X-bit labs

Dual-Display Monitor: Samsung SyncMaster 2263DX Review

Category: Other

by Oleg Artamonov

[ 05/05/2008 | 02:13 PM ]

The idea to use two monitors on a single computer system is not that new. However, this article will represent its very unique implementation: a set including a regular 22-inch monitor and an additional 7-inch one. Read about a new Samsung solution in our detailed review!

Table of contents:

• Testing Methodology
  
• Samsung SyncMaster 2263DX
  
• Samsung UbiSync 7
  
• Conclusion
  

There is nothing new about the idea of using two monitors with one computer. Many people already use such configurations especially as nearly each modern graphics card offers two video outputs. A dual-monitor configuration may be handy in many situations: when you must have some additional information within your eyesight (documentation, auxiliary documents, images, etc), work with two or three overlapping documents, keep track of changes introduced into some system in real-time mode, etc.

Two monitors have one obvious drawback, though. They take more space. Even if you find a special mount to install both monitors on the same stand, they still need quite a lot of space in width. At the same time, it’s rather unwise to use a second large monitor for displaying low-res information such as a server log, some system messages or now-popular widgets (small programs showing information in small windows outside the main workspace).

Here I would like to remember two earlier reviews, about the Logitech G15 keyboard and the Samsung SPF-83V photo frame. Discussing the G15’s small display we noted that it might be used for displaying auxiliary information not only in games but in other applications as well. However, the keyboard’s display is functionality limited, barely coping with displaying ICQ messages. As for the SPF-83V frame, we noted that it could be connected to a PC via USB and used as an ordinary, small monitor. This small photo frame is far larger than the G15 display in terms of resolution, though.

Many readers asked us after that review about this specific usage of the frame, particularly if Samsung was planning to introduce such mini-monitors in cheaper versions, without the ability to work autonomously as a photo-frame.

And this review is the answer: I will discuss a kit consisting of an ordinary 22-inch monitor and a small additional 7-inch monitor with a USB interface. The kit comes under the name of SyncMaster 2263DX although the mini-monitor has a proper name. It is called UbiSync 7.

I’ll first discuss the full-size monitor as the main part of the kit.

Testing Methodology

Click the following link for a description of our testing methodology, the equipment we use, and a brief explanation of what the specified and tested parameters of LCD monitors mean: the article is called Xbit Labs Presents: LCD Monitors Testing Methodology Indepth. If you feel overwhelmed with the numbers and terms this article abounds in, check out an appropriate section of the mentioned Description for an explanation.