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Top 10 Monitors

This month we look at 15-inch LCDs and see how they fare in our new suite of tests.

Richard Baguley

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Iiyama ProLite E380S-B PCW Rating: 4.0PCW Rating: 4.0PCW Rating: 4.0

Last Rated: April 01, 2004

1. Iiyama ProLite E380S-B

1024 by 768 native resolution, Analog input, 5.1 pounds, Three-year warranty (Including backlight), Price when ranked: $350,

Bottom Line: This moderately priced monitor has very good graphics image quality, and text was sharp and easy to read, even at smaller font sizes. No weekend tech support is offered, however.

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Eizo Nanao FlexScan L367 PCW Rating: 4.0PCW Rating: 4.0PCW Rating: 4.0

Last Rated: April 01, 2004

2. Eizo Nanao FlexScan L367

1024 by 768 native resolution, Analog and digital inputs, 8.2 pounds, Five-year warranty (three years for backlight), Price when ranked: $400,

Bottom Line: This slim-bezel monitor is available in black or gray and provides basic speakers. Eizo's bundled ScreenManager Pro software lets you adjust the display from your PC via a USB connection.

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Hewlett-Packard L1530 PCW Rating: 4.0PCW Rating: 4.0PCW Rating: 4.0

Last Rated: April 01, 2004

3. Hewlett-Packard L1530

1024 by 768 native resolution, Analog and digital inputs, 9.9 pounds, Three-year warranty (Including backlight), Price when ranked: $360,

Bottom Line: Despite this monitor's fairly low price, HP packs in thoughtful extras, including full position adjustability and strong integrated speakers with a volume-control wheel. Retested this month.

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Dell UltraSharp 1504FP PCW Rating: 4.5PCW Rating: 4.5PCW Rating: 4.5

Last Rated: April 01, 2004

4. Dell UltraSharp 1504FP

1024 by 768 native resolution, Analog and digital inputs, 10.1 pounds, Three-year warranty (Including backlight), Price when ranked: $399,

Bottom Line: The adjustable stand on this slate-gray monitor allows for easy positioning, and the on-screen menu is well organized. This model is only one of two on the chart that can pivot to a portrait view, but no image-rotation software is included.

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Sharp LL-T15A4 PCW Rating: 3.5PCW Rating: 3.5PCW Rating: 3.5

Last Rated: April 01, 2004

5. Sharp LL-T15A4

1024 by 768 native resolution, Analog input, 8 pounds, Three-year warranty (Including backlight), Price when ranked: $399,

Bottom Line: This monitor features a compact case and low-profile bezel, as well as a low-power mode. It offers nice image quality and has built-in speakers that produce clear (if overly loud) sound.

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NEC-Mitsubishi Multisync 1560NX PCW Rating: 4.0PCW Rating: 4.0PCW Rating: 4.0

Last Rated: April 01, 2004

6. NEC-Mitsubishi Multisync 1560NX

1024 by 768 native resolution, Analog and digital inputs, 9.9 pounds, Three-year warranty (Including backlight), Price when ranked: $375,

Bottom Line: This stately black unit provides dual analog and digital inputs, along with a bright screen and a wide viewing angle. The NaviSet software allows you to adjust settings from the PC as well as from the convenient on-screen menu.

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LG Electronics Flatron L1515S PCW Rating: 3.5PCW Rating: 3.5PCW Rating: 3.5

Last Rated: April 01, 2004

7. LG Electronics Flatron L1515S

1024 by 768 native resolution, Analog input, 6 pounds, Three-year warranty (Including backlight), Price when ranked: $380,

Bottom Line: This lightweight, no-frills monitor produced very good-looking text and graphics. The on-screen menu can be locked to prevent users from adjusting the settings.

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Philips 150P4 PCW Rating: 3.5PCW Rating: 3.5PCW Rating: 3.5

Last Rated: April 01, 2004

8. Philips 150P4

1024 by 768 native resolution, Analog and digital inputs, 7.9 pounds, Three-year warranty (Including backlight), Price when ranked: $365,

Bottom Line: Good performer includes screen-adjustment software, plus an application for highlighting portions of the screen. Control menus and physical adjustments are rather awkward, however. Retested this month.

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CTX International S500B PCW Rating: 3.0PCW Rating: 3.0PCW Rating: 3.0

Last Rated: April 01, 2004

9. CTX International S500B

1024 by 768 native resolution, Analog input, 8.2 pounds, Three-year labor, two-year parts warranty (one year for backlight), Price when ranked: $370,

Bottom Line: Well-priced monitor produces attractive graphics images with strong, bright colors, but the on-screen menu is awkward to use, the bezel is wide, and the black-on-black button labels are difficult to read.

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Planar PE150M PCW Rating: 3.0PCW Rating: 3.0PCW Rating: 3.0

Last Rated: April 01, 2004

10. Planar PE150M

1024 by 768 native resolution, Analog input, 10.5 pounds, Three-year warranty (Including backlight), Price when ranked: $350,

Bottom Line: This sleek, low-profile monitor includes a built-in wall mount and reasonably good speakers. Image quality was consistently strong for both text and graphics. There is no weekend tech support available, however.

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Twelve judges rate how well each monitor displays 13 text and graphics images at a native resolution of 1280 by 1024. Some test screens are from the DisplayMate for Windows Multimedia Edition utility (www.displaymate.com). Data based on tests designed and conducted by the PC World Test Center. All rights reserved.

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