Eizo Nanao Flexscan l675

Eizo Nanao's new FlexScan L675 is simply the most space-saving flat-panel display seen by the CRN Test Center to date.

PRICE: $2,859 (Street) AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS: None DISTRIBUTORS/INTEGRATORS: Arrow Electronics, Avnet, Comark, CompuCom, Electrograph, Entex, GE Capital, GTSI, Ingram Micro, Promark, Tech Data WARRANTY: 3 years parts, labor and LCD backlight PHONE: (800) 800-5202

The 18.1-inch L675 takes up about the same space as a conventional 15-inch flat-panel display, so for solution providers with clients working in tight quarters, such as on stock trading floors and in medical institutions, this monitor will practically sell itself. And because the L675 is so much smaller than a typical 18-inch flat panel, solution providers will be able to set up more of them in a given area, potentially leading to greater profits.

The monitor's native resolution is 1,280 x 1,024, and it will scale lower resolutions to fill the screen. It offers a 160-degree viewing angle and has a 0.28mm pixel pitch.

The narrow footprint is not the monitor's only strong point. Equipped with dual DVI-I inputs, the L675 is compatible with both analog and digital inputs, simply by using the appropriate video cable. A DVD-D input is for digital inputs only, while a DVI-I input is compatible with both analog and digital inputs.

Users have complete control over color, including hue, gain and saturation. For a more complete multimedia solution, Eizo can supply an optional $115 i-Sound stereo speaker system that attaches to the bottom edge of the monitor, from where it is powered.

Engineers used various test patterns from DisplayMate Technologies' DisplayMate monitor testing software suite to test the L675. Anyone who would like to try out a few of these monitor test patterns can download a free CRN Test Center-endorsed "mini suite" from the Test Center's benchmark download center at www.crn.com/testcenter.

The Test Center has found that Eizo flat-panel displays often display a brighter, sharper picture than other brands. The L675 could be the most vivid flat-panel display available anywhere. The monitor did an excellent job of displaying both gray and color scales, and photographs looked particularly sharp.