Samsung SM151P

What do you get if you cross a manufacturer of hi-tech electronics goods with a designer of exotic sports cars? In this instance the answer is the SM151P, a stylish flat-panel display designed by Porsche and built by Samsung.

In so far as any computer component can be described as attractive, the SM151P is a good-looker. It is slim, bereft of buttons (save for a power switch) and finished with a metallic sheen.

The flat-panel itself hangs off a telescopic arm, so it can be raised or lowered to suit. Better still, the screen can be rotated through 90 degrees in either direction, allowing the user to work on documents in a portrait orientation. Software to work this magic is supplied.

Usefully, the SM151P can receive its images via either a traditional analogue (VGA) connector or a digital visual interface (DVI). Opting for the latter, assuming that you have a graphics card with a DVI-out port, will ensure 100 per cent accurate reproduction of images, colours and lighting.

Indeed, in DVI mode the SM151P's display is outstanding and even produces excellent results from an analogue input.

Sadly, Porsche's image-savvy designers seem to have overlooked some issues of practicality. While we applaud the dual-input feature, it seems rather silly to have both cables hard-wired into the back of the stand. Since a user is only ever likely to employ one, the redundant cord is destined to dangle in the wind.

If you were wondering how the SM151P's display attributes can be altered in the absence of any obvious controls, examine the cigar shaped depression at the bottom left of the bezel; it is a touch-sensitive area with illuminated control labels.

The merest brush of a finger is enough to conjure up an on-screen menu which allows you to tweak the image in any number of ways.

Price: £499 (inc VAT)

Specifications:
15in TFT flat-panel display
Maximum resolution: 1,024 x 768 pixels
Dual input: analogue and digital (DVI)
Pivoting screen
Designed by Porsche
Dimensions (W x H x D): 380 x 404 x 190mm
Weight: 4.6kg

Contact: Samsung 0800 521 652
www.samsungelectronics.co.uk

See also:

Fujitsu Siemens Silver Line S5

This slimline and stylish 15in LCD is worth a look.  23 Jan 2003

CTX S530

This is the first LCD monitor to promise no dead pixels.  13 Dec 2002

LG L1510S

A decent-quality 15in TFT screen at a good price.  03 Sep 2002

Sony SDM-X52

A sexy little number from Sony - but is it worth the cash?  27 Aug 2002

NEC LCD1550VM

A 15in flat-panel screen with no pretensions.  17 Jul 2002

Sony SDM-S51

A bright, simple to use monitor.  08 Jul 2002

Sharp LL-T1610W

A competent 16in LCD monitor with some useful features.  23 Apr 2002

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