Take a Closer Look They may be stylish, but are oversized LCD panels worth the price? Here's the flat-out truth.

Oh yes, good looks are important. When you spend more than eighthours staring at something, it ought to be an LCD monitor.They're easy on the eyes, save space and energy, and are fairlyaffordable. But sometimes bigger is better. Seventeen- and 18-inchmonitors come with a bit more sticker shock than 15-inchers, butalso with a whole lot more. They pay off in comfort andproductivity and are appropriate for graphics work, viewinglegal-sized documents and Web design.

There's also something appealing about seeing your desktopcoming through with a 17-inch LCD. We replaced our last year'smodel 15-inch flat panel with the $890 (all prices street) 17-inchSamsung SyncMaster 171P to write this story. Big difference.Literally. If you go from a traditional CRT to an LCD, it'seven more stunning.

LCD prices are notorious for fluctuating. Big, flat panels aremore affordable than ever, but just when you think the cost of anLCD is down for good, a manufacturing shortage rears its ugly headand drives prices back up. It pays to keep an eye on the market. Ifyour dream 17-incher is out of budget reach, just wait and catch iton its way down or at the end of the model year.

The best-case buying scenario is viewing potential LCDs inperson. Since that's not always possible, be sure to buy from aretailer with a good return policy. Same thing goes for themanufacturer's warranty. Three-year coverage is ideal.

Mac users will be interested in the $999 17-inch Apple StudioDisplay. The one-year warranty is slim, but you can buy an extendedone.

Features to consider are integrated audio, swivel and pivotscreens and sturdiness. Analog and digital are your choices forconnecting. Many monitors come with both to handle your technologyneeds.

Special features can help you narrow down monitor choices. The$900 Sony SDM-X72 includes an Eco Mode button that reduces powerconsumption by 20 percent. An internal power supply also reducesclutter. If size matters, the Sharp LL-T1803 is an 18-inch monitorthat comes in at $949. The $935 BenQ FP882 is comparable. Youwon't get bells and whistles, but you'll cut 18-inch LCDdisplay prices.

The $850 IBM T750 is one of several monitors with swivelcapabilities so you can view your work lengthwise. Spreadsheets andlengthy documents can be handled this way. With so many competingmanufacturers, you'll be able to find a large LCD that meetsyou at the corner of Budget and Features. In the bargain bin,you'll find the $549 Envision EN-7100e and the ViewSonic VE700for $639.

But be discerning about who in your business needs a 17- or18-inch monitor and who will do fine with a 15-incher.

ShoppingList
Can't decide which oversized LCD panel will do the job? take alook at the big picture before hitting the computer store.