Dell 1702FP

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.