MODTHEBOX.COM - Canada's Premier Case Modding Source - Reviews - Samsung SyncMaster 213T TFT-LCD Monitor Review

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The Samsung SyncMaster 213T TFT-LCD Monitor was run through a series of applications at different resolutions ranging from 2D and 3D programs, DVD's, and games. Overall performance was good when connected to both my MSI GF4 TI 4200 and Radeon 9700 Pro with some ghosting issues noted. The contract and sharpness options in the OSD allow you to get a clear detailed desktop but its is not as effective without the Magic Bright option and high contrast ratios found on some of the newer Samsung monitors. As previously mentioned, the highlight of the of the Samsung SyncMaster 213T TFT-LCD Monitor is the ability to pivot the monitor display a full 90° degrees. In portrait mode, you get a full view of any webpage or document but have to scroll left or right to see the full context of the page.

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DVD playback using CyberLink PowerDVD was exceptionally smooth while watching a few scenes from one of my favourite movies "Bad Boys II". I set the max resolution of 1600x1200 and played a few rounds of HALO on both my MSI GF4 TI 4200 and Radeon 9700 Pro video cards. Consumers will be pleased with the wide 21" area which makes multimedia applications a pleasure to use. The gaming experience is a little different and the overall imagine quality was fair.

Conclusion:

The Samsung SyncMaster 213T TFT-LCD Monitor can classified as a high-end monitor that balances multi-purpose function with good built-in ergonomic features. The selling point of this product is the ability to adjust the display position of the monitor with ease. Add in the complimentary Pivot Pro Software and you have a package that is perfect for the office or SOHO environment. The overall display quality of the monitor is decent for a high-end product but consumers looking for better picture quality will probably want to look at the more alternative models which feature the built-in Magic Bright function. The ability to switch between portrait and landscape modes is unique but after using the landscape mode for a number of hours I found it difficult to be productive. The rear portion of the 213T features support for both VGA and DVI, which makes this product perfect for dual monitoring setups. Overall, I was pleased with the Samsung SyncMaster 213T TFT-LCD Monitor and award a final rating of 8 out of 10. If you have any questions regarding this review be sure to visit the Samsung Canada website for more information or discuss them in our forums.

Pros:

Good picture quality and display

Three year warranty support

Aesthetically pleasing design

Easy to navigate on screen display menu

Adjustable stand and excellent pivot features

Free Pivot Pro application software

Cons:

Slight ghosting images noted

Not really suitable for the gaming crowd

Landscape mode takes a while to be productive

No Magic Bright option to adjust custom contrast levels

Price