If you don't care about image quality, have I got a monitor for you.

In my search for a 20" widescreen monitor, I came across the ViewSonic VX2025wm at Future Shop and bought it immediately. When I got it home, set it up, and turned it on, I was so dismayed by the poor image quality that I packed it up for return and set up my old monitor within 30 minutes. This review is entirely based on that 30 minutes.

The first thing I noticed is that the monitor does not have a separate stand, as do most other monitors in this category. The built-in stand is not height adjustable. It does not swivel or rotate. All it does is tilt back and forth, but it is attached to the stand at the bottom of the monitor, not at the center of the back so this is a little weird. I was already feeling unenthusiastic at this point, since the stand does not provide for good ergonomics.

The biggest disappointment was yet to come. Powering the monitor on revealed that the backlighting was extremely uneven, to the point of blotchiness, even in a brightly lit room with a bright image on screen. Colours were also uneven and varied greatly depending on the viewing angle.

My expectations when purchasing this monitor were high because of ViewSonic's reputation. However, this monitor definitely did not live up to them. I returned the monitor within hours of purchase. I have tried the 20" Apple Cinema Display and the Dell 2005FPW, and this monitor compares exceedingly unfavourably to both of those. I guess they were going for the bargain shopper, but if you have any self respect you should buy something else (like one of the aforementioned products).

I would like to write more but for me, image quality is key and this monitor just did not have it. I knew within seconds of turning the monitor on that I would not be keeping it and I suggest you don't either.