Customer Reviews

Samsung SyncMaster 172 W - LCD display - TFT - 17" - 1280 x 768 - 450 cd/m2 - 400:1 - 25 ms - 0.29 mm - DVI-D, VGA - silver

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this monitor to replace a Viewsonic PF790 19", and I am cherishing the desk space I have regained! I haven't noticed the difference in screen real estate as I was running that monitor at a similar resolution. The built-in speakers are okay, but I have kept my existing external speakers. I have a TNT2-Ultra Nvidia graphics card, and after downloading the right drivers, I was able to use the full WXGA 1280x768 resolution over the VGA connection.
The onscreen menus are very easy to use, and the image is always sharp and clear. I am using it with Windows XP, and a little ClearText fine-tuning was required.
I have not mounted it to a wall, but it is very simple to do as it comes with a mounting plate. The extra real estate is nice, especially for Movie Maker 2.
I can't recommend this unique monitor highly enough. This is a cheaper alternative to a similar Sony model that has all the circuitry to accept different sources, and thus makes the Sony more costly.
There is another quick review at CNET of this product.

I bought this monitor to replace my old 17in flat screen monitor and I don't regret it. This is a great monitor when its functioning correctly; However, When I recieved mine, it already had a dead pixel right in the center. In the last 2 weeks I have had it 3 more dead pixels have appear, so I only have one more dead pixel to go before I can replace it. So, I am just giving you a slight warning so your not caught off gaurd like I was. Good luck.

This is a fantastic monitor, but the advertised resolution is not accurate. It supports 1280 x 768. I'm having problems getting it to work with my video card at that unusual resolution. I may have to get a new card, but I am waiting for responses from ATI and Samsung.

I bought this monitor about 6 months ago when it was a little more available and priced competitively with 4:3 aspect ratio monitors. Too bad wide screens have not caught on in 17" size because I love it. The eyes work much better scanning horizontally, and I like the ability to have 2 applications side by side.

The colors, brightness and contrast on this monitor are outstanding. Very good resolution on fonts compared with other LCD's in its price range. Speakers are adequeate for web browsing and office application sounds. Form factor is beautiful. And you just can't compare watching a widescreen DVD on a 4:3 with this monitor (although it's actually a 15:9, not a 16:9).

Highly recommended if you can get it close to five bills like I did.