Three new NEC monitors get efficient with their energy
The light!!
(Credit: NEC)Energy-efficient computer monitors are seemingly the new black. With each new press release vendors never fail to mention how much power their products use, or more specifically, don't use. Nothing wrong with that, really; I'm just usually skeptical of manufacturer's claims. Which is why CNET does its own power efficiency testing. Check out our green guide to get a glimpse of the lengths we go through.
In keeping with the latest trend, on Thursday, NEC announced three new "energy-efficient" computer monitors. I put "energy-efficient" in quotes 'cause, you know, I've yet to actually test them.
The monitors include the 19-inch AS191 (4:3 aspect ratio), 19-inch widescreen AS191WM and 22-inch wide-screen AS221WM.
According to NEC, each monitor consumes up to 48 percent less energy than their predecessors, their predecessors being previous versions of the Accusync line I'm guessing.
The AS191WM and AS221WM also include ECO Mmdes, which in past NEC monitors has basically capped the monitor's brightness at about 50 percent.
Other features included in each monitor:
- VGA and DVI connectivity
- Up to 1000:1 contrast ratio
- 5ms fast response time
- Touch integratable (AS191WM and AS221WM only)
- Down-firing speakers with headphone jack (AS191WM and AS221WM only)
The AS221WM will begin shipping in October 2009 with an estimated street price of $249. The AS191 and AS191WM will begin shipping in November 2009 with an estimated street price of $199 and $189. Good to see NEC is keeping the prices relatively low.
The displays will ship with a standard three-year parts-and-labor warranty, including the backlight.
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I get better precision with a mouse and key board on the computer than "fat fingering" around my screen.. T ouch screen makes sense when I don't have space or the equipment for a regular desktop computer, but when sitting at your desk, I don't want greasy finger prints on my screen more than I want touch screen.
Speakers? Meh.... Unconfirmed energy efficiency? Why is CNET writing about these things?