3. Displays Compared: Eurocom M590K And D900K, And Dell XPS M1710

Brightness is measured at 64 locations on a white screen using a luminance meter. Display brightness is set to its highest level. Measurements are stated in candelas per meter^2. Mean brightness is the number that manufacturers usually report as the brightness of a display.

Contrast is a ratio of the brightness of a white screen (measured at 64 locations) and a black screen (measured at 64 locations). As with brightness measurements, contrast measurements are in candelas per meter^2. Both white and black measures are taken at the display's brightest setting. Mean contrast ratio is the number that manufacturers usually reported as a display's contrast ratio.

Minimum and maximum ranges are presented for distribution of brightness and contrast. Higher ranges tend to be correlated with more uneven distributions. However, it is important to keep in mind that higher mean brightness and contrast are also associated with higher ranges. So displays with higher mean brightness and contrast are more likely to have higher brightness and contrast ranges. The best displays are those with high mean brightness and contrast and low evenness of brightness and contrast ranges like the one on the Eurocom M590K I tested.

Here are the brightness and contrast distribution measures for the Eurocom M590K and D900K as well as the Dell XPS M1710.

Brightness

The M590K's display has near excellent distribution of brightness. Its brightness peaks some in the center and drops off smoothly and fairly minimally toward the edges and corners. [Mean: 211 (very good brightness), Minimum: 188, Maximum: 233, Range: 45]

Brightness is fairly evenly distributed on the Eurocom D900K's display. There is some reduction in brightness on the edges and in the corners of the display. [Mean: 102, Minimum: 82, Maximum: 115, Range: 33]

The Dell XPS M1710's display shows a different brightness distribution pattern with the bottom of the display brighter and the top of the display less bright. [Mean: 152 (good brightness), Minimum: 108, Maximum: 214, Range: 106]