Product Description

High end gaming, Full HD, HDMI, 2M Webcam, Component Input, SPDIF out, 2ms and 3Wx2 Build in Speaker

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #227 in Personal Computers
• Color: Black
• Brand: Asus
• Model: VK266H
• Dimensions: 18.19" h x 23.50" w x 9.06" l, 23.10 pounds
• Native resolution: 25.5
• Display size: 25.5

Features

• Input: 1 DVI-D, 1 D-SUB, 1 HDMI, 1 Component(YPbPr), 1 3.5mm Mini-jack (Audio), 1 USB 2.0 (for webcam) Output: 1 SPDIF, 1 3.5mm Mini-jack
• Panel size 25.5" Response Time 2 ms Brightness (Max.) 300cd/m2 Contrast Ratio (Max.) 20000:1, 2MP Cam
• Kensington lock

Customer Reviews

Negligent Detail
This LCD screen deserves a better summary than what Amazon has to offer. Pull up a list of stats for the model number on Google, and you'll see. The highlight of this screen (other than being fairly priced for its size) is that it actually has component input. I'm running a Wii and PS2 off of a component switch, my laptop from HDMI and my desktop from DVI. Laptop and console audio emits from the its 1/8 jack into studio monitors which are nominally superior to this screen's built-in speakers.

The picture is bright, and I'm speaking from (good) experience with 20" Trinitron CRT's and it shipped with zero dead pixels.
It looks better than anything I've seen for its size range at mom & pop computer stores, retail chains of all sizes and LAN party rooms.

If I had to nitpick, I'd say that ASUS doesn't have the best reputation for customer support and the five-button (not counting the power) interface is clumsy to navigate. The wrong press of button can send you to a completely different part of the menu or shut it down entirely! A screen like this would've been complete with a remote control and a less-squeaky stand.

As to the webcam, I haven't bothered with it yet, so I can't say.

Good Bang for the Buck
I will start by saying that I like Asus products. They make very good computer motherboards and just over 3 years ago I purchased one of their G series notebooks. I use 3D architectural design and drafting programs (CADD or CAD)and needed something with high resolution and fast response time. The requirements, for the programs I use, are similar to what you need for a good gaming system. The notebook has a high resolution (WSXGA) wide screen and I wanted a larger monitor for when I use the notebook at home.

I spent a couple weeks looking at monitors and, in my opinion, the ASUS VK266H offered the best "Bang for the Buck". It doesn't get any better than a 2ms response time and the resolution seems to be perfect for this size screen. The highest setting, 1920 by 1200, is great for a computer work station when viewing for a distance of about 30". I use my notebook in the living room, however, and with a viewing distance or 60" or more I have gone down one setting to 1680 by 1050... Which happens to match the highest resolution of my 15.4" notebook screen and makes it easier to read at that distance. When used with a notebook you can either: clone the screens (same view on each), enlarge the desktop (different programs on each screen) or, in my case, I tend to turn the notebook monitor off when I don't need it, thinking that could extend the life of the notebook.

One other advantage of this monitor was the built-in speakers. I knew the notebook speakers were not very good before I purchased it (true for many notebooks/laptops) but figured I could always use headphones or plug in some external speakers. While the monitors built-in speakers may not please the average audiophile they are a huge improvement over the notebook speakers. I haven't tried this yet but I could use this monitor as a HD TV. The webcam can swivel (up and down) which is a nice feature. The monitor arrived in good condition, no dead pixels, and I have not had to adjust the "out of the box" settings but that will vary with personal preference and the adjustments are there if you need them.

Bottom line, you can purchase a 30" monitor with 2560 by 1600 resolution for about $1,200 (or more) or get this 26" monitor for about 1/4 the price. For me the choice was easy and I have no regrets.

Wow!
After reading the reviews I decided to purchase this monitor. Here are my thoughts:

1. Yes, it does have a very slight bluish tinge to white backgrounds, but it doesn't bother me. Probably wont bother most people unless you deal with graphics editing.

2. It's aspect ratio is 16x10, and unless you have a video card capable of handling this, your display will be stretched to 4:3 unless you want black wide-screen bars (like on a wide-screen movie.) If this bothers you, get a 16:9 aspect ratio monitor (true wide-screen without black bars).

3. The amount of real estate (screen space) is terrific. It's easy to have two windows open side by side. Depending on your resolution settings you could even fit 3 windows, but I wouldn't as the text will get smaller as you do this.

4. NO dead pixels on arrival, and none to date (after 1 week).

5. I find the screen controls are easy to use and intuitive.

6. This monitor looks great!

7. It is VESA mountable. The back pops of and exposes the mounting holes.

8. The input options are great. DVI, VGA, Component and HDMI--Wow!

Great monitor!