Best New LED/LCD Computer Monitor Reviews 2012

Office or Home - Basic Use

If you plan on strictly using your monitor for basic home use including browsing, creation of documents, and e-mail, then look for a monitor which has a response time of 8ms or better. In today's market, nearly all computer monitors have a response time this fast. Response time decreases the time it takes for a pixel to turn from black to white.

If you've had trouble with eye strain in the past, then also consider purchasing a monitor with a high refresh rate. All monitors refresh the data on their screen and those which do it slowly often have an unnoticeable flash that can give you a headache or contribute to poor eye health. A refresh rate around 75HZ should be good enough.  You may also need to check the default settings on your monitor and raise the refresh rate in order to get the desired effect.

Movies and Gaming - Entertainment Use

If you're looking for a monitor for movies, gaming, or general entertainment, then look for a monitor that is full 1080p high definition (1920x1080 resolution). A clear and smooth picture is made by having a combination of high definition with a quick response time and high refresh rate. For 3D entertainment a high refresh rate is perhaps the most important characteristic and many 3D monitors have a 120HZ refresh rate in order to dedicate 60hz to each eye. You'll also want a response time of 3ms or better as a higher response time can create distortion or blur for video playback or gaming.

LED vs. LCD Monitors

While LCD monitors are somewhat cheaper when comparing similar specifications, LED monitors are up to 60% more power efficient and are more eco friendly as well as LED lights don't use mercury while traditional LCD monitors, lit by fluorescent light, do.

As I mentioned above increased monitor size can increase overall performance. A site like www.tvcalculator.com makes it easy to see how much of a difference there truly is between a 21 inch and 24 inch monitor.

The VX2450WM-LED from Viewsonic brings together many of the specifications you are looking for at an affordable price. This green friendly LED monitor comes with 1920 x 1080 resolution, a 5ms response time, D-Sub and DVI Connectors, built-in speakers, tilt adjustable, VESA Compliant 100mm x 100mm (mounting), and a DC 20,000,000:1 (1000:1) for brilliant and detailed pictures. A 3 year parts and labor warranty is included.

Viewsonic VX2450WM-LED 24-Inch (23.6-Inch Vis) Widescreen LED Monitor with Full HD 1080p and Speakers - Black
Amazon Price: $189.99 (as of 06/19/2011) 

Another bestselling monitor for 2011 is Samsung's PX2370 23 Inch LCD Monitor with LED backlight. LED monitors do in fact use LCD or "liquid crystal display" technology. The difference with the title is in the backlight. LED backlight technology is more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. This monitor is made for smooth and ultra clear pictures for both movies and gaming.

The 2ms response time with Samsung's 5,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and 100% SRGB COLOR REPRODUCTION technology gives you one of the best picture available for this price range.

Additional specifications include DVI and HDMI connectors, 250 cd/m2 brightness, a 3 year parts and labor warranty, and Magixlux and Magicangle technology from Samsung.

Samsung PX2370 23-Inch Widescreen LCD Monitor with LED BacklightAmazon Price: Too low to display (as of 06/19/2011) 

Our next featured monitor is the ViewSonic VX2739WM, the world's first 1ms response time 27 inch monitor. Viewsonic is one of the world's leading manufacturer's of monitors as they are able to bring together the perfect combination between specifications and price. One of the attractions of the VX2739WM is that you get a high specifications and a large monitor for the price of what many manufacturers sell similar models 3 inches smaller.

The VX2739WM was designed for graphic designers, gamers, and engineers. The 1 ms response time put together with a dynamic contrast ratio of 100,000:1 and 1920 x 1080 full high definition resolution produces a clear and smooth picture.

Additional specifications include D-Sub, DVI, and HDMI connectors, eco mode for lower power use, tilt, 300 cd/m2 brightness, and a 3 year parts and labor warranty from Viewsonic. It's also 200mm x 100mm VESA compliant for wall mount or monitor stands.

ViewSonic VX2739WM 27-Inch 1920x1080 Full HD MonitorAmazon Price: Too low to display (as of 06/19/2011) 

The Asus VH238H is a top rated full high definition PC monitor known for its picture. Specifications for the VH238H include Asus Splendid Video Intelligence technology for accurate color reproduction, 2 ms response time, 50,000,000:1 Asus Smart Contrast Ratio, 250 cd/m2 brightness, D-Sub, DVI-D, and HDMI connectors, built in stereo speakers, convenient hotkeys, energy star 5.0 compliant, and a 3 year parts and labor warranty.

Here's what one customer on Amazon had to say about the VH238H 23 inch LED monitor:

"It is as advertised. Bright and Stable. It took one minute to assemble. It provides five picture presets: scenery, night, standard, theater, sRGB and game. No configuration is really required unless you're not happy with any of these presets. The only minor complaint I have is the monitor does not have height adjustment. It only lets you tilt up and down to adjust the viewing angle. Overall, I am very happy with the purchase."


ASUS VH238H 23-Inch LED Monitor
Amazon Price: $189.99 (as of 06/19/2011) 

Although the Apple LED Cinema Display 27-Inch monitor isn't exactly a budget option wit is one of the best pure picture monitors available.

Specifications include a 2560-by-1440-pixel resolution, LED backlighting, Mini DisplayPort, MagSafe, and USB connectors, and 3 convenient self-powered USB ports.

Here's what one customer had to say about the Apple LED Cinema Display:

"This 27" Apple LED Cinema display is awesome! It arrived quickly and in superb condition. Just plugged it into the wall and into my MacBook Pro and it worked. No messing with anything. No downloading anything. It just worked right out of the box. Mac simple. This seller had the best "deal" on the web; well below other offering prices. I would purchase from this seller again for sure!"

Apple LED Cinema Display 27-Inch MC007LL/A
Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 06/19/2011)