Dell SP2208WFP

Having already looked at Dell's wonderful 2408WFP, we were expecting great things of this 22in TFT. In terms of features there can be no doubt it duly delivers, but the panel itself couldn't be more different from its bigger brother.

The screen adopts a more consumer approach than its 24in sibling. It has a glossy TN panel that should theoretically result in a bright, vibrant image. But throughout our tests it disappointed, with off colours and the constant ghost of our own reflected face to contend with.

The myriad picture modes, which encompass games and video, each with several sub-modes, made it tricky to get the picture as we wanted it, with some modes doing well in some scenarios but looking unbearable in others. However, all tests exhibited a magenta hue we couldn't eliminate, and our gradient ramps showed significant banding and green fringing. Videos looked too warm and were tinged with yellow, while the less said about the tone of the white screen the better.

In its defence, the Dell has a magnificent black level, and the 2,000:1 dynamic contrast worked well during movies and games. The feature set is almost enough to redeem it, too: the OSD is comprehensive and the buttons sensibly positioned; there are DVI, HDMI and D-SUB inputs, as well as a 2-megapixel webcam, four USB ports and a bezel just 19mm thick.

But if you're after a top quality 22in TFT, the same outlay will get you the vastly superior Samsung, which may not have USB ports and a webcam, but will satisfy the eyes instead of complete a ticklist of features.

Author: David Bayon