Wide Format LCD Monitors: Part 2

Samsung 215TW

Built around Samsung's own PVA panel, the 215TW offers 21"es for the price of 20". The design is nothing to write home about, but the use of an accelerated VA panel promises good movie-screening performance. Let's see how this new baby from Samsung really does.

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Diagonal measurement21"
Native resolution1680 x 1050
Contrast1000: 1
Brightness300 nits
Latency8 ms (GTG)
Colors16.7 M
H/V viewing angles178 / 178
Loudspeakers2x2W
ConnectivityVGA, DVI
Average price$530

Design and Finish

The build quality is good, but the plastic used isn't very attractive. The base has the characteristic shape of Samsung's old BF monitors. But let's not be too hard on Samsung. This is far from being an ugly monitor - it's just that clearly not enough design effort has gone into the build, especially if you look at what Samsung has done with monitors like their 970P.