SyncMaster Has Trim Design, Fat Features

CRN Test Center engineers have reviewed plenty of Samsung displays and found that they all offer above-average quality and feature sets. The SyncMaster 173mw is no exception. The widescreen 17-inch TFT display has a native resolution of 1,280 x 768, and image quality is nearly perfect. Samsung has also integrated excellent video capability into the SyncMaster 173mw.

The 173mw is ideal for graphic designers, engineers and architects due to its sharp image resolution and widescreen design. The thin-bezel form factor keeps this huge flat panel's dimensions trimmer than some displays with smaller screens.

Finished in gray, the SyncMaster 173mw blends easily with any PC system. It features both analog and digital inputs, so it's easy to connect to the latest digital graphics adapters, as well as older VGA-only cards. The input ports are clearly labeled on the back of the machine. Such a simple feature increases ease of use, since users will not have to look under the stand or guess which connector fits which port.

The screen is large enough to display two letter-size, portrait-oriented documents side by side. That makes the display particularly suitable for publishing, as well as CAD/CAM and other engineering applications, and graphic design. The widescreen format is also important in environments where spreadsheet applications are heavily used, allowing users to view entire sheets at once without scrolling. The display also pivots for landscape or portrait use.

The unit offers text, picture and HDTV modes. A Picture-In-Picture mode maintains different brightness settings if more than one window is open. For instance, users can view a Web seminar, training video or videoconference at maximum brightness while the rest of the screen is adjusted independently for taking notes in a word processing program. Since video signals operate at a lower resolution than typical computer displays, the smaller the video image, the better the quality. Two built-in speakers offer good sound quality for their size and don't add to the overall dimensions of the display.

The HDTV-ready LCD features a 450cd/m2 brightness rate and a 500:1 contrast ratio. The SyncMaster 173mw includes Samsung's proprietary MagicBright technology software that allows users to change the brightness of the display at the touch of a button. This is particularly beneficial for users who multitask between various applications.

With a sticker price of about $699, the Samsung 173mw 17-inch monitor is priced at the upper-end of the 17-inch LCD market. There are 17-inch LCDs from other vendors that are available for less than $400, but they do not offer the same features or a level of quality comparable to the SyncMaster 173mw.

Samsung's Power Partner program offers a wealth of incentives, including monthly and weekly product specials and rebates, a reward-points program and spifs. These benefits are available on nearly every Samsung product integrators sell. The program also offers marketing collateral, trade show support, a dedicated partner Web site and margins that average 15 percent.

The vendor updates partners on price changes, product announcements and program news via a bimonthly e-mail newsletter. Sales representatives regularly interact with solution providers, keeping them updated about new products, discounts, incentives and corporate developments.

Sales and technical training is available, and Samsung provides dedicated, toll-free technical support 24x7. The display is covered by a three-year warranty.

CHANNEL PROGRAM SNAPSHOTS
>SyncMaster 173mw

COMPANY: Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
Irvine, Calif.
866-542-7214
http://www.samsungpartner.com
AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS: None
DISTRIBUTORS/INTEGRATORS: ASI, D&H, Ingram Micro, Ma Labs, Synnex, Tech Data
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Note: Recommended status is earned with a score of eight stars out of 10