ThinkVision L190

The IBM ThinkVision L190 is as simple as an LCD monitor gets. This analog-only model takes a just-the-facts-ma'am approach, eschewing advanced extras in favor of simplicity and a low price. As its boxy, businesslike shape suggests, the L190 performs better at office tasks, like displaying text, than at presenting complex graphics.

We ran it through a series of tests. On a fonts test, the L190 made regular and reverse text of several sizes look sharp and readable. We had no major complaints about graphics, although we noted that the default settings were a little too cold to make our fruit tart test photo look appetizing. All in all, the L190 produced very good text results, and quite decent graphics results as well.

Usability is one of the L190's strong suits. The online manual includes black-and-white diagrams suitable for printing, and it defines the three colour presets in real words (6500 degrees Kelvin as "pink white," for instance). Even without a manual, navigating the basic, well-organized screen adjustment menus with IBM's usual wavy buttons takes little effort. Though I'd have liked the stand better if it had offered height or swivel adjustments in addition to tilt, it certainly does feel sturdy.

If you're replacing a CRT or a smaller LCD, the L190 will suffice for general office use. If price is paramount, you may want to compare the L190 to Samsung's SyncMaster 915n, a similar monitor that cost slightly less at time of writing.