Samsung PX2370 – Is it the best 23-inch monitor on the market?

The Samsung PX2370 is a follow up to the SyncMaster XL2370 which was considered a highly successful monitor in its own right. Now that its successor has come out, the question on everyone’s mind is it obviously better than its predecessor. This article will do some comparisons between other monitors of the same genre and will delve into some of the new features touted by this monitor.

Compared to the Samsung SyncMaster XL2370

Like its predecessor, the PX2370 has been designed to look aesthetically pleasing. However, there are some differences in that the corners are sharper and also more angled, giving it a sharper profile. In terms of dimensions, this monitor is probably one of the thinnest out there at just 26.5mm thick.

panel technology

Like many budget monitors, this monitor uses TN panel technology. Although the use of this technology allows for lower manufacturing costs, one of the advantages is that you get poorer visibility of the monitor at extreme vertical angles. In the case of the Samsung PX2370, this is no exception. However, Samsung has found a solution to that problem by introducing what they call Magic Angle. What this does is adjust the brightness and contrast level to compensate for the extreme angle and improve visibility. There are five available settings that can be used. This introduced feature serves its purpose and most of the users are very happy with how it works. However, some have pointed out that this feature should not have been necessary in the first place and that better technology should have been used regarding the panel.

In this sense, some would be thinking that an IPS panel would have been a better option. What I found interesting in the course of my research is that there was one user in particular who actually had some Dell monitors that used IPS technology, so he made a comparison between the two. He comments that he not only didn’t see any difference in terms of image quality, but actually prefers the PX2370, which some will find surprising given Dell’s IPS panel-based monitors are considered top notch in terms of quality. Overall though, when looking solely at the image quality provided by this monitor, users are pretty happy with it across the board.

Design and Ergonomics

Samsung has done a good job of offering a well-designed monitor and it’s probably one of the thinnest and lightest in its class. This comes with a couple of unique issues as a result. One is the fact that many experience some monitor wobble when the table is moved. This irritates some users, but most don’t find it a big problem. This issue is probably due more to the monitor’s light weight than the monitor stand’s construction, as it is quite sturdy with rubber bumpers attached to the bottom to prevent movement.

Another common complaint about this monitor is the lack of height adjustment. Some say this is normal for monitors in this price range, however there are some monitors like the Benq V2410T that do provide this feature although they are definitely in the minority. Also, the on-screen display options may not be very intuitive for some.

Other features worth mentioning

When I first read about this monitor, I was quite intrigued by the light sensor feature called Magic Lux. This is a feature usually found on laptops as it helps conserve battery life. Basically, what it does is automatically adjust the brightness level of the monitor according to the ambient light around the monitor. This is a welcome addition and probably more monitors should follow suit. Coupled with another power-saving feature called Magic Eco, this makes the PX2370 one of the most energy-efficient monitors I’ve seen. At optimal settings, it only consumes an average of 12W.

Conclusion

The Samsung PX2370 is definitely a marked improvement over its predecessor in most areas. At under $300, it’s reasonably priced, though it can be high, especially for those on a tight budget. As for the image quality, there is not much to complain about, although it is not the best. What really sets this monitor apart is its incredibly slim profile and the impressive energy savings it can achieve. If these two things are at the top of your list of things to look for in a monitor, then definitely consider getting this.