Verdict: Crammed with features, but are you willing to pay the price?

Judging by the PW201, Asus doesn't do things by halves. This gleaming monolith of a monitor brings new meaning to the phrase 'feature-packed'. While some manufacturers might think a screen and speakers are enough, Asus crams in serious AV connectivity, a three-port USB hub and a built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam. This swivels up and down to keep your pasty mug in-frame, and it's certainly a neat solution if you're into video messaging. Shame about the touch controls though - we'd prefer buttons over a control that only works one time out of three.

Still, there's much to like here. As well as the more usual DVI, D-SUB, S-Video and composite video inputs, the PW201 also fits in component video inputs, which is ideal for people with a good DVD player or an Xbox 360 who want a flexible display. For more straightforward PC purposes, the PW201 is a contender. With 300cd/m2 luminance and an 800:1 contrast ratio, the screen is bright, and the high-gloss treatment means it produces good, dark blacks, vibrant colours and, in this case, even near-white tints. The weak spot is clarity, as the definition isn't as good as it is on the NEC, Dell or Philips.

Nevetheless, we'd be hard-pushed to complain about the PW201 when it comes to displaying photos. Put the screen in scenery mode, and you see gorgeous natural colours and a beautiful, vibrant image.

In HD movie playback, the PW201 can't match the NEC for clarity, but when it comes to realistic tones, it wins out. The action scenes in 'Harry Potter' were brilliantly rendered and, while the NEC and Philips screens showed more detail in the murk of Hogwarts lake, we couldn't fault the PW201for impact.

Games weren't a problem either. The PW201never flinched in the face of Need for Speed: Most Wanted's solar glare, and although the presentation of Prey wasn't as tight as it was on other displays, it was very good indeed.

The PW201is a real entertainer. However, it's also one of the more expensive panels on test. If you need all the extra video inputs then its price might well be worth paying, but if you just want a good PC monitor, other screens perform as well or even better for less cash.

• Cases - 21st November 2008
• Motherboards - 24th October 2008
• Gaming Headsets - 26th September 2008
• Dream PCs - 24th September 2008
• Headphones - 12th September 2008
• Media PC components - 22nd August 2008
• PSUs - 14th July 2008

• OCZ Core Series 30GB - Hard disks / storage
• Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB - Hard disks / storage
• Asus EAH4870 TOP - Graphics cards
• Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro - Sound cards
• Multiwinia - Games
• Zotac GeForce GTX 260² - Graphics cards
• Sapphire Radeon HD 4850 X2 - Graphics cards