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NEC MultiSync EA232WMi review

Our Rating :
Price when reviewed : £210
inc VAT

A fully-adjustable stand and USB hub combine with its great image quality to produce a fine monitor - our only concern is the lack of an HDMI input

Specifications

23in screen size, 1,920×1,080 resolution, DVI: yes, VGA: yes, HDMI:

http://www.digital-fusion.co.uk

While you can get a monitor with an IPS panel for less, the Full HD 23in NEC MultiSync EA232WMi has a few tricks up its sleeve to justify its price. Its matt-black case and chunky stand aren’t as flashy as some monitor designs, but it’s eminently practical: the base sits on a turntable that can spin through almost 360 degrees, and the screen can be raised by 11cm and swivelled into portrait mode.

NEC MultiSync EA232WMi

It’s also one of the few monitors that we’ve seen with a DisplayPort input, which is most commonly used by Apple. DisplayPort can also carry audio and supports HDCP, so it’s possible to convert an HDMI output using an active adaptor. However, at around £65 for the necessary hardware, it’s expensive to do so and we wish NEC had just installed an HDMI input. For normal PC use there are DVI and VGA inputs.

NEC MultiSync EA232WMi rear ports

A pair of loud but muddy-sounding speakers point downwards from the back of the case, plus there’s a headphone port on the left side in case. There’s a USB hub with four ports – two on the rear and two on the side of the case for easier access.

NEC’s menu system is clear and logical, and its joystick menu control is far easier to use than most monitors which rely on a combination of buttons. You get comprehensive image quality controls to configure the display you want, including Eco modes that limit brightness, an auto-brightness setting that takes ambient light and the image’s white content into account.

NEC MultiSync EA232WMi side

Image quality is superb across the board. The anti-glare finish means you can use the display under pretty much any lighting condition. Our one complaint is that the finish also slightly reduces the vibrancy of colours, when compared to display with a gloss finish. Despite this, colours are accurate and look natural, while the backlight is even. Contrast is fantastic, bringing out every single bit of detail in the darkest scenes of our test films and games.

With its adjustable stand, matt finish and USB hub, the EA232WMi is well suited for office and work use, and is reasonably priced for the features. If the stand and screen finish aren’t important to you, the LG IPS235V has comparable image quality but costs considerably less, and has an HDMI input.

Basic Specifications

Rating ****

Physical

Viewable size 23 in
Native resolution 1,920×1,080
Contrast ratio 1,000:1 (25,000:1 dynamic)
Brightness 250cd/m²
Horizontal viewing angle 178°
Vertical viewing angle 178°
Response time 14ms
Response time type grey-to-grey
Screen depth 71mm
Base (WxD) 218x218mm
Screen elevation 72-182mm

Features

Portrait mode yes
Wall mount option yes
Height adjustable yes
Internal speakers yes (2x 1W)
Detachable cables yes
USB hub 4-port USB
Integrated power supply yes
Kensington lock lug yes
Display extras 1x DisplayPort, headphone output
VGA input yes
DVI input yes
S-video input no
Component input no
Composite input no
HDCP support yes
Audio inputs 3.5mm line in

Environmental

Power consumption standby 1W
Power consumption on 34W

Buying Information

Price £210
Supplier http://www.digital-fusion.co.uk
Details www.nec-display-solutions.co.uk
Warranty three years onsite

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