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Acer FT200HQL Windows 8-ready monitor offers ergonomic design starting at $199.99

The 20-inch monitor's low price is a good deal, if you don't mind its low resolution.

Xiomara Blanco Associate Editor / Reviews - Tablets and monitors
Xiomara Blanco is an associate editor for CNET Reviews. She's a Bay Area native with a knack for tech that makes life easier and more enjoyable. So, don't expect her to review printers anytime soon.
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Xiomara Blanco
The Acer FT200HQL is one of the most competitively priced Windows 8-ready monitors. Acer

The Acer FT200HQL is an affordably priced Windows 8-compliant touch-screen monitor designed with an eye toward providing a comfortable experience. The 20-inch monitor starts at $199.99 and is available for purchase in stores now.

The 19.5-inch screen features an LED-backlit display with 10-point capacitive touch that recognizes common gestures, like pinch-to-zoom and swipes, and boasts a 5ms response time. The monitor's 1,600x900-pixel resolution is relatively low, but its 100,000,000:1 contrast ratio sounds promising for deep black levels and sharp contrast.

The ergonomic options make the monitor's touch screen easier to use. Acer

For the price, the FT200HQL packs plenty of ergonomic positions for comfortably using the touch screen while gaming, checking e-mail, or other simple activities. It features wide viewing angles, up to 170 degrees horizontally and up to 160 degrees vertically, and its stand can be tilted back from 10 to 90 degrees. The monitor is also VESA wall-mountable.

The Acer FT200HQL houses dual speakers and ports on the monitor are understandably sparse -- considering its low price -- with only one VGA and two HDMI.

The Acer FT200HQL can tilt up from 10 to 90 degrees. Acer

Inexpensive Windows 8-ready monitors are a slowly increasing presence and, previous to the Acer FT200HQL, the Dell 20 Touch (E2014T) was one of the lowest-priced models with similar offerings for $250. The FT200HQL's few connectivity options, low resolution, and seemingly plastic build seem to be the downsides of its competitively low $199.99 starting price. However, it's one of the most affordable current monitor options for Windows 8 users.