Review: Viewsonic VX2255wmh TFT monitor

A widescreen TFT with Vista certification and an integrated webcam

Stylistically, the VX2255wmh is quite a departure from the rest of Viewsonic’s VX range, not least because it comes in a brilliant gloss white. It also has its controls down the right-hand side rather than front and centre, below the screen.

The usual Viewsonic curves, metallic details and speaker grille are gone, in favour of a much cleaner, more traditional look.

The built-in stereo speakers are entirely hidden, facing directly downwards from the bottom of the bezel which is supported by an adjustable stand with tilt, swivel and height adjustments as well as tidy cable management clips to the rear.

Above the screen sits a pair of tiny apertures - one houses a 1.3 megapixel webcam while the other features an indicator LED that illuminates when the camera is in use.

A further aperture immediately to the left of the centrally-mounted power switch houses a microphone.

The webcam is both powered and controlled via a USB cable that connects into the rear of the monitor in the usual manner. However, it’s a shame to see that no USB ports have been provided on the monitor despite this PC connection.

A special audio cable is also provided, which connects both the speakers and the integral microphone to your system.

Our lab tests found the stated 280cd/m2 brightness to be accurate; in fact it was a tiny bit brighter than many other panels that claim 300cd/m2. This is certainly bright enough for a variety of uses, from normal desktop work to multimedia viewing at a moderate distance, appropriate to the display’s size.

We weren’t able to match the rated 700:1 contrast ratio, but once again the VX2255wmh held its own against similarly specified products and, in terms of contrast, is right up there with the best of its competitors.

A piano black model, the VX2255wmb is also available, with 20in models coming soon.