The Best of Both Phone, and Tablet-
"Nice features, but TERRIBLE quality control." on by Ryoga Hibiki
Pros: excellent features (wide-screen 1680x1050 resolution, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 8ms response rate, headphone jack) nice picture and text quality, the pip feature is nice.
Cons: Serious quality control issues.
Summary: I'm on my 2nd monitor now. The first one was fine for about 3 weeks, then all of a sudden, a 2 inch blue vertical line appeared at the bottom of my screen. I checked all my settings (tried different resolutions and refresh rates), switched cables and even tried another monitor, but the problem was definitely with the Samsung. I just got my replacement monitor and the first time I turned it on, there's now a vertical yellow line all the way from the top to the bottom in the middle of the screen. Both of mine were manufactured in Mexico in April of 2006. Now I'm waiting for my 3rd monitor and am crossing my fingers. So buyer beware!
Other than those annoying vertical lines, the speaker attached to this monitor isn't very good. If you want to use your monitor extensively for listening to music or watching movies/tv, I suggest you invest in some good quality external speakers (or just use your headphones).
Since this is a relatively new monitor, I'm guessing there's some growing pains with the manufacturing process. Since this monitor is temptingly feature-rich, I suggest potential buyers to at least wait for Samsung to fix their quality issues before picking one up (and don't buy any made in Mexico in April, 2006!). -
"Best widescreen LCD computer monitor under $500" on by CEB II
Pros: HD-like DVD movie playback, crystal clear text, stunning color rendition, wide viewing angle
Cons: MagicTune software is not available for the Mac OS
Summary: After cruising numerous stores and viewing many LCD computer monitors in the 20 to 22 inch size, it was apparent that the most value was to be had with the Samsung SyncMaster 215TW. While there were some 22 and 23 inch widescreen monitors that matched the 215TW's PQ, they were priced hundreds of dollars more. In the $500 and under bracket, the 215TW was hands-down the best PQ we saw.
I think it is the 1000:1 contrast ratio that makes the difference, but the 215TW just had a far superior picture compared to anything else on the shelf. All had the same pictures displayed and driven by the same PC, so the playing field was level and the 215TW just stood way out.
We hooked up our 215TW to our Power Mac G4 MDD with Radeon 9600 video card. While the instructions show the hook up for Macs to be only analog, ignore that. Our 215TW is working fine via a DVI connection, and the PQ is really stunning with our Mac set up.
Samsung doesn't provide the accompanying software in the Mac OS, but that is not much of a problem. Only the MagicTune software is unavailable for Macs with this Samsung monitor, as the MagicBright function is built into the monitor setup buttons. That isn't true for the smaller and cheaper Samsungs.
We are running the 215TW at a resolution of 1680 x 1050 @ 60 Hz, which is the unit's maximum. It is more than adequate for watching QuickTime movie trailers in HD and allows for really sharp text. Our 215TW replaced a 19" ViewSonic PF790 professional series CRT, aperture grille monitor. The increased text clarity and reduced eye strain with the 215TW is a welcome surprise, and the color saturation and distinction is gorgeous.
Viewing angle with the 215TW is as good or better than any of its competition. Response time is more than adequate as we haven't detected any ghosting with fast moving video. Movie DVDs look fabulous on this monitor. Watching Pirates of the Caribbean on this monitor makes it look like near HD quality.
Finally, the adjustable, rotating, and flipping stand is really nice. Too bad so many LCD monitors are stuck with basically non-adjustable stands.
No dead pixels on the unit we purchased and no problems with anything after two weeks of ownership and use. Build quality appears good, and Samsung included both a VGA and a DVI cable with the monitor. Nice!
We highly recommend this monitor for anyone looking for a widescreen LCD computer monitor in this size range and to any Mac users looking for a highly compatible widescreen LCD monitor. -
"Does not last" on by caesarspillow
Pros: Wide screen, good resolution
Cons: Starts to black out after a few years
Summary: I have had this monitor for 4 years and now when I turn my computer it, the monitor goes black. I have to turn it on and off about 15-20 times before the monitor stays on. It does not seem built to last.
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"Good value, service" on by cormacf
Pros: Great service and support, clean picture
Cons: Rotation feels a bit flimsy, lame speakers
Summary: Great picture for business apps and gaming, great value, crappy sound, but really--does anyone expect integrated speakers to sound like anything other than garbage? Rotating the display works flawlessly, but the base feels a little flimsy during the rotation. If I had to rotate my display several times a day, I might look elsewhere.
11.5 months into my Samsung's life (and more important--its 12-month warranty), it suddenly developed a line of dead pixels. I searched on the Samsung site, found my problem, called their toll-free number, and within 4 minutes, they'd dispatched a replacement to my local UPS store. I exchanged the monitor 3 days later, and the replacement has been great. If you have an extended warranty option, I'd suggest taking it. TFTs are fragile, and Samsung's service is solid enough to make the warranty valuable. -
"This monitor is terrible." on by me9911aa
Pros: The monitor came with a DVI cable and a power cable.
Cons: blue vertical line, too much red, blues not always blue
Summary: Turned the monitor on and spent several hours trying to get the colors just right. The monitor has too much red by default and blues tend to fade into violents/purple at times. I had the monitor hooked up for a few hours and a blue vertical line now displays almost right the center. It has 3 pixels wide and extends from the top to the bottom. If I grab the right corner of the screen and hold the base with my left hand I can sometimes move the monitor just a little and get the line to go away. I have read some articles now where this is able problem with 215TW and the FPD2185W. It seems that everytime I try to base a purchase of user opinions this happens. The monitor is junk. I plan to send it back and get something else. Thanks for nothing CNET.
Samsung SyncMaster 215TW user reviews (LCD monitor - 21")
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