The $309 (as of January 12, 2007) Dell UltraSharp 1907FP is a solid all-purpose monitor that displays sharp text but less-exciting graphics.
In our image quality tests, the 1907FP rendered a screen of text in varying font sizes with ease: Both black text on a white background and white text on a black background were clear and easy to read, even at small sizes.
The 1907FP didn't fare as well with the graphics portion of our tests, however. Hues in photos were fairly realistic but not as bright as those shown on other models. Nevertheless, the monitor would suffice for basic word processing and other office tasks.
Two USB ports are located on the side of the display, for easy access. An optional $30 soundbar attaches to the bottom of the display but was not included with our test unit.
The 1907FP has a simple but clean design, with a black bezel and a silver pronged stand. It can tilt, swivel, and pivot with ease. Height adjustment is fairly smooth, though the display seemed a little sticky at first. An opening at the back of the stand provides nice cable management.
To use the 1907FP's on-screen controls you must consult the CD-based manual; we found it almost impossible to interpret how the buttons work. Thankfully, the hyperlinked manual provides helpful advice on how to make screen adjustments, explaining each menu and submenu, and describing each control.
With its good representation of text and some nice design touches, the UltraSharp 1907FP should fit well in a home or office setting.
Kalpana Ettenson
