The VA912b offers a number of desirable features in a package that's equally attractive. Although the sticker price isn't the lowest for a 19-inch display, it's still affordable for many home users, as well as its target business users.

The instructions on the printed set-up guide are sparse, but the actual configuration process is a breeze. The VA912b has analog and digital inputs, and unlike many displays, it comes with a digital DVI cable. A cable-management slot on the back of the display helps reduce clutter.

Adjustment options are surprisingly limited. You can tilt the VA912b forward and back, but you can't swivel or pivot it. The display is VESA-compatible, so you can add a wall mount ($99) or arm mount ($170) if you want more adjustability or if desktop space is limited. The VA912b has a somewhat large base that takes up more desktop space than some displays, but it also adds stability.

The VA912b has a 19-inch viewable area and a native resolution of 1,280X1,024. Viewing angles of 160 degrees horizontally and vertically help reduce blurring and color shift when viewing the display off-axis.

Image quality is above-average, with rich black text that is crisp and sharp even at small font sizes. Colors are bright and vivid with good contrast, while grayscale images display good tonal range with no color tints.

The 8-millisecond pixel response time should help reduce ghosting when viewing video or playing fast-action games, although we saw more noticeable ghosting than we expected for such a low response time.

A row of buttons on the bottom-front frame provides access to the onscreen menu, which is organized and easy to navigate. The VA912b supports sRGB (standardized Red Green Blue), a color space that helps provide consistent color across software applications and hardware peripherals, including printers, scanners, and digital cameras.

The VA912b includes integrated 1.5-watt stereo speakers. Audio quality is better than you would expect from built-in speakers, but it is still no match for dedicated stand-alone speakers. The package comes with an analog cable, a DVI cable, an audio cable, a power cord, and a CD with drivers and an electronic user guide.

Pro: Offers an attractive collection of features at a reasonable price. Good image quality.
Con: Limited adjustment options. No USB ports.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

ViewSonic
381 Brea Canyon Road
Walnut, CA 91789-0708
909-444-8888
http://www.viewsonic.com

Warranty
3 years parts, labor, and backlight