The L215p achieved a brightness score of 249 candelas per square meter (cd/m2)--much lower than Lenovo's claimed 300 cd/m2 max. Its tested contrast ratio was below the 1,000:1 claimed by Lenovo but came in at a fairly close 968:1.
We used the L215p's Video preset to check out "War of the Worlds" ("WotW") on DVD and "House of Flying Daggers" ("HoFD") on Blu-ray. In "WotW" we found the color quality on the L215p slightly washed out compared with the SX2210, which had fuller color in DVD movies. Deep blacks--a critical attribute for good movie playback--eluded the L215p. In "HoFD," we saw fairly accurate color, but those deep blacks we enjoyed on the Dell G2210 were still nowhere to be seen. Also, picture sharpness was not quite as fine as on the G2210 as subtitles looked slightly blurred.
We looked at the game Crysis on the L215p in its Text preset and Neutral color preset and saw a clean picture with no signs of ghosting during fast movement.
The optimal viewing angle for a monitor is usually directly in front, about a quarter of the screen's distance down from the top. At this angle, you're viewing the colors and gamma correction as they were intended. Most monitors are not made to be viewed at any other angle. Depending on its panel type, picture quality at non-optimal angles varies. Most monitors use TN panels, which get overly bright or overly dark in parts of the screen when viewed from nonoptimal angles. The Lenovo L215p uses a TN panel, and when it is viewed from the sides or bottom, we perceived the screen to darken about six inches off from center. Of course, when viewed from the optimal angle, we had no problems.
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
Find out more about how we test LCD monitors.
Service and support
Lenovo supports the L215p with a great three-year warranty that covers the backlight. This is identical to the warranties that Dell provides for its monitors. Lenovo offers 24-7 toll free phone support, but, unfortunately, unlike Dell, Lenovo doesn't include e-mail or chat support. We weren't able to find drivers and the manual for the L215p on Lenovo's Web site.
What You'll Pay
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