bit-tech Shopping: Samsung SyncMaster 2693HM Black 25.5" Widescreen LCD Monitor

• Audio - Line In
• Audio - Line Out
• Video - 15 pin High-Density D-shell (VGA)
• Video - 24 pin DVI-D
• Video - HDMI

• Adjustable Height
• HDCP
• Rotating Screen
• Swivel Screen
• Wallmount

• Monitor Stand
• Speakers

Rating: 10

Time with product: 30 Days

Strengths: Large, bright, and clear

Weaknesses: monitor adjustment buttons are difficult to read. Height adjustment is difficult. 1920x1200 is a little low for 26" Higher resolution is offered in 30" LCD's at 5X the cost so the 26" is GREAT!

Summary: The LCD is large. It took me a couple of days to adjust to a much larger monitor. I replaced an old 19" CRT with this monster. After the adjustment period, I have no regrets and can't imagine working on any monitor less than 26" now.Some small issues below, but nothing that should worry anyone.You will have to adjust brightness and color. The LCD comes from the factory set at 100% brightness. It is so bright at this level, you will think it's trying to take an X-Ray of you. I have adjusted the monitor down to 20%. Even now, it's still a little bright. Anything below 20% brightness and you will have to adjust contrast and color. The monitor is adjusted through "buttons" on the front bottom right. The are not actual buttons to press, there are areas for each button that are hooked to light sensors. As you pass your finger over them, they register a "button push". This takes some getting use to. Also, the labels for each "button" are very dark. You will need FULL light on the monitor to figure out which button is which. Monitor will auto-toggle through video source inputs to find the signal. This seems to work well. I have only tried connections on vga and dvi. I have not tried hdmi yet.Monitors height adjustment pin is stubborn to get out. This is probably a good thing though.When setting up the LCD for the first time, make sure to connect the video cables to the monitor before placing it on the desk. This will save on some frustration trying to get the cables connected.No Dead Pixels. Fast shipping from mwave.com. Very happy with the purchase and product.

Rating: 10

Time with product:

Strengths: HDMI and audio input that helps to connect external players.

Weaknesses: If there is no light, the MENU buttons is difficult to locate.

Summary: I upgrade this LCD from 22" 226BW. Both are all excellent LCD. I have read some comments on 2693HM that it has dead pixel, but I dont have that on mine.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 1 Month

Strengths: Large, Crisp and Clean

Weaknesses: no USB

Summary: I originally searched this out with recommendations from a friend. He too was seeking a new LCD, replacing a 21" CRT. Shopping locally, I was able to find the older Samsung model at COSTCO, but investing the same, if not marginally more $, made sense to go NEW. As far as differences, that's about it. The 25.5" is another and perfect for any everyday PC use. I haven't tried TV tuner functionality yet but graphic wise its great. The images are crisp, bright and clean with no pixel issues. I found that the monitor was too big for my desk actually - LOL - but that can be corrected, so no negative for that. The adjustments are easy to navigate like the prior reviewer stated, sliding your thumb across the border of the LCD. Having a SONY 23" WS LCD with similar function that is backlit, this does get a negative remark. Its not bad if you are in a well lit room, but when dim, it just makes sense to have it. There are no USB headers on here if you were looking. Apparently some do. This one from Circuit City did not. However, the manual also notes the DVI cable is sold separately, but mine came with one as well. All in all, its a perfect sized LCD and I have no regrets. Rebates and incentives brought this down to a very attractive price.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 1 Days

Strengths: Size, Brightness, Widescreen, Adjustable Stand, Rotation, Touch Sensitive Buttons

Weaknesses: No USB ports (optional on some models)

Summary: I was nervous ordering this monitor online without seeing it in person first. I can say that I?m very pleased so far. The stand has a cool adjustment system. One finger (with slight pressure) can raise and lower it easily. Pivoting the monitor to portrait/landscape mode is also just as easy. Because of the size, it requires the monitor to be tilted slightly backwards to clear the bottom base. Definitely not a con in my book. I was looking forward to the touch sensitive buttons to turn the power on/off, etc. They are really cool. The monitor was very well adjusted right out of the box, but I had to play with the settings anyway. The buttons are a little weird to get use to. They don?t have that positive feeling when you push a standard button in make your changes. Not a con for me, I?m just not use to them yet and really, how often are you changing sharpness? Turning the monitor off and on is not a problem, however. I lightly run my thumb across the bottom corner of the case and it turns off/on with ease. I was a little disappointed that the 2693HM didn?t come with any USB ports. To me, that's a con, especially for a $600 monitor. When looking at my Quick setup guide, I noticed that USB ports are actually an ?option?. Apparently I wasn?t one of the lucky ones. I?m very happy with this purchase and will be recommending the 2693HM to anyone looking for a large, mid-priced LCD. Besides the USB ports, it has everything I was looking for. The size is perfect for my desk and the 1920 x 1200 resolution is perfect for viewing. No dead/stuck pixles either. The Manual/Quick setup guide say?s the DVI cable is sold separately, but mine came with one. :-)