CTX Technology 21IN/20V 22MM 1800X1440 VL1300 FLAT OSD MPRII

WHAT'S HOT: This monitor's bezel is covered with buttons that are ideal for making quick adjustments to picture, color, contrast, and brightness.

This $569 model showed good contrast in our Microsoft Excel spreadsheet tests. In our Microsoft Word tests, the text appeared with good density. The VL1300 also displayed an outstanding range of colors on our color scale test, with good differentiation between the darkest colors--unlike most monitors we've examined.

WHAT'S NOT: Small type sizes looked fuzzy on our multiple-size test screen and images looked slightly washed out in a photograph and our Web page screen shot. While it's nice to have the easy-access bezel buttons, it's hard to figure out which button to push to make a selection once you're in a menu. The controls get more confusing as you drill down into each menu.