IT Pro Verdict

DisplayLink technology is pushed to new heights with the Samsung SyncMaster LD220. While general image quality is good, performance with motion is lacking, and the glossy finish on bezel and screen won’t suit professionals. The LD220 solves a specific issue with expanding the desktop area of a laptop with a third screen, but if this isn’t an issue we’d recommend going for a regular monitor.

By Benny Har-Even

published 24 July 2009

in Reviews

Fraps frame rate tool, claimed the same 29 frames per second as on the VGA connected screen, but it was clearly lying, as to our eyes, which is what counts, playback was not smooth.

Fast motion aside, image quality was generally better than the VGA connected screen. Oddly, the on screen display did not contrast controls, and the MagicBright settings essentially consists of image presents, which you're unlikely to ever use.

Using our DisplayMate test tool, the all digital connection ensured the image was solid and moir free. However, we were not able to distinguish low-end greys against a black background, and it struggled with peak whites too.

However, the colour ramp test was impressively smooth and the high-gloss finish did help with the intensity of colours.

Ultimately, we like the easy connectivity and design of the LD220, and were happy with the image quality and even more so with the resolution, but the lagging under motion was disappointing.

Our take is that as a technology, DisplayLink really needs USB 3.0 to arrive in order to take advantage of the increased bandwidth and solve the motion issues, while the processor technology can only continue to improve.

As it stands though, if you're in the position where you can't expand your laptop display areas any further then the SyncMaster LD220 will do the job, though only if you'll be using it for fairly static applications such as Outlook or Excel.

Verdict

Specifications: Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 Weight: 4.5Kg Inputs: USB (DisplayLink) VGA Display technology: TN Colour depth: 24-bit Viewing angle: 170 degrees Response time: 5ms Dot pitch: 0.248 mm Power consumption: 40W Rated contrast ratio: 30,000 dynamic Rated brightness: 300cdm/2 Dimensions: 51.7cm x 7.2cm x 33.4cm Warranty: 2 years

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Benny Har-Even is a twenty-year stalwart of technology journalism who is passionate about all areas of the industry, but telecoms and mobile and home entertainment are among his chief interests. He has written for many of the leading tech publications in the UK, such as PC Pro and Wired, and previously held the position of technology editor at ITPro before regularly contributing as a freelancer.

Known affectionately as a ‘geek’ to his friends, his passion has seen him land opportunities to speak about technology on BBC television broadcasts, as well as a number of speaking engagements at industry events.