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This is a remote. This is my hand on a remote. Any questions?

(Credit: Eric Franklin/CNET)

Glass necks are nothing new. Well, nothing new when you consider they're been featured in no less than two Samsung monitors: the XL2370 and P2370.

Glass necks look pretty cool, especially the way Samsung uses them, but they seem out of place with the P2370HD. While the other 2370 models are slim and sleek, the P2370HD is a fair bit bulkier. It would be like trying to fit Lou Ferrigno in Christian Bale's Batman costume from the "The Dark Knight." It just looks wrong.

Check out the shots to see what else does and doesn't work with the P2370HD and expect a full review here next week.

Samsung SyncMaster P2370HD

So...sleek!

(Credit: Josh P. Miller/CNET)

I've been eagerly anticipating this LED-backlit monitor since I first laid eyes on it at CES last January. Since then, I've reviewed only two other LED monitors, the Dell G2410 and the ViewSonic VLED221wm. While the Dell performed well, neither of these monitors were able to really take advantage of LED technology to any great extent.

Both were fairly thick monitors, each with a relatively low max brightness. The XL2370, on the other hand is thin, light, has a high brightness and, let's just say it, is just plain gorgeous to look at.

I know, its looks don't mean jack squat when it comes to performance and features, but for some, looks can be pretty important. Check out the First Look Video to see what I mean.

To see how the Samsung XL2370 compared with its slightly...um, less good-looking sisters, the P2370 and the G2410, see the full review.

As always, new monitor reviews can be found here.

Here it is, your very own foot stand. Monitor sold separately...just kidding.

(Credit: Eric Franklin/CNET)

If the Samsung SyncMaster P2370 went on a diet, got a few new features, and exchanged its CCFL (code cathode fluorescent lamp) backlight for LED backlighting, you'd basically have the Samsung XL2370.

I've been talking about the XL2370 since it was called the P2370L eight months ago. Back then, Samsung expected the XL to retail for about $400. Now they claim the estimated street price will be about $300.

The XL has a few connections that are missing from the P2370, including HDMI, built-in audio out, digital audio out, and it's like half an inch thinner, not to mention 1.5 pounds lighter.

All right, I can't very well write a review and a blog at the same time, so let me leave you with some quick shots. Look for a full review here in the next few days.

Samsung SyncMaster XL2370 -- photos

It's a logo, an acronym, and a smiley, all in one.

(Credit: Eric Franklin/CNET)

Last week, I explained my reasons for holding off on the review of the LG Flatron M237WD.

I know it's a disappointment to those you who have been inquiring about the review for a while now, but I still believe that waiting for a very similar comparison monitor--in this case, the Samsung P2370HD--will make for a much better and useful review.

So, to tide you over, I recorded a short video of me taking a quick look at the LG Flatron M237WD, very early in the morning. Notice my workout clothes. Also, please forgive the amateurish camera work. I'm still getting used to using that thing and it'll be much better in the next vid.

Enjoy, and look for more of these quick little videos in the near future.

Updated on May 4 at 11:10 a.m. PDT with an official response from the site in question.

We've now seen several LED-based computer monitors released, such as the recent Dell G2410 and G2210, and just this week someone asked when I thought we'd be seeing the first consumer OLED computer monitors.

"Not for a while," was my answer and I guess I was right. Megawhat.tv (seriously, could they have come up with a more British sounding name for a tech site?) posted a video of what is, according to them, a 23-inch Samsung OLED prototype computer monitor.

(Update: On Monday, May 4, I received an e-mail from a rep of Megawhat.tv claiming the site was misled and that the monitor in the video is in fact the Samsung P2370L, which is not an OLED monitor. The site claims it received the following quote from Samsung: "It has recently come to our attention that the Samsung P2370L Monitor we have displayed at the Grand Designs Show uses LED BLU rather than OLED technology. Samsung would like to apologise for any confusion caused. This error was caused by an internal miscommunication on our part and all press materials have since been amended to include these details.")

Looking at the video, the form factor seems to be based of on the recently released Samsung P2370, but unlike the P2370, which only includes a DVI connection, the OLED version also includes HDMI. According to the site that is.

OK, after I first posted this earlier this afternoon a colleague of mine pointed me to this site, where it claims that this video is a fake. I was dubious about the video myself mostly because i'd never heard of the site "Megawhat," the display looked way too similar to the P2370 I have sitting right here in my office and the fact that the video gives no real details about what would be a pretty significant display.

According to the Megawhat video (which comes complete with ample '90s MTV-style camera work), the alleged OLED monitor won't be going into production until sometime in 2010.

I'm awaiting an official comment from Samsung on whether this thing actually exists, prototype or not. I'll update this post when I hear back. Until then, check out the video and leave a comment on whether you think it's a fake or not.

Update: Although I haven't receive a response from Samsung, I have received ... Read More

Mmmm...pretty.

(Credit: CNET)

A couple of weeks back, I took a quick look at the Samsung SyncMaster P2370, and honestly, I am still looking as I type this. I have a difficult time taking my eyes off of pretty things. Now, as creepy as that sounds, I really can't be blamed for this.

I mean, it's not really my fault, is it? When the P2370 just stands around with its thin profile, glowing white On Screen Display array, and transparent glass neck, can it really blame me for staring? From my perspective, this is exactly what it wants me to do.

OK, I've just received an e-mail from our HR department. Apparently the monitor is starting to get uncomfortable with all the gawking. Looks like I have to go to a long meeting now.

OK, before this gets too weird (and I go too far with this little joke), I should just direct you to the full review. In it, I talk about more than just its gorgeous looks. Really, I do.

(Credit: CBS Interactive)

The last time I saw the Samsung SyncMaster P2370 in the flesh was earlier this year at CES, right next to its brother, the P2370L. Our time apart has been far too long.

Today we finally received our P2370 review unit and aesthetically it's even more beautiful than I remember. The monitor is a 23-inch, 16:9 display with a 1,920x1,080-pixel native resolution. That's slightly disappointing considering the Dell SP2309W--also a 16:9, 23-incher--has a 2,048x1,152-pixel native resolution.

This thing is the very definition of slick and looks like it belongs in some snooty art gallery (that's a compliment). It has a transparent, glass neck that gives off this cool purplish glow. Unfortunately, DVI is the only connection option included, but the package comes with a DVI to VGA cable as well as a single-link DVI cable.

The DVI connection faces directly back and is encased in this small nook, making it a little difficult to plug in the DVI cable in at first. The only ergonomic option is a 25 degree tilt back; no height adjustment or rotation to be found.

The full panel measures at about 1-inch thick. This is quite thin compared with the Dell SP2309W that has a 2.5-inch thick panel. Unfortunately, the backlight is CCFL-based and we'll have to wait until June/July, according to Samsung, for the LED version, the aforementioned P2370L. Would you believe it has an even thinner panel? Well, it does. But, I guess this will have to tide me over until then.

According to Samsung, the P2370 has a 2ms response time and consumes 50 percent less power. Less power than what? Samsung doesn't say, but maybe, juuuust maybe, i'll have some confirmation on that in a couple weeks.

The Samsung SyncMaster p2370 is available now for $299. Look for a full review soon, but for now, check out the crude pictures below.

Samsung Syncmaster 2370 photos