Samsung SyncMaster 2263DX – Two Monitors in One
The use of two monitors, known as dual monitoring, has been around for over a decade. The idea, behind having two monitors, is to allow individuals to accomplish their work in a more efficient productive manner. One of the downfalls is the amount of space that two decent sized monitors will take up on any given desk.
Samsung is known for their high quality and variety of monitors. They have recently added, to their already popular product line, a brand new concept – a dual monitor setup in one. This system consists of a 22-inch and 7-inch monitor that takes up the space of only one 22″ unit. This new concept is to provide the same efficiency that two full sized monitors offer. The idea behind it is to use the 7-inch monitor for secondary applications like instant messaging, and the 22-inch monitor for your primary applications.
The larger monitor is the primary monitor. With a 1680 x 1050 resolution, 1000:1 contrast ration, and 5ms response time, this monitor is no different from a standard standalone unit. The one difference is that you must use a USB 2.0 port along with a DVI, HDMI, or VGA connection to connect the monitor to your computer.
The smaller monitor, expectedly, has a much lower resolution and contrast ration along with a slower response time. (Res: 800 x 480, Con: 400:1, RT: 30ms) For a secondary monitor that supports secondary applications, these numbers are definitely sufficient for productivity.
The smaller monitor can be attached to the right or left hand side of the 22″ monitor, or even on the top. Attach your 7-inch monitor via an arm that pivots and swivels. Meaning you can rotate the secondary monitor to nearly any position you desire. Additionally, the 7″ monitor can be adjusted to feature either landscape or portrait layout.
An added bonus, to this setup, is the fact that the 7-inch monitor can be used as a standalone unit. This counteracts the purpose of the design, but could be useful in some situations. For example, it can be used as a secondary laptop monitor. For those who travel or need portability, this is a great-added benefit.
The Syncmaster 2263DX not only offers a functional dual monitoring setup for small offices, but provides a solid platform for teleconferencing as well. There is a 3.0M webcam, 1.5W down firing speakers, and a microphone – all built right into the monitor itself. The secondary monitor, the 7-inch one, is perfect for the video aspect of a teleconference.
For around $550 you can purchase one of these new SyncMaster 2263DXs. If you have priced monitors, you know that this is a bit of a steep price for a 22-inch monitor. You could easily pick up two separate full sized monitors for the same price.
It all comes down to what is most important to you. If you are considering dual monitoring then you obviously, need a solution that will help you to work more productively. The big question is space and budget. If you are willing to spend the extra dough, for the latest technology, then this is a great buy. If space is not an issue and budget is, then waiting for the price to drop might be the best alternative (or purchase two separate monitors).
