Yes, the stickers at the top can be removed.
(Credit: Josh P. Miller/CNET)
A couple weeks back I reviewed the 25.5-inch HP w2558hc, which I still believe is pound for pound, one of the best values for a monitor out there. Soon after my review, HP released the 27-inch 2709m.
Also, I talked a little about this last week when I showed off some photos of the 2709m.
Now the real question is which of these two HPs is worth your hard-earned (I assume) cash? As with any product, that will depend on what exactly our needs are and what either of these are providing. Check out CNET's full review to see which team I chose. Team 25.5 or team 27 and 16:9.
Check out the review to discover which team you'd rather play for. Also, all new monitor reviews can always be found here.
Don't mind the boxes in the background. I kinda live out of my office.
(Credit: Eric Franklin/CNET)Last month I bemoaned the fact that although the 27-inch HP 2709m has less features and a lower resolution than the 25-inch HP w2558hc (albeit with a larger screen), at the time, it actually cost $70 more.
Since then, HP has curiously stopped selling the w2558hc directly, but the monitor is still available at Amazon and other e-tailers. Also, the $500 suggested retail price for the 2709m was a bit overestimated since HP actually sells it for $425 and it can be found for as low as $360 from other online retailers.
I'm still waiting to hear back from HP on whether it'll continue to sell the w25558hc. It would be a shame if they aren't selling it, as pound for pound, it's one of the best values out there. Anyway, here are some brand new shots of the 2709m. Also, keep checking here for new monitor reviews every week. Enjoy.
Big Daddy Don Bodine's monitor, the bohemoth. Also, known as the Planar PX2611w.
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)Today, we're talking going big. And by "big" I mean, well, pretty big. 25.5-inches big. Yeah, yeah I know. Not 27-inches big like the HP 2709m and definitely not 30-inch big, but still larger than most.
Today we have two new reviews of 25.5-inch monitors, the HP w2558hc and the Planar PX2611w. Previously, I took a close look at the two, completely objectifying each in a physical way. Check out photos for the HP here and the Planar here.
You can see the official CNET reviews here for the HP and here for the Planar.
Reviewing monitors of this size gets me excited about getting in even larger displays. While last year I reviewed three 30-inch monitors, this year, nada. There just aren't that many on the market. If you guys know of any 30-inchers you'd like to see reviewed, drop me a line of leave a comment. I'll do my best to get any noteworthy units in.
In the meantime, keep checking here for new LCD computer monitor reviews.
HP's 2709m looks sleek, but it seems to lack a few features.
(Credit: HP)When I first received the press release for the 27-inch HP 2709m on Thursday, I admit to being only mildly interested in the monitor. I'd just reviewed the HP w2558hc and figured, how different could it be?
Well, it is different from the h2558hc, but probably not in the most positive way.
First, although the new 2709m is 1.5 inches longer in screen size than the w2558hc, its resolution is smaller. The w2558hc has a resolution of 1,920x1,200, while the 2709m's resolution is is only 1,920x1,080.
Now, I've talked a lot about 16:9 versus 16:10 lately, and usually--like in the case of 21.5-inch monitors versus 22-inchers--16:9 is the best way to go, as you get more usable screen space on a slightly smaller monitor. However, in this case, that's true only in the reverse.
Not only does the 16:10, 25.5-inch w2558hc have more screen real estate than its larger cousin, it--by all accounts--has more features than the 2709m as well. The w2558 has a built-in Webcam, a microphone, four USB ports, a task light, compact flash and SD Card/Memory stick reader slots, and can be used as a digital photo frame: all of which the 2709m does not have.
Also, the 2709m costs $500 direct from HP, while HP sells the w2558hc for as low as $430.
Here's a quick list of what the 2709m has to offer:
- 27" Diagonal 16:9 screen
- 1920x1080 Full HD resolution
- 5 ms On/Off response times (typical)
- 3 ms Gray to Gray response times
- 400 nits brightness
- 1000:1 Contrast Ratio
- 30,000 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
- 92% Color Gamut
- Integrated 2-watt/ch speakers
- 1 VGA port
- 1 DVI-D port w/HDCP
- 2 HDMI port w/HDCP
- Swivel & Tilt
Now, the 2709m's performance could very well justify its comparative lack of features, but seeing as I don't have a unit in yet, I can't say either way. I'll have to wait a couple weeks--until we get one in--to find out.
On Sale Now: $349.00 - $369.99
View the latest prices for HP 2709m
Is the miniremote really necessary? I'll let you know in a few weeks.
(Credit: Eric Franklin/CNET)I haven't tested a 26-inch (25.5-inch) monitor in a good long while, and now I have two in testing: the Planar PX2611 and the HP w2558hc.
While the HP uses a typical TN panel, Planar saw fit to use an IPS panel as its underlying tech. The best thing about IPS displays are their viewing angles. In these shots of the Planar, you can see how wide its viewing angles are, especially when compared with the same shots of the HP.
Look for full reviews of both coming here, and in the meantime, take a look at the pictures and compare and contrast. Then get back to me with your thoughts.
The HP Pavilion Verde a6645f. I think I have that graphic design on one of my T-shirts.
(Credit: HP)Hewlett-Packard is throwing its hat into the expanding ring of companies with a thing for green. If you're serious about doing your part to protect the environment or you just want a stylish-looking monitor and desktop, the company has some new options for you.
On Monday, HP announced two new desktops and one new display. According to the company, all three have been designed to have a reduced impact on the environment.
The HP Pavilion Verde Special Edition a6645f and HP Pavilion Phoenix Special Edition a6655f are the two new eco PCs, and the 25.5-inch HP w2558hc is the new eco-friendly display.
According to HP, both PCs are Energy Star qualified and meet the standards for "silver" registration in the Electronic Products Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT). Each PC features a power management tool that purportedly provides up to 45 percent energy savings compared with PCs without power management enabled.
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