Product Reviews

Shuttle isn't a name you'd associate with TFT monitors, but the XP17 is proof that the company can produce more than small-form-factor systems and motherboards. After a few weeks in the Labs, we've come to the conclusion that the XP17's looks are rather like Marmite - people will either love it or hate it.

While we like the minimalist black glass styling, we're less keen on the stand. It does, however, double up as a carry handle, with the intention of the panel being partnered with one of Shuttle's XPCs. We're not sure that carrying a heavy PC and 17in TFT will appeal to most, making a laptop a more attractive option.

Portability aside, the XP17 is a standard 17in, 1,280 x 1,024 TFT, making it hard to see why it costs nearly £360. Minimalism is the theme: round the back is a hinging 'stand' with

Maximum brightness is disappointing - nothing much happens from 50-100 on the menu's scale. Contrast is better, with our technical tests showing a decent colour range, but the overwhelming problem - on darker screens at least - is the reflectivity caused by the protective glass panel. It may reduce glare, but you'll be able to clearly see your face in the screen. And if you're a gamer, you'll be disappointed to learn that the 16ms response time doesn't equate to a blur-free gaming experience - motion lag is still evident.

That said, the horizontal viewing angles aren't far off Shuttle's claimed 140 degrees - you can easily have three or four people round the screen to look at your holiday snaps. Vertical viewing angles aren't as good though; there's a noticeable colour shift even at +/- 20 degrees.

Ultimately, the XP17 is an expensive TFT that doesn't offer much for your money - especially compared to Samsung's SyncMaster 730MP. It makes Iiyama's 17in E431S seem like a bargain at £242. That doesn't have too many frills either, but at that price, we're not complaining.