Priced at $549 when tested, the Iiyama ProLite E481S is among the least-expensive 19-inch LCD monitors we've reviewed recently. The E481S's graphics quality earned a Very Good rating, performing especially well on the white screen test, where it showed no unevenness or dark patches. On our text screens, the E481S did an excellent job of showing white letters on black backgrounds and vice versa; but letters were hard to read on our Microsoft Excel test, and other test scores were average. Ultimately, the E481S earned a Good text rating.
The 2-watt speakers sound as good as any built-in monitor speakers; they'll satisfy users with less-than-exacting audio requirements. But the controls for the speakers--and for everything else--take too many button pushes, and the on-screen display could be easier to navigate. As useful as it is to have gamma controls and five color presets, getting to these settings is a bit of a chore. This and a lack of physical adjustments mean that you have to work with this monitor on its terms--not on yours.
Iiyama's ProLite E481S is a solid performer, but it's a prima donna to work with.
Laura Blackwell
