Contrasting sharply with the more flashy monitors on test, HP’s entrant represents the lower end of the 22-inch market. A decidedly cheap-to-the-touch matte black and silver plastic finish means that it won’t be gracing the desks of many fashion-savvy users in the near future.

Uniquely among the monitors on test, HANNSpree’s entrant includes an HDMI input. This makes it possible to connect an HDMI-equipped PC or games console without the need for a converter. Given the fact that even the most recent graphics cards are still sporting dual-DVI ports, the combination of HDMI and VGA inputs seems a little unwieldy for PC use.

Since Sir Charles Wheatstone invented 3D in 1840, it is a concept that has fascinated and enthralled. However 3D has never quite rocked our worlds, until now. The Zalman 3D display is startlingly good and very addictive, so if you get one prepare to divest of at least half of your social life.

The Asus PG221 is a hefty display that weighs in at a startling 10.7kg. It houses a 15W sub-woofer that supplements the 5W stereo speakers, so this display packs considerably more audio than you'll find in many of its rivals.

The Viewsonic VX2255wmb is a 22-inch display with a 1680 x 1050-pixel resolution and a choice of VGA and DVI-D inputs. The 1.3-Megapixel webcam in the top bezel is similar to those found in some of its rivals, but after some hunting around we found a feature that makes the Viewsonic stand out.

Do not let the brand put you off, the Hyundai W241D is an extremely polished and technically accomplished unit. Its key feature is an up-to-the-second S-PVA panel. The scuttlebutt suggests it is the very same Samsung produced panel as found in a number of premium 24-inchers, including Samsung's own 245T model, naturally enough.

The Samsung SM226CW got off to a good start as soon as it came out of the box as it looks great. The shiny black bezel contrasts with the matt-silver strip running across the bottom of the display and the aluminium power button looks very smart.

The BenQ X2000W should be in the shops by the time you read this review, as our sample was the first in the country. It measures in at 20 inches and you get a resolution of 1680 x 1050 pixels. We weren't enthused by the basic and ugly base that snaps on to the X2000W, but the rest of the cosmetics are a great success.

Owning a laptop frees you from having a large monitor permanently on display in your living room or home office. However, if you have a machine with a small screen, or simply like to have extra space when working at a desk, adding something like the LG Flatron L226WTQ (£210 inc. VAT) can often be appealing.

Exclusive We're off to a good start with this monitor. It exhibits the same winning design as some of Samsung's HDTVs, and the glossy black casing and deep colour range signal that the 2232BW is a quality device. Yet is it more living room chic than home office style?

Our spirits dropped a notch or two on our excite-o-meter when we unpacked this 22-inch widescreen monitor. But Chimei has a few tricks up its sleeve to ensure that the 223D isn't just another run-of-the-mill widescreen affair.

With this new Samsung monitor, LED backlight technology moves down from the four-figure stratosphere into the mainstream.

The saving grace of this new widescreen 22-inch monitor is the picture quality, but there are problems with positioning the monitor that reduce its viability.

True 3D in your home, on your PC; what kind of fresh madness is this? We've got our greasy paws on Zalman's 3D monitor (mussing up the shiny display with mucky fingerprints and sophomoric drool); a technology that promises enhanced 3D gaming and mind-blowing video.

At £800, the XL20 is the best value LED currently available, and while Samsung has opted for an AU-Optronics A-MVA 20in panel instead of its own, the build quality, chassis and matte screen are to Samsung's customary high standard

There appears to be more manufacturers of monitors than of any other piece of computer hardware. Buy a PC today and you're likely to get it bundled with a screen from a company you've never heard of.

Despite its low price tag, Iiyama's Prolite B2403WS does not mean compromising on quality. Like other 24in screens, its native resolution is full WUXGA (1,920x1,200). This is more than capable of displaying full 1080p HD video in widescreen

At both ends of the price scale, monitors are getting bigger. It's tricky to find screens smaller than 17in being offered on the high street, while prices continue to tumble. This is a good thing

For a mighty 26-inch widescreen monitor, ViewSonic's latest is deceptively sleek and immaculate in piano black. It's big on connections, too, with Composite, Component and S-Video inputs, and an HDMI port for hooking up life's luxuries

You've heard our mantra: don't skimp on your monitor. You can often get away with a budget chassis or PSU. But choose the wrong panel, and you'll regret it for time out of mind.

Hanns-G HW191D-SB-F review: So we'd all kill for a 30 inch, 2560 x 1600 monster panel, that's a given. But for those with less lavish means - not to mention less glamorous graphics cards - such resolutions are nigh-on impossible to attain

Get a typical 20in widescreen monitor and you'll probably be disappointed with the lack of display height. The answer is to upgrade to a 24in widescreen model and, along with a wonderfully wide panel, you'll get about an inch more in height.

Compared with the new ViewSonic VX2435wm, the Acer looks like a bit of a poor relation, despite costing a few extra pounds. For starters, the grey plastic finish looks a little dull and uninspiring.

If you have an ultraportable laptop with a small panel or simply want to have a more conveniently placed display, it pays to opt for a TFT monitor. The Philips 190CW is a 19-inch widescreen display that comes with a native resolution of 1440 x 900 pixels

There are two things about this monitor that grabbed our attention. Firstly, its looks: we can't think of a better-looking budget monitor to accompany a Mac mini or white MacBook