GoldStar 1450 Plus VGA Monitor
                         Copyright 1990 David Batterson

     When buying a color monitor today, there's really no reason to buy an EGA
monitor.  They don't cost that much less than a VGA monitor, and VGA is so much
better.  As for CGA, don't even think about it.
     You might decide on a regular VGA monitor.  However, if you're heavy into
graphics you should consider one that supports Super VGA.  Such a product is
GoldStar's new 1450 Plus VGA Monitor.
     The 1450 Plus is an analog monitor supporting the usual VGA modes of
640x480, 640x350 and 720x400.  In Super VGA mode, the resolution is 800x600.
     Remember that in 800x600 Super VGA mode, you only get 16 colors.  It
displays 256 colors (from a palette of 256,000 +) in 320x200 resolution.
     Let's look at some more of the specs.  It has a high-quality .31 dot
pitch, non-glare CRT (don't buy a monitor with a higher number).  It's rated a
14-inch diagonal screen, but the actual exposed area is 13" diagonal.
     The important controls are right up front:  on/off switch and sliding
contrast and brightness controls.  It's a light gray color, preferable to the
usual dull beige of typical PCs and monitors.  I would prefer a charcoal or
black case if I had a choice.
     The tilt/swivel base works smoothly, unlike my Tatung VGA monitor which
requires a Sumo wrestler to change the tilt.  Behind the cabinet are the
vertical size, horizontal size, horizontal position and vertical center
controls.  These are factory set but can be adjusted to your liking.
     The 1450 Plus comes with some handy anti-static wipes.  I used one and it
worked very well, keeping away the annoying dust.  I've tried Staticide spray
on my own monitor, and it still attracts dust.  These wipes work.
     So how does it look to the eye?  That's the ultimate test.  The colors
were very accurate and sharp, as was the text display.
     I tested the monitor with my built-in Paradise VGA Plus adaptor.  I tried
different VGA modes with PC Paintbrush IV Plus, including Super VGA.  The 1450
Plus supports 43 line, 132 column text mode if you want it.
     I also used it with Publish It!, GEM, PFS: First Publisher 3.0, SPLASH!
and other programs.  The picture quality was superior to my monitor.
     Not all software supports the Super VGA 800x600 graphics mode, but this is
changing.  Programs that do include Windows, GEM, AutoCad, Ventura Publisher
and Framework II/III.  With WordStar and WordPerfect, you'll be able to display
the 132 column text mode.
     The 1450 Plus should serve your needs quite well.  It has a suggested list
price of $699, but the actual cost will be much less.
     For more information, contact GoldStar Technology, Inc., 3003 N. First
Street, San Jose, CA  95134-2004; 408-432-1331, FAX: 408-432-6053.
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     David Batterson reviews PC hardware and software on a regular basis.  Send
any comments via MCI Mail: DBATTERSON.