Alienware Releases 21.5-inch LCD Gaming Monitor

By Marcus Yam
published

Alienware's new monitor is a... monitor.

Alienware is known for making excessive and flashy gaming systems – after all, it's the system maker’s specialty.

The company normally offers its computers with Dell UltraSharp monitors, which takes advantage of its parent company’s product line. When we found out that the boutique builder was planning to unveil a special branded monitor, we were left wondering just how one would make a typical utilitarian monitor into something flashy and excessive.

Thankfully, Alienware's just announced 21.5-inch OptX AW2210 appears to have specifications and a price that makes it attractive to more than just hardcore gamers.

Even though Alienware says that the monitor is "Designed to Intimidate" and "Impress your opponents with a slim matte black bezel, sleek lines and a dramatic profile that sets the tone for serious gaming," it looks like most other LCD monitors apart from the angular stand.

Image 1 of 3

Check out the rest of the specs:

• 21.5-inch Widescreen Flat Panel LCD
• 1920 x 1080 Full HD Resolution
• Ultra-Fast 2ms Response Time
• Low Input-Lag for Intense Gaming
• 16.7 Million Colors for Vibrant Images
• 80,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
• Tilt, Swivel and Height Adjustable Stand
• 2 x HDMI ports allow for you to plug in to your PC or your TV for either PC or console gaming sessions
• 4 x Universal Serial Bus ports for hassle free connection to flash drives, mouse, keyboard and other peripherals

The press release and the Dell configure website has this priced at $299, but the link from Alienware's site has it for $290 – something to keep in mind if you're interested in picking one up.

Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
28 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Greg_77
    I don't know the specs of this monitor, but I doubt it's better than any of the previous Dell monitors. Probably uses the same LCD panel, just a different case.
    Reply
  • Master Exon
    I just bought a 23" Samsung 2048x1152 LCD. I miss my old HannsG with the 4 port USB port on the side.

    Greg_77I don't know the specs of this monitorRead the article? 2 ms response time and 80,000:1 contrast ratio. Go look those up and maybe you'll know something.
    Reply
  • Quality 22" Ultrasharp monitors from Dell have been on Sale recently for as low as $200. I doubt these would be any better than the Ultrasharp monitor, probably just paying a premium for the name.

    And I agree with the above posts in regards to not having a monitor capable of 1900x1200. People that buy AW desktops are buying systems that should more than handle 1900x1200 and have spent more than enough money on their desktop to be able to afford the slightly larger monitor.
    Reply
  • rykerabel
    with that price and that response time, its a TN panel... no thanks.

    H-IPS or bust!
    Reply
  • raptor550
    >>Low Input-Lag for Intense Gaming

    Thank God!!! My Dual Samsung 22"s have been holding me back so much from really intense gaming becaues they have so much input lag. I need more jigga-watts!

    Also Dell's suck. I use their 24" expensive monitors for CAD at work and they get lines on them sometimes or get all fuzzy for a few hours every couple of weeks. And they are brand new.
    Reply
  • neodude007
    If i had an alienware I would be embarrassed to play on such a small low res screen. 24-30" or bust baby. 1080p is for sissy pants.
    Reply
  • ram1009
    Ithink I'll keep my Viewsonic 28".
    Reply
  • WheelsOfConfusion
    Doesn't Dynamic Contrast (and other software-controlled contrast boosting schemes) alter the color balance and whites in order to achieve the "improved" contrast?
    Reply
  • Looks exactly like the Dell monitors I bought for my company, except it is all black. I can't imagine anyone dishing out the money for an Alienware system, then getting a 21" monitor. I currently have two 26" NEC monitors and I can't imagine going to anything smaller.
    Reply
  • Harby
    Dynamic contrast = biggest scam in monitor marketing. True contrast is what we care for, not random numbers pulled out of someones arse.
    Reply