Are 17" LCDs Dead?

Features
By published

In Practice

For office use the PM17T-S is acceptable: that is if you reduce the brightness to a usable level. What's more, text is particularly clear in VGA mode, which is the result of quality electronics. On the other hand, we would have liked to have seen a better inclination range.

For video games, a preferred application area for the PM17T-S, results are in the same vein as the best ... as far as 17" monitors go, that is. Actually, 19" overdriven screens such as the ViewSonic VP191b perform noticeably better, no question. But we'll have to wait a little longer to see this technology employed in the 17" market. However, the game displays are fluid and only the most demanding user would disagree. And then there is the icing on the cake; good quality interpolation. That's interesting for a $300-screen originally intended for those who can't afford to treat themselves to the latest NVIDIA graphics card.

Video isn't this monitor's strength. The PM17T-S suffers from slight but noticeable video noise. But it's above all the viewing angles, always reduced on fast TN panels, which are the most annoying for the user. To watch a movie you need to make sure that you are fully square on to your monitor, because otherwise either the top or bottom of the panel loses its brightness. It's a shame but it's nothing new. Do you remember the first 8 ms 17" tested in these pages? The BenQ FP71E+ , showed the same symptoms.

Conclusion

For a newcomer, ASUS has scored some points in the highly competitive LCD market sector. The panel is fast (for a 17" LCD, that is) and the finish is impeccable for such a competitive price. It remains, of course, to fix the teething problems. Better ergonomics would certainly be welcome.