Monitors.(COMPUTER EXCLUSIVE)(Buyers guide)

CR QUICK: Recommendations

Prices for LCD monitors continue to fall, making them (especially in their 17-inch size) the best choice for most people. Choose a model 19 inches or larger if you have poor vision and prefer a larger screen, routinely edit photos, play games often, or frequently run several programs at once. Models differ in display quality, features, warranty, and how well designed their controls are. Full-featured models typically include both adjustable height and tilt to reduce neck strain. They also include the ability to rotate from landscape mode, which is best for photography and video, to portrait mode, which is best for Web pages and text documents. If more than one person will often view the monitor at the same time, consider a model that has a wide viewing angle. Most models have a DVI input, a computer interface that makes it easier to configure the monitor for the best picture quality. The Quick Picks are models we judge to offer the best value.

QUICK PICKS

For a full-featured 17-inch LCD:

1 Samsung $380

An excellent performer that is easy to use and has excellent display quality. It can be rotated from landscape to portrait mode and adjusted for height, and has a DVI input along with a three-year warranty.

Best values in a 17-inch LCD; both are CR Best Buys: