Review: Philips 190X7 monitor

Philips' 190X7 monitor is clearly designed for the more style-conscious of computer users.

From its clean curved edges to the touch-sensitive power and menu buttons on the front panel, the whole design actively distances itself from the boxy, square lines of most PC screens.

All that would be pointless if the display itself were no good, but luckily, the 190X7 is an excellent monitor. Images and text are clear and sharp, and the aforementioned touch-controls can be used to select from several preset modes that auto-adjust brightness and contrast levels for certain tasks, such as office work and games.

There are other controls on the side panel for volume (there's a sound input socket on the back of the screen) and advanced menu options.

The 190X7 has both DVI and VGA inputs, and the DVI socket is HDCP-compatible. What that means is that, when a Vista PC is connected, and a suitable graphics card and software are used, the user will be able to view Blu-ray and HD-DVD movies in top quality. It's something that will become increasingly common on monitors, but for now, it's a bonus point for an already excellent screen.

The only real problem is the design and that all those features lend the 190X7 a higher list price than most other 19in screens.

Vista: N/A