Verdict: The budget 20in display of choice

Whoever designed the SyncMaster 204Ts obviously felt shiny silver was the ultimate mark of quality. As a result, this display will look like either a space-age entertainer, or a little cheap and nasty, depending on your point of view. One thing that isn't a matter of opinion, however, is the SyncMaster's specs, which are the most impressive of all the 20in displays on test. Nobody can sniff at a 16ms response time, 700:1 contrast ratio and 300cd/m2 luminance level.

What's more, the SyncMaster is the most well-connected panel in our group, with S-Video and composite video connections, as well as the usual D-SUB and DVI inputs.

In tune with this summer's Harry Potter mania, Samsung has magic on the brain. A quick browse through the OSD reveals two technologies: MagicBright, a choice of four picture modes; and MagicColor, an intelligent colour enhancement system designed to bring the best out of photos.

The MagicColor menu also allows for an incredible range of colour adjustments, but in case you don't get on with the clear OSD, a third kind of Magic, MagicTune, allows Windows-based control and calibration.

This all made for a fine set of results in our technical tests, with the SyncMaster performing well at both ends of the tonal range - it was the best panel in our white-level saturation tests - and showing a solid grasp of colour. Despite some time spent adjusting levels and switching modes, 'Bad Boys 2' simply didn't look as good as it did on the other 20in panels. The colour was generally fine, but the clarity was only bog-standard and the monitor seemed to struggle with the film's more frenetic camera movements. In Doom 3, meanwhile, both the Sony and ViewSonic TFTs displayed a more vibrant and engaging image. It's still a good panel, particularly if you want the option of connecting a games console or DVD player via the two video inputs, but if you're prepared to pay this much for a monitor, then you can surely afford that little bit more to get the ViewSonic.

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