ASUS VG236H 23-inch 3D Display Review: 120Hz is the Future
by Brian Klug on August 7, 2010 2:48 AM ESTImpressions and Subjective Analysis
Packaging for the VG246H is definitely a step above the drab cardboard boxes all my other monitors have come in, but honestly it’s probably not going to be something you keep around. Still nicely done though.
Inside is lots of styrofoam - the 3D Vision Kit comes cleverly nested in a small recessed area off to the right and gets protected the same way as the display. Carefully placed inside is the display itself, the monitor base, a few accessories bags for cables, a manual and getting started guide, and the warranty.
Assembling the display is easy, but not quite as polished of an undertaking as the other stands I’ve used. You lay the display flat on a desk or table (which is a bit scary, since you could scuff or scratch the important bits you're going to be staring at), and then screw the base into the display arm using a supplied nut which folds down, letting the assembly rotate.
The part that’s scary is releasing the height adjustment lock, which is literally a pin jammed in the mechanism, preventing the spring loaded height-adjustment arm from extending. There’s an awesome diagram in the manual which pretty much says it all.
There’s also a yellow warning sticker right above where the pin is too. Thank goodness. Seriously, pull that pin out carefully, and only when you’re ready, or the monitor base will literally smash into your chest, or... other sensitive bits like that diagram above. Not fun.
Other display arms also usually have a height lock with a button of some kind, locking the display in its lowest height position. That makes it easy to transport the whole display assembly without having the base extended all the way and hitting your knees the whole time. Unfortunately, the VG236H lacks one of those - pick the display up, and the base will be sticking all the way out in its maximum extended position. Honestly, this is is the only truly major oversight on the entire display that I have some issue with.
The nice part about the display base however is that it swivels 150 degrees in each direction, which is awesome. The stand also tilts, and you get about 4 inches of height travel.
Tilt: -5 degrees to15 degrees
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To be honest, the display arm feels a bit flimsy, but gets the job done just fine. The assembly is nicely balanced as well, not requiring much force to rotate, tilt, or adjust height. There’s no locking mechanisms for any of those three axes of adjustment, however.
Height Travel
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Again, most of the monitor’s plastic bits that face you are glossy plastic, and do show fingerprints. Curiously enough, the back of the display is standard textured matte plastic. I’m left wondering why the whole thing couldn’t be this way. The base of the display is also glossy, as is a bit of the height adjustment arm.
There’s a cable guide on the back, if you use those.
Additionally, the display is VESA mount compatible (the arm it ships with is screwed in there), so you can roll your own stand if you choose like I usually do.
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user72 - Saturday, August 7, 2010 - link
I have some molecular modeling programs that use OpenGL QuadBuffer for 3D rendering. Do you know if this monitor is compatible with QuadBuffer? Thanks!Sp12 - Saturday, August 7, 2010 - link
Until I can get 120hz IPS technology I'm unimpressed. 120hz is in no way worth it for the dithering and inconsistent colors TN brings. Especially if it comes at a premium like that.I may be waiting forever until blue phase or autostereoscopic displays come around.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Phase_Mode_LCD
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autostereoscopy
Soldier1969 - Saturday, August 7, 2010 - link
1080 monitors suck after having 1920 x 1200 since Jan of 2007 I will never go backwards in resolution. When they make a 2560 x 1600 LED backlit 120hz panel I'll get one but these 1080 ones cater to the poor folk.Daeros - Saturday, August 7, 2010 - link
This review just highlights why I still use a pair of HP 1230 21" crt monitors. Sure, they weigh about 70lbs each, but they are like 6 years old and have no problem running at 2048x1536 @ 110Hz . Show me any lcd that can do that. And don't even get me started on gamut or black levels.Zok - Saturday, August 7, 2010 - link
Well, without getting into the old CRT-LCD argument too heavily, my desk can't handle a 30" CRT - size or weight.DarkUltra - Sunday, August 8, 2010 - link
1536x110hz = 169Khz horizontal frequency. That is amazing.. I thoght my lacie electronblue22 III was good at 1440x85hz :)Luke212 - Sunday, August 22, 2010 - link
yeah its a nice story but his crt can only do 91hz at that rez.(140k/1536)
adonn78 - Saturday, August 7, 2010 - link
I think its over priced for a 23 inch monitor. I'd rather get a larger screen than one with features I'll never use such as 3D.DarkUltra - Sunday, August 8, 2010 - link
It's not just the 3D. 120hz give you a much smoother Windows experience, and the lack of RTC artifacts is also good.SunLord - Monday, August 9, 2010 - link
Any monitor over $300 isn't worth buying even fi its 120hz and the newest gimmick to get stupid people to pay more