Flat Panel Face-Off
With LCD screens, big is good, bigger is better, and both are more affordable than ever.
Richard Jantz
Move over, CRTs and puny LCDs. Although 15-inch flat panels have actually gotten more expensive recently, prices have fallen a bit on 17-inchers and much more on 19-inch models in the past year. Some 17-inch LCDs sell for as little as $450, while 19-inchers start at a couple hundred dollars more. But declining prices are just one reason why a big flat panel is an appealing choice for your next monitor purchase.
Although all LCDs will display sharp text and flicker-free images, bigger is better for several reasons. One is resolution: 15-inch panels have a native resolution of 1024 by 768 pixels, while 17-inch and most 19-inch LCDs provide a resolution of 1280 by 1024. And with each step up in size, you are more likely to find advanced panel technologies that lead to better image quality. Also, even a monstrous LCD won't dominate your desk or add to your power bill the way a CRT does. On average, the 19-inch LCDs in this review use about a third as much power as the 22-inch CRTs we reviewed last month.
To find the best large LCDs, PC World revised its testing methodology to better challenge today's high-performing displays. We evaluated promising panels--eight 19-inch models and eight 17-inch contenders--and chose the five best in each category. Dell models top both charts. The $679 UltraSharp 1901FP earns the Best Buy among 19-inch LCDs for its crisp text and handsome graphics, its abundant features, and its relatively low price. The 1901FP's near-identical sibling, the $529 UltraSharp 1703FP, captures the Best Buy for 17-inch LCDs. We do have one caution: Dell has had difficulty keeping up with demand. At press time, Dell was reporting a three-week delay in filling orders.
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