I'm a Merry Mack with this Monitor

Some Opening Stats

HP 22” widescreen monitor flat panel LCD
1,000:1 contrast rate
1680 by 1050 resolution
300 cd/m2 brightness
5-millisecond response
digital/analog input

About all I understand of the above is the 22-inch figure. I spent hours researching monitors online and reading what to me is just gibberish, and spent additional hours browsing the aisles in BJ’s, Circuit City, Office Depot, and Best Buy, occasionally lending an ear to an eager salesperson. Several times I was within one click of making an online purchase but changed my mind in the end because I didn’t want to settle. When I found the one, I would know. My on again, off again six month search culminated with the purchase of HP’s W2207 LCD monitor from Circuit City for a great price and I have absolutely no regrets, no misgivings. If you’re looking for a source of technical information and advice, this is not the place. If you want to read about the experience of a non-techie who just wanted a great picture for a good price, read on.

I’ve decided to relate my buying and first hand experience with the W2207 in a blog format.

Entry 1
I had a free hour between students so I walked over the BJ’s next door to browse as I often do. All of the televisions and computer monitors were playing the same HD demo. Almost all of the screens were impressive, some more so than others, some standing out noticeably with their clarity and realism. As I wandered over to the computer section one picture in particular caught my attention and I kept returning to it after taking mental notes of the other screens. It was HP’s 20-inch LCD monitor that to my novice eye produced an image comparable to the best images on the floor. It stood out significantly from the handful of computer monitors displayed there. This was a monitor I wanted to own.

Entry 2
I’m wondering how the 22-inch big brother would look so I take a trip to the local Office Depot. Looking at the two sizes side by side I decide I like the 22 inch size but wonder about text clarity and readability using the maximum resolution recommended. A helpful employee ran the monitor through its paces, switching text and resolution settings. I wasn’t disappointed, and after further discussion with my new bud decided that the WW207 was worth the extra money for the added size.

Entry 3

I’ve been waiting for a sale on my target monitor and notice that Circuit City has the monitor discounted 20 dollars and throws in a 75 dollar rebate to boot. After placing my order online I pick up the monitor with hours at the nearby Circuit City. The monitor will end up costing me a little over 300 dollars. Nice!

Entry 4

The monitor’s been in its box for a week while my computer is being repaired. When I get the call from the shop, I unpack and set up the new monitor before picking up the computer.
Right away I notice the lack of documentation. This is my first LCD monitor so I want some handholding. Not this time.
There’s a large poster taped to the monitor with a pictorial quick set up guide – no words included. On the back is a minimal five-line guide in English and 16 other languages.
Detailed directions are on the included CD. I access and print out the lengthy user’s guide.
Unfolding the monitor and setting up the cables is easy even for me. Removing a strap around the hinged base is tedious as is finding the audio jack. The directions apply to 8 different models with variations in design and placement of connections. I finally find the audio jack despite the misleading illustration.

Entry 5 The Big Picture

My first view is a picture set at the resolution of the old monitor. The text is BIG but a little fuzzy on the edges, not crisp and sharp. Four easily accessible buttons are on the front of the monitor to access the menu, volume controls, and automatic settings for text, movie, photo, gaming, and custom. After loading the drivers and utilities from the CD none of the controls work. I go to the HP site, download the latest drivers and use the set up wizard to finish the fine-tuning.
The picture is fabulous though the text is smaller than I like at the 1680 by 1050 resolution. Using Windows to increase font size to largest solves that problem.
I also find the picture too bright and adjust that too.
After a sampling of text, movies and photos there is no buyer’s remorse, no regrets. The monitor is almost everything I had hoped it would be. As best I can tell there are no dead pixels. The picture looks perfect to me with no spots or blemishes of any kind or shadowing on the edges.

More Stats and Features

VGA analog and DVI digital signals
Tilt adjustment and some minimal, consequential height adjustment
Pivot adjustment for landscape portrait viewing. Requires some adjustments in the menu settings.
Removable pedestal. Screen may be hung flat on a wall.
Plug and play capability
OSD (onscreen display) adjustments
Built in stereo speakers – rear facing
Two USB 2.0 ports to use with two USB devices
Keyboard parking – Great feature. Sliding my cordless keyboard under the monitor frees up lots of desk space.
Power Saver to reduce energy consumption
Quick view settings display
CD includes – Drivers, Auto-adjustment software, My Display software, Documents, Adobe Acrobat Reader

Final Thoughts and Observations

I don’t like the bundled software controls. They’re clunky and quirky for my tastes and not intuitive enough. I’ll seldom make adjustments so it’s not a big issue. Mostly I stay on the Text setting and movies and photos still look great.

The 2 watt speakers are mediocre at best. An audiophile will definitely want to hook up a set of speakers to use.

I’d read in an Amazon review that a DVI cable is not included. This is not true. VGA and DVI cables were included with the monitor.

After extensive online research I observed that most buyers of this monitor are very satisfied. Even the “experts” rate it highly though they do find faults.

The monitor’s screen is glossy and is framed with a glossy black trim. I thought the reflective properties would be a drawback, but unless a light is shining directly on the monitor, there’s not problem with glare.

Including the frame in measuring, the monitor itself is about 13 and a half inches high, and 20.6 inches wide. Its stated weight is 19.8 pounds.

There is no gamma adjustment.

The colors are marvelous. Photos that looked ordinary on my old monitor look outstanding on this one. For months I had faulted my Sony Cybershot camera.

I haven’t tried any games as yet. Comments by gamers on multiple forums indicate most are satisfied.

The stand is solid and tilts smoothly. Sliding the entire stand and monitor side to side is almost effortless.

The stingy twelve-month warranty may give some shoppers pause. For me the picture is so outstanding, I was willing to settle.

I like the large screen and the ability to read two pages side by side. For some tasks that required scrolling previously I now can view everything at once. The “My Documents” icons all fit on one screen now with no scrolling down necessary. Love it!

The cord management design on the monitor’s back is also a plus. It works well.

For what it's worth, my computer is running on Windows XP and has a newly installed 128 mb, 64-bit ATI Power Color 9550 video card,

This monitor, like just about everything else these days, was made in China.

I’ve been very pleased with this monitor and would buy it again in a heartbeat. Mrs. Spudman is also very impressed with its size and clarity.

UPDATE 4/15/08 - I recently purchased a new computer with an Intel quad processor and 4 megs of RAM. The picture quality on this monitor is even more amazing. Hookup to the new computer was a snap. Just plug and play using the DVI connection. Still have no regrets purchasing this monitor.