BenQ FP91E

The attractive BenQ FP91E offers extras, including built-in speakers and image presets, but the image quality isn't high enough and there's not enough adjustability for its $529 asking price. You'll get better performance and greater adjustability from the LG Flatron L1981Q or the slightly blander Dell UltraSharp 1905FP.

The BenQ FP91E's matte silver-plastic casing, offset with a glowing blue power button in the center of the bottom bezel, looks soothingly space age. The side and top bezels are narrow enough not to distract the eye, and the bottom bezel runs wide enough to accommodate two integrated two-watt speakers; it has a pleasing textured finish. The six adjustment buttons and a headphone jack are tucked out of sight along the bottom edge of the display panel; minute icons etched into the bezel indicate their functions. The onscreen menu is easy to navigate (after some trial and error), and the I-key button launches a test pattern to calibrate the display when connected via an analog signal; it also functions as an autoadjust key. The Mode button toggles between preset brightness and contrast modes for movies, photo viewing, and standard use.

The display offers little adjustability. You can tilt the panel back about 30 degrees and forward 5 degrees, but you can't raise or lower it. Since the screen is less than two inches above the desktop, most people will need a monitor riser. The back panel accommodates analog and digital ports, plus a PC audio jack (all three cables are included); we found it somewhat difficult to connect the cables due to limited finger space. You can thread cables through a hole in the display's neck to keep them out of sight. The round base is very stable.