We offered every manufacturer the option to send in a widescreen LCD this month, but only BenQ took us up on it with the FP92W. The 1440 x 900 resolution may offer fewer pixels than its 4:3 rivals, but the wide aspect ratio gives it a different appeal. Desktop sidebars are a viable option, editing documents side-by-side is possible, while most movies are inherently better suited to widescreen.
And despite the price, only the Philips and the Eizo performed better in our technical tests. The FP92W scored above average, but its greatest strength is colour accuracy; we saw no colour tints on our greyscale tests and the backlight is even.
In the real-world tests, fast-motion blur and a lack of detail in dark areas are two slight gripes, but elsewhere the BenQ held its own. Colour accuracy was again excellent and photos looked crisp. Just remember that glossy screens are better for entertainment.
The BenQ is only kept from scoring more by a general lack of extras. The stand tilts but doesn’t offer height adjustment, and there are no integrated speakers or USB ports. The onscreen display is comprehensive, but the buttons are awkwardly placed on the left side of the bezel. Also, there’s no DVI cable in the box, which takes away from the excellent value somewhat.
But the difference in quality between VGA and DVI is barely noticeable, so the FP92W still represents fantastic value. It’s stylish enough to complement any desk and at least offers a choice of DVI or D-SUB inputs. If frills like height adjustment and a USB hub don’t matter, the BenQ FP92W is a decent widescreen option.
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