24" LCD Roundup

by Jarred Walton on May 1, 2008 8:00 PM EST

Samsung 2493HM Specifications and Appearance

Samsung 2493HM Specifications
Video Inputs DVI with HDCP support
HDMI
Analog (VGA)
Panel Type TN (SAM 0369) - possibly LTM240C T03
Pixel Pitch 0.270mm
Colors 16.7 million (6-bit with dithering/interpolation?)
82% color gamut
Brightness 400 cd/m2
Contrast Ratio 1000:1 Static
Up to 10000:1 Dynamic
Response Time 5ms GTG
Viewable Size 24" diagonal
Resolution 1920x1200
Viewing Angle 160 horizontal/vertical
Power Consumption <100W max stated
69W max, 18W min measured
Power Savings <2W
Screen Treatment Matte (non-glossy)
Height-Adjustable Yes - 3.94 inches
Tilt Yes - 25 degrees back/5 degrees forward
Pivot Yes
Swivel Yes - 170 degrees left/right
VESA Wall Mounting 200mm x 100mm
Dimensions w/ Base (WxHxD) 22.24" x 17.62" x 9.84" lowered (WxHxD)
22.24" x 21.55" x 9.84" raised (WxHxD)
Weight w/ Stand 18.74 lbs.
Additional Features (2) USB 2.0 - right side of stand
(USB connection to PC required)
Audio 2 x 2W Speakers
Audio in, Line out
Limited Warranty 3 year parts and labor
Price Online starting at ~$450

Last (at least alphabetically) among the monitors we're testing today is the Samsung 2493HM. We recently looked at the Samsung 245T, which is from Samsung's professional line of monitors. The 2493HM is intended more as a consumer device, so there are a few cost-cutting measures in place.

In terms of features, the 2493HM is similar to what we've seen already. Like the MK241H, you get DVI, HDMI, and VGA connections along with built-in speakers. Unlike the ASUS, it provides a base stand that allows height, pivot, tilt, and swivel functionality. It also includes two USB ports on the base stand, but since you use one USB port from your computer to power these, the net gain is only one port.


The 2493HM uses a TN panel, which again means limited viewing angles. However, the viewing angles do seem to be a little better than on the other two TN displays we reviewed today. Response times and input lag -- or the lack of input lag -- are also similar to the other two TN displays.

Samsung uses a glossy finish on most of the 2493HM surfaces, but the LCD panel has a matte finish. With all the other reflective, fingerprint- grabbing surfaces that seems a little odd, but then most of us still prefer non-glossy LCDs. The back of the stand is also a bit more bulky than what we see on the Gateway and Dell offerings, but since the stand is mostly plastic, this is one of the lighter LCDs. (The Gateway FHD2400 is actually lighter, however.)

LaCie 324 Evaluation Samsung 2493HM Evaluation
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  • Dainas - Friday, May 2, 2008 - link

    Well, it would not be as much fun as if they had done it 3 months ago. All the sub-$500 'jewels' have been dissapearing from the market. Just as well though, might as well review something that will still be easy to buy +6 months down the road.
  • JarredWalton - Friday, May 2, 2008 - link

    It shouldn't be too much of a surprise that the cheapest LCDs often have much lower quality. That being the case, most of the manufacturers of cheap LCDs are unwilling to send us review units. Hence, we end up with 24" roundups (and some upcoming 27 and 30" units as well).

    That said, I think more people should bite the bullet and splurge on a really nice display. I couldn't imagine running an SLI or CrossFire system without at least a 24" monitor, and having upgraded to a 30" LCD 18 months back I've never regretted the decision. I hope to continue to use my 30" LCD for at least another 5 years; try saying that about the rest of a PC. $500 sounds like a lot, but a good display can last through several PC upgrades.
  • Basilisk - Friday, May 2, 2008 - link

    I have to agree with the original poster on this sub-thread. There's nothing about these four units that command my interest yet. If you're not shipped the units, I still find it surprising that you don't know folks who've bought the cheaper units -- I do -- or a store manager who might loan them. Whatever, you have your criteria, even if they edge your review towards irrelevance for me.

    "That said, I think more people should bite the bullet and splurge on a really nice display." Well... that's been my strategy in life, but I've now retired and the economic picture has changed; others haven't the coins to spare or a need that justifies the extra bucks. I game, but nothing requiring high speed LCDs; I work with pictures, but nothing that justifies full color gamut monitors. So... what is there beyond elitism to recommend spending an extra $200-$400 for something I won't use? Some might call that an immature purchase decision, not splurging. I'd have loved to see the OfficeMax Soyo 24" monitor -- recurringly sold at $275 -- included so I'd know why NOT to buy it, or to.

    Well, I'll probably skip the 24" size and make a 28" my next purchase anyway: at my age, size matters. :) The old orbs are becoming challenged using my 21" CRT and 22" WS LCD on detailed web pages.
  • strikeback03 - Tuesday, May 6, 2008 - link

    For our lab we have bought a few of the Westinghouse 24" monitors Newegg sells for ~350 (After rebate) and for the price I'd assume they use a TN panel, but it has very good viewing angles.
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/strikeback0...">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/strikeback0...

    Have not had a chance to try color calibration. Seems it's biggest problems are 1) no DVI, and over HDMI it goes to blue screen instead of sleep when the signal is cut; and 2) the controls for the OSD are awful, they are on the side of the monitor so you have to try and look at their tiny labels and look around at the screen to do anything.
  • Dainas - Thursday, May 1, 2008 - link

    Well its partly bullshit, there is a lolair MVA (different take on PVA) that has zero input lag and is lighting fast even among TNs.

    I can assure you of one thing, the lag in the PVA 2408WFP and LaCie is however definitely not due to the panel. Just as the 3008WFP IPS is as slow as mud next to the 3007WFP IPS due to its built in scalar. But Dell panels were never fast and I'm sure a PVA could be made as fast as the fastest MVAs, which are as fast as TNs as any sane gamer could be concerned.
  • Dainas - Thursday, May 1, 2008 - link

    No edit function, ugh.
  • JarredWalton - Friday, May 2, 2008 - link

    I'm not at all sure that PVA can be made as fast as TN. If it can, then why do the Gateway LCDs behave so differently? The interface is practically the same and they both use Faroudja video processors. Why would Gateway use one scaler on their S-PVA and a different one on the TN - particularly if the TN scaler appears better?

    I don't doubt that they can reduce the lag, but you'll notice out of nine LCDs five have lag of 18ms or more and four have virtually no lag; the four without lag are TN and the five with lag are S-PVA. The circumstantial evidence is pretty significant.
  • Pirks - Thursday, May 1, 2008 - link

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...

    Dying to see this reviewed!

    Puhleeeasseee with sugar on top

    Okay? :D
  • timmiser - Monday, May 5, 2008 - link

    This is my monitor I've been using for the past 6 months and I absolutely love it. I bought mine at Costco.com for the same price that most of those 24" were selling for at the time. One thing about is the fact that is has the same resolution as the 24" screens so everything is a bit larger but to me, that is a good thing. I had one 19" Hanns-G monitor prior to this and can agree on the cheapness but this one I feel is of very high quality and no complaints yet.
  • Googer - Friday, May 2, 2008 - link

    I have read multiple HANS-G monitor reviews from other hardware sites in the past and the consensus is that HANS-G monitors are cheaply made to match the cheap price tag, typically resulting in a poor review.

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