Samsung 223 (216) BW

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Nowadays everybody wants an LCD monitor, if they don't already have one. The age of the CRT has passed. Today, the only ones who use one are those who are working in a domain where color accuracy is a must, and those who can't afford to buy an LCD. Choosing one that has all of the traits that you will use can be fairly tough, as the market is crowded with endless possibilities. Today I’m going to review the Samsung 223 (216) BW.

At first, you may wonder what's up with the double naming. It should be either 223 or 216, right? In the case of this monitor, both are correct. This is because the Samsung's naming system follows the rule that the name contains the size of the LCD within its number. This LCD uses an unusual TN panel, one that is 21.6 inches in size, produced only by Samsung. Outside of the US, the produce was forced to use the number 22, and I think for marketing reasons named 223BW.

In the States, it's possible the company's lawyers put their shoulders into it; the naming convention was maintained, and the product was named 216BW. So we have two different names for the same monitor. On the other hand, let me also tell you the story of its strange size (21.6")...

You probably know that the main component of an LCD monitor is the panel that is used during the manufacturing processes by the company (the higher quality, the better). If you aren't familiar with the different panel types and you are into buying a new LCD, I strongly recommend that you first read my sticky topic over here at the DevHardware Forums. There you'll find all the information you should know about LCDs before you choose one.

These panels aren't just made in a custom size. Rather, a larger piece is made, and then cut into smaller pieces, depending upon what size the panel needs to be. While the 22" size became standard, one day the guys over the Samsung realized that by cutting the larger piece into equal panels that are 21.6" in size, they could make an extra panel, thus reducing their costs (and the product's ultimate price). 

They win as they can create more and sell them at a lower price; you win by paying less for it and lose only 0.4 inch. However, let's go further and see what we get for around $250. From now on I'll just use the name Samsung 223BW, but be aware of its other name, and that if you see it sold as the 216, everything I say here applies to that product. 

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