IBM E54 Color Monitor: Not Bad For What You Get
Written: Apr 15 '02
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Ease of Use: |
 |
|
|
Pros: Good quality monitor
Cons: Viewing area is too small
The Bottom Line: This monitor will handle most everyday computer use needs.
|
|
|
| beckish's Full Review: IBM E 54 (White) 15 in. CRT Conventional Monitor |
The IBM E54 Color Monitor is my primary monitor, and I am not unhappy with its performance. While it may not be all I would like to have in a monitor in my ideal computer world, it is adequate for my current needs.
I received this monitor when I purchased my last computer through the www.PeoplePC.com computer program. I have not had a bit of trouble with it, and that has been a nice thing considering that I have had previous monitors that became nearly useless after a very short amount of use. My computer is important to me as I use it to do my writing, and without a decent monitor that I can rely on I would be in dire straits.
As I said above, this monitor is not "all that" for me. What I really want is a flat screen monitor with a very large viewing area. Someday that is what I will have; but for now I am content with the IBM E54 Color Monitor.
So why am I willing to live with this monitor? First of all, it has a reasonable viewing area. For a 15" monitor, it is not bad. Granted, you only get a 13.8" viewing area, but it has proven to be serviceable enough. I have not had any trouble with the viewing area provided by this monitor.
Secondly, the monitor provides a clear picture and I have not experienced any blurring or minimization of the screen. The last monitor I had tended to shrink, which drove me nuts. This one functions perfectly.
No repairs so far, and I don't envision any. I fully expect this monitor to last as long as I have my computer, and maybe even longer. IBM is an excellent brand, and from my experience they stand behind their products. Not only that, IBM produces quality products and that is not always easy to come by in this world where things to break as soon as the limited warrant runs out.
Features
Power Switch
This is conveniently located on the front of the monitor. While this may seem like a small thing, my last monitor had a power switch that was next to impossible to find unless you pulled the entire monitor out and actually looked for it. I like the convenience of having the power switch right in plain view.
Monitor Controls
Also located on the front of the monitor, beneath the viewing screen and to the left of the power switch. Very convenient and easy to use.
On-Screen Display
When you access a monitor control, the options are displayed on the monitor screen in an easy-to-use format. This monitor is much easier to use than my last monitor was, and I have greatly appreciated the convenience of the on-screen display option. For example, when you want to adjust the brightness you hit the appropriate monitor button and the on-screen display lights up, giving you every option available for adjusting the brightness. No clicking the monitor control button millions of times until you get to the right spot; what you are looking for is easily viewed right there on the screen and easily accessible with just a few pushes of a button.
Manual User-Friendliness
I don't know how many products I have purchased and ended up with an owner's manual that was next to impossible to use. By contrast, the owner's manual for the IBM E54 Color Monitor is very easy to use. The trouble-shooting guide is clear and concise, and the information on how to use the monitor controls is provided in a very user-friendly manner. The person who wrote this manual obviously knew what it was like to get a manual that made no sense at all and made sure that fact couldn't be said about this one.
Negatives
I haven't discovered any yet. I have not had one bit of trouble with this monitor. Should something arise I will update this review, but I frankly don't envision any troubles at all.
Final Assessment
If you are in the market for a reasonably priced monitor, consider purchasing the IBM E54 Color Monitor. It is an excellent value and will surely provide years of use. I have been more pleased with this monitor than any of the others I have owned thus far.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): included
Operating System: Windows
|
|
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.