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Big Wide-Screen LCDs Are Better Than Ever

The latest 23- and 24-inch wide-screen LCD monitors do a fine job of displaying graphics and text.

Laura Blackwell

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Photograph: Rick Rizner
This month, we tested four large wide-screen LCDs: three new ones and an old favorite for its first go-round under current protocols. As often happens with 23- and 24-inch wide-screen LCDs--especially ones that have a native resolution of 1920 by 1200, as these do--we found a lot to like.

The pro-oriented 24-inch Eizo FlexScan S2410W displayed superb color and contrast. Besides looking great at default settings, the screen provides controls for advanced settings such as gain, gamma, hue, and saturation, so you can fine-tune your picture. Less exacting users will like the faster adjustments of the five screen modes. The S2410W's large, flat, electrostatic switches are far more comfortable than the usual tiny buttons. The two DVI ports can accept analog input through an included adapter.

Samsung's 24-inch SyncMaster 242mp achieved the best score on our test screen of a Web page, helping it set the bar for overall graphics performance. With its TV tuner, remote control, large speakers, and multiple inputs for entertainment devices, the 242mp clearly aspires to be an exceptional monitor.

Tested for the first time under our present lighting protocols, the Apple 23-inch Cinema HD Display handily won the text category, posting the highest scores in our real-world Microsoft Word and Excel tests. No weakling at graphics, it set our current high score on the important group portrait photo test. As sleek and glamorous as a fashion model, this beauty keeps things simple with a three-in-one power/FireWire/USB cord and only three buttons. Unfortunately, all screen settings except brightness reside in the Mac OS, where Windows users can't reach them.

Two longtime favorites, Dell's 24-inch UltraSharp 2405FPW and ViewSonic's 23-inch VP231wb, remain strong contenders. They are the only models on our chart that offer a full complement of physical adjustments, including height, pivot, swivel, and the usual tilt. These extras--especially helpful for ergonomic health and work efficiency--stand out among large wide-screen LCDs, which are often too heavy or unwieldy to offer much in the way of physical adjustments. The top-ranked Eizo provides three of these, but no pivot.

Despite its icy-cold color default, the Acer AL2416Wd performed well on our tests. Even though its dearth of features kept it off the chart, its low price of $919 could earn it a place on many a desk.

Laura Blackwell

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