monitor Tests (P. 15/20)

"Samsung SyncMaster 206BW 20in flat-panel monitor"

Published on: 11/2007

On test: Samsung SyncMaster 206BW

The Samsung SyncMaster 206BW is an affordable, widescreen, 20in LCD monitor. And although it's a pretty bare bones model in terms of extra features, the Samsung SyncMaster 206BW is anything but skimpy when it comes to its specifications, boasting a super-fast 2ms response time. → More

"Samsung 940UX monitor"

Published on: 11/2007

On test: Samsung Syncmaster 940UX

Environments such as stock exchanges like to have a lot of monitors, but having half a dozen graphics cards isn't often practical. UK-based Display Link has developed technology called Ubisync that lets you link up monitors via USB. Samsung has the technology exclusively until spring 2008 and its 940UX is the first to use it. → More

"BenQ FP202W V3 20in flat-panel monitor"

Published on: 11/2007

On test: BenQ FP202W

The BenQ FP202W V3 sports a black case with a thin bezel and a very clean and simple appearance. In fact, the only details on the front to distract from the images onscreen are a small silver logo at the bottom left and a tiny green light at the bottom right. → More

"Chimei CMV 222H"

Published on: 11/2007

On test: Chimei CMV 222H

With 22in LCDs becoming so popular of late, there's no shortage of fairly bog standard affordable options out there. However, very little divides them and in truth truly noteworthy examples are few and far between. Of all, Samsung's 226BW and HP's w2207 have been the most eye-catching, while the legendary Samsung 215TW continues to confound all other efforts. Strangely, though, manufacturers seem reluctant to use some of the higher grade panel technologies in 22in displays, perhaps thinking that punters won't pay the premium for a really good 22in screen when they could make the step up to a 24in monitor. Wherever the truth lies, this sector remains incredibly competitive. Thus, companies must work a little harder to make their products stand out from the crowd. Enter Mirai, with its first offering under the Chimei marque. Its previous effort, the DML-522W100, was sold under the Mirai moniker and it was a cheap and cheerful model. Is this latest offering, the CMV 222H, an improvement on previous offerings? → More

"Hazro HZ26W monitor"

Published on: 11/2007

On test: Hazro HZ26W

Ranging in size from 23in to 30in, Hazro's monitors are based on high-end panel technology and offer good performance in stylish, yet industrial-strength housings. We took a look at the 26in model and it's obvious that this is a serious piece of equipment. → More

"Benq FP93VW monitor"

Published on: 11/2007

On test: BenQ FP93VW

Thinking about replacing that tired monitor that came with your PC? Widescreen is the order of the day and affordable electronics brand Benq has such a monitor that, at £150, won't bust the wallet. → More

"Dell UltraSharp 2407WFP-HC"

Issue: 12/2007

On test: Dell 2407WFP-HC

When we first reviewed the 2407WFP, it was one of only a handful of 24in TFTs and, although it had features way ahead of its time, the price was prohibitive. Now, everyone's churning out 24in models at increasingly attractive prices, so we weren't surprised to see Dell go back to its 24in blueprints. → More

"Eizo ColorEdge CG241W"

Issue: 21/2007

On test: Eizo ColorEdge CG241W

Eizo has never had a reputation for producing cheap tat, and from the looks of its new ColorEdge CG241W monitor it's not planning to change its image any time soon. This display is a new member of its already high-end Graphics Monitor range, and is aimed at the very topmost professional user, who has a budget to match. → More

"Samsung SM226BW monitor"

Published on: 10/2007

On test: Samsung SyncMaster 226BW

Samsung is known for good-value, reliable products, and its latest Syncmaster 22in widescreen flat-panel monitor is no exception. → More

"NEC Multisync LCD205WXM"

Published on: 10/2007

On test: NEC MultiSync LCD205WXM

If there are any regular readers out there that think that the NEC Multisync LCD205WXM looks rather familiar then you're not alone - I think it looks familiar too. That's because it sports exactly the same design as NEC's LCD225WXM, which I reviewed a few weeks ago. In fact, the only visual difference between them is that the LCD225WXM is a 22in screen, whereas the LCD205WXM is a 20in screen. Other than that it's the same monitor, which means that this possibly won't be the most exciting review ever. Let's find out. → More

