No swearing or grunting! (Samsung Syncmaster 152V)

Member Name: nursie_nursie

Product:	Samsung Syncmaster 152V
Date:	28/05/08 (165 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Smaller than old monitors, saves space, not easy to knock over, smooth picture.

Disadvantages: More desk to clean... is that a disadvantage?

Reasons for us having this screen.

My brothers PC went wrong (I say went wrong what I mean is He busted it!) he isn't bothering to replace it as he is planning to move in with his girlfriend before long and they will have no need for two computers. He had a reasonable computer and accessories so didn't want the other bits going in the bin, as it would have been a waste. He decided to sell them off and offered me first dibs. As he should I say!

Our PC is my other half's which he has had for rather a long time (in computer terms, not that it is that big it fills the room!) and we had a very large old monitor that was taking up half the desk. My little brother had a little flat screen in great condition so we decided to buy it off him, as well as a set of speakers, which are a lot better than our old ones.



The screen.

The screen is a very modern flat screen and takes up far less space than our old monitor did. At only 34.5cms high and 35cms across it leaves a lot more room even though the screen is 15inches (measures diagonally) like our previous one. This screen is less square though and the screen itself is 30cms by 23cms.

The outer casing around the actual screen is a matt silver colour and the stand is matt black plastic, this is small and hardly even noticeable which I like, that said as it is on a black desk it would blend in wouldn't it!

The only writing on the casing is on the bottom one of the four sides. In what I would call quite small font it says Samsung and SyncMaster152v. It isn't in your face or completely obvious like some. They are written in mid grey.

Along the very edge at the bottom is some barely visible writing and symbols, which are moulded into the plastic casing itself. These are because the buttons are hidden under this edge out of sight, which does make the screen more aesthetically pleasing in my opinion. These buttons are for turning the screen on and off, controlling the brightness and the automatic adjustment button.

The on/off switch is pretty self-explanatory really isn't it? This is a touch button not one that clicks in and is left depressed. The brightness is easy to change and a small menu comes up showing how bright you have it set in percentage. This menu will time out after about 15 seconds or you can get rid of it by pressing the automatic adjust button as it doubles as the exit button.

The auto button (auto adjust) adjusts what is being viewed so that it stays the right size for the screen so you don't have wasted space or bits of the page cut off. All you have to do is press the button and as automatic would suggest it does it all itself.

It really is rather light I had no problems carrying it about, certainly not like our old monitor! Even though it is light it would not be easily knocked over, which would be a good quality for those with young children I would think.

My other half set it up and had no problems at all. I thought there would be lots of swearing and grunting, but nothing. He said it was very easy (apart from shifting the old one!) so I am guessing just about anyone could do it especially as he said I could have done it!



The picture. (For want of a better way of putting it)

I know it isn't a TV so comparing it to a TV is pointless but it is the closest thing to compare to. The picture is not as clear and smooth as that of a TV but then if I sat this close to the screen of a TV it probably wouldn't be.

The quality of the picture is not quite as good but slightly blocky but it is not bad, not at all. The sharpness just isn't quite there. It is far smoother when there is movement going on, like watching movie clips etc.

Does TFT make a difference? To be honest I don't even know what it is but the smooth picture quality is good.

I find having this screen far better as I can have it slightly further away instead of having to wear my glasses all the time. Being long sighted sitting so close is too much for me and even when I wear my glasses I still tend to get a headache which is never nice as we are all too aware.

The screen can be tilted very easily and so it can be at the right angle for little old me and tall Mr Nursie. It is easy to tilt you just push it in the direction you want it to move on.



Using.

I have had no problems at all with this monitor and find it very easy to use.

When there have been power cuts there has been no problem with it. Travelling the 15 miles from my brothers room have not had any impact on it even though it was just laid on the passenger seat of a car.

Cleaning isn't an issue for me, we have some special screen cleaner which is advisable as it will not damage it like polish can. Be warned do not use polish! (I haven't in case you were wondering)


Recommended?

I am not sure if they are still made and think that technology will have moved on rather a lot since they came out.

If you get the chance to pick one up very cheap then it is worth a go and I certainly wouldn't turn one away if it is free but don't spend much on it you would be better off going and buying a newer more up to date model.

I would certainly recommend Samsung as this really is a good monitor.


Similar more up to date models sell for about £180 brand new. This is what my brother paid just over two years ago for this model. He hasn't given us the manual but said that it was translated English and hard to follow but he didn't need it as it was so easy to set up.

Summary: If you find one going cheap it is certainly worth picking up.

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