The aspect ratio of wide-screen monitors lends itself to massive programs and to entertainment, and the vast open space of a larger wide screen certainly draws admiration. Acer plans to deliver a new 24-inch wide screen LCD monitor with a 6ms response time to the global market in 4Q, for less than $1000.
The new AL2416W features a 6ms response time, a native resolution of 1920x1200, and a contrast ratio of 1000:1, while its maximum brightness 500 nits. Note that the 1920x1200 is is the widescreen variant of a 1600 x 1200 display. The company also delivers a 20-inch model currently in Europe, the AL2032W, for $766.
Basic specifications:
- Model: AL 2416W
- Diagonal measurement: 24-inch
- Native resolution: 1920x1200
- H/V Viewing angle: 178/178
- Contrast ratio: 1000:1
- Brightness: 500 nits
- Latency: 6 ms
Currently, Dell offers its 24-inch UltraSharp 2405FPW Flat Panel Monitor (1920x1200, 12ms) for $1,200, while Samsung's 243T (24", 1920 x 1200, 300 nits, contrast ratio of 500:1) is available quite some time now for $2,549.00.
Recently, Japanese EIZO announced its FlexScan S2410W series, offering 1920? 1200 resolutions at 24 inches, an 8 ms response time and a 1000:1 contrast ratio. It is available for $1,900 USD.
Sony's 23-inch SDM-232 is priced at $1,600, and apple's 23-inch Cinema HD can be found for under $1,600.
In related news, BenQ recently unveiled its latest 8ms 20-inch LCD monitors to the global market while Samsung Electronics launched a 20-inch LCD monitor earlier this month. BenQ is also planning to introduce a 23-inch model this year.
According to iSuppli, the 23- and 24-inch widescreen market represents one of the hottest growth opportunities in the second half of 2005, with Dell's aggressively priced entry into this space spurring price competition. Prices in the segment have dipped below US$1,500, the market research firm stated.
People who toil over immense spreadsheets or palette-filled image editors can justify the cost of such a monitor in terms of work efficiency. But if you don't need the improved text clarity, or if you spend your workday in narrower program windows, a wide-screen display may not be the best dedicated monitor for you.