"NEC MultiSync LCD225WXM"

Published on: 10/2007

On test: NEC MultiSync LCD225WXM

While 22in monitors have been around for a while now, they've mainly been aimed at the general consumer and gamer. The 22in size and resolution combination is a good one - you get a large screen size, that's first, widescreen and secondly, is appreciably bigger than a 20in wide display. The resolution of 1,680 x 1,050 is also high enough to work comfortably on, but without the cost of a 1,920 x 1,200 display. It's essentially a widescreen 1,280 x 1,024. Of course, inevitably, things are moving on and Lenovo has announced a 1,920 x 1,200 22in display, which could be the perfect monitor for many people, giving a far smaller pixel pitch, which will increase sharpness. However, in the mean time the NEC MultiSync LCD225WXM represents the mainstream for 22in displays, with a pixel pitch of 0.282mm. → More

"Benq FP222WH monitor"

Published on: 10/2007

On test: BenQ FP222W H

The Benq FP222WH is what you might call a no-nonsense monitor. It has a plain silver bezel, with a blank front – there are no buttons or controls on the front panel, only a discreet logo at the bottom-left corner, and a power indicator. → More

"HP w2207 22in LCD monitor"

Published on: 10/2007

On test: Hewlett-Packard W2207

The HP w2207 is one of the better-designed 22in widescreen LCD monitors we've seen, earning extra points for its easily adjustable double-hinged base and for its strikingly good looks. → More

"ViewSonic VX2255wmh 22in flat-panel"

Published on: 10/2007

On test: ViewSonic VX2255wmh

Many a black, silver or grey flat-panel passes through the PC Advisor test labs, but we haven’t seen too many white screens. Whether it’s down to the stigma of sharing a colour scheme with the traditional Apple Mac, or whether it’s simply because manufacturers are too practical to offer a shade that’s so inviting to passing dirt particles, it’s true to say that the PC market has never entirely embraced the colour white. Which is a shame, as the ViewSonic VX2255wmh’s polished styling and impact looks are probably the most significant aspect of a screen that’s otherwise merely pleasing rather than awe-inspiring. → More

"Dell E228WFP 22in LCD monitor"

Published on: 10/2007

On test: Dell E228WFP

The Dell E228WFP won't win any design awards, but Dell's basic 22in widescreen monitor can do yeoman service in an office setting, delivering high-quality text and graphics. → More

"ViewSonic VG2230wm 22in LCD monitor"

Published on: 10/2007

On test: ViewSonic VG2230WM

The ViewSonic VG2230wm's widescreen reproductions of graphics and text documents are easy on the eyes, and its price is relatively easy on the wallet. → More

"Iiyama ProLite B2403WS 24in flat-panel display"

Published on: 10/2007

On test: Iiyama ProLite B2403WS

Only a few months ago, £500-£600 was a typical price for a 24in flat-panel. At £458, the ViewSonic VX2435wm seemed something of a bargain. But nothing can compare to the Iiyama ProLite B2403WS, a 24in widescreen TFT that we found selling for just above £320. Iiyama, of course, was also one of the first companies to bring out a truly affordable 22in screen, but whereas the signs of cost-cutting were stark in the case of the E2202WS, the Iiyama ProLite B2403WS is actually a pretty good effort for the money. → More

"Samsung SyncMaster 245B"

Issue: 11/2007

On test: Samsung SyncMaster 245B

Samsung's latest 24in behemoth, the 245B, may not quite have the polish of its Labs-winning 22in model, but it's just as impressive. the matte finish is more understated than that of its sibling, but it shares the same high-quality controls and blue power button. → More

"Viewsonic VX2435wm"

Published on: 9/2007

On test: ViewSonic VX2435wm

For under £500, you could do much worse than this massive 24-inch widescreen LCD monitor. → More

