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Samsung Syncmaster 172X LCD Monitor Review
Samsung Syncmaster 172X LCD Monitor Review - PCSTATS
The Samsung Syncmaster 172X is a 17" LCD (a-si TFT/TN) that maintains a 1280x1024 resolution with 0.294mm pixel pitch.
 93% Rating:   
Filed under: Monitors Published:  Author: 
External Mfg. Website: Samsung Nov 10 2003   Max Page  
Home > Reviews > Monitors > Samsung Syncmaster 172X

Final Conclusions

A thin screen with thin bezels and a vivid display easily becomes a favorite in the 17" LCD monitor category.

I have to admit that it's a luxury to be able to test out an LCD over couple of weeks and fully put the monitor through its paces. And, after shipping the 172X back to the manufacturer, it really is missed around the PCstats Labs.

There is just something so appealing about a monitor whose panel is no more than 11mm thick - is it because it's light weight, or because it barely takes up any room? The answer is a little bit of both, but ultimately the external appearance of an LCD monitor can be absolutely worthless if the display itself is poor. Luckily for the Samsung 172X, the 17" 1280x1024 resolution screen was an absolute pleasure to use.

Those who are wary of even the mention of the word 'ghosting' can take some comfort in the 12ms pixel response times (we double checked; Samsung state the 12ms timing represents the total time, not just rise) which dramatically decreasing persistance (blurring, ghosting, shadows) down to the point where I really couldn't pick anything out while watching a DVD chocked full of action scenes.

MagicBright is something of a novel feature, and unless you enable it in a particularly bright room for better visibility you will find that using it with standard text may increase eye strain. I'd also be a little worried about the possibility of shortening the lifespan of the LCD backlights...

Brightness and colour saturation of the 172X's LCD screen is quite nice, especially considering it is rated for a luminance of 270cdm/2. Couple that with above industry standard pixel response times, and high 500:1 contrast ratio, and you have an LCD screen that really is easy to work with.

The Samsung Syncmaster 172X is priced competitively for its small size, and would make a great display for the home, or most likely, the office. The image quality looks very good when using the 15-pin analog connection, and if Samsung had included a DVI cable you would also be able to tell that the DVI connection is equally satisfying.

With nice viewing angles for a 17" display, and considering the 172X's ultra-thin and stylish design, ease of use, and solid display quality; the Samsung 172X has easily earned our full and undivided attention!

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LCD Display Comparisons
Display pixel pitch luminance contrast viewing angle screen size max resolution price range

15 Inch

AOC LM-500 0.270 mm 200 cd/m2 150:1 50/50/40/40 15" 1024 x 768 $350
Hitachi CML153XW 0.297 mm 200 cd/m2 300:1 45/45/60/60 15" 1024 x 768 $400
Hitachi CML151XW 0.297 mm 200 cd/m2 350:1 45/55/60/60 15" 1024 x 768 $420
Samsung 150MP 0.297 mm 200 cd/m2 300:1 70/70/60/60 15" 1024 x 768 $650
Samsung 150T 0.297 mm 200 cd/m2 300:1 60/60/55/55 15" 1024 x 768 $600
Samsung 152T 0.297 mm 350 cd/m² 450:1 80/80/75/75 15" 1024 x 768 $700
Samsung 570S 0.297 mm 200 cd/m2 250:1 60/60/55/55 15" 1024 x 768 $500
Samsung 570V 0.297 mm 200 cd/m2 250:1 60/60/55/55 15" 1024 x 768 $400

17 Inch

Samsung 172X 0.289 mm 270 cd/m2 500:1 80/80/70/70 17" 1280 x 1024 $580
Samsung 172W 0.289 mm 450 cd/m2 400:1 70/70/50/60 17" 1280 x 768 $670
Viewsonic VG700 0.264 mm 260 cd/m2 450:1 70/70/70/65 17" 1280 x 1024 $700
Cornea MP704 0.264 mm 250 cd/m2 400:1 40/65/65/65 17" 1280 x 1024 $550
Samsung 171P 0.264 mm 250 cd/m2 500:1 85/85/85/85 17" 1280 x 1024 $1000-1200
Samsung 170MP 0.264 mm 170 cd/m2 220:1 80/80/80/80 17" 1280 x 1024 $1000
Samsung 171MP 0.264 mm 240 cd/m2 400:1 80/80/80/80 17" 1280 x 1024 $1250
Samsung 171B 0.264 mm 240 cd/m2 400:1 80/80/80/80 17" 1280 x 1024 $800
Samsung 170T 0.264 mm 220 cd/m2 350:1 80/80/80/80 17" 1280 x 1024 $900

18.1 Inch

Hitachi CML181SXW 0.280 mm 235 cd/m2 350:1 85/85/85/85 18.1" 1280 x 1024 $900
Samsung 181T 0.281 mm 250 cd/m2 450:1 85/85/85/85 18.1" 1280 x 1024 $1100
Samsung 181B 0.281 mm 250 cd/m2 400:1 80/80/80/80 18.1" 1280 x 1024 $1200
Samsung 180T 0.280 mm 220 cd/m2 350:1 80/80/80/80 18.1" 1280 x 1024 $1600
Samsung 800TFT 0.280 mm 170 cd/m2 220:1 80/80/80/80 18.1" 1280 x 1024 $2500

19 Inch

Samsung 191T 0.294 mm 250 cd/m2 500:1 85/85/85/85 19" 1280 x 1024 $1200
Hitachi CML190SXWB 0.294 mm 250 cd/m2 500:1 85/85/85/85 19" 1280 x 1024 $1200

24 Inch

Samsung 240T 0.27 mm 230 cd/m2 450:1 80/80/80/80 24" 1920 x 1200 $4600
lower best higher best higher best left/right/up/down (diagonal) (USD)

< Previous Page © 2023 PCSTATS.com Monitors Reviews...»

 

Contents of Article: Samsung Syncmaster 172X
 Pg 1.  Samsung Syncmaster 172X LCD Monitor Review
 Pg 2.  On Closer Inspection
 Pg 3.  Ports and Standards
 Pg 4.  OSD and Display Evaluation Notes
 Pg 5.  Test Observations
 Pg 6.  — Final Conclusions

 
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