Acer Ultra Slim LED-backlight Displays Preview

Acer has been doing some remarkable things lately in the world of laptops, but this week they announced five new ultra slim LED-backlight displays. While they've been in the display market for some time, these new displays, available in 20-, 23- or 27-inches and with adjustable tilt bases, offer incredibly slim profiles and sleek contemporary designs. They're also packed with top-of-the line features and technologies. Designed with viewing family photos and videos in mind, the displays are perfect for both watching the latest DVDs/movies, as well as for business applications that require excellent resolution, contrast ratios and graphics performance.

Here is where we were made to laugh. Acer actually specs these new displays at 100,000,000:1 contrast ratio which, last year was the arbitrary number I used to make fun of manufacturers who used astronomical (and senseless) values for describing contrast ration measurements. At 100,000,000:1 all we know for certain is: that number is absolutely, positively, unequivocally irrelevant. What Acer should have said was that their new ultra-slim monitors deliver bright whites and deep blacks - because it's likely that they do. They also claim a dramatic improvement in the areas of gradation and detail, especially in very dim or very bright scenes. A quick 5ms response time also means that pixel smearing will be at a minimum.

Included in all the new models is Acer's eColor Management tool, which lets users optimize image performance under different viewing scenarios at the touch of a button. The Acer S Series of monitors also uses something called "white LED" technology which they say consumes up to 68 percent less power than standard LCD displays. We like less power - that's one more step to wireless power or power over Ethernet.

Acer S235HL 23" Widescreen LCD

Winner of a 2012 iF product design award, the ultra-thin style of the S235HL bii is sure to impress. Its razor-slim profile is just over half an inch, delivering a minimalist, modern look. It is encased in a glossy black bezel and features a sleek asymmetrical design. The silver stand provides a touch of elegance, while the stand-embedded ice-blue LED buttons offer a contemporary feel. To top it off, all the I/O ports are located on the base, eliminating cable clutter and further enhancing the clean and simple appearance. With the connections in the base, this monitor is not meant for wall- or stand-mounting.

The S235HL bii LCD offers the ultimate multimedia experience with a widescreen cinematic view that shows off photos and videos, and makes viewing HD content a breeze. Its powerful graphics performance and stunning 1920 x 1080 resolution means 16:9 HD digital content can be viewed without image distortion. Device compatibility is maximized with three video inputs, including one VGA and two HDMI ports with High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) that supports 1080p HD and allows for viewing of digital movies and copy-protected media.

The Acer S235HL LCD monitor will be available in April at online retailers and has an MSRP of $219.

Acer S200HL 20" Widescreen LCD

This LED-backlit display delivers stylish ultra-thin functionality with 1600 x 900 resolution and dual inputs (VGA and DVI) for greater compatibility with peripherals. Its rounded glossy, porcelain-like stand looks nice in any environment and its glossy display frame radiates a sense of simple modernism.

The Acer S200HL Abd monitor is available now at online retailers and has an MSRP of $139.

Acer S230HL Abd and S230HL Abii -- 23" Widescreen LCDs

These 23-inch ultra thin LED-backlit displays deliver a widescreen cinematic view that shows off photos, videos and HD content. With full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution, 16:9 HD digital content can be viewed without image distortion. The S230HL Abd offers two video inputs; one VGA and one DVI (with HDCP) while the S230HL Abii maximizes device compatibility with three signal input ports; one VGA and two HDMI (with HDCP) for viewing 1080p full HD graphics.

The Acer S230HL Abd monitor is available now at leading retailers and has an MSRP of $169. The Acer S230HL Abii monitor is also available now at online retailers and has an MSRP of $189.

Acer S271HL 27" Widescreen LCD

With a 1920 x 1080 resolution, this 27-inch display offers an impressive viewing experience and the ultimate multimedia experience. It also delivers widescreen cinematic viewing of HD photos and videos with its 16:9 aspect ratio. DVI and HDMI ports with high-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) support 1080p HD and allows for viewing of digital movies and copy protected media. It is also VESA compliant for easy mounting to a wall.

The Acer S271HL bid LCD monitor will be available in April at leading online and traditional retailers and has an MSRP of $329.

For more information please visit www.acer-group.com for more information.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.