NEC MultiSync LCD2490WUXi2-BK user reviews (LCD monitor - 24")

2.0 stars

"Plan on EVER cleaning your screen - avoid this monitor" on March 9, 2011 by GabrielET

Pros: Image quality is good.

Cons: According to NEC, you cannot clean the screen with anything but a "microfiber cloth" - and the monitor does not rotate side-to-side as the manual claims.

Summary: First of all, the image quality is good, but any substantial change in the viewing angle tends to make me think I'm looking at one of the old projection TVs with the Fresnel lens.

The main purpose of this review, however, is the utter stupidity of creating a monitor that you essentially cannot clean the face of. Had I known before hand that the ONLY way NEC recommends cleaning the screen is with a "microfiber cloth" (and the use of NO cleaning fluids, water or otherwise) I would have bought an Apple Cinema display - or anything more practical. I called NEC support and they could offer nothing but the "microfiber" cloth solution. When I asked what the heck is a microfiber cloth and where do you get one, the rep could give no answer except that I may have to find one at an electronics store somewhere.

So, now I have a monitor that I cannot clean if it gets anything on it more aggressive than lint - like a fingerprint - that would require some cleaner necessary to cut oil. Heaven forbid that a particle of spit should land on it! (Don't carry on ANY conversations by your monitor!) Do they honestly think that NOTHING ever gets on a screen but lint or dust? It's like buying a car and finding out AFTER you pay for it that you cannot clean the wind shield with anything but the wind.

If you EVER plan on cleaning your screen, do NOT buy this monitor.

'Nuther point:

In the owner's manual they illustrate that the screen can be tilted up and down and rotated side-to-side. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY FALSE!!! Should you try to rotate the screen sideways, you will break the support. It is clearly not designed to be viewed except directly in front of the stand.

I spent a long time reviewing monitors before I purchased this one, and did so because it had no bad reviews - until now. But the most glaring defects in design often show up only after one has had the opportunity to use the equipment.