budget LCD roundup at ComputerShopper.com. If you’re not picky about your monitor’s features, but are just looking to, you know, see what you’re doing on your computer, it looks like the Gateway FPD1975W is the answer, nabbing top honors amongst the five 19- to 20-inch displays tested all priced under $350. The review says “it’s a simple monitor that packs a punch despite its $229.99 price,” and ably handled DVD viewing and gaming, though there was some noticeable streaking during faster on-screen action.

Other models reviewed were the Dell E207WFP, NEC MultiSync LCD195WVXM, Samsung SyncMaster 906BW and ViewSonic VX1945wm ViewDock. And none of them were complete disappointments, though the Dell scored lowest due to poor gray-scale performance and washed out colors during DVD playback.

Viewsonic apparently is looking to make some serious buck off their new V38r-06, V38r-07, and V38r-07a rugged handhelds. Just announced, these guys come with some serious features, but they run friggin’ Windows Mobile 2003. Come on Viewsonic! At least throw version 5.0 on there for the $1600-$2000 you’re going to charge us for these devices. What are you paying out the ying-yang for? A 520MHZ Intel XScale CPU, Bluetooth, jog dial, 802.11b/g wireless, SD card slot, 1.3MP camera, biometric scanner, GPS, and a lot more. Ok, so maybe you do get the bang for the buck, but two grand is a lot to shell out for a handheld.

ViewSonic Introduces Rugged Pocket PC [New Launches]

we reported on last month. ViewSonic, in an attempt to give us one more thing we can stick into our monitor, has released its 19-inch VX1945wm and 22-inch VX2245wm LCD monitors that incorporate an iPod docking station, four USB 2.0 ports, an 8-in-1 card reader, a microphone, stereo speakers and a subwoofer into the displays. While we’re all for adding functionality and freeing up desk space, we still can’t help think “why?” It’s just kinda ugly to us to have so much going on with your display.

The VX1945wm and VX2245wmLCDs are priced well at $329 and $449 respectively, resolutions are good and response times are low at 5ms, so gaming on them should be cool.

Viewsonic 19-inch VX1945wm and 22-inch VX2245wm LCDs [Product Page]

Viewsonic debuts new iPod-enabled monitor [Bit Tech via Gizmodo]