and a detailed troubleshooting section.

Upshot: The L1530 does everything a 15-inch LCD should do, at a fair price.

Sean Captain