Derrick
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- Joined
- Nov 22, 2010
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One of the first of the next generation of LCD screens
Not so long ago, we started seeing a shift from 4:3 aspect-ratio screens to 16:10. We are now becoming witness to a gradual move to 16:9 widescreen – a more common aspect ratio for movies. At first, I was sceptical about it, though for no real reason. That all changed when I set up this particular product.
While I expected the screen area to be more or less the same as that of a 22-inch 16:10 (given that the ‘squarer’ the shape, the more area it contains), I was surprised to find that this 23-inch 16:9 actually delivers significantly more desktop real estate. It is ever so slightly shorter vertically, but significantly wider, and has higher resolutions in both axes, to boot (full HD – 1920x1080.) But I get ahead of myself.
My very first impressions were as follows. I opened the box and subconsciously braced my back for the task of hauling the unit out. As I reached in, I discovered that it’s exceptionally thin (“finger-slim,” Samsung calls it), and immediately after that I almost yanked it out too quickly because of its amazingly light weight. In real terms, it weighs in at about a half or a third of the weight of the abovementioned 22-inch 16:10 monitor.
Assembly of the base is very simple. Once standing, this unit is gorgeous to look at. It has a clear, plastic bezel around its edges, which are softened by rounded corners. The stand is clear, and is visually suggestive of a wineglass. The controls are on the lower right, and consist of diffuse-white, backlit touch controls – they take a bit of getting used to, but look great, particularly the way the backlight fades in from one side. Though an elegant lifestyle item, I wouldn’t even mind ‘lugging’ (an overstatement!) it to a LAN or such – though somewhat bigger then even a 22-inch, it is so light that taking it along would be a lot less inconvenient.
All right, that accounts for the aesthetics. Now for functionality. In this department, this model also excels. It boasts a 2ms grey-to-grey response time (which is good, but not uncommon, these days), and a staggering 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio! (The true value of this, however, is questionable: can the human eye truly distinguish the difference between one or five million to one contrast?). Brightness is also exceptional, and in the typical home PC environment, you are likely to turn it down to around 40% (though in a lounge, it will shine even in bright daylight). And now for the technology behind it – literally.
Unlike traditional LCD displays, which are backlit by halogen lights or their like, this new generation makes use of LED backlighting. And here is an important distinction: this is not yet truly an ‘LED display’ per se – the pixels are still delivered by an LCD. That next step is still coming. Nevertheless, what this LED backlighting means is, firstly, the slimmer, lighter design. Also, and quite importantly, it means that the screen uses about 40% less power than its traditional equivalent. I have fallen truly in love with this screen, and it will be a sad day (and, sadly, all too soon!) when I have to return the review unit. XL2370, you will be missed!
Not so long ago, we started seeing a shift from 4:3 aspect-ratio screens to 16:10. We are now becoming witness to a gradual move to 16:9 widescreen – a more common aspect ratio for movies. At first, I was sceptical about it, though for no real reason. That all changed when I set up this particular product.
While I expected the screen area to be more or less the same as that of a 22-inch 16:10 (given that the ‘squarer’ the shape, the more area it contains), I was surprised to find that this 23-inch 16:9 actually delivers significantly more desktop real estate. It is ever so slightly shorter vertically, but significantly wider, and has higher resolutions in both axes, to boot (full HD – 1920x1080.) But I get ahead of myself.
My very first impressions were as follows. I opened the box and subconsciously braced my back for the task of hauling the unit out. As I reached in, I discovered that it’s exceptionally thin (“finger-slim,” Samsung calls it), and immediately after that I almost yanked it out too quickly because of its amazingly light weight. In real terms, it weighs in at about a half or a third of the weight of the abovementioned 22-inch 16:10 monitor.
Assembly of the base is very simple. Once standing, this unit is gorgeous to look at. It has a clear, plastic bezel around its edges, which are softened by rounded corners. The stand is clear, and is visually suggestive of a wineglass. The controls are on the lower right, and consist of diffuse-white, backlit touch controls – they take a bit of getting used to, but look great, particularly the way the backlight fades in from one side. Though an elegant lifestyle item, I wouldn’t even mind ‘lugging’ (an overstatement!) it to a LAN or such – though somewhat bigger then even a 22-inch, it is so light that taking it along would be a lot less inconvenient.
All right, that accounts for the aesthetics. Now for functionality. In this department, this model also excels. It boasts a 2ms grey-to-grey response time (which is good, but not uncommon, these days), and a staggering 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio! (The true value of this, however, is questionable: can the human eye truly distinguish the difference between one or five million to one contrast?). Brightness is also exceptional, and in the typical home PC environment, you are likely to turn it down to around 40% (though in a lounge, it will shine even in bright daylight). And now for the technology behind it – literally.
Unlike traditional LCD displays, which are backlit by halogen lights or their like, this new generation makes use of LED backlighting. And here is an important distinction: this is not yet truly an ‘LED display’ per se – the pixels are still delivered by an LCD. That next step is still coming. Nevertheless, what this LED backlighting means is, firstly, the slimmer, lighter design. Also, and quite importantly, it means that the screen uses about 40% less power than its traditional equivalent. I have fallen truly in love with this screen, and it will be a sad day (and, sadly, all too soon!) when I have to return the review unit. XL2370, you will be missed!