15” LCD Monitors: Acer AL1512 

+ Lightweight, speakers 



- Power consumption, external power adaptor

Our choice in the 15” category. A reasonably priced LCD that has some unique features not found in similar monitors. It was the lightest and the only one to have built-in speakers and was Mac compatible.There are no separate controls for the volume. It's done through the button for the OSD controls. It consumes more power than others. The monitor bezel is easy to move and had a maximum tilt angle of 111 degrees.It also had among the highest brightness and contrast levels.

Unlike others, it requires an external adapter. The limitations are the poor response time of 23 ms. 

Its performance wasn't good as othes mainly due to high turn-on time and 256 intensity level ramp test (non-uniform color increase from left side to right). Though it scored well in setup display test, it was behind in transient response test. Price being important consideration, this monitor is great for office and corporate desktops. RQS# E89 or SMS 130689 to 9811800601 

Samsung SynMaster 510N 

+Response time, OSD control software 



- Weight, brightness level 

If you are looking for the most feature-rich LCD that's a performer and is also decently priced, then this LCD gets the thumbs up. It achieved the highest viewing angle and contrast ratio and comes second for power consumption at

25 W. Added to this was the fact that it is the second lightest after the Acer. 

But it had the highest response time of 16 ms. Like its cousin in 17” category this monitor also comes with Magic tune and color management software, which requires a whopping 225 MB hard disk space. You can use upto four viewing modes, namely the Text, Internet, Custom and Entertain. 

The difference of picture in each mode is clearly noticeable. It's also Mac compatible like the Acer. It loses to Acer in weight and brightness level.

It scored the highest in the black level adjustment test and comes second in turn-on time. 

Like a few other monitors, it was behind in screen uniformity test but scored average in color and gray scale and video obstacle tests. Given the features and performance, it's a good buy. RQS# E90 or SMS 130690 to 9811800601

NEC AccuSync LCD 52V 

+ Power consumption, Naviset software 



- Response time 

The only white colored monitor and the second cheapest of the lot after Acer! Like its cousin in the 17” inch, it has Naviset control software. Though the software provides good OSD control option and test patterns, it consumes 192 MB hard disk space. Plus the monitor stand needs some pressure to tilt it. 

It consumes the lowest power. The OSD control is not that easy to use, but it can be locked to prevent others from tempering with it. Even when locked, the brightness and contrast level can be controlled. Unlike other monitors there are no labels to tell you which control does what. 

A resolution notifier indicates after 30 secs whether the LCD is set to the optimal resolution or not.

On the performance front it did equally well except for a few tests. It was the last in the black level adjustment test where only 19 out of 32 dark gray blocks were visible. It was leading in turn-on time and transient response tests with a blazing 2 secs.

Overall this monitor is a good choice for offices on a budget. RQS# E91 or SMS 130691 to 9811800601

BenQ FP537s 

+ Response time 



- Weight, turn-on time 

Compared to others, this monitor is the winner in performance and comes with decent features. It was also the only monitor to score higher than others in the screen uniformity and 256 intensity level ramp test. 

It scored well in color and gray scale and video obstacle test. Perhaps its biggest fall was its poor turn-on time of 6secs. 

Talking of features, it was the heaviest of the lot and consumed power compared second only to the Acer. OSD controls were comfortable to use and easy to learn. A good feature is the 'color

recall' option that sets factory-default color settings. With a special 'iKey' you can set the geometry along with vertical and 



horizontal position. 

It has an auto adjustment key like all the monitors and keys to adjust brightness and contrast level. It does score well in response time but was behind brightness and contrast level.

It is very close to the NEC Accusync 52v in performance and features but loses out against it primarily due to its price. RQS# E92 or SMS 130692 to 9811800601