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MONITORS
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but one way to quickly identify sustainable
IT products, including monitors, is to look
for TCO certification. The criteria for TCO
Certified includes socially responsible
manufacturing, usage emissions, the
reduction of hazardous chemicals and
more. For energy efficiency, look for the
ENERGY STAR label.
In addition, vendors use their own
labels to highlight monitors with added
environmentally friendly features. For
example, Acer ‘EcoDisplay’ monitors can
be recycled, have a power-saving design, a
slimline design and minimal packaging.
5. Security
Philips has responded to rising concern
about the security of webcams by
incorporating a pop-up camera into
a line of 22, 24 and 27in monitors.
This feature, available on Philips
272B7QPTKEB/241B7QPJKEB/221B7Q
PJKEB displays, effectively blocks off a
potential spyhole for hackers: the webcam
can be popped up when needed and
pushed down into the display frame when
not.
An alternative solution used on the Dell
24 Monitor for Video Conferencing is to have
a privacy shutter that can be moved across
the camera. The Full HD infrared sensor
camera also provides facial recognition
for secure biometric authentication via
Windows Hello, eliminating the threat of
unauthorised access.
To keep the screen safe from visual
hacking, users might also like to consider
attaching a privacy screen. 3M Privacy
Filters protect the information on your
screen from those around you by blocking
side views.
To secure a device against theft, end-
users should consider a monitor with a
Kensington lock slot. A Kensington lock is
a super strong steel cable that holds the
device down on the desk to prevent it from
being stolen. Most monitors from ASUS, for
example, feature this slot.
6. Design
Style as well as function is becoming much
more of a focus for both manufacturers
and consumers. Posen Wang of ViewSonic
says this is partly down to developments in
technology. “The design of a monitor has
always been important but in recent years
the development of new technologies has
allowed the boundaries of monitor designs
to be pushed even further,” he said.
“The latest trends suggest that users
prