Okay, I admit it, I'm cheap. I didn't want to spend $300.00 on a monitor this size when I could get another brand with similar specs for almost half the price. But this monitor made me a believer. This monitor is so far about the others in it's class that I feel compelled to write a review. :)
My current monitor broke, so I bought one of these locally (Samsung PX230) just to play with while I ordered a few competitors so I could take them all for a test drive. Although I liked the look of this monitor, I had no intention of keeping it. Well, think again. The other monitors arrived. All LED, all with similar specs, all major trusted name brands. I tried them all for several days each. After trying them all in my home, I decided this one is worth the extra price. In fact, it is well worth it.
There are several things that make this monitor stand out from the crowd, but to me the most important of all is how easy it is on my eyes. I am very sensitive to refresh rate and flicker and such, and I often get headaches and eye strain from being on the computer. That's tough, because I'm on it all day long, 7 days a week. My job is online plus I'm also an avid gamer and I do a lot of photo and video editing. Refresh rate (not response time) was one of the key specs I was looking for because my eyes normally hurt like heck if the refresh rate isn't at least 85. And yes, this is true on LCD's, too, not just the old CRT technology. Anyway, this monitor only lists a 60 hz refresh rate, which I have always found to be too low. That's why I thought it would not work for me. Well, surprise, surprise, it actually was easier on my eyes than the others I tested that had higher refresh rates. I don't know what they did in this technology, but this monitor is by far the best for reducing eye strain that I have ever found. I can stare at it all day without any headaches or eye strain or burning, and for me that says a lot!
Another thing I love about it is that it has 4 separate brightness/contrast modes that are designed specifically for PC, Internet and entertainment applications, and you can switch back and forth between them with the touch of a button. This is fantastic for going back and forth between staring at an excel spreadsheet to photo editing to gaming or watching a movie. Seriously, with the touch of a button you can switch to optimum settings for each new task. This may sound a bit nutty, since you've probably never done this in the past, but trust me, once you've experienced having these options, you'll never go back. I used to hate having to work all day on excel spreadsheets and such. All those close-set black lines on a white background were murder on my eyes after a few hours. But with the correct mode engaged and a little tweaking (which stays adjusted to your liking) looking at a spreadsheet is as restful as looking out the window. Then, when I'm ready to switch to a game or movie, I just toggle the button to the appropriate setting and all the perfect colors and contrast jump out at me again. It's just fabulous! With every other monitor I've had to choose a happy medium with my display settings, which always meant compromise, but with these separate modes, I can easily toggle back and forth so each task is done under the ideal viewing settings. It really does make a difference!
The adjustment buttons are in the back, which seems weird at first, but as soon as you realize which button is under which finger, it's easy and intuitive. You basically just hold your hand in a natural position on the side of the monitor, and wiggle each finger (individually) to work the buttons. The trick is to memorize which control is under which finger, then it's easy.
I also really like the "MagicLux" feature that senses the ambient light and adjusts the monitor accordingly. I have tried this monitor in different locations and lighting conditions and the automatic adjustment really works!
I chose the LED technology because they are easier on the eyes (a top priority), but all the monitors I tested along with this one were LED, too, and some of them seemed the same as LCD to me. With the LED Viewsonic, for example, I really couldn't tell the difference between LED and LCD. With this monitor, however, the LED backlighting along with their other display technology really does deliver a very natural looking light. I live in the woods in a remote area and I'm outdoors a lot, so I know what natural light is supposed to look like. This monitor delivers the most natural looking and comfortable light of any I've tested. It truly is restful on the eyes. :)
If LED technology is important to you for more earth-friendly reasons, like low energy use, low EMF's, and lack of toxic metals like Mercury and lead, you will also be happy to learn that in addition to these things, this particular monitor is also one of the few on the market that is made without paint VOC's. A boon for the planet as well as for those who may be chemically sensitive.
I would highly highly recommend this monitor to anyone, even if it costs a bit more. It is absolutely worth it. And this is coming from a cheapskate. :)
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