Albatron L17AT 17'': Putting the TV in LCD

Conclusions

All in all, the L17AT demonstrated several new features we had yet to see in a monitor until today.  The features were simply outstanding.  Even though the LCD clearly has elements that would function well in a work environment, we think a college student might greatly benefit from a monitor like the L17AT.  When space is limited, like in a dorm room, a student can combine the function of a TV and compact reliable monitor.   Equally important, a corporate setting can benefit from the presentation-style features included in the monitor (remote control, 330 degree swivel).  The L17AT was definitely designed with the possibility of demonstrating a PowerPoint presentation, and then with 3 clicks on the remote switching over to a video feed.

Our overall impression of the L17AT was favorable, although the poor benchmark performance of the monitor concerned us.  Evidently, since this is Albatron’s first LCD ever, there were a few “gotchas” here and there, particularly in the OSD.  Very rarely is it easy for a company to get everything right on their first try.  We have seen Albatron work hard and deliver in the motherboard and video card race, and we fully expect them to perform similarly as well in their LCD department.  Even though their first LCD has made an impressive debut, we expect their next generation of LCD monitors to take the lessons learned from the L17 series and improve on them.

The performance of the L17AT is not quite at par with the Samsung 191T or the AG Neovo S-18 but for a midrange monitor loaded with features, the L17AT shines as a very attractive all-around monitor.  At 699 USD List price (closer to 600 USD online), the monitor is not too expensive.  If the DVI connection is not very important, the L17AT is an excellent buy.  Graphic designers and others concerned with computer image quality and clarity, however, may want to opt for the DVI enabled L17ATD instead, which costs approximately 50USD more.  The image problems we had with the L17AT are typically associated with interference over the analog cable.  A worthy investment for anyone buying an L17AT would be to buy a higher quality 15-Pin D-Sub VGA cable.

While there were dozens of things we liked about this monitor, the image quality concerned us a bit.  Although the L17AT functions great as an entertainment center, its primary functionality of an LCD monitor disappointed us.  If you are in the market for this LCD, head our warnings and spend the extra money for the DVI connection.  In the upcoming weeks we have several other 17” LCD’s on the way.  Can they pack the same punch as the L17AT without the same DVI problems?