Every so often a desktop display comes along that just blows me away, and the Dell SP2208WFP has done just that. This 22-inch widescreen model has it all: excellent performance, awesome picture quality, a generous feature set, and a killer price ($299 direct). When it comes to midsize desktop displays, this is one of the best bargains around.

The SP2208WFP is nearly identical in design to its smaller sibling, the SP2008WFP. The mostly silver cabinet and matte-black grillwork suggest a stylish industrial design, and the silver bezel with piano-black trim and matching stand complete the look. The stand, of the tilt-only variety, lacks height and swivel adjustment but has a cable management notch that does a good job of keeping the assorted cords and cables neat and orderly. The 2-megapixel camera and dual-microphone array integrated into the top bezel make it easy to take quick snapshots and participate in video chats. The device can't hold a candle to a dedicated digital camera, but it's more than adequate for light duty. Dell bundles a comprehensive suite of utilities to help you get the most out of the camera, including a webcam console with special video and audio effects that let you change your voice and the way you appear during video sessions. There's also an avatar creation program and a remote-monitoring feature that lets you use the camera as a surveillance device while you are away from your desk. The program uses a sensor that begins recording video to your hard drive when it detects motion.

Connectivity ports are plentiful on the SP2208WFP. Two USB ports are located on the left-hand side of the screen, and there are three more on the back (one an upstream port). Video connections include HDMI and DVI digital ports as well as an analog VGA port. The HDMI port lets you view protected content from high-definition sources such as a Blu-ray player, with video and audio delivered via a single cable. There's also an audio output and a power jack for use with an optional 10-watt soundbar ($35) that attaches to the bottom edge of the display.

On the lower right-hand bezel are three LED indicators (one for each video source) and five clearly labeled function buttons that you use to manipulate image settings and power up the monitor. The SP2208WFP offers a full set of image controls and an on-screen menu system that's very easy to navigate.

The 1,680-by-1,050 resolution display has a high-gloss coating (dubbed TrueLife by Dell), comes with a 2000:1 contrast ratio, and uses Dell's TrueColor enhanced color gamut technology to produce sharp colors and a crisp image. Similar to HP's VividColor, which is featured on the HP w2408 monitor, TrueColor enables the SP2208WFP to display 92 percent of the NTSC color spectrum, whereas standard monitors typically display 72 percent. This results in a brighter image as well as deep, rich color representation.

While viewing images from the DisplayMate (www.displaymate.com) diagnostic tests, I was impressed with the panel's performance on virtually every test. Dark and light grayscale performance was quite good, with the monitor showing only a touch of weakness at the high end of the scale, a minor flaw that had no noticeable effect on color quality. Colors were sharp and uniform across the scale, and I was able to read 5.3-point Arial text. Still, I was a little disappointed with the display's viewing-angle performance. As was the case with the SP2008WFP, the image remained sharp at up to about 160 degrees on the horizontal plane. But in the vertical plane, color shifts began at 120 degrees from the bottom and at around 130 degrees from the top. Keep this in mind when deciding where you will locate the monitor. If you have to look up to view this monitor, the picture will look subpar.

Games and video looked awesome on this display, thanks to its fast 2-millisecond (gray-to-gray) pixel response. Aside from the infrequent artifact, the SP2208WFP did a fantastic job of handling fast-motion sequences without blurring or ghosting.

Dell covers the SP2208WFP with a standard three-year warranty that includes an Advanced Exchange program, wherein they will ship you a replacement unit within one business day of a tech-support phone call. The monitor ships with DVI and VGA video cables, plus a USB to PC cable, but you'll have to supply your own HDMI cable if you decide to use that connection. In addition to the webcam software, you get a CD containing drivers and a user guide.

The Dell SP2208WFP has a few flaws, but they are outweighed by its solid performance and robust features, not to mention its affordable price. If you're looking for a full-featured 22-inch display, this model should be at the top of your list.

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