Samsung Syncmaster 931C review

Samsung gets white on the money

It costs a small fortune but at least it looks the part

TechRadar Verdict

There's no doubt that this monitor looks lovely, but ye gods is it pricey for the size and resolution

Pros

  • +

    Great colour reproduction

    Looks sexy

    Quick response

Cons

  • -

    Your wallet will catch fire

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

So what's the deal with a 19-incher that costs as much as this? Your extra money may not buy you a glowing ring of lights such as with the LG Flatron Fantasy Ring, but you do get Samsung's new cold-cathode flourescent backlight that's designed to make colours more vibrant. But does it work?

Well yes, it does. In a side-by- side test with a standard 19-inch panel, the Syncmaster 913c does boast richer colours, but the difference is hardly astounding. In general, unless you do have a two-monitor setup, you're unlikely to notice the difference.

That said, this panel's whites are so pure they'd have Shane Richie and Danny Baker salivating. The Syncmaster 913c would have no problem giving the old doorstep challenge a 21st century revival, revealing the odd hues that other monitors try to palm off as white.

Colour quibbles aside, it's quick and bright, ensuring that it holds its own in the recent clutch of dimly lit games. It's also a good looking unit.

This is a fairly steep price for a mere 1280 x 1024, and while Samsung suggests the monitor is aimed at the connoisseur, unless you moonlight as a professional graphic designer and need the kind of accuracy on offer here you should think about whether it's worth investing in. Mike Channell

Tech.co.uk was the former name of TechRadar.com. Its staff were at the forefront of the digital publishing revolution, and spearheaded the move to bring consumer technology journalism to its natural home – online. Many of the current TechRadar staff started life a Tech.co.uk staff writer, covering everything from the emerging smartphone market to the evolving market of personal computers. Think of it as the building blocks of the TechRadar you love today.