Apple PowerBook G4 12-inch
The new 12in PowerBook G4 is a truly beautiful piece of equipment. It sports a superb screen, the best portable keyboard ever and a super-slick, slot-loading DVD/CD-RW combo drive. Add FireWire, Bluetooth, Ethernet, a couple of USB ports and the usual external sound and video ports and it seems like everything you could want is on offer at a sub- $4,000 price.
ACER AL712
Acer has come to the party with an affordable well performing flat display that features an internal power supply, better than average 20ms pixel response time, crisp colour and good greyscale results.
ACER AL922
The ACER AL922 is a 19in screen that performed somewhat inconsistently across our range of tests. It scored strongly in colour and yet poor in clarity and real-world tasks.
ACER TRAVELMATE 800LCI
Acer has taken a different tack to IBM with its version of Centrino. Whereas the ThinkPad focused on being small and portable, the TravelMate 800 is a better-featured notebook with a 1.6GHz processor, 15in display and a fast graphics chip
Adobe Photoshop Album
Photoshop Album
AG NEOVO F-315
With a great-looking design and a vast array of inputs for the size, the Neovo quickly caught our eye. Finishing near the top of its class in every test, it was hot on the heels of both BenQ and the recommended Hyundai.
AG Neovo F-317
One of the more expensive 17in models reviewed - weighing in at just under $1,800, the AG Neovo F-317 proves the adage that you get what you pay for.
ALBATRON L17AS
Another big performer this month, the L17AS was unlucky not to have received an award for excellence.
AOC LM520
Although a little lean on the feature side, and sitting just left of the middle of the pack overall, this monitor performed incredibly well for its cost.
AOC LM914
AOC's 19in LM914 has a DVI-D and an extraordinarily high contrast ratio, thus it holds its ground with regards to specifications.
Aopen F55LS
One of the stranger-looking bezels we received on a display, the AOpen was another middle-of-the-road performer, returning average results
Astrosell Professional 3
Webb based shopping software
AURIGA 15MA
Almost the antithesis of the BenQ FP591 pricing-wise, the Auriga 15MA is one of the most budget-oriented 15in models in this review.
AURIGA 17MA
When this model was submitted to us with the cost listed above, we assumed it was a mistake. Although returning fairly low real world scores, the 17MA is a bargain.
BENQ FP591
When it came time to tally up the scores for all of the 15in monitors, the BenQ FP591 was either at or near the top of every category.
BENQ FP791
Almost identical to the FP591, 15in model (previous page), the BenQ FP791 is everything the little model is, although we actually found it to be slightly more.
CANON 1DS
As a reviewer, there is no greater thrill than being privy to a product that you know will either revolutionise or turn the world upside down. The first Palm Pilot, USB devices, and the Canon 1Ds.
CANON CANOSCAN 8000F
Having set itself as a stalwart in slimline, ultra-cheap flatbed scanners, Canon is moving into the world of scanners for the serious photographer.
Copernic Agent 6 Professional
Copernic Agent 6 Professional
CORNEA 1810MF
Weighing in as more of a budget 18in option, the Cornea 1810MF costs less than some of the 17in models, but is by no means budget in configuration, with some excellent features up its sleeves.
Creative CD-MP3 M100
The Creative CD-MP3 M100 is an Mp3-CD and CD-player that supports MP3 and WMA formats, audio CDs, and CD-R and CD-RW discs.
CTX PV722E
CTX has put together a very sturdy display that is a real all-round performer. The solid steel base is heavy and encased in black ABS plastic, great for occasional knocks on your desk.
CTX S500
This little TFT managed to fight its way into the top 10 of every set of results returned from testing. Quite a feat against the mighty major brands it knocked off.
DELL INSPIRON 5100
Dell's new Inspiron 5100 delivers a truckload of performance thanks to a 2.8GHz P4 processor, which even managed to outscore the 3GHz Hi-Grade we tested this month.
DIAMOND DATA DVD+RW A1
The difference between 'plus' and 'minus' DVD writers comes down to features. Despite some headway being made by the companies pushing DVD-RW, DVD+RW is still a more flexible format for those interested in creating movies and storing data.
DIGIMEDIA MEN-128MP3
Compact form factor and functionality are the two most important features when determining an audio player's portability.
Final Cut Express
Final Cut Express
Gigabyte Maya 2 R9500 Pro
Gigabyte Maya 2 R9500 Pro
HERCULES ProphetView 720
One of the least impressive performers, the ProphetView 720 features a sturdy base and aesthetically pleasing shape.
HI-GRADE ULTINOTE 6600DH
Hi-Grade's new performance-oriented notebook is equipped with a 3.06GHz desktop P4, 60GB HDD, and a gigabyte of RAM. The Ultinote 6600DH displays Hi-Grade's typically first-rate build quality, with solid casing and a good quality TFT screen.
HITACHI CML154XWB
Inconsistent results kept the Hitachi's score low – especially as it was unable to provide decent real-world performance.
