Philips 201B10 21" monitor

21-inch monitors are usually reserved for the specialist market, and the Philips monitor on test here has been designed for the most demanding user, particularly desktop publishing and CAD/CAM professionals. The sheer screen area tends to dwarf the user, but the extra space offered by a 21" display gives you 120 per cent more usable area compared to a 15". A couple of years ago large monitors needed huge desks: not only did they have a big screen, but they were also very deep. Philips has used a short-necked tube and this has cut the depth down to just under 47cm, giving it one of the smallest footprints of any 21" monitor.

The monitor is connected via a standard 15-pin D-Sub monitor cable and there is also a USB connection which allows you to use your mouse to control the standard monitor functions, such as brightness and contrast. An optional USB hub is also available, enabling you to connect additional USB peripherals.

If you can't connect via USB, adjustments to the monitor can be made via the front panel buttons and on-screen display. The five interface buttons are simple to use and the interface is intuitve. Philips has cut out some of the technical jargon, leaving the user with simple English menu options.

Using specialised diagnostic software we gave the monitor a through testing. Overall it perfomed very well: the edges were less sharp than the centre but this is a normal issue with monitors. Even when running high-end resolutions, the monitor worked well: text became a little fuzzy but was still readable.With a street price of £727 (inc Vat) the Philips 210B10 compares well against the competition. If size is what matters to you, this monitor is sure to please.