Built on TFT/TN LCD panel technology, it's pretty clear from the get go that ASUS' VH242H LCD isn't competing against professional grade displays like the Samsung 275T and its S-PVA panel. Twisted Nematic (TFT/TN) LCD technology is the least expensive to manufacturer, and it's inherent limitations with respect to viewing angles and colour quality are well publicized.

Instead, the ASUS VH242H is firmly oriented towards budget-minded folks who want a big 24" screen and aren't prepared to pay more than $300 bucks to get it. Viewing angles, colour representation and all the finer points of an LCD spec sheet that affect professional users tend to fly by the wayside for individuals spending most of their time surfing the web, doing written work or tasks where hyper-acurate colour representation isn't a concern. (I would add that photographers, illustrators, graphic artists, and web designers ought to aim towards LCD display's based on S-PVA or IPS technology. These LCD technologies are better suited to your professional tasks.)

The 24" ASUS VH242H features fairly average 170°/160° viewing angles, a good 1000:1 contrast ratio (20:000:1 dynamic), brightness of 300cd/m2 and quick 5ms pixel response rate. The 16:9 aspect ratio is ideal for watching High Definition movies at full screen, at 1080p, but the limited viewing angles mean you'll want to sit directly in front of this LCD to get the best picture.

While the specs are largely identical to that of the Samsung 2243BW 22" widescreen display PCSTATS recently tested, we prefer the ASUS VH242H monitor over that model. The picture wasn't perfect on either screen compared to an S-PVA panel that costs upwards of $600, but overall the VH242H had better visual attributes in comparison to Samsung's 2243BW.