With a retail price of $249, this 19-inch CRT is almost a steal. Of course, when you get a rock-bottom price, you can't (or at least shouldn't) expect everything. Image color quality is good for general use, but image brightness and sharpness are less than they could be. Still, if you've been yearning for a large display, but your budget is limited, the G90fb isn't a bad choice.

Like most large CRTs, the G90fb is heavy and a bit of a space hog. Lifting it and finding room for it might not be easy, but the G90fb is easy to set up and just as easy to use. Four buttons on the bottom front of the display provide easy access to the G90fb's basic controls. One button brings up menus, one button exits menus, and the other two buttons navigate the various menus. ViewSonic's OnView controls include brightness, contrast, degauss, color temperature, horizontal size, horizontal position, vertical size, vertical position, pincushion, pinbalance, trapezoid, and moire reduction. The OSD lock lets you lock in your preferred settings, so you don't have to worry about accidentally pressing a button and throwing everything off-kilter.

The display has an 18-inch viewable area, a PerfectFlat screen (which helps eliminate distortion), and SuperClear technology, which helps produce bright, clear colors. Display resolutions range from 1,024X768 to 1,920X1,440; refresh rates range from 64Hz to 118Hz (some systems might not support all available combinations). Focus isn't the G90fb's strong suit, so the higher resolutions aren't really usable on most systems. An anti-static, anti-reflection screen coating helps minimize glare and reduce eyestrain.

Available accessories include a TV tuner/video processor (about $200), if you want the display to double as a gaming console or entertainment center.

The package includes a Quick Start guide, an electronic user's guide, a signal cable, and a power cord. The G90fb is available in black and beige.

Pro:  The price. Good color quality. Easy-to-use menu navigation system.
Con:  Average to below average image brightness and detail. Requires a special adapter for Macintosh systems (which can be ordered free of charge from the ViewSonic parts department).

FOR MORE INFORMATION

ViewSonic
381 Brea Canyon Road
Walnut, CA 91789
909-444-8888
800-688-6688
http://www.viewsonic.com

Warranty
3 years