Customer Reviews

ASUS VK266H 26-Inch Full HD 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor with 2.0MP CAM (Black)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Update Dec, 2009: Nothing's died. The screen is still in working order on all inputs. Aside from the occasional bit of dust I have to clean off, it is still virtually indistinguishable from when it was new.

Other thoughts: If you're a gamer, print up a list of 16:10 resolutions or remember them in case you need to downsize detail from 1920x1200 to something less intensive for an older video card like the 9600GT. Ratio values are sometimes listed in game options, but are more often left out.

===

This LCD screen deserves a better summary than what Amazon has to offer. Pull up a list of stats for the model number on Google, and you'll see. The highlight of this screen (other than being fairly priced for its size) is that it actually has component input. I'm running a Wii and PS2 off of a component switch, my laptop from HDMI and my desktop from DVI. Laptop and console audio emits from the its 1/8 jack into studio monitors which are nominally superior to this screen's built-in speakers.

The picture is bright, and I'm speaking from (good) experience with 20" Trinitron CRT's and it shipped with zero dead pixels.
It looks better than anything I've seen for its size range at mom & pop computer stores, retail chains of all sizes and LAN party rooms.

If I had to nitpick, I'd say that ASUS doesn't have the best reputation for customer support and the five-button (not counting the power) interface is clumsy to navigate. The wrong press of button can send you to a completely different part of the menu or shut it down entirely! A screen like this would've been complete with a remote control and a less-squeaky stand.

As to the webcam, I haven't bothered with it yet, so I can't say.

A little over a month ago, I received this Asus VK266H monitor from Amazon with some apprehension. Having used only CRT monitors in the past, I was concerned that an LCD monitor might not measure up to the crisp clarity of my current 21" CRT. Secondly, due to some reviews, I was concerned about the possibility of dead or stuck pixels. My final concern was light bleeding or color shifts from the bottom or top of the LCD screen. ALL of these fears were allayed with the arrival of the VK266H. Firstly, going from a 21" CRT to a 26" LCD monitor (25.5" viewable) was truly a positive shock. I'm also glad I was convinced to acquire the VK266H's 1920 X 1200 viewing aspect ratio rather than a 1080 monitor. I was also pleased the monitor sported a DVI connection port (VGA is also included) as the DVI connection is far sharper than VGA (all cables and adapters for both connection ports are included: Way-To-Go Asus!). After making my DVI connection and turning on my computer I was absolutely floored by the quality of the display. This is a beautiful display. Listen, I do a lot of work in Photoshop and my photos have never looked better than on this display. Calibration was an absolute snap using the calibration tools already provided by Apple in Leopard 10.5.x System Preferences>Displays>Color>Calibrate. I have a dual-boot system (Leopard-Vista) so no problem running the included Web Cam which has software only for Windows. Who would have thought one could purchase this kind of quality for under $300.00? The closest competitor for this size display costs literally hundreds of dollars more. If you're in the market for a large-screen LCD monitor you owe it to YOURSELF to at least check out Asus! As you may have surmised by now, I've got nothing but love for the Asus VK266H! ASUS VK266H 26-Inch Full HD 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor with 2.0MP CAM (Black)

I will start by saying that I like Asus products. They make very good computer motherboards and just over 3 years ago I purchased one of their G series notebooks. I use 3D architectural design and drafting programs (CADD or CAD)and needed something with high resolution and fast response time. The requirements, for the programs I use, are similar to what you need for a good gaming system. The notebook has a high resolution (WSXGA) wide screen and I wanted a larger monitor for when I use the notebook at home.

I spent a couple weeks looking at monitors and, in my opinion, the ASUS VK266H offered the best "Bang for the Buck". It doesn't get any better than a 2ms response time and the resolution seems to be perfect for this size screen. The highest setting, 1920 by 1200, is great for a computer work station when viewing for a distance of about 30". I use my notebook in the living room, however, and with a viewing distance or 60" or more I have gone down one setting to 1680 by 1050... Which happens to match the highest resolution of my 15.4" notebook screen and makes it easier to read at that distance. When used with a notebook you can either: clone the screens (same view on each), enlarge the desktop (different programs on each screen) or, in my case, I tend to turn the notebook monitor off when I don't need it, thinking that could extend the life of the notebook.

One other advantage of this monitor was the built-in speakers. I knew the notebook speakers were not very good before I purchased it (true for many notebooks/laptops) but figured I could always use headphones or plug in some external speakers. While the monitors built-in speakers may not please the average audiophile they are a huge improvement over the notebook speakers. I haven't tried this yet but I could use this monitor as a HD TV. The webcam can swivel (up and down) which is a nice feature. The monitor arrived in good condition, no dead pixels, and I have not had to adjust the "out of the box" settings but that will vary with personal preference and the adjustments are there if you need them.

