Compaq P1100

21" Monitors Reviewed

P1100
Compaq Computer Corp.
Star rating: 5 stars out of 5

The Compaq P1100 monitor is based on the Trinitron FD tube and presents a very flat, high-quality display. Excellent surface coatings make for virtually glare-free viewing, and the enhanced electron guns in this aperture-grille tube provide high sync rates and offer a crisp 0.24 dot pitch. The P1100 supports 1024X768 displays at up to 140Hz and 1280X1024 displays at a maximum of 110Hz. Higher resolutions, up to 1920X1440 at 75Hz, are also possible. In addition to the standard INF file for Windows 95, Colorific software is included for correlating onscreen and printed color. Vertical cable management lets you place the P1100 against a wall to conserve valuable desktop space. Two D-sub connectors handle the output from two computer systems—a switch on the front bezel controls which input to use. A USB hub that provides one up-stream and four downstream connections is located in the monitor base.

At $1,099 ESP, the attractively designed Compaq P1100 is certainly a lot of monitor for the price, especially with the excellent test results it produced during our benchmark tests. Brightness and contrast were excellent on the P1100, as were focus, geometric distortion, and raster rotation. Convergence and color purity are only slightly less than perfect. The P1100 produced slightly greenish yellows when other colors were balanced—not significantly, but noticeable. A wide range of settings and adjustments are available through the combination of buttons on the front bezel and the excellent on-screen menu. Perhaps one of the nicest features of this monitor is the ambient light sensor that adjusts the brightness of the display as the light changes in the workspace. Highly Recommended. — R.L.