LG Electronics L1980U

With such improved ease of use, you can pivot at whim--to see more of a document, perhaps, or to read a Web page with minimal scrolling. Flipping the screen comes in handy at a two-sided desk; to share the information on screen with the person across from you, simply bend the screen backward and wait a moment for Auto Mirror to rotate the image 180 degrees. Previous pivoting software, such as Portrait Displays' PivotPro, required you to rotate the screen and then dive into the software menus to tell the image to catch up with the physical changes.

The L1980U sports a professional, streamlined appearance, and all of the cords plug in at the back of the bright silver, ring-shaped stand. The buttons sense heat, not touch, which I didn't mind once I got accustomed to it. Although the L1980U's protruding teardrop-shaped, blue-lit power button looks chic hanging below the bezel, it can get in the way. I accidentally turned off the L1980U several times while flipping or pivoting the screen (LG plans to release a related model called the L1981U with a flush power button). Side edges as straight as a ruler would let dual-monitor aficionados line up two pivoted monitors side by side. Other upcoming models will use the same interface and will speed up the response time from 12ms to 8ms.

My only cause for hesitation: Though the L1980U's screen looks pleasing, we've seen sharper text and more-realistic flesh tones on recent monitors such as the Dell UltraSharp 1905FP and Sharp LL-191A. The reasonable $549 price is nothing to complain about, so if you're itching to get your hands on the Auto Pivot and Auto Mirror functions, the L1980U can ease the pain of waiting. For my part, I'm willing to hold out for a monitor with all these bonuses plus a klutz-proof power button.

Upshot: If you need a monitor that keeps up with your every move, give this sleek stunner a whirl.

Laura Blackwell