Samsung SyncMaster 932GW

The recently released SyncMaster 932GW is a widescreen continuation of the popular 932 monitor series.

Judging by the response time, the monitor has a widescreen matrix with Response Time Compensation. Although this technology has been around for a while and its implementation can hardly be a problem for any manufacturer now, most monitors with a native resolution of 1440x900 pixels are still shipped with slow matrixes. Thus, the new monitor looks even more appealing.

The declared contrast ratio of 3000:1 is the so-called dynamic contrast, which is becoming an ever more popular feature of modern monitors. No one has yet achieved a static contrast ratio like that on a TN matrix.

Samsung’s 932 series can hardly be mistaken for anything else ?their exterior design is very distinguishing. The Samsung 932GW carries this tradition on as its rounded-off shapes make one think of an LCD TV-test rather than of a PC monitor. The black plastic of the case and stand is luckily complemented with the glossy matrix. The monitor can even be used as a mirror and you won’t get caught sitting at the monitor unawares as you’ll see everyone approaching you from your back. Unfortunately, this plastic also reflects every light source behind you, which can be a nuisance. It is also easily soiled ?a fingerprint remains on it even after a gentle touch. You should be very careful when cleaning this surface because small hard particles of dust leave a visible trace. Your monitor can get all covered with a web of small scratches eventually.

This model’s stand has no lock. The top part of the stand is just inserted into the groove in the bottom of the case. This is an unusual, yet effective, solution. The stand keeps the monitor steady but your adjustment options are limited to changing the tilt of the screen.

The smooth lines of the case make the monitor incompatible with VESA mounts: there are no mounting holes for them here.

The monitor’s connectors are located in the oval recess at the back of the case: analog and digital inputs, and a mains connector for the integrated power adapter.

The control buttons are centered under the bottom edge of the case. Their icons are not large, yet helpful, making it easy to control the monitor. Quick access is provided to the MagicBright feature (a set of modes with varying contrast and brightness), to the brightness setting, to the auto-adjustment feature, and to selecting the source of video signal.