Dell E17_FP LCD Monitor: An Excellent Choice
I have purchased two Dell monitors on eBay - The first was an E176FP LCD, and the second was the E177FP LCD. I take it the two monitors are just different versions of the same, as they are nearly identical to each other (the only difference is that the E177 is black, while the E176 is just a little grayer (maybe because it is older)). I use both monitors on the same computer (a two-monitor setup).
The image on screen is excellent - very sharp, the colors are vivid, and no dead pixels. The controls for adjusting the monitor are easily visible (silver push buttons set on the front of the casing, below the screen), and easy to access, although you can get confused trying to maneuver through the setting options.
There are no speakers attached to the monitor.
You only need a regular computer-style power cord - no transformer or power adaptor is needed. The monitor is connected to your computer via standard SVGA connector.
The stand that comes with the LCD panel is appropriately heavy, and manages to make a minimal footprint on your desk. As a matter of fact, it is almost as if the stand takes up no more space than the panel itself. The stand snaps onto the back of the monitor, and does so with a solid, very audible and confidence-building "SNAP." No screws are needed, and the result is a flat, neat,clean back.
The metal post that raises the monitor above the desk allows for limited swivelling up and down. Side-to-side swivel involves moving the whole stand. There is also a hole in the support through which you can place your power cord and SVGA cable - again, keeping everything neat. Plug-ins are set behind/under the stand's locking mechanism, and face downwards, so (again), everything is neat.
I think this is what impresses me the most about the monitors: they are neat, unobjectionable, plain. They look like what they are: pieces of a business machine that let you focus exclusively on what is on the screen. After all - that's what they're there for.
They are unobtrusive.
Performance-wise, they seem to be completely trouble-free. The older E176 has been running for nearly 2 years without a problem. I have had the 177 for less than six months, but given the similarities between the two, I expect the same kind of reliability. (I use them daily, for 10 - 16 hours per day, and do not usually let them go blank when I'm away from the desk.)
I specifically sought out the E177 because the E176 is such an excellent monitor. Dell has done an excellent job on these - very neat, straight-forward, high-performance monitors. You get your money's worth here.
Both monitors were bought new through eBay, and for nearly the same price.Read full review
