Introduction

Several weeks ago, we took a look at seven moderately priced 19" LCD monitors hoping to find a monitor that combined the best in performance, price and quality. Since then, Dell was generous enough to give us one of their newest 19" LCD models, the much famed 1905FP. The Dell UltraSharp 1905FP and its larger brother, the 2005FPW, are the eventual replacements for the 1901FP and the much acclaimed 2001FP displays. The Dell 2001FP has been one of the most fantastic displays that we ever had the pleasure of working with; it sports excellent resolution, great user interface, additional inputs and an unbeatable price. However, like all things in the computer industry, a lot can change in a year. Even though the 2001FP was an exceptionally bright monitor for a flat panel capable of 1600x1200 resolutions, newer Samsung, LG.Philips LCD and AUO panels all sport better specifications and the OEMs have started to implement these newer panels.


Dell UltraSharp 1905FP (right) with a Dell UltraSharp 2001FP close by (left)

Undoubtedly, the 1905FP has a lot to live up to given the legacy of the 2001FP. We were not able to get a sample of the 2005FPW in time for this review, but we will get a full comprehensive look at that display in the next few weeks.

Since we just finished a roundup a few weeks ago, Dell has it particularly tough because the 1905FP must outperform all of our other 19" LCDs to win our hearts.


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  • IceWindius - Sunday, January 30, 2005 - link

    I"ll wait for SED displays to come out, it will kick OLED's ass
  • MrEMan - Sunday, January 30, 2005 - link

    Are there people here who actually believe Dell manufactures any components (monitors, drives, motherboards, video cards, etc) in their systems?

    I would really be surprised if they actually do.

    My guess is that the specify which OEM products they want, and then, have them tweaked to make them proprietary.
  • avijay - Sunday, January 30, 2005 - link

    Great review!

    #31, that lady might get a few extra bucks based on her ratings, and to be honest, those guys try to get as much info as possible, but it doesn't quite work out all the time. I should know, I used to work in a place like that.

    BTW, any chance of reviewing the Sony SDM-P234/B 23". I've been trying to find a good review on that LCD for quite a while, but unable to do so. I'd really appreciate it if kristopher can review one and let everyone know the good and the bad about that monitor. Thanks.
  • najames - Saturday, January 29, 2005 - link

    I agree with TwistyKat. I have had enough Dell for a lifetime and I have never even technically ordered from them. I put in a Viewsonic monitor order 1/5 to ship on 1/28, the system was so screwed up my account had somebody elses name attached. After 10 emails, one long call to Mumbai, and another call where the guy basically just sat there didn't answer questions, and said nothing, then cut me off, I gave up and canceled my order on 1/26. They never did get the account fixed so the account linked with the order. It was always my responsibility to fix their problems, including filling out forms for the "webmaster", even though Dell reps could see it was hosed. When I called to cancel the US staff told me my VIEWSONIC monitor was in production at DELL (WTF?), requiring yet another call to Mumbai. The lady in Mumbai did tell me that she wanted me to give her a good rating on service, 1 being poor and 9 being excellent.
  • HeatMiser - Saturday, January 29, 2005 - link

    Link to Samsung's panel here: http://www.samsung.com/Products/TFTLCD/Monitors_n_...
  • pxc - Saturday, January 29, 2005 - link

    The 1905FP's LCD is 376mm x 301mm, a 5:4 aspect ratio. That fits perfectly with the 5:4 native resolution (1280x1024).

    http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/monitors/r83...
  • reactor - Saturday, January 29, 2005 - link

    good review, good timing too, was looking at getting a 19" lcd.

    would like to see a review of the Philips 190S5FB, or an updated roundup, as people on newegg are raving about it.
  • MAME - Saturday, January 29, 2005 - link

    "Fast motion was on par with what we expected for this game; we certainly didn't notice any motion blur, but if the Dell 1905FP is your first LCD, then you will notice a difference immediately."

    What do you mean by "difference"? Not as good as a CRT?
  • MadAd - Saturday, January 29, 2005 - link

    As well as reviews of other popular models (like the 2005FPW, the HP L2335) are we going to one day get at least *one* set of reliable benchmarks at resolutions up and above 1600x1200 please please!!!!

    Just a quick roundup of available dx9 cards with mid-high range amd/intel at resolutions up to 1920x1200 - is that too much to ask from your favourite hardware site? :)

    Wide screen gaming seems to be taking off and Id really like to know what kind of performance im going to need to run at good frame rates if I do get say the dell, or the hp. Will my 9700pro cut it? Probably not but do I need as much as an xt850?

    Go on, I know youd love to do them :)

    Thanks
  • robl - Saturday, January 29, 2005 - link

    Great article, thanks! Any chance of reviewing the Apple 30" HD display? I'd love to see how it compares, especially with which video cards support it on a pc. most sites I've seen only talk about it on the apple platform.

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