AOC LCD Verfino V22 & FOVI F22
LCD monitors
Scott Bartley | Tuesday, May 26 2009Verfino V22
Battling the bulge after too much indulgence at Easter? So is AOC. In fact, the LCD monitor manufacturer has taken its weight loss program to extremes with the release of the Verfino V22 – they’re calling it the world’s slimmest WLED backlit monitor.
The depth of the 22-inch widescreen V22, for the most part, measures just 18.5mm and its thinness even drew a few gasps and wows from passers-by here in the PCW office. Near the bottom of the display AOC has had to compromise a tad and depth increases two-fold behind the area that houses the various inputs (HDMI, DVI, VGA, 3.5mm audio). It’s a minor concession, however, and certainly doesn’t detract aesthetically from the rest of the V22’s finer points. Besides, in purely practical terms there’s actually nothing to be gained from having a monitor so slim because the sturdy glass base takes up about the same amount of desk space as any other LCD monitor would. What’s more, there’s no VESA mounting bracket on the back should you wish to dispense with the desk top stand and attach it to some kind of third party mount instead. But, we say, who cares? Sometimes there’s more to computer ownership than mere practicality.
While we’ve established the V22 looks great even when it’s turned off, we’re happy to report it performs just as well when it’s all lit up – image quality is superb. Text was crisp and readable at all point sizes at the native resolution of 1,680 x 1,050, while colour reproduction is as good as any we’ve seen in the consumer market space. WLED backlighting is the green option when it comes to monitors because it contains no mercury and lowers power consumption (by 20% according to AOC). Green or not, this monitor excelled in all our tests and should prove a winner for just about any task thrown at it. Our only complaint is in the way our review unit featured a glossy, contrast-enhancing coating which looks great but, as with all glossy finishes, reflects a little too much of the room behind you. Also, $799 is getting up there for a 22-inch widescreen display these days – but then this is a premium model, after all.
FOVI F22
If you’re after something a little cheaper (actually, a lot cheaper) we suggest you give the AOC FOVI F22 a go. It’s also a 22-inch widescreen display but costs only $499 and, it must be said, still looks pretty stylish with its swept back profile and dinky little stand. Not only that, but it sports a proper 16:9 aspect ratio with a native, full HD resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 which makes it a perfect fit for Blu-ray movies and other HD material. Sadly, and somewhat confusingly, there’s no HDMI input. With its proper 1080p resolution it would have been great to be able to plug a PS3 or Xbox directly into the F22 to take full advantage of it. Still, that’s of minor consequence if you’re simply after a great-looking and well-performing monitor for your PC.
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