BenQ V2400W

Sporting a stylish design, HDMI support and a response time as quick as 2ms, BenQ's V2400W is aimed at the typical PC user, gamer or next-generation HDMI gaming console owners. According to BenQ, it's the "world's slimmest LCD monitor". Most consumers will be quite pleased with the V2400W, although professionals who work with colour imaging for a living will surely look elsewhere.

Supporting a standard 24in resolution of 1920x1200, the V2400W is ideal for watching high-definition content thanks to its HDMI connection. A 2ms response time — when BenQ's Advanced Motion Accelerator (AMA) feature is activated — is extremely quick and is therefore suited for reproducing fast motion such as action movies or video games. When connected to a Blu-ray player via HDMI, the V2400W performed well and we found no evidence of ghosting. Finer, dark details were sometimes lost and the monitor tended to slightly over-saturate skin tones, but on the whole, performance for gaming and movies is above average.

Despite the appeal for gamers and multimedia buffs, the V2400W also functions well as a standard desktop monitor, producing crisp text. We didn't need to adjust the sharpness controls using a PC, although there is a slight amount of grey banding evident. TN (twisted nematic) panels are generally considered to have poor viewing angles, and although the V2400W doesn't manage to put this theory to rest completely it is solid in this regard. Horizontal viewing angles are good; however, vertical viewing angles are somewhat poorer.

Colour balance will be fine for gamers and desktop users alike, but the TN panel means professionals such as video editors and designers will look elsewhere. In our DisplayMate tests, the V2400W struggled to distinguish whites and blacks at either end of the scale, though the low level of backlight bleed is impressive. BenQ has included five image preset modes — standard, movie, dynamics, photo and sRGB. We were impressed with the dynamic contrast; the convenient split-screen demo mode displays its benefits to good effect.

Aside from offering a HDMI input, the V2400W has an impressive design. At just 24mm thick, BenQ claims it is the world's slimmest LCD monitor. The unusual off-centre stand design and gloss black and silver bezel are quite attractive. A downside to the all-in-one unit is the fact that the screen can't be swivelled or rotated — you can only adjust the tilt angle upwards or downwards.

The V2400W's controls are prominently incorporated on the bottom left side of the display. The buttons are touch-sensitive and feature a blue backlight when activated. Though there is no tactile feedback when pressed, the controls are fairly responsive and beep when activated.

Unfortunately, BenQ is far from generous with included accessories. Despite HDMI and DVI connections, only a VGA cable is included in the sales package. Also, the fact that the V2400W can't be wall mounted may turn away many potential buyers.