BenQ FP731 17" LCD Monitor

Rating:
Summary: Good, but careful with dual setup
Review: I just got 2 of these from FedEx today for setup as a dual monitor. I got them because of the thin bezel, good for dual, and because of the price versus Samsung (I've got 2x 173T's in dual too). I must say that the monitors look great, both design and picture. No dead pixels, and slick design. The picture is warm, easily adjustable and razor sharp for text and colors. The included auto-adjust utility is really good. Problem is this, in a dual screen setup it is almost impossible to get the monitor colors to match. Maybe it is because one is running off the D-Sub and the other DVI with an adaptor. Don't know. The Samsungs don't have this problem (but they are on a dual DVI card). So, if you just want 1, GREAT MONITOR. If you want 2, expect to maybe spend some time getting them matched. Overall, very nice monitor at a great price. COMPETITION FOR SAMSUNG IS GOOD.

Rating:
Summary: Good low cost monitor
Review: Just recieved this monitor and it is very clear and it auto adjusts everything so there is no real setup to do. Just plug in and power up. The only drawback is if you use a lower res than the one recomended it is not as clear. but the recomended res is perfect size and you wouldnt want to lower it. so i would say for the price this is a good choice

Rating:
Summary: Excellent picture quality
Review: NOTE: This review is from itreviews.co.uk*
It's sad to relate, but we still experience a small frisson of excitement whenever a new bit of computer kit arrives on the doorstep. All the more so when it's a monitor, as the performance, quality and style of this particular component can make or break the whole computing experience.

We therefore looked forward to trying out the Benq FP731 which, according to the PR blurb, is no ordinary flat panel display, but elegant and sleek with "great picture quality." Although not totally perfect, the Benq display really does live up to the hype.

Let's start with the technical stuff. The Benq FP731 is a 17-inch TFT monitor with a maximum resolution of 1,280 x 1,024 pixels. It doesn't need a separate AC adapter; just plug the mains cable provided in at the back.

It can be used with almost any video card with an ordinary analogue interface and a refresh rate of up to 76Hz - in practice most modern PCs. Pixel pitch is 0.264mm and the contrast ratio is 450:1. All of which adds up to a really good viewing experience, justifying the "great picture quality" claim.

Of course, the specification and abilities of the host video card are major factors, but we tried the Benq FP731 on several PCs, from a cheap thin-client system to a high-end workstation, and obtained good results across the board. Moreover, the monitor adapted to the host controller automatically with minimal fuss and no manual setup required.

Windows drivers and an on-screen calibration utility are available, but we didn't need either. Indeed on the rare occasions when the display appears fuzzy you just have to press the I-key on the front and the monitor re-calibrates itself, changing the phase, vertical and horizontal settings three times to get the best result.

We used the monitor with a range of applications from basic word processing to editing graphics files and watching a DVD movie. The results were excellent and likely to please all but the most demanding of games player or CAD/CAM professionals who might conceivably rail at the 25ms response time and 76Hz refresh limit.

The relatively slow response time compared to a CRT can cause blurring of high-speed action, but most flat panels in this price bracket will be the same and it's not something most of us would notice.

In terms of aesthetics, the Benq monitor benefits from occupying 40 percent less desk area than a conventional 17-inch CRT. It's a lot lighter too and, as such, easy to move into a comfortable position. The built-in stand allows it to be tilted up to 20 degrees and the only disappointment is the lack of height adjustment. The bezel is thin and silver coloured, making it a good match for the charcoal and silver PC cases so dominant these days.

On the downside, the buttons provided to adjust the brightness/contrast and operate the on-screen display menu proved awkward to operate and the mains lead should really have been black, not white. Plus there are no built-in speakers as with some flat panels. However, these are all very small gripes with what turns out to be a usable and affordable 17-inch flat panel display.

Verdict: The Benq FP731 is a really nice 17-inch flat panel monitor, providing excellent picture quality at a maximum resolution of 1,280 x 1,024. It's also stylish and easy to install, with a useful I-key auto calibration button for optimum results. It's not as responsive as some but is an excellent choice for cost-conscious buyers.

Rating:
Summary: Good low cost monitor
Review: The picture quality of this LCD monitor is good at its native resolution (1280 x 1024). However, when set at other resolutions, although the image quality is still good, the characters are somewhat distorted. Buy it if you plan to use only at 1280 x 1024 resolution.

Rating:
Summary: Only Good at Its Native Resolution
Review: The picture quality of this LCD monitor is good at its native resolution (1280 x 1024). However, when set at other resolutions, although the image quality is still good, the characters are somewhat distorted. Buy it if you plan to use only at 1280 x 1024 resolution.