Dell M782

WHAT'S HOT: Although the M782 was not the top performer of our group, it displayed sharp text, particularly in a Microsoft Word document and on our test screen of fonts. At $229, the M782 is also very affordable.

WHAT'S NOT: The M782 rendered color less consistently than it rendered text: While colors on some screens looked bright and inviting, on other screens they looked comparatively dull.

WHAT ELSE: You use five buttons located on the left-hand side of the bezel to manage the easy-to-use on-screen controls. However, the length of time the on-screen display remains visible cannot be adjusted, which can be frustrating if you need more time to make modifications. The M782 does distinguish itself by offering a Help button in the on-screen controls, which offers brief tips on such things as how to detect flicker and how to fix the display if images are distorted or discolored. With its black case and silver buttons, the M782 is designed to match Dell's Dimension and OptiPlex computer lines.