ADI Microscan 1700

The flat-screen TFT market is saturated, so choosing the right monitor can be difficult. ADI's latest release, the Microscan I700, is a 17in panel that stands out from the crowd thanks to a number of useful additions.

Most importantly, the I700 features an interchangeable Feature Box that, in the standard bundle, houses a pair of decent-sounding speakers and a pair of USB2 ports. This box can be replaced with an alternative unit that does away with these ports in favour of a TV tuner. With this, you can access all five terrestrial channels or, if you have an appropriate set-top box, enjoy digital television through your PC display.

The I700's other main feature is its swivelling screen, which can be turned 90 deg on each axis. Mostly useless for the home user, this feature only really comes into play for the business market, such as trading or design, where the monitor needs to be flexible.

Image quality is fairly good, although the picture tends to worsen if you view it from severe angles. We tested the display with a variety of applications, including games, and, despite its relatively high 25ms response time, it performs well enough to appeal to the average user.

There is no digital input on the I700, so you'll have to manually adjust the display in order to get the best picture. Also, if you intend to move the screen between PCs, or if the cable becomes disconnected, you'll have to reboot or physically instruct the monitor to accept a new signal, which can be frustrating at times.

These complaints aside, the Microscan I700 is an attractive screen that provides an adequate range of features.

Contact: ADI 0870 444 1895
www.adiuk.com

Specifications:

• 17in TFT
• 1,280 x 1,024 native resolution
• 400:1 contrast ratio
• 120 deg viewing angle (vertical and horizontal)
• 16.7 million colours
• Analogue input