Best 22-inch LCD Monitors

A Selection of the Best 22-inch LCDs for a Variety of Different Tasks

PC display technology hasn't changed all that much in the past few years. The same LCD panel technology and CCFL backlights are still used in the majority of displays. As such, the somewhat dated Hanns-G Hi-221DPB offers a good overall if dated display at a very competitive price. Prices range from as low as $150 up to $180. The 22-inch panel uses the 16:10 aspect ratio with a 1680x1050 resolution. Brightness and contrast ratios are good as response times are quick a 5ms. It doesn't feature a newer HDMI port but does come with both a DVI-D and VGA connector. There are built-in 1W stereo speakers. Of course, to reduce costs, the screen only features a tilt adjustment and just a VGA cable.

Those who are looking for a display that can do just about anything, the HP LP2275w offers a very amazing screen. The 22-inch screen features a 1680x1050 resolution with 6ms response time and 92% NTSC color gamut. This gives the display a high level of color for those looking to do high quality graphics work while still providing sufficient response times for video or gaming. It uses a DVI-D port that is backward compatible with VGA video cards with the supplied DVI to VGA cable. It also features the new DisplayPort connector and cable. Also built into the monitor are several USB 2.0 ports. The heavy stand provides a stable base with tilt, height, swivel and pivot adjustments. Prices are around $350.

The LG W2286L is their latest 22-inch series monitor that features a new LED backlit display to help improve contrast and improve color. Gamers will enjoy the deep blacks produced by the monitor when gaming and the fast 2ms response times will help keep motion blur to a minimum. It even features an auto-brightness sensor to adjust the brightness for when those gaming sessions run into the early morning hours. The display uses a standard 16:10 aspect ratio with a 1680x1050 resolution for excellent widescreen gaming support. Input connectors include two HDMI, a DVI-D and a standard VGA. Prices range around $200 to $230.

Many people are looking to use their LCD monitors as more than just a computer display. The Samsung Touch of Class T220HD provides the ability to use the display for multiple video sources and even doubles as an HDTV with its built-in TV tuner. The 22-inch display does fall short of full 1080p HD support due to the 1680x1050 resolution but many might not find this a problem. Connectors for the display include HDMI, DVI-D, VGA and component. Color is good with a bright display and high contrast levels. The fast 5ms response time allow it to provide fast motion from videos or gaming without and frame ghosting. One downside is the stand that only features tilt adjust. Pricing ranges from $240 to $300.

Multi-touch is one of the new features of the Windows 7 operating system and a steady stream of new multi-touch enabled monitors is starting to come to market. The Dell SX2210T is one of the first available with the interface built into the display for use with Windows 7 PCs. The 21.5-inch display uses a 16:9 aspect ratio with a higher 1920x1080 resolution. Brightness is a bit lower than average but contrast ratios and response times are both very strong. Connectors include HDMI, DVI and VGA inputs plus a two USB 2.0 port. A USB cable is required to use the multi-touch functions. The screen even includes a built-in 2 megapixel webcam. Prices are a bit higher at $470.

Even the highest end display for professional graphics require color calibration though. This is where the NEC Multisync P221W-BK-SV display is a great choice for the graphics professional. In addition to the 22-inch display that covers 96% of the AdobeRGB color gamut, it also includes the SpectraViewII color calibration unit to ensure that the screen is properly setup for color. The 22-inch display features a 1680x1050 resolution with a somewhat slower 8ms response time that is still acceptable for video but probably not suited for gaming. It features a VGA and DVI-D connector with HDCP. The stand is fully adjustable for height, tilt, pivot and swivel. Prices are around $700 to $800.