monitor

LAS VEGAS--The HP U160 is a 15.6-inch monitor built to be taken on the go. The monitor connects to a laptop via USB and includes a foldable carrying case that acts as a stand.

I can imagine this being useful when being required to give presentations while traveling, but 15.6 inches isn't much larger than my 13.3-inch MacBook Air. I wonder if it would actually be worth the suitcase space.

The HP U160 is expected to be available in late January for $179.

LAS VEGAS--Don't let the name confuse you. The HP ProDisplay series isn't so much tailored to the graphics professional, but more the office professional.

The new line of monitors will come in four screen sizes: 18.5-inch, 20-inch, and 21.5-inch. Not much yet is known in the way of specs, but each will house an LED backlight.

Expect them to begin appearing on store shelves in February with prices ranging from $129 to $179.

For more of CNET's CES 2013 coverage, click here.

LAS VEGAS--A monitor's picture quality is its most important attribute, and sound quality (if it actually does sport speakers) rarely factors into the overall rating. That however may change once I get my hands on the HP Envy 27-inch IPS monitor with Beats Audio.

With the Envy 27-inch IPS monitor with Beats Audio, HP not only breaks the record for longest monitor name ever (to be honest, I didn't confirm that), but according to HP, it also marks the first time a standalone monitor has used Beats Audio.

The monitor's built-in speakers are angled upward and according … Read more

Whenever I see the words "4K monitor," the first thing that usually jumps into my easily distracted noggin is "games!" Or, more specifically, "Wow! I can't wait to see what games look like running at a 4K (4,096x3,072-pixel) resolution!" Or something to that effect.

The second thing that pops into my head is "how much?!" Unfortunately, ViewSonic has not yet named a price for its new 32-inch 4K VP3280 monitor. As for games, well, that will depend on how capable your video card is and the willingness of game … Read more

The Samsung S27C750 is a fairly basic 27-inch monitor that features that rare, but oh-so-appreciated 90-degree pivot option, allowing you to work in both portrait and landscape modes.

The monitor features a cylinder-shaped metal stand with a WVA panel, an LED backlight, and a 1920x1080 resolution. According to Samsung, it achieves a brightness of 300 candelas per meters squared. However, expect to find a lone HDMi port as the sole connection option.

Look for the S27C750 in the first quarter of 2013. Also, look for actual pictures of the device soon.

Windows 8's new multitouch interface means the building of new multitouch monitors will be necessary to take advantage of it. The Series 7 Touch SC770 will be the first such monitor from Samsung.

The monitor supports up to 10 points of simultaneous multitouch. The monitor also offers 60 degrees of back-tilt flexibility; most monitors top out at about 25 degrees of tilt. Why Samsung didn't just go the full 90 degrees is beyond me, however.

Other features include a 1,920x1,080-pixel resolution, an MVA panel, Mobile High Definition Link, and an HDMI connection. Look for more information (… Read more

Even before you hear KEF's new LS50 speaker, there's no doubt it's a unique design. The speaker's single "rose"-color driver sports radial fins, and the cabinet has a swept-back front baffle. I've never seen anything quite like it before. The speaker stands 11.9 inches tall, 7.9 inches wide, 10.9 inches deep, and weighs 15.8 pounds. The MDF cabinet has the build quality of a very high-end design. The sound is just as extraordinary as the look, and the LS50 can be used as a desktop monitor or as … Read more

I've covered a lot of great sounding budget gear this year, but the very best audio is far from cheap. That's hardly unique to high-end audio; the best cars, cameras, and clothes are always pricey, so it shouldn't surprise anyone that cutting-edge audio can be crazy expensive. What follows is a list of most astonishing gear I listened to this year. I love my job!

Monitors made some quiet strides in 2012. From the ramping up of extreme definition, 27-inch displays, to the proliferation of touch screens, monitor shoppers have never had such high-quality and varied choices.

Next month at CES 2013, I expect more of the same, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. CES will likely bring more refinements and baby-step evolution as opposed to a complete technological revolution.

Wider aspect ratios Earlier this year, Dell, LG, and Phillips announced new 29-inch, 21:9 aspect ratio monitors with native resolutions of 2,560x1,080 pixels. These displays are geared toward graphic artists … Read more