The Hewlett-Packard w2207 widescreen LCD display has more than enough features to outweigh its shortcomings. It also boasts great picture quality. This 22-inch display delivers outstanding black levels, and the high contrast ratio helps provide a wide color gamut that makes the w2207 a good choice for graphics professionals. Video and gaming enthusiasts will be pleased with the 5-millisecond pixel response time that ensures fast-moving images suffer from virtually no noticeable blurring of details.

The two most common video connections are D-sub (analog) and DVI (digital), and the w2207 has them both. We generally prefer more connectivity options, but on the plus side, the w2207's DVI input HDCP-compliant. This means that copy-protected high-definition material like Blu-ray and HD DVD displays without any trouble. This monitor also has two USB ports and a pair of unimpressive built-in speakers.

Image quality is quite satisfying, with good detail in highlights and shadows, rich color and a fast response rate. Its image quality and pixel response time make the w2207 a good choice for gaming and for graphics professionals, and its HDCP-compliant DVI input makes it a versatile choice for watching movies, with no worries about copy protection systems. This display isn't all play and no work, however. Text is crisp with clean lines, even at small font sizes.

The w2207 is mounted on a very flexible double-hinged stand that provides easy height and tilt adjustments. However, if you extend the stand to its maximum height and then tilt the display back, it becomes top-heavy and can easily tip over. The stand supports pivoting between landscape and portrait orientation, which is great if you regularly work with lengthy documents or just like to read long web pages. The w2207 package includes HP's My Display software that automatically adjusts the screen orientation when you rotate the display. This would seem to be a no-brainer, but not all manufacturers include such software. My Display also provides keyboard and mouse access to most display settings, rather than limiting you to using the onscreen display system.

Unfortunately, the My Display software is one of our least-favorite features. It isn't required to use the display, but it is intended to provide easier access to many features. However, it doesn't always accurately detect when the display is rotated, forcing you to manually tell the software to rotate. If your graphics card natively supports rotation, you should use its software instead.

Despite the disappointing software and top-heavy tendencies, the Hewlett-Packard w2207 LCD monitor is a winner in the performance category, with plenty of pep, satisfying black levels and rich colors.


Pros: HDCP-compliant DVI input, good contrast ratio and color gamut
Cons: Weak software, small and ineffective speakers, stand can be top-heavy

Warranty
3 years, parts and labor; on-site service