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Top 10 19-inch LCD Monitors

But some oldies are goodies: Tried-and-true standard-screen models hit the right price point and win Best Buy honors.

Laura Blackwell

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MultiSync LCD1970GX-BK Black 19 PCW Rating: 75.1PCW Rating: 75.1PCW Rating: 75.1

Last Rated: August 23, 2005

1. NEC MultiSync LCD1970GX-BK Black 19

Tilt, swivel, and height adjustments, 1280 by 1024 native resolution, One analog and one digital interface, 16.3 pounds, Three-year warranty (Including backlight), Inexpensive: $499 (7/21/05)

Bottom Line: This model's glossy screen sets the bar for text and nearly equals the Sony SDM-HS95's graphics. Boxy, unassuming cabinet includes four USB 2.0 ports.

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SDM-HS95P/B PCW Rating: 75.0PCW Rating: 75.0PCW Rating: 75.0

Last Rated: May 24, 2005

2. Sony SDM-HS95P/B

Tilt adjustment, 1280 by 1024 native resolution, One analog and one digital interface, 13.2 pounds, Three-year warranty (Including backlight), Average: $600 (7/21/05)

Bottom Line: Easel-like bezel-and-stand combo looks elegant, but lacks physical adjustability. Glossy screen shows rich colors and crisp text.

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19IN LCD 1000:1 1280X1024 FLEXSCAN SLIMEDGE VGA/DVI-D BLACK PCW Rating: 76.6PCW Rating: 76.6PCW Rating: 76.6

Last Rated: November 19, 2004

3. Eizo 19IN LCD 1000:1 1280X1024 FLEXSCAN SLIMEDGE VGA/DVI-D BLACK

Tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments, 1280 by 1024 native resolution, One analog and one digital interface, 15.0 pounds, Five-year warranty (Three years backlight), Expensive: $775 (7/21/05)

Bottom Line: Advanced screen settings and five fine-contrast modes make this a display for the demanding user--but the price is pretty demanding, too.

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SyncMaster 920t PCW Rating: 75.2PCW Rating: 75.2PCW Rating: 75.2

Last Rated: February 23, 2005

4. Samsung SyncMaster 920t

Tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments, 1280 by 1024 native resolution, One analog and one digital interface, 15.4 pounds, Three-year warranty (Including backlight), Average: $649 (7/21/05)

Bottom Line: Sleek silver model's speakers are built into its two-footed stand, saving space without sacrificing physical adjustability; has screen-pivot software.

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f1905 PCW Rating: 76.0PCW Rating: 76.0PCW Rating: 76.0

Last Rated: May 24, 2005

BEST BUY!

5. HP f1905

Tilt, and height adjustments, 1280 by 1024 native resolution, One analog and one digital interface, 15.4 pounds, One-year warranty (Including backlight), Very inexpensive: $379 (7/21/05)

Bottom Line: Silver matte unit delivers the second-best overall image quality on the chart. Detached 3-watt speakers can feed output to an optional subwoofer.

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UltraSharp1905fp PCW Rating: 82.0PCW Rating: 82.0PCW Rating: 82.0

Last Rated: November 19, 2004

BEST BUY!

6. Dell UltraSharp1905fp

Tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments, 1280 by 1024 native resolution, One analog and one digital interface, 15.3 pounds, Three-year warranty (Including backlight), Inexpensive: $479 (7/21/05)

Bottom Line: Three USB 2.0 ports and a full range of physical adjustments make this nicely designed thin-bezel monitor a pleasure to use.

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L1981Q PCW Rating: 74.4PCW Rating: 74.4PCW Rating: 74.4

Last Rated: May 24, 2005

7. LG Electronics L1981Q

Tilt, pivot, and height adjustments, 1280 by 1024 native resolution, One analog and one digital interface, 12.3 pounds, Three-year warranty (Including backlight), Inexpensive: $499 (7/21/05)

Bottom Line: Like the earlier L1980U, this stylish unit employs heat-sensitive buttons and innovative automatic pivoting software; it also has a smooth bezel.

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FP91V+ PCW Rating: 66.9PCW Rating: 66.9PCW Rating: 66.9

Last Rated: May 24, 2005

8. Benq FP91V+

Tilt adjustment, 1280 by 1024 native resolution, One analog and one digital interface, 13.2 pounds, Three-year warranty (Including backlight), Inexpensive: $499 (7/21/05)

Bottom Line: Graphics look great on this model?s glossy screen, and the speakers sound good; but a dearth of physical adjustments disappoints.

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ThinkVision L190 PCW Rating: 67.2PCW Rating: 67.2PCW Rating: 67.2

Last Rated: May 24, 2005

9. IBM ThinkVision L190

Tilt adjustment, 1280 by 1024 native resolution, One analog interface, 13.4 pounds, Three-year warranty (Including backlight), Very inexpensive: $399 (7/21/05)

Bottom Line: No-frills, no-fuss model is inexpensive and easy to use. It's a sure hand at text, and is decent (but not spectacular) in its graphics performance.

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VX924 Black/Silver 19 PCW Rating: 71.7PCW Rating: 71.7PCW Rating: 71.7

Last Rated: August 23, 2005

10. ViewSonic VX924 Black/Silver 19

Tilt adjustment, 1280 by 1024 native resolution, One analog and one digital interface, 14.8 pounds, Three-year warranty (Including backlight), Inexpensive: $429 (7/21/05)

Bottom Line: Very low response-time specs sound tempting, but their effect isn't evident?and overall text and graphics performance is middling. Look elsewhere for extras.

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Twelve judges rate a monitor's text and graphics quality at the native resolution of 1024 by 768. We evaluate each unit on how well it displays typical business letters, spreadsheets, Web pages, and scanned photos. The overall rating is based on text and graphics quality (25 percent each), price (20 percent), features and ease of use (20 percent), and service and support (10 percent). The best possible overall rating is 100. Data based on tests designed and conducted by the PC World Test Center. All rights reserved.

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