Rebecca Freed

Dell 1503FP

The 1503FP has both digital and analog video interfaces, and if you buy this monitor along with a Dell PC you'll get a $50 price break. The 1503FP's base allows it to swivel horizontally as well as tilt vertically. It also has on-screen controls for both coarse and fine image adjustments (also known as Clock and Phase controls), although we found that, as with other LCD monitors, the auto-adjust function does a better job of restoring a clear image than we could with the manual controls. Phone support is available all day, every day.
Our judges rated the 1503FP's graphics as only satisfactory, with the lowest score in our current round of tests; in our test photographs, warm tones looked too bright and contrasty, although text appeared well-formed and sufficiently dark. The icons that label the control buttons are confusing: The auto-adjust icon looks like an icon for image size, and the analog- or digital-input icon looks like it represents horizontal positioning. But once you discover the Menu button (also labeled with a cryptic icon), making adjustments via the on-screen menus is easy.
Cables attach to the monitor vertically and thread through a hole in the base, which has a hook on the back to corral the cords. The user manual is thin but well-arranged and clearly written.
Buyers of Dell PCs will be tempted by the 1503FP's low cost, but other models can match its price and handily beat its image quality.

Buying Information

Dell 1503FP 15-inch viewable area, 16.6 by 6.9 by 14.5 inches, 12.5 pounds, active-matrix TFT panel, TCO '99-compliant, three-year warranty, three-year backlight warranty, 24-hour daily toll-free support. $ 549 15-inch viewable area, 16.6 by 6.9 by 14.5 inches, 12.5 pounds, active-matrix TFT panel, TCO '99-compliant, three-year warranty, three-year backlight warranty, 24-hour daily toll-free support. 800/388-8542 http://www.dell.com