HP Ipaq H5450
HP Ipaq
HP PHOTOSMART 130
The market for specialised compact photo printers remains relatively small, but as prices come down for printers and digital cameras, they are becoming more popular. As digital camera prices come down and more cameras have direct printer connectivity, a small photo printer becomes a viable accessory.
HP PhotoSmart c850
HP is better known for printers than it is for digital cameras but it has discovered a new talent that must be sending a shiver down the spine of more traditional camera makers such as Canon, Olympus and Nikon.
HYUNDAI B17SM
Another display that performed consistently throughout the testing, the B17SM returned fair results with a price to match.
HYUNDAI NF1500MAE
The evocatively named NF1500MAE from Hitachi is a surprisingly good screen for its low price.
IBM T541
Though the IBM T541 features a plain specification and scored poorly at clarity, it did fairly well at colour, greyscale tests and real-world tasks
IBM T710
The IBM T170 presents a versatile and clean design and would score well for physical design.
IBM THINKPAD T40 (2732 72U)
Intel's new Centrino is possibly the most hyped notebook technology ever launched. Centrino is the name for a group of Intel's technologies including a tweaked P3-M CPU, built-in wireless, and excellent battery life.
IRIVER IMP-400
IRiver's multi-codec CD player has all the necessary traits required of a high-end personal audio centre. Arriving with a bundle of goodies, the iMP-400 is a stylish unit, with an interesting burgundy and chrome finish.
JBL Creature
JBL's Creature system consists of a subwoofer and two satellites, which are all magnetically shielded. The satellites measure 3 x 3 x 3inches and pump out nine watts (RMS). The subwoofer, a nine-inch variant of the satellites, offers 27W (RMS).
KODAK EasyShare LS633
Receiving this model last month, we knew we were seeing innovation in action with the introduction of OLED technology and the ultra wide and bright 2.2-inch display. OLED allows for less power consumption while providing a noticeably brighter and clearer display than other technologies – perfect for direct sunlight and angular viewing.
Labs : TFT
Time to put the lid on your conventional bulky monitor? Australia's largest flat panel display roundup thinks so.
Labs : TFT : Performance Analysis
To test the TFTs in this month's Labs we relied on a few different methodologies. All TFTs were tested on the same test bench PC consisting of a Gigabyte 8GE667-PRO motherboard and 2.53GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor with 512MB of DDR RAM, running Microsoft Windows XP Professional.
Legend QDI Kudoz 7X-6A
Legend QDI
LG Flatron 1710B
The Flatron 1710B scores well at specifications thanks to its video and USB connectors: its performance in the clarity tests was excellent, despite the smaller viewing angles.
LG GMA-4020B
Like the Panasonic LF-D521U, this DVD-RW drive is a generation behind the newest ones on the market. As such it lacks a lot in burning speed – in fact most of the newer models on the market are twice as fast.
LG L1510S
We found this unit returned a set of less than wonderful results during testing, not offering anywhere near the amount of performance that you're paying for.
M-ANY DUAL-PLAY 128
The M-ANY Dual-Play is a digital audio player in the form of a cassette-tape, supporting MP3, WMA and Audio book formats.
MICROTEK C593
The Microtek C593 features a higher response time than most other 15in screens, and is a below average performer, scoring lowest at specifications, sharpness and resolution.
MICROTEK C997SD
High contrast and fine focal abilities make this display perfectly suited for business or student users doing a lot of reading. Impressive sharpness and resolution scores make it a great companion to those doing desktop publishing or graphic manipulation.
Minolta DiMage 7Hi
Minolta has been producing top-end digital SLRs for many years,
MITSUBISHI DV159
Offering a 16ms rise- and fall-timed TFT, Mitsubishi has developed a real winner here. The low redraw rate allows for performance that almost mirrors that of CRT, while maintaining the weight and size advantages of TFT screens.
MITSUBISHI DV172B
Scoring stronger than both the more costly 17inch Panasonic and Hitachi, the Mitsubishi DV172B just misses out on a recommendation.
MITSUBISHI DV181B
With the longest pixel response time submitted (50ms) we thought it would be a tad on the average side – not so.
ModTech Civic AS2400DW
The AS2400DW picked up the Labs Winner award this month for several reasons.
NEC Multisync LCD1560VM
The NEC LCD1560VM is a screen heavy in weight and performance. Sitting snugly at the higher-end of our spectrum of scores, the LCD1560VM is a workhorse geared towards business use.
NEC MultiSync LCD1860NX
As with all of the NEC displays we received, the bases are strong and have a good range of tilt movement.
NTI BACKUP NOW DELUXE DVD VERSION
The bane of every computer user isn't just losing data, it also includes having to reinstall everything again after a format.
Opinion: Paul Thurrott: Short takes
An often irreverent look at some of the past week's other news.
PALSONIC TFTV-151
Primarily designed as a TFT television, the TFTV-151 offers incredible performance, but has a fairly heavy price tag preceding it. Coming first, or equal first in every one of our conducted tests, it really did impress with the multitude of inputs.
