As always, we begin the month by going through the list of the five most popular monitors.
These are all reasonably priced HD 1080p displays, preferably LED-backlit. Anything sub-par in resolution or lacking a digital signal input is out of the question and out of the list. There simply is no reason to buy a monitor without these features in 2012.
1920 x 1080 isn’t the only pixel count you’ll find on one of the most popular monitor sizes. In fact, 1680 x 1050 still makes its rounds. The price difference is so little I no longer feel that going for the lower resolution is justified financially.
Let’s see what’s happening on the scene this month!
1. ViewSonic VX2250WM-LED
One month it’s ViewSonic VX2450WM, other months it’s VX2250WM on the top spot. These two displays seem reluctant to let go of their top positions.
It packs the ubiquitous 1080p resolution, sports a DVI and a VGA video connector, effectively hopping over both limitations I set for any modern computer monitor.
It sells for
2. ViewSonic VX2453MH-LED
I don’t think I blow anyone’s cover if I tell you the guys at ViewSonic have a good idea about what most consumers want to see on their desks.
Nothing proves that better than the fact that the two most popular displays this month are made by them.
The VX2453MH-LED is a LED-backlit 24″ 1920×1080 monitor, as the name also implies.
What you’ll find interesting about it is that it doesn’t have a DVI connector unlike virtually any other 24-Incher with a digital input option. It makes up for the lack of the input by offering 2xHDMI instead, plus the mandatory D-SUB 15.
Right now it sells for $189.99
Due to it having a native HDMI input, it also qualifies as a budget Mac Mini monitor.
Please note that this monitor can not be wall-mounted. It has no VESA mounting points. See next model for that.
3. ViewSonic VA2448M-LED
Anyone surprised? Didn’t think so.
ViewSonic continues to dominate the top 5 list with yet another 24-Inch LED monitor. This time they put a DVI and a VGA connector on it instead of HDMI, though.
Another difference is that the VA2448M-LED can be mounted on monitor arms and wall-mounting brackets.
Going for $179.99
4. Viewsonic VX2450WM-LED
The former king of the 24″ budget category, VX2450WM-LED finishes at the fourth position. Not too shabby for a display that’s supposedly superseded by the VX2453MH-LED.
Compared to its ‘successor’ the 2450WM lacks HDMI connectivity options, but makes up for it with a DVI input and VESA mounting points.
At the time of writing the display can be had
5. ViewSonic VA2231WM-LED
Yes, another ViewSonic LED Monitor. What can I do? They know what makes a decent budget computer display.
$139.99 at the time I type this, makes it the cheapest display
+1 Samsung B2430H
You basically have to hunt to find a Full-HD budget monitor in the top 10 not manufactured by ViewSonic.
I wanted to give other brands a fair fighting chance, which is why I included the first display that meets the requirements I set at the beginning.
It costs
For the sum you get a non-LED (I had to rig the rules to give it a fighting chance. I know.) monitor that’s HDMI enabled. It might not be the most economically feasible option of all six contestants, but it’s made by Samsung. A big pro for fans of the brand.
Conclusion
The list may seem like it specifically caters to Viewsonic, but it wasn’t meant to do that. Viewsonic just blows out the competition in terms of sales figures. When covering the most popular displays, I can’t argue with numbers.
If anything, I would like to recommend you also take a look at the list of sub $200 24″ monitors I compiled last month. It does mention other brands, too!