HP 2159m (LCD display, TFT, 21.5")

Summary: I hooked this monitor up out of the box, using the DVI input, without even using the installation CD, changed my resolution to recommended 1920 by 1080 at 60Hz and presto, the most incredible picture I've seen on a monitor. The color setting by default, was at the 6800K and the brightness and contrast are at 80% and the picture is astounding.

I had read the PCMag review after I had ordered it from HPshopping.com for $189, and was disappointed to read the poor performance. But, after seeing it for myself I can honestly say, I don't know if the guy at PCMag had the same monitor as me. The PC guy said the monitor had poor grayscale performance and I could see what he was saying about the blacks & whites being hard to distinguish towards the end of the spectrum, but when I angled the monitor differently the grayscale got much better (LCDs are notorious for getting darker as you angle the top away from you). I don't do a lot of RAW photo editing but I do dabble in photography and this monitor is beautifully suited for most video editing, even with shadows and overexposures. Another complaint was that the monitor had no USB ports like another monitor he had tested. Geez, if it's a USB hub you want, go get one for $15 from Wally World.

THEN, I hooked up the HDMI cable from my SONY HDR-SR11, Oh my goodness!,...let's just say that I spent too much time pouring over family videos I have seen many times, just too see this monitor do HD video justice. There was no visibly perceptible pixelation or blurring of even the fastest of movements across the screen. Technology amazes me and I am just giddy over this new purchase.

My last monitor was a Veiwsonic and I was pleased with it but this monitor has made it hard to leave the computer. I just love to see it. The text, the colors, the sharpness of detail, etc.

The shiny surface doesn't give me any glare problems because it sits back nicely in my rolldesk protected from most reflections in the room. But I would imagine if you had a window behind you, it could be an annoyance.

I work for a company that gives discounts for HP products and that is why I purchased this monitor, the good deal! But I have stumbled onto one of the best purchases I've made in a long time. HP printers have always been my favorite but I stayed away from other HP products because of my dealings with HP computers (upgrading was a nightmare and all the useless programs they install) but that was a long time ago and I must admit that HP is doing other things right. This monitor has got to be the best deal in monitors.

Summary: This is by far the best computer monitor I've owned. While I am not a hardcore gamer, I do Web design and Flash production, so I need a quality monitor. The colors are rich and deep and, combined with a decent graphics card (I upgraded that, too) I cannot imagine a better monitor for the price. I bought this at Fry's for $209, but saw it on sale at $199. Even it's full retail price of $239 on HP's site is a great bargain for this high-quality monitor. Better yet, I noticed (*at the time of this typing) that if you're buying an HP desktop or laptop, they drop the monitor price down to $139. I highly recommend the HP 2159m monitor. An outstanding product with an unbeatable price for the quality. I've had it a month and still enjoy walking into my home office and just looking at it. One of the best purchases I've made in years. Thank you HP.