Best 22-inch LCD Monitors

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. The result is that prices have come down significantly. Acer's X223WDbd display is very affordable and can be found as little as $130. 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 an HDMI port but does come with both a DVI-D and VGA connector. Of course, to reduce costs, the screen only features a tilt adjustment but it does come with both DVI and VGA cables.

Those who are looking for a display that can do just about anything, the Dell UltraSharp U2212HM is a great choice. This display features an IPS panel for some good color support and wide viewing angles. It also introduces an LED backlight that helps improve the energy consumption. The 21.5-inch panel supports a full 1920x1080 resolution with fast 8ms response time. Unlike many consumer displays that now feature glossy coatings, it comes with an anti-glare coating. It may not be as bright as some other displays on the market but it is more than sufficient and the contrast is quite good. It features a DisplayPort, DVI and VGA connectors and also has a 4-port USB 2.0 hub built-in. Priced between $220 and $270.

Gaming demands extremely fast response times to deal with the action on the screen. With a base 5ms response time and 2ms possible with overdrive, the ViewSonic VX2253mh-LED is one of the fastest. The screen also offers an LED backlit that allows the display to be extremely thin, power efficient and help reduce the eye strain that older CCFL based display can cause for some users. It features a higher 1920x1080 resolution for high detail levels. Viewing angles suffer a bit more because of the TN based panel though. Connectors include two HDMI and one VGA. It also features a pair of 2W stereo speakers although most gamers will likely opt for headphones or better speakers. Prices range from $170 to $200.

Many people are looking to use their LCD monitors as more than just a computer display. The Samsung B2230HD provides the ability to use the display for multiple video sources and even doubles as an HDTV with its built-in TV tuner. The 21.5-inch features a full 1920x1080 resolution display for a full 1080p HD picture unlike the previous T220HD. Connectors for the display includes two HDMI,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 $230 to $300.

With multitouch being one of the major features in Windows 7, it is surprising that there haven't been many more touchscreen enabled displays on the market. Probably the biggest flaw with most of the displays is that they really aren't all that different from a traditional display. They may be good to look at but frankly we aren't used to touching and writing on a display that is at the same level as our eyes. This is where the Dell ST2220T differs because its stand will allow it to lie all the way flat on a desk making it much ergonomic as a touch display. It also offers a surprising IPS panel that offers wide viewing angles but not the same level of color as other IPS panels. Response times are also a bit slower at 14ms gray-to-gray. Connectors include HDMI, DVI and VGA. It also has a 4 port USB hub built in as this is also used for the touch interface with the PC. A pair of 2 watt stereo speakers are built-in. Priced around $320.

Those looking to do some graphics work really need to look at a display that uses an IPS based technology. They provide some of the best overall color gamuts but they tend to be very expensive. While HP has released a newer ZR2220w monitor to replace the ZR22w, it doesn't offer the same level of color gamut as the older version. It also does not have wide a gamut as professional monitors costing three times as much, it does cover the majority of the AdobeSRGB gamut used by print and designers. The display panel is really 21.5-inches in size but does feature a very high 1920x1080 native resolution. Response times are relatively quick and viewing angles are very wide. It has a DisplayPort, DVI and VGA connector but lacks the HDMI. It also has a 4-port USB hub. Priced around $300.