Dell UltraSharp 1702FP
Styled to match current Dell PCs, this 17-inch LCD offers good image quality.
By Rebecca Freed
WHAT'S HOT: 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.
WHAT'S NOT: This model lacks ergonomic features such as height adjustment and the ability to pivot, as well as convenient extras such as a headphone jack, a speaker jack, or a USB hub.
WHAT ELSE: 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.
UPSHOT: The 1702FP is a sensible choice, especially if you're buying an LCD along with a Dell PC: Dell sometimes offers price breaks if you buy the monitor as part of a package deal, and the company has a relatively good track record for service and support.
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