Labs

Philips' 190CW8FB has only an analogue VGA input, and we needed to tweak the image settings once we'd set it up. The poor onscreen menu doesn't help matters, but the buttons are clearly labelled and positioned on the front of the sleek, if flimsy, black bezel. The monitor comes with the SmartAccessory pack, which consists of a set of clips that attach to the side of the monitor to hold pens and webcams.

Our best tweaking couldn't eliminate a reddish hue, which was most noticeable in our greyscale tests. It was less obvious in photos and video, though, so you shouldn't notice it in everyday use. Viewing angles are good enough for several people to watch the screen at once.

Colours were a little washed out, but overall this monitor's image quality is above average. The problem is the quality of the competition. HannsG's HW194D offers similar quality for less cash, and you can even buy LG's 20in model, with its superior image quality and 1,680x1,050 resolution, for less. By comparison, Philips' screen seems poor value.