PALSONIC TFTV-201
Bursting at the seams with inputs, this model has it all. Integration of a TV-tuner makes this more than just a PC display - rather, it's a multimedia powerhouse, perfect for game consoles, DVD viewing and TV watching.
PANASONIC DVD BURNER II (LF-D521U)
Panasonic's LF-D521U has a lot in common with the LG drive in this issue – in fact, with the exception of two reading speeds, both drives have identical specifications.
PANASONIC TX-LCD15M
The TX-LCD15M by Panasonic has a sleek, lightweight design with the OSD controls hidden on the side. Its range of video inputs grades it favourably with regard to specifications.
PANASONIC TX-LCD15S
Panasonic's TX-LCD15S highlights good features with its range of video connectors, and performed fairly in the sharpness and resolution tests.
PHILIPS 180P2G
This was an extremely difficult category to judge, with pricing, components and performance playing a heavier part in the judging process because of the general disparity between models submitted.
PHILIPS EXPANIUM EXP213
Well kitted out with a vast array of accessories, Philips' offering to the MP3 marketplace is the EXP213 CD MP3 player.
PHILIPS PSA[128MAX
Compact, rugged and at a mere 45g (without batteries), the Philips psa[128max MP3 player, badged 'Nike', is geared towards consumers who want to get physical with good sound.
Ricoh Caplio 300G
Aimed at the outdoor snapper who wants good quality digital images, the Caplio 300G is a straightforward 3-megapixel compact camera, with a few useful extras built in.
ROME ULTRASM
Super portability is definitely the way of the future and Rome's Ultrasm combined MP3/voice recorder takes a step in that direction.
SAMSUNG SyncMaster 152T
The lightest TFT in our roundup, the Samsung SyncMaster 152T is the priciest screen for under a thousand dollars.
SAMSUNG SyncMaster 172W
A different screen to the rest on review in this category, the Samsung SyncMaster 172W doesn't have a 4:3 aspect ratio, but is instead a widescreen format display.
SAMSUNG SyncMaster 191T
Featuring generous tilt, and incredible viewing angle, Samsung is on to a winner with this well-designed multi-purpose display.
Sigma SD9
Every once in a while
SONY SDM-S81R
Consistently competent in every test, the Sony SDM-S81R was an instant contender for an award in this category, but its price/performance ratio was what sealed it as the winner.
SONY SDMS51R
For a brand synonymous with higher-end audiovisual equipment, the Sony SDMS51R managed to rank just above average, and is sandwiched between the AOC LM520 and CTX S500, which both cost around $200 less
SONY SDMX72
Boasting two D-Sub and two audio ports along with DVI-D, the Sony SDMX72 presents a range of features that even surpasses the winning BenQ FP791.
Triplex Xabre Ultra 600
Triplex Xabre Ultra 600
Vibrant VL5A9PL
Another low-cost screen, Vibrant's VL5A9PL 15in model had a number of setbacks.
VIEWMASTER MC151
The MC151 is light in weight, and the second lightest on the pocket at $519. The plain looking chassis offers no swivel functions and tilt is minor.
VIEWMASTER MSB670
Performing well above average, the Viewmaster MSB670 toyed playfully with the Sony SDMX72 in all our tests, ranking just under by losing the all important battle on features
VIEWSONIC VG500
Ranking as one the lightest screens in our roundup, Viewsonic's VG500 holds its ground against "heavier" performers.
VIEWSONIC VG900B
With average scores across the board, Viewsonic's entry came in just under two thousand dollars and avoided last place overall with a passing mark in real-world simulated tests.
Weblog: David Kidd: CSIROCKS
It's funny working in an industry where, even at its lowest point, there are still stupid amounts of money being thrown around.
Weblog: David Kidd: Go for the privates
The free world is in a flurry at the moment.
Weblog: David Kidd: More privates
Last week's blog attracted some interesting responses and shows that I'm not the only one that's noticing a looming privacy problem out there.
Weblog: David Kidd: Not so ugly...
Every now and then I look up an old friend. While he looks a lot better than he did a couple of years ago, he's still the same, frustrating kid I grew up with.
Weblog: Tim Dean: No junk mail
I hate spam. I hate it with a deep and abiding passion. It is one of those things that manages to stir the deep pool of seething fury that lurks just below my austere exterior.
Xara 3D 5
Xara 3D
XENON Z1s VISUAL WORKSTATION
This is the kind of workstation that budding 3D artists have wet dreams over. It packs two Hyper-Threaded 3.06GHz Xeon processors – currently the best workstation processors on offer from Intel – a gigabyte of RAM and a 10,000rpm SCSI hard drive. In short, you'll be hard pressed to find a faster workstation without forking out the $15,000 or so for a blazing Silicon Graphics machine.
ZONELABS ZONEALARM PRO 3.5 WITH WEB FILTERING
A software firewall has to really stand out to succeed in the crowded market, but ZoneAlarm Pro 3.5 with Web Filtering does just that.