Samsung SyncMaster T220

The good: Smashing good looks; matte finish means less glare than with glossy screens.

The bad: A tad on the pricey side; merely average performance and feature set; wobbly stand.

The bottom line: The Samsung T220 might be the most stylish LCD monitor we've seen, but average feature set and performance diminish its overall appeal. Despite its flashy looks, it's best used as a simple, productivity display.

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Description: The Samsung SyncMaster T220 is a 22 in, flat panel computer monitor. Compared to other flat panel monitors on the market, it is relatively inexpensive at around $320. This model features a 1680x1050 native resolution. Weighs 12.8 lbs.

Pros: Has 1680x1050 resolution. This is higher than the average monitor on the market today, but is to be expected for a monitor of this price. Also, this monitor has 16:10 aspect ratio, which is more favorable than some similarly priced monitors. By way of comparison, the typical cost of a product with this favorable an aspect ratio is $470. Its wide viewing angle (170 degrees) is useful whenever the screen is being viewed by more than one person at the same time. Accepts DVI input, which allows for greater signal clarity than traditional VGA.

Cons: None noted, given available product data.

Suitability: Made for those want a big display in a thin form factor. The 2 ms response time of this screen makes it ideal for fast-moving games and for watching movies.

Value: In view of its relatively inexpensive price, this monitor has great features for the money.

Suggestions: (1) Before purchasing an LCD monitor, consider visiting your local store for a live demo to ensure that its overall image quality, color, and sharpness meets your expectation. (2) Since this monitor is DVI-capable, you might want a DVI-enabled graphics card in your PC to connect with it -- this will pass the digital video signal directly without converting it to analog, making for better performance.