Lab

LCD monitors

Of all the components that make up a PC, it could be argued that the monitor is the most important, as it's the main way in which you interact with your computer. A poor display can make even the most straightforward task feel like a chore, while a top-quality one can have the opposite effect, increasing your productivity. Fortunately, good monitors are getting cheaper all the time, and even large 22in models are available for less than £200.

This month we've tested 18 of the latest LCD monitors, from inexpensive 19in models for everyday tasks and 20in specialist professional graphics monitors, right up to 22in and 24in models that provide acres of desktop space and are ideal for multitasking and entertainment. Many of them have AV inputs for hooking up consoles and DVD players, while some have USB hubs and adjustable stands to give you the most convenient working environment possible.

Whatever your needs, you're sure to find the ideal display in this Labs.

With a baffling number of monitor manufacturers, models and sizes to choose from, it can be difficult to know exactly what to look for in a display, particularly as complicated technical specifications are often bandied about on adverts and websites without any explanation of which are really important. In this guide we'll explain the key features to look for to ensure that you end up spending a sensible amount of money on the monitor that best suits your day-to-day needs.

Size matters

Your first task is to decide just how much desktop space you need from your new LCD. We've divided the displays here into five size categories. As most monitors are now widescreen, we've looked at 19in, 20in, 22in and 24in widescreen models. However, 4:3-aspect monitors are still used in a few areas, such as professional artwork creation and design, so we've also included a pair of 20in models.

To pick a screen of the appropriate size, you need to consider exactly what you want to use it for - whether it's office work and web browsing, gaming and video, or a mixture of tasks. For many people, a basic 19in monitor will more than suffice, and they're available at increasingly affordable prices. If you would like to do a little more with your desktop, however, you should consider some of the larger displays. The extra inch of a 20in monitor can make quite a difference, but it's the step up to 22in and 24in models that really increases your display's versatility. The former will lift your resolution from 1,440x900 to a more useful 1,680x1,050, while the latter's 1,920x1,200 will give you a huge amount of desktop space and let you display 1080p high-definition video.

HD video

If you want to play any protected high-definition content, such as movies on Blu-ray discs, your monitor will have to comply with the High Definition Content Protection (HDCP) standard. This anti-piracy feature is built into most newer models, such as Samsung's SyncMaster 245T, but it can only be carried digitally.

HDMI ports are fine, as are most recent DVI connections, but if you buy a monitor with only an analogue VGA connection you'll never be able to watch commercial high-definition films on it. What's more, when a monitor is plugged in over VGA there are more settings to tweak than when using DVI or HDMI, so they can be harder to set up.

As well as HDMI ports, some of the more expensive monitors on test this month provide connections such as component, S-video and composite video, which means you can connect consumer devices such as games consoles and DVD players to your display.

Quality control

Many factors play a part in what makes a top-quality display. The maximum brightness figure is self-explanatory, while the contrast ratio denotes the difference between the blackest black and the whitest white that a screen can display. A high contrast level can add vibrancy to colours and reveal detail in light and dark areas. As usual the figures don't tell the whole story, so we have included details on the quality of each screen in our reviews.

Extra value

Image quality is vital, but many of these LCDs cram in a few extras for your money. Integrated speakers will never rival a dedicated set but can be useful for internet video clips and webcam conversations; 10 of the 18 models have speakers of varying quality. Some also have USB2 hubs for connecting thumb drives and peripherals such as mice. This can be a real time-saver if your PC is tucked under a desk or has no front-mounted ports. Samsung's SyncMaster 245T even comes with a colour calibration tool for getting the most accurate picture possible.