These tests compared two kinds of monitor panel technologies: the MVAs (Sony, Nec LCD1920NX, Iiyama and Acer) and the PVAs (Nec LCD1980SX and Samsung). There are no winners or losers in this contest - each has some slender advantages.

If we set price aside, the best 19" monitor is the Iiyama AS4821DT. Its performance in games is satisfactory, its colors are better than average, and its ergonomics are very good.

While not quite so good, the Samsung and Acer monitors, to be released at the end of the year, are more than 30% cheaper. These make a good alternative. They are not too bulky, and their more innovative design could really appeal to some users.

Dead Pixels

There is still the recurring issue of dead pixels. Acer only replaces its 19" monitors when there are ten dead pixels; Iiyama when there are four; Nec when there are three white, three black, or six color dead pixels; Samsung when there are ten, and Sony when there are three white, three black, or seven color. Iiyama has the advantage here, while the company's guarantee policy is still not perfect; it is amazing that Iiyama monitors at the high end of the market can be so poorly guaranteed.