Bottom line, you can purchase a 30" monitor with 2560 by 1600 resolution for about $1,200 (or more) or get this 26" monitor for about 1/4 the price. For me the choice was easy and I have no regrets.

After reading the reviews I decided to purchase this monitor. Here are my thoughts:

1. Yes, it does have a very slight bluish tinge to white backgrounds, but it doesn't bother me. Probably wont bother most people unless you deal with graphics editing.

2. It's aspect ratio is 16x10, and unless you have a video card capable of handling this, your display will be stretched to 4:3 unless you want black wide-screen bars (like on a wide-screen movie.) If this bothers you, get a 16:9 aspect ratio monitor (true wide-screen without black bars).

3. The amount of real estate (screen space) is terrific. It's easy to have two windows open side by side. Depending on your resolution settings you could even fit 3 windows, but I wouldn't as the text will get smaller as you do this.

4. NO dead pixels on arrival, and none to date (after 1 week).

5. I find the screen controls are easy to use and intuitive.

6. This monitor looks great!

7. It is VESA mountable. The back pops of and exposes the mounting holes.

8. The input options are great. DVI, VGA, Component and HDMI--Wow!

Great monitor!

Good monitor. The color seemed little off before. But after using a DVI cable, it looks a lot better. Good deal for that price.

Owned it for almost a month. Plug in and everything works including the built-in web cam and speaker. Superb quality!

I got the Asus VK266H to use as a second monitor, was impressed by the high Amazon user rating and price. I did not realize until turning it on and sitting in front of it that this cannot be used as a professional monitor-- the Vertical Viewing Angle on this monitor is horrendous. This means, when seated fairly close to the monitor (2 1/2 to 3 feet away), if the upper part of the monitor is at eye-level, and you look down at the bottom of the screen, everything at the bottom of the screen will be much, much brighter/paler than the same object (or icon, or color) at the top of the screen. For professional graphics or video work, this is unacceptable. You have to have consistency across the screen, (especially when doing color correction for video). This is a common issue with TN LCD screens such as this one. I became educated about TN screens (the hard way) after buying this one, and returning it. For any kind of professional graphics or video work, you need an IPS-type display, which is more costly, but has a much better viewing angle, so as you tilt your head to look at different parts of the screen, colors and brightness remains consistent across the entire screen. Because the Asus is fairly large (26in.) this only makes the problem more apparent, unless you sit six feet away from it.

This could be a fine monitor for home use and gaming, but for professional graphics/video work, steer clear and get an IPS - type LCD display. I needed a professional quality monitor, and had a feeling the price on this was too good to be true. It was.

I had an old CRT and was very apprehensive about giving it up. I originally wanted an IPS monitor. I was looking to do some photo, video and graphics work as part of my hobby. I almost went for the new Dell but heard ALOT of negative reports. I researched for over three months. If you get scared by all the bad reviews on all the boards for these types of things, just remember that folks usually just post when they have a complaint. There are usually a whole lot more happy people. But I sort of went into paralysis by analysis for a time. I finally bit the bullet and decided on this ASUS. I do not regret it. Yes it is a TN board, but what a board.

What I like:
The 1920 X 1200 resolusion is awesome. Windows 7 looks great and there is a whole lot of real estate to play with.

Played some DVDs on it and they looked perfect.

Viewing angle is OK. Not perfect but unless you do jumping jacks while you work on the computer you will not notice any great changes in quality.

No stuck or dead pixels at all.

Lots of cords came with it. They were a little short but good on them for including them at all.

Good variety of connections types (HDMI, DVI, VGA, composite). I actually have my old computer hooked up on VGA and my new one on HDMI and I just push the button to switch between them as needed. Yes, the actual connections are a little hard to get at, but who switches them very often anyway. Once set up you are fine.

The tilt on it is OK. Wish it was a little better but not a big deal.

Have not tried the web cam yet.

Don't know about the speakers, I hooked up a surround system.

If you are stuck and don't know what to buy, or you did not want to spend $600-1000 on an IPS, you would be very happy with this monitor. Sorry I waited so long.

Great shipping experience with Amazon as usual.

I just received this item yesterday and I'm blown away at how happy I am with this product. I came from a Dell monitor (which was a bit older but still a great LCD) and the difference in resolution, color, and clarity is astounding.

The only two small quirks I have is: 1) the height is not adjustable (but will tilt) and 2) the stand isn't very sturdy. When I bump my desk the monitor bounces a bit more than I'd like. These two are not deal breakers and as I said, I'm very happy with everything else.

This is a great budget 26 inch monitor.

One other note, I had to play with the settings and color, as someone else said there is a blue tint over everything but that's easily fixed if you play with the settings.

Good luck to anyone who gets this monitor -- I hope you're as happy as I am with it!

I switched from a 22" non high def monitor to this massive 26" full 1082p high def monitor. I am able to see better now when gaming. Every since I started playing on this monitor, I basically dominate Modern Warfare 2!! Great price and good quality! So get it!