"HP LP2465 24in flat-panel display"

Published on: 9/2007

On test: Hewlett-Packard LP2465

The HP LP2465 is an attractive flat-panel screen with a mighty height-adjustable stand – when the HP is raised to its greatest height it towers over your desktop. The display and stand are supplied as separate components, each of which is reassuringly weighty. There’s a nice click as you slot the parts together. HP has crammed in some great features, too. The HP LP2465 has a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, a maximum resolution of 1,920x1,200 and two DVI (digital visual interface) inputs. → More

"LaCie 526 25in LCD monitor"

Published on: 9/2007

On test: LaCie 526

Monitor size marches on, and the LaCie 526 wide-screen flat-panel offers 25.5in at 1,920x1,200. The inclusion of a hood in the box and the high price suggests that the LaCie 526's target market is high-end professional use for proofing, photography and print, rather than general purpose web browsing and gaming. → More

"Hannspree 19in XM New York"

Issue: 18/2007

On test: HANNspree Europe XM New York

The low-end LCD market is increasingly saturated. There's so much competition that it can be difficult to tell one monitor from another. This influx of models has required manufacturers to try and differentiate their offerings from the rest of the crowd. This is evident in the latest offering from Hannspree. The 19in XM model from its New York range has an HD ready, 1440 x 900 pixel resolution, built-in speakers, 5ms response time and both DVI and VGA inputs. → More

"Eizo FlexScan HD2441W"

Issue: 16/2007

On test: Eizo FlexScan HD2441W

Call us geeks, but it's difficult not to feel excited whenever a new Eizo monitor appears in the MacUser labs. It's not just that Eizo has exceeded expectations in the past, it's that it continues to do so. → More

"Iiyama ProLite B2403WS 24in LCD"

Published on: 8/2007

On test: Iiyama ProLite B2403WS

I love a good price war. Manufacturers may not benefit greatly, but for the everyman consumer it's a real boon, provided you don't buy anything before the war begins. In which case it may well be worth keeping an eye firmly fixed on the PC monitor market and in particular the 24in sector which, rather like the 22in sector, seems to be warming up for some serious competition. The catalyst? Well, until this point the 24in LCD market has been populated predominately by models using high-grade S-IPS and S-PVA panels which, although generally wonderful, produce a price tag to match their superior performance. Having realised that the price gap between 22in LCDs and the 24in varieties was getting rather large, manufacturers have come up with the wizard wheeze of slashing the prices of 24in LCDs by using the cheaper TN panel technology to produce the 1,920 x 1,200 pixels desired by so many. We've seen this before, with Acer producing the AL2416WS at the beginning of last year. However, that only featured a D-Sub port and was based on older TN panel technology that's not up to scratch to modern standards. More recently Riyad looked at the Samsung 245B, and Iiyama has followed suit with this soon to be released ProLite B2403WS. Currently it's available for pre-order at anything between £317 and £360, which is ridiculously cheap whichever you look at it. Iiyama's model shares the exact same panel as the Samsung and as such performs similarly, but does it provide anything that gives it the edge over Samsung's effort? → More

"Samsung SyncMaster 245B 24in Monitor"

Published on: 8/2007

On test: Samsung SyncMaster 245B

It's probably fair to say that Samsung has taken the monitor market by storm. Although the company always made pretty good monitors, even going back to the days of CRT, with its DynaFlat range, it's in the past couple of years that Samsung has really started to pull ahead of the competition. Recently it seems that Samsung has something of a golden touch when it comes to monitors, marrying superb image quality with great design and reasonable pricing. A good example of Samsung's recent monitor prowess is the SyncMaster 215TW. This 21in widescreen display is such an impressive piece of kit, that none of the new generation of 22in displays have managed to dethrone it. In fact three of the guys in the office have actually put their hands in their pockets and bought a 215TW, even though it has never been what you might call a cheap option. I was therefore very curious when I heard about the Samsung SyncMaster 245B – a 24in widescreen monitor with a street price well below £400. → More