A 24in monitor with a built-in webcam
The ViewSonic VG2437Smc is a 1080p 24in monitor with a built-in webcam and microphone. If you use Skype often, then reducing your cable clutter will be an attractive proposition. The webcam’s video quality isn’t great, but it’s good enough for Skype. Unfortunately, it’s poorly positioned. In order to position your face in the centre of the frame, you’ll need to tilt the monitor forward, which makes viewing the screen quite awkward. The built-in microphone is useless – our video-chat volunteer found it almost impossible to hear us. Likewise, the speakers are unremarkable. While they’re loud enough, they sound very flat and lack bass.
Image quality was a very mixed bag. Excellent contrast let us pick out details in dark areas of high-resolution photographs and videos. Also, it has extremely wide viewing angles, so colleague sitting next to us could still read onscreen text without any problems, even when viewing the screen from a 45-degree angle.
Sadly, colours weren’t particularly vibrant and distinct dark patches marred the edges and corners of the screen, which is disappointing at this price.
There is a handy two-port USB hub at the rear of the monitor. It also has some useful ergonomic features: the stand is height adjustable and you can easily swivel the monitor with one hand.
The ViewSonic VG2437Smc has some useful features, but the poor quality of its microphone and the awkward placement of the webcam negate the convenience of having them built-in, while image quality just isn’t up to scratch for a monitor this expensive. Unless reducing cable traffic is absolutely vital, a separate monitor and webcam would be better value.
VERDICT
A disappointing monitor with below-average image quality and a terrible microphone.
SPECIFICATIONS
23.6in • 1920x1080-pixel resolution • 1x VGA port • 1x DVI port • 1x DisplayPort • 2x 3.5mm audio inputs • 1x 3.5mm audio out • 2x USB2 • 450x557x240mm (HxWxD) • 5.2kg