Monitoring my fortunes... (AOC 7 F)

Member Name: benniash

Product:	AOC 7 F
Date:	17/02/04 (76 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Reasonably priced, Good for extended use

Disadvantages: Very deep which means you need ample desk space

When I set up my own business a couple of years ago I was using an ancient computer that could just about cope with underlining and bold on the word package so it wasn?t long before I was looking to invest in a new computer package. Just as I was about to fork out a small fortune, lady luck was shining down on me when I was offered a unique deal with the Princes Trust, whish was open to new businesses within the area. The package was to include a corporate website (ideal to go alongside my commercial one) and a computer. The whole package was worth in the region of £3000 but the offer was part of a government initiative to bring small businesses up to date with technology and would therefore cost me just £500. Needless to say I almost fainted and within five days had signed the agreement and two weeks later took receipt of my new computer.

Before you hit the ?off topic? button, don?t worry I haven?t missed the boat, just thought I?d paint the picture of how I came to own the AOC 7 F. So those mathematicians amongst you will now have put two and two together and realised this was the monitor I received in the above computer package. I thought this was important so that you realise that this purchase wasn?t a conscious, calculated buying decision ? more of a ?too good to miss? offer that I couldn?t refuse. But in all honesty I couldn?t be happier with it.

It is a flat faced CRT conventional monitor with a creamy white surround. At seventeen inches in width, sixteen of which are viewable, it is a decent sized screen but not too big. When the computer was delivered it was also set up for me, but anyone could do this, as it is ?plug and play? monitor. Although this is a flat faced monitor, this refers solely to the screen, so don?t get it muddled up with the thin flat panel screens that take up so little desk space. In fact this is the complete opposite, and its one downfall. The depth of the monitor is over forty centimetres deep and means that you wil
l need ample desk or wall space. The picture above is an excellent example of just how deep it is.

The monitor comes with a short one inch, circular stand that can be moved from side to side and up and down in order to get the perfect position.

The actual screen quality is perfect for me. Running my own business means that I am constantly on the computer some days, and even when I?m not working I?ll usually spend a good deal of time on ciao!! With a resolution of 1280x1024/60hz and a super fine pitch of .21mm you get a good strong picture that doesn?t hurt your eyes. It also seems to stay cool, despite being on for the best part of most days.

The best thing about this monitor though has to be its ease of use. The front panel around the screen contains just two buttons, an on/off switch and a function disk. By pressing the disk a square selection menu appears in the centre of your screen. All the different functions are on view around the side and the disk can be revolved until you get to the one you need. This is just simply selected by once more pressing the disk in. Each screen has an exit selection to get you back to the main screen. There are several functions on here regarding the shape of the view but the most notable for those less technical are the contrast, brightness, rotation, colour and zoom.

Although this screen is fairly large compared to some of the new flat panel screens on the market, it is actually quite stylish and its simple design and colour make it ideal for me. If I had gone out and purchased a monitor myself I would probably have not picked this make or model as it is not as well known as some of the bigger companies that I have come across. However, it has proved ever reliable and I hope to have no need with the three year warranty.

This can be purchased online for just £80 and at that price you will not be disappointed. Not only do I use this for work but have watched DVD?s on it that also proje
cts the colour picture to great effect. Obviously not as good as a big television screen but a good alternative if it is other wise engaged!

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