NEC and LaCie Lead On Professional LCD Gear

Dell 2001 FP

If you work for a big company and the decision's been made (at last!) to make the move to LCD monitors, then we're not talking theoreticals here - we're discussing what's going to wind up on your desk. And the answer depends on whether your boss is just a bit stingy or a REAL cheapskate. One of the cheapest 20.1" monitors on the market is priced at less than $600, barely more than the cost of some 19" monitors. You'd better get your requisition in quickly!

Design And Finish

The design of the 2001FP is consistent with that of other Dell monitors from 17 to 24 inches, which are of the same style and use the same materials. Without getting picky, I must say that the look of this product doesn't exactly shout "fashion"; personally, I don't like it. The plastic parts are of average quality. It's tough-looking, but the silver-grey plastic doesn't fool you for more than a couple of seconds. Build quality, on the other hand, is impressive.

Ergonomics

Ergonomically the 2001FP is excellent. On the physical side, Dell provides a height-adjustable stand, which can also be adjusted easily for tilt and swivel. The on-screen display (OSD) menus are well-designed and simple to navigate. From this point of view, Dell has got the right idea - the 2001FP is well-suited to everyday use.

Connectivity

Here again, we get more than the average because in addition to VGA and DVI, the 2001FP has an S-Video input. No speakers are included, but there's a USB 2 hub on the side of the monitor providing two sockets, which is very useful for connecting cameras or memory card readers.