Samsung SM2433BW 24-inch Widescreen TFT Monitor

This monitor is certainly a bargain for the size, but is not without flaws. Mine (purchased elsewhere, and returned) had the following problems:

* Viewing angles - these were sufficiently narrow that there is almost no viewing position from which a colour difference across the monitor is not obvious; even sat directly in front of it. When viewing from below the level of the screen, dark areas wash out very quickly, making darker movies almost unwatchable.

* Build quality - as noted by others, the stand is almost impossible to insert without lubrication. Also, the stand does not let you tip the monitor forward of vertical, which exacerbates the viewing angle problem.

* Buzzing - my monitor emitted a noticeable buzz when set at any brightness less than 100%. This was the reason for returning it. A google search suggests others have had the same problem.

* Color profile - the monitor's supplied color profile (for use in graphics apps such as Photoshop, or even Windows Gallery) is defective, and lends a yellow cast to all software using it. While graphics professionals are unlikely to be using this monitor, IMO this is unacceptable even for amateur use like mine. It can be corrected with a proper calibration tool, but again, this is something the casual user is unlikely to own.

In short: buyer beware. Yes, you'll get lots of screen area for the price (and it does look very pretty in gloss black), but the shortcomings are very obvious.

Simply wonderful monitor. Best picture quality I've ever seen. Comparible to the T240 - just lacking the HDMI socket, but the DVI port does the same thing anyway.

Colours are vibrant, and it's easy to set up. The base was quite hard to get into the monitor - it took two people, but it's no problem really, just be prepared. You can always a little vaseline, which I have heard numerous people say helps a lot.

You can't adjust height or any of those gimmicks, which isn't a problem for me because I sit directly in front, but it's probably not for people who want to be able to watch movies on it with lots of friends around.

It's a large screen - really the picture doesn't do it justice. I've upgraded to this from a 19" Acer monitor and the difference is simply phenomenal. I have my Xbox 360 and computer set up on it and it all works perfectly. I've also plugged in a PS3 to see what it's like, and it perfect. Plays Blu-Ray movies to perfection, and it HDCP compliable.

All in all, a wonderful monitor at a superb price. You can't go wrong.

ADDITIONAL:

Samsung also offer a 3 year warranty with this monitor when you buy it.

Samsung SM2433BW 24-inch Widescreen TFT MonitorI confess I didn't buy this through Amazon but from Staples. It was the last one on the shelf. As it was a fairly recent model I summized that it couldn't have been on demo for very long and was offered a discount of 10% on the original selling price bringing it down to £189.00. Also it was spotless with no missing or dead pixels.

The previous day (and following reading various reviews on different makes then looking at them all) I went to Staples where the assistant suggested I bring in my SD card with photos for a comparison across a range of other monitors. As the monitor is for photo editing and general internet and to fit reasonably on my desk I was after a 22" screen.

None of the other makes including LG and Phillips both of which were 22" models could even match the stunning picture quality of the Samsung 24" which was running at the same resolution as the others across a common connection. The "BrightView" Phillips of course produced reflections of everything in the store. I have an HP Pavillion laptop with the BrightView screen and find the reflections disconcerting in all conditions. Phillips did not get that one right! Overall size wise the Samsung 2433BW looked the same as the HP 22" which had a wider bezel.

Side by side was also a Samsung 2232BW which at the same resolution certainly didn't have the sharpeness of its' 24" brother.

I took my wife to view all the screens the next day and she immediately picked out the 2433BW as the best. It was then a no-brainer.

I had no problem with the stand assembly as it had already been done by the store. It came in a very small package and took about ten minutes to connect and get up and running. I have to transport it later to the Continent and the base plate is easy to remove from the stalk by a small wing nut. The screen with stalk attached can be nicely boxed.

This is an amazing screen and compared to various other makes and sizes I have owned, puts them all in the shade. I was worried about the lack of swivel and height adjustment but this doesn't seem an issue due to the the size of the screen. One has to be prepared to turn ones head from side to side to read everything. Little price to pay for having such stunning clarity! The buttons situated down the side have no markings but bottom is "on/off" and top is "menue". A press of the latter results in confusion. Samsung could have designed a better set of controls - or meybe I am just a bit thick! I am 71 years old and don't intend to waste enormous amounts of time on such a ridiculous adjustment/control system. I just put it on auto adjustment (2nd button up) and left it at that.

There are no add-ons such as USB ports or speakers. Samsung seems to have concentrated on getting what must rate as one of the best screens at the price. The blue on/off light at the bottom is not intrusive and the screen does not need to be turned much for family members to see photos from behind me - it has good angle of view from the side and certainly clearer than the others tested. Whilest it is light for its size it does wobble on its' stand. However the stand goes well with its' glossy black good looks and with a set of T10 speakers is very aesthetically pleasing for a house study.

One probably needs a better graphics card than I have (GForce 5500) to get the best out of it. Despite this it is a "stunner" both in looks and performance,and for simple purposes of photo editing and basic home usage one couldn't find better.