Hi,
I recently went on a Monitor hunt and after some work bought an Acer, here is my experience:
Make: Acer
Model : S221HQL
Link on Acer Malaysia Site: S221HQL | Product Model
Difference between above specs and what i got:
Features: It has HDMI.
Package Contents: Only VGA Cable.
Price on street(Bangalore): Rs.7600.
Time monitor used before this review: At-least 3 weeks.
Additional Features:
Includes a software (CD/Web download) that lets you configure monitor correctly. Called Acer eDisplay Management, but is a light version of a professional package: Portrait Displays, Inc. - Customer Support.
This allows us to look at sample images etc. and correctly tune Contrast/Brightness and all sorts of stuff.
Advantage: The tuning is done using "Mouse" and much easier. Allows creation of profiles etc.
Disadvantages/Problems faced till now (Model specific and general):
a) Initially on Full HD the image was coming in the middle of the Monitor with large black border (gap).
Fixed via AMD/ATI configuration (very very hidden config called Overscan).
b) While using HDMI cable, the monitor does not switch off for power saving. Instead when CPU is turned off/Sleep/Hibernate etc. it shows message "Cable Not Connected". Left it overnight, never goes away.
Problem disappears on using VGA cable.
This is a Major problem according to me. I am yet to isolate it to either my MB Graphics or Monitor, but believe it is a Monitor problem.
Support incident raised with Acer India online, awaiting response.
Apparently on Googling found that this is a common problem to many monitors while using HDMI (not just Acer).
Advice: Stick to VGA or DVI.
c) Full HD does not work without HDMI or DVI cable.
This appears common to all monitors.
Other comments:
The buttons on monitor are nearly hidden (Except Power Button of-course!).
This is not a problem as the bundled software makes config far easier on screen from within Windows. Buttons are only a backup.
Picture Quality:
This model requires some tuning/configuration to show good pictures.
Was able to put enough effort to get it once, lost the config when I changed from VGA to HDMI cable, too lazy to do it again
.
Will post details another day.
Note: I use the Win7 Bing Dynamic theme, images look good
Any benefits of Full HD?
No. You need 32-40 inches screen to even notice HD. On smaller screens, you just bump up pixels and then to compensate, increasing Scaling, otherwise you will not be able to read
Any benefits of using HDMI cable instead of VGA?
Yes.
Max possible resolution goes up.
Picture is actually clearer than with VGA cable, it is a noticeable difference.
Note: You might be able to get this advantage using DVI, but I did not have a chance to see this.
Warranty and Service:
Three Years carry in.
Shopkeepers keep telling me it is a on-site warranty, but documentation says otherwise.
In-fact shopkeeper gave me monitor in hand and said "From now on if anything goes wrong, go to Acer service!". Of-course I had tested it once in shop, but this also after I made full payment and he made bill.
This makes me wonder, it is better to but on Flipkart and other online stores. There is no advantage of Brick-and-mortar shops.
I am willing to answer specific questions anyone has on this monitor before you make a purchase decision. Also, will post some updates later when i have time and patience.
Other contenders in Market:
Samsung, At-least 1.5K more expensive. Might have more features, but my budget was already stretched.
Viewsonic and others, lower price, but I did not want to touch such names.
I recently went on a Monitor hunt and after some work bought an Acer, here is my experience:
Make: Acer
Model : S221HQL
Link on Acer Malaysia Site: S221HQL | Product Model
Difference between above specs and what i got:
Features: It has HDMI.
Package Contents: Only VGA Cable.
Price on street(Bangalore): Rs.7600.
Time monitor used before this review: At-least 3 weeks.
Additional Features:
Includes a software (CD/Web download) that lets you configure monitor correctly. Called Acer eDisplay Management, but is a light version of a professional package: Portrait Displays, Inc. - Customer Support.
This allows us to look at sample images etc. and correctly tune Contrast/Brightness and all sorts of stuff.
Advantage: The tuning is done using "Mouse" and much easier. Allows creation of profiles etc.
Disadvantages/Problems faced till now (Model specific and general):
a) Initially on Full HD the image was coming in the middle of the Monitor with large black border (gap).
Fixed via AMD/ATI configuration (very very hidden config called Overscan).
b) While using HDMI cable, the monitor does not switch off for power saving. Instead when CPU is turned off/Sleep/Hibernate etc. it shows message "Cable Not Connected". Left it overnight, never goes away.
Problem disappears on using VGA cable.
This is a Major problem according to me. I am yet to isolate it to either my MB Graphics or Monitor, but believe it is a Monitor problem.
Support incident raised with Acer India online, awaiting response.
Apparently on Googling found that this is a common problem to many monitors while using HDMI (not just Acer).
Advice: Stick to VGA or DVI.
c) Full HD does not work without HDMI or DVI cable.
This appears common to all monitors.
Other comments:
The buttons on monitor are nearly hidden (Except Power Button of-course!).
This is not a problem as the bundled software makes config far easier on screen from within Windows. Buttons are only a backup.
Picture Quality:
This model requires some tuning/configuration to show good pictures.
Was able to put enough effort to get it once, lost the config when I changed from VGA to HDMI cable, too lazy to do it again
.Will post details another day.
Note: I use the Win7 Bing Dynamic theme, images look good
Any benefits of Full HD?
No. You need 32-40 inches screen to even notice HD. On smaller screens, you just bump up pixels and then to compensate, increasing Scaling, otherwise you will not be able to read
Any benefits of using HDMI cable instead of VGA?
Yes.
Max possible resolution goes up.
Picture is actually clearer than with VGA cable, it is a noticeable difference.
Note: You might be able to get this advantage using DVI, but I did not have a chance to see this.
Warranty and Service:
Three Years carry in.
Shopkeepers keep telling me it is a on-site warranty, but documentation says otherwise.
In-fact shopkeeper gave me monitor in hand and said "From now on if anything goes wrong, go to Acer service!
". Of-course I had tested it once in shop, but this also after I made full payment and he made bill.This makes me wonder, it is better to but on Flipkart and other online stores. There is no advantage of Brick-and-mortar shops.
I am willing to answer specific questions anyone has on this monitor before you make a purchase decision. Also, will post some updates later when i have time and patience.
Other contenders in Market:
Samsung, At-least 1.5K more expensive. Might have more features, but my budget was already stretched.
Viewsonic and others, lower price, but I did not want to touch such names.
