The Dell UltraSharp 1702FP provides plenty of tools for
fine-tuning the unit's image, including on-screen controls to adjust horizontal
and vertical size, the clock, and the phase (although these adjustments are not
needed with a digital video signal, so they're available only when using the
analog interface). To prevent inadvertent changes to the monitor's settings,
the on-screen display can be locked, which may be useful to IS managers or
parents hoping to minimize meddling by inexperienced users.
This model's image-quality scores improved a bit when we retested
it for our May 2003
Top 10 17-Inch LCD Monitors. In our revised tests, it
earned the second-highest scores for graphics quality. Using the unit's digital
video input, the monitor produced lively colors on photo test screens, with
bright hues and sharp details. A Web page revealed subtle shades of color on
art images.
Another noteworthy change: Its price plunged from $800 to $549.
Other panels we retested for May also enjoyed price drops, but the 1702FP
decreased the most.
Though vibrant colors helped its overall image rating, the
display's text quality scores were just average (but because it's an LCD, the
unit is still quite good for text documents). Nevertheless, it ranked in the
middle of the pack on most test screens. We saw crisper and smoother text on
both the Samsung SyncMaster 172B and the Eizo Nanao FlexScan L565.
Like most other models, the UltraSharp 1702FP has a Kensington
lock slot. Its gunmetal-gray case and rounded-edge styling match Dell's current
OptiPlex and Dimension PC lines.
Dell's printed documentation is in line with what other large
companies provide. The multilanguage manual that arrived with our test unit
covered the basics, but lacked the detailed instructions we've seen with other
manuals; however, you can find extensive information on the included
CD-ROM.
