As 24-inch displays go, the Dell UltraSharp 2405FPW is practically a bargain (relatively speaking, of course). However, unlike many budget-price products, the 2405FPW won't make you give up features or quality in exchange for the reduced price tag.

The wide-aspect screen is designed with productivity in mind, as you can work in multiple applications and easily view side-by-side pages. The display has a native resolution of 1,920X1,200 and a contrast ratio of 1,000:1. Text is crisp, even at small font sizes. Images are bright and clear, with rich colors, sharp detail, and good contrast. The default setting tends to be overly bright, but it's easy to make adjustments.

Speaking of adjustments, the 2405FPW offers multiple adjustment options, including height, tilt, swivel, and pivot. If that's not enough flexibility, the display is also VESA-compatible, so you can add an arm or wall mount. The package doesn't include pivot software, but third-party pivot software is readily available. Windows XP includes the necessary software, and some ATI video cards have built-in pivot capabilities.

The 2405FPW has four video inputs (DVI, VGA, S-video, and composite). It also supports PIP (picture-in-picture) and PBP (picture-by-picture), so you can simultaneously display images from multiple signal sources. The display has four USB ports, so you can use it as a USB hub for digital cameras, webcams, scanners, keyboards, and other peripherals. Two of the USB ports are located on the left side of the display, providing easy access.

Buttons on the lower-right of the monitor provide easy access to the various display controls, and one button cycles through the available inputs. Four of the buttons control onscreen functions, including brightness, contrast, and the PIP and PBP modes. The final button turns the display on or off.

If you're still not impressed by the 2405FPW's features, it has one more trick up its sleeve: an integrated nine-in-one Flash card reader for downloading photos and files from digital cameras and other portable devices.

Pros: Top-notch image quality and an abundance of features provide outstanding value. Multiple inputs and multiple adjustment options. Four USB ports for attaching peripherals.
Cons: Doesn't include pivot software. Screen can be overly bright at the default settings.

Warranty
3 years parts and labor