Iiyama ProLite E383-S review

When Iiyama discontinued the A-Listed E383-B, it became clear from the deluge of emails that 15in TFT panels are still very much in demand. As such, we're pleased to see the arrival of its successor - the E383-S.

The exterior looks much the same as before, with the only difference being the discreetly integrated speakers on the lower edge of the bezel. They don't cope well with music, but are sufficient for general sound.

Like its predecessor, there's just a single analog D-SUB input at the back - no DVI connectors here. Connecting to our test rig, the Windows Desktop looked reasonably bright and clear at its native 1,024 x 768 resolution, although we'd have liked a touch more brightness to be available. Colours were neutral and balanced.

Our technical tests revealed a good colour response. After a little tweaking with contrast settings, the separation between shades at both intensity extremes was good. We found the overall colour a little biased in favour of the lower end, with colour ramps fading off slightly too early, but there was no banding. There wasn't even a hint of pixel jitter, and the rock-solid timing dealt with the most complex image patterns we could find.

We had no complaints when watching DVDs on the E383-S; horizontal viewing angles are excellent, if only sufficient in the vertical plane, and the excellent contrast meant murky scenes were still viewable. The odd digital artefact appeared occasionally, and the perennial problem of motion lag reared its head on fast-moving scenes.

Iiyama's menu system offers an array of options. However, the auto-setup routine does a fine job in most circumstances. An Economy mode is available, which reduces the panel's brightness - useful for those looking to save energy when deploying the E383-S throughout a business.

We'd still advise opting for a 17in panel like Iiyama's own E431S unless you're concerned about space, as they provide a resolution of 1,280 x 1,024 for a relatively small amount more. If it's a 15in you're after though, the E383-S is a solid choice that won't disappoint.

Author: Ross Burridge