ViewSonic VP2365-LED review

Affordable IPS panels are becoming more common, but this ViewSonic is still something special

Viewsonic
This ViewSonic is a surprisingly lovely monitor

TechRadar Verdict

Pros

  • +

    IPS panel

  • +

    Fantastic colours

  • +

    Great viewing angles, strong contrast

  • +

    Very aggressively priced

  • +

    No anti-glare sparkle or IPS glow

Cons

  • -

    Falls short of TN tech for response

  • -

    Backlight could be brighter

  • -

    Chassis is dreary

  • -

    1080p res not necessarily ideal

  • -

    120Hz support would be nice

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The influence of Apple's computers and gadgets is often over egged.

So we'd forgive you for coming over all sceptical at the suggestion that the latest generation of affordable PC monitors owes much to the fruit-themed outfit some simply love while others love to hate.

For sure, this new ViewSonic VP2365-LED 24-inch desktop screen doesn't look anything like Apple's slick and sensuous fare.

It's downright dowdy. But it does take a leaf out of Apple's definitive work on image quality. Specifically, ViewSonic has jumped on the IPS bandwagon.

ViewSonic vp2365-led review

IPS, or In-Plane Switching, is the LCD panel technology favoured by Apple in many of its recent computers and gadgets.

It's IPS that delivered the massive increase in colour quality and contrast the iPhone 4 offered compared with the 3GS. It's IPS that enabled the iPad to immediately raise the tablet industry's image-quality game. And it's IPS that ensures the iMac range offers the best screens in the all-in-one business.

Critically, where Apple goes, others follow. With Apple shifting millions of IPS-equipped products, punters are not only getting a taste for decent screen quality, they've an inkling what to ask for. IPS is beginning to enter the public consciousness.

That matters because just a few years ago most monitor companies had given up on offering high-quality LCD panels in mainstream monitors. IPS and other premium panel technologies, including PVA and MVA, cost more and punters weren't willing to pay. All that mattered was price and screen size. And that meant that cheap, ugly TN technology dominated.

Contributor

Technology and cars. Increasingly the twain shall meet. Which is handy, because Jeremy (Twitter) is addicted to both. Long-time tech journalist, former editor of iCar magazine and incumbent car guru for T3 magazine, Jeremy reckons in-car technology is about to go thermonuclear. No, not exploding cars. That would be silly. And dangerous. But rather an explosive period of unprecedented innovation. Enjoy the ride.