SyncMaster 245BW monitor [Archive]

Leonardo

1 May 2008, 2:21am

My primary monitor at home is the 245BW. I thought the linked review covered all the important areas for technophiles like us and reflected very closely my experience with this monitor. Points I'd like to re-emphasize:

TN panel is not good for multi-person viewing. You definitely would not want to use this monitor for off-angle viewing.

Contrast is good but could be better. (Plenty bright, though!)

Color accuracy is very good. Yes indeed. It does though, need a bit of tuning for subtle shades of green.

The included software not only works, but works very well and is user friendly. Also, the on-screen display is easy to navigate with very useful functions. Best OSD and monitor software I've used.

Movies and games? Can't comment. I don't game and I watch movies using the television.

Not good enough for professional graphics or professional photography. I agree, but it should be good for anything up to the professional no-holds-barred-no-cost-to-great level.

Blacklight bleed is not insignificant. To me, that's not problem. If you stare at a lot of motionless, dark images, then it might be a problem for you.

The review gave the monitor a value score of 9.25. I could not agree more! I researched a lot and looked online and in stores before I purchased my 245BW. In it's class and pricepoint, it really didn't have much competition.

OK, a couple more observations:

The monitor can be had for significantly less than what the review showed. Costco generally stocks these, sometimes in the $300-350 range. Yeah, no kidding. Costco also has a 30-day satisfaction guaranteed.

The shiny bezel and fingerprints issue is so some much of nothing, unless you frequently find yourself holding your monitor.

Ignore "Dynamic Contrast" ratings from Samsung...for that matter, from any monitor maker. It's simply hype, rather meaningless for computer monitors.