Okay, I admit it, I'm cheap. I did not want to spend $ 300.00 on a screen this size when I could get another brand with similar specs for almost half price. But this movie made me a believer. This screen is so much with the others in its class, which I feel compelled to write a review. :)
My current screen broke, so I bought one of these locally (Samsung PX230) just to play with while I ordered a pair of competitors, so I could take them all for a spin. Although I like the look of this monitor, I had no intention of keeping it. Well, think again. The other monitors arrived. All LEDs, all with the same specifications, all the great trusted name brands. I tried them all for several days each. After trying them all in my home I decided that this is worth the extra price. In fact, it's well worth it.
There are several things that makes this monitor stand out from the crowd, but for me the most important thing is how easy it is to 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. It's hard because I'm on it all day, 7 days a week. My job is online, plus I am also an avid player and I do a lot of photo and video editing. Refresh rate (no response) was one of the major specs I was looking for when my eyes usually hurts like hell if the refresh rate is at least the 85th And yes, it's true on the LCD is not just the old CRT technology. Anyway, this screen displays only a 60 Hz refresh rate, as I have always found to be too low. That's why I thought it would not work for me. Well, surprise, surprise, it was actually easier on my eyes than the others I tested, which had a higher refresh rate. I do not know what they did in this technology, but this screen is the absolute best in order to reduce eye strain I have ever found. I can stare at it all day without any headaches or eye strain or burn, and for me that says a lot!
Another thing I love about it is that it has four different brightness / contrast modes designed specifically for PC, Internet and entertainment software, and you can switch back and forth between them with one touch. This is good to go back and forth between staring at an Excel spreadsheet to photo editing for games or watching a movie. Seriously, with the push of a button you can switch to optimal settings for each new task. It may sound a little crazy, as you probably have never done before, but believe me, once you have experienced having these options, you will never go back. I used to hate having to work all day on Excel spreadsheets and such. All of these closely spaced black lines on white background was murder on my eyes after a few hours. But with the right engaged position and a bit of tweaking (which will be tailored to your taste) to look at a spreadsheet is as relaxing as watching out the window. So when I'm ready to switch to a game or a movie, I just switch the button to the right setting, and all the perfect colors and contrast jump on me again. It is absolutely amazing! With all the other screen I have had to choose a happy medium with my display settings, which always had to compromise, but with these different modes, I can easily switch back and forth so that each task is performed under ideal settings. It really makes a difference!
The adjustment buttons in the back, which seems strange at first, but once you realize what the button is under your finger, it's simple and intuitive. You basically just hold your hand in a natural position on the side of the screen and wiggle each finger (individual) to work on the keys. The trick is to remember which control under your finger so it's easy.
I really like "MagicLux" feature that senses ambient light and adjusts the screen accordingly. I have tested this monitor at different locations and lighting conditions, and the automatic adjustment really works!
I chose the LED technology because they are easier on the eyes (a priority) but all the screens I tested with this was also the LEDs, and some of them appeared in the same way as the LCD screen to me. With LED Viewsonic, for example, I really could not tell the difference between LED and LCD. With this screen, but LED-backlit display along with their other display technology really provides a lot of natural light. I live in the woods in a remote area and I am out a lot, so I know what the natural light is supposed to look like. This screen provides the most natural looking and comfortable light of all I've tested. It's really relaxing for the eyes. :)
If the LED technology is important for you to more environmentally-friendly causes such as low energy, low EMF's, and lack of toxic metals like mercury and lead, you will also be pleased to know that beyond those things, just This monitor is also a of the few on the market that are made without color VOCs. A blessing for our planet and for those who may be chemically sensitive.
I would highly recommend this screen to anyone, even if it costs a bit more. It's definitely worth it. And it comes from a Cheapskate. :)
