Monitor Roundup: 23-26 Inches
1. 23'' to 26'' LCD Monitors
Our Tests
We asses monitors on a lot of different criteria: design, handling, measuring color accuracy, response times for games and movies ...
The ideal screen, of course, would excel in all of these areas. Unfortunately, that's rarely the case, and a compromise is often the result. If you're touching up photos, then you might want to put an emphasis on accurate colors, but if you're a gamer, then responsiveness is what you'll need.
This roundup includes products released within one year preceding the publication date of this article. The product selection consists solely of review units made available to Tom’s Guide by vendors. While the products listed here do not constitute a comprehensive listing of all products in the category, they do represent a broad range of what is available to consumers in this category. We will quickly update this roundup with new products as they become available to Tom’s Guide, and soon add data relating to product specifications and test dates. In other words, these roundups are a work in progress. Please check back frequently to see what’s new.
The computer monitor market has evolved once again. 22-inch monitors are becoming the standard entry-level option, so anybody looking for quality and innovation will have to look at monitors which measure 23 inches or more. On these larger screens, we gain larger viewer angles, more diverse video inputs--HDMI is available on a growing number of screens but the component video found on consoles is increasingly rare--and better design and build quality.
Technology fans will be delighted to hear that manufacturers are now beginning to focus their attention on bigger screens, but it's something that has been coming for a while. With the growing popularity of HD, more users are looking for versatile screens that are well suited to office use, photo editing as well as HD content (movies, TV, etc.)
Good healthy competition
Whether you opt for a 23", 24", 26" or 27" monitor, the resolution will be 1920 x 1200 pixels, although some 1920 x 1080 pixel screens have recently begun to appear. This is a dream come true for film lovers! No rescaling is necessary and films are shown with black bands above and below the image. The only restriction is that you will have to step back a little. Manufacturers still haven’t integrated the image correction circuitry which is already found in televisions, and the result is some slight flickering.
For less than $500, you might be surprised to find that there are not just 24" monitors, but also 26", with the latter sometimes at more competitive prices, despite often not being as responsive. What should you use to choose? Check that the contrast ratio is high, and that they include all of the video inputs that you need. Not every screen comes with VGA, DVI and HDMI.
Above the $500 mark, you'll find screens that have IPS, VA, or PVA panels, instead of the TN panels often found in less expensive options. The main advantage is that they have even viewing angles. The image on cheaper LCD panels which rely on TN technology dips to black when you look at it from below.
One last point: ignore the advertized response times, and look at our tests instead. We often find results that are very different from what's promised.
I just bought a Samsung T26HD Monitor & 1080p HD TV combo from Sam's club for $350. So far I love it. Better overall than the 28" Viewsonic I replaced.
What kind of article is this? Almost all the monitors got 4-star rating, STAR RATINGS? Little uniformity to the way the LCDs are described and "benchmarked".
Not up to par with normal THG's articles.
can anyone explain to my this flickering issue? is it only an issue on 1080p lcd monitor?
look here for better deals and better displays http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 20x%201080
I don't understand the need for such a big variety in size. It just seems like there should only be 20, 24 and 30. Are people really that picky about these things?
Monica
http://www.sebecomputercare.com
Why would ANYBODY but an apple monitor?
Why would ANYBODY but an apple monitor?
For the name.
Personally, I was looking forward to seeing the Samsung F2380, but apparently all of the worthy monitors got left out.
None of these impressed me at all. Though I use a pair of 24" Samsungs at home along with a pair of 17" Samsungs, I still prefer the 22" Mitsubishi Diamond Plus 200 I took to work, especially for gaming. No LCD that I have seen has been able to compare to it yet in my opinion.
What kind of article is this? Almost all the monitors got 4-star rating, STAR RATINGS? Little uniformity to the way the LCDs are described and "benchmarked". Not up to par with normal THG's articles.
It's not a THG article, it's a Digital Versus article that was republished here. I assume there is a partnership happening.
I am sorry if I am keeping asking this: are there true 24 bit LCD (8 bits / color) monitor in this review? I want to buy real 24 bit LCD, not some 18 bit interpolation
. I don't want to be cheated. If the vendor sold a 18 bit LCD with 18 bit color information that would be fine. But they sell 18 bit as 24 bit, that would be wrong. From google I find out that TN panel is out of option. All TN Panel is 18 bit interpolation. thx.
I want a big one for Christmas.
What about the Samsung SyncMaster 2343BW?
***** monitor.
Why? It's a 2048x1152 23" monitor for about $190...
Wao.... this quite a good review. After reading it there is S-IPS panel and PVA. I just don't certain if they are true 24 bit, since today many value IPS and VA is show up.
If there is no color problem, then this is another major problem:
RESOLUTION. Since 17" hi end laptop till 103" world largest Plasma why the are all at 1900 x 1200? Only few of them really make few megapixel resolution. If 1400 is for 19", 22 is 1080p, then 24 should be 2500 x 1600. More thant 24" res should be more than 2500. It also good to anticipate the coming of 4k movie. Or if you are a photographer with 24 megapixel jpg / raw. There also halbingter of what super hi end camera that has 50 Megapixel.
Please I hope OLED will fix 2 major LCD problem :
1. color interpolation
2. resolution beyond 1080p HD.
Why weren't any Dell monitors included in this review? I have been using the 2407WFP for about three years now. Solid monitor. The 2408's are out now. This is one of the best monitors on the market regardless of price. Why wasn't it included in this review? INCOMPLETE!!!
My thoughts exactly, no Dell, even after my extensive research, I always bump into a 2408WFP and the recently released U2410, which the later is REALLY amazing bar the 6ms gtg response (even on the 2408WFP) which I am debating if that is really an improvement over my 8ms gtg 2007WFP response rate wise?
Couldn't figure out how to edit the previous post, but I meant to say 8ms vs 6ms gtg in a gaming environment, is it a big improvement?
My thoughts exactly, no Dell, even after my extensive research, I always bump into a 2408WFP and the recently released U2410, which the later is REALLY amazing bar the 6ms gtg response (even on the 2408WFP) which I am debating if that is really an improvement over my 8ms gtg 2007WFP response rate wise?
To be honest you must have been one of the lucky ones with your dell. From my research the Dells tend to be a hit and miss as to good vs. bad ones. I tend to pay more attention to User reviews rather than Editor Reviews as nowadays Editors tend to be biased and or just like to cut corners and give everyone 4 stars lol. This is purely slacking in ones job duties. I would like to note however that I believe the manufactures no matter which brand would be held accountable to the advertised specs on hardware. Monitor manufacture. Tend to be the worse culprit when it comes to overstated performance.
Page one.
A typo that's still a word. Funny stuff.
Sorry for double post:
What's this about a mouse and keyboard included with the Apple display? Their webpage doesn't say anything about that. If they were included, then when combined with passable speakers, webcam and mic, the total asking price starts to sound slightly less ridiculous (remember what the Apple wireless mouse and keyboard cost).
8ms vs 6ms gtg in a gaming environment, is it a big improvement?
That's a 33% improvement mate.