This monitor is my window to the World Wide Web.
Written: May 22 '05 (Updated May 22 '05)
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Pros: Easy to use. Space and energy efficient. Looks nice.
Cons: Hard to clean. Can't accommodate attachable speakers.
The Bottom Line: Need a new window to the World Wide Web? You'd do well to consider the Hewlett Packard Pavilion F50.
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| knotheadusc's Full Review: Hewlett Packard HP Pavilion F50 (15 in.) Flat Pane... |
Back in late 2002, my trusty old Gateway computer, which had seen me through my three years of graduate school, up and croaked on me. Since I happen to be an internet addict, Bill and I were quick to trot off to AAFES (the Army Air Force Exchange Service) for a replacement computer. While we were at it, we decided to purchase a new monitor for my new machine. We chose the 15 inch Hewlett Packard Pavilion F50 monitor to go with my Hewlett Packard 753n computer. My computer is, alas, no longer so new and it's starting to show its age. Thankfully, though, the monitor is still in perfect working order.
The Hewlett Packard Pavilion F50 is a flatscreen model monitor and that's part of the reason my husband and I decided to purchase it. My desk is not very big and I tend to have a cluttered workspace. I wanted a monitor that would not take up a lot of space. I also wanted a monitor that would be easy to use. The Hewlett Packard Pavilion F50 definitely scores high points for being space efficient. I'm also happy to report that it is, indeed, very easy to use. Once I removed the Hewlett Packard Pavilion F50 from the box, I plugged the correct end of the power adapter into the monitor, then plugged the other end of the power adapter into my new computer. Once I turned the monitor on, my computer detected its presence. At that point, my window to the Information Superhighway was ready to function.
The Hewlett Packard Pavilion F50 offers two different display modes, high color and true color, and both display modes offer three levels of resolution: 600x480, 800x600, and 1024x768. I have been using the high color display mode at 1024x768 with no problems, although for the purpose of reviewing this product, I tried the other settings. As I switched display modes and resolution levels, the screen went black for a second, then popped back up. I really couldn't tell the difference in the picture quality for high color and true color. Either setting would work fine for me. I've also been using 16 bit color quality, which is the medium setting. I just switched the monitor's settings to 32 bit color quality, which is the highest level supported by the Hewlett Packard Pavilion F50. Again, I didn't notice a discernible difference in quality between the two settings; both offer fine color quality. All of the settings are adjustable on screen with the use of a mouse, although there are also buttons on the monitor to allow users to make adjustments manually as well. My Hewlett Packard Pavilion F50 monitor is energy-star and MPII compliant, which means that this monitor is very energy efficient.
The Hewlett Packard Pavilion F50 looks great on my desk. It's silver in color and matches my Hewlett Packard 753n. The screen is treated with an anti-glare coating, which makes viewing the monitor easier. I do have one complaint about this monitor, however, and that's that it doesn't accommodate my Polk Audio computer speakers, which have brackets on them so that they can be attached to either side of a computer monitor. I know that Hewlett Packard does make monitors that will accommodate these speakers because my cousin's old monitor was made by HP and he was able to attach his speakers to either side. I've had to set my speakers next to the monitor. Because of the way the speakers are shaped, this setup is a bit awkward. I've also found that cleaning this monitor can be somewhat tricky. It's not as easy as simply cleaning glass and sometimes I have a hard time getting off all the accumulated dust and fingerprints. Finally, this monitor does not seem to be adjustable. Luckily, this has never been an issue for me, but I realize that it could be for some people.
Back in 2002, this monitor was pretty snazzy. I think my husband spent $529 on it, which seems quite expensive to me; however, I'm quick to add that in my experience, the Hewlett Packard Pavilion F50 is a good product. I've owned my monitor for 2 and a half years and I have never had a problem with it. Hewlett Packard does offer a one year warranty, but I can't comment on either the warranty's quality or customer service at Hewlett Packard because I've never had to use either. Since my monitor is so old, it's no longer covered by the warranty. I guess the fact that I didn't have to use the warranty is a very good sign! I'm due to purchase a new computer soon, but since this monitor has been such a good performer, I don't think I'll need to replace it.
I'm no computer guru, so I can't give my readers a whole list of specifics about this monitor. I can only tell you that for two and a half years, my Hewlett Packard Pavilion F50 monitor has served me very well. I use my computer every day and this monitor has never let me down. Although the Hewlett Packard Pavilion F50 seemed pricey when my husband and I purchased it, I've found this monitor to be easy to use as well as easy on the eyes. Aside from the fact that I can't attach my speakers to the monitor and the display can be hard to clean, I have been very pleased with this product. The Hewlett Packard Pavilion F50 has definitely been a fine window to the World Wide Web at my house. I would certainly recommend it.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 529
Operating System: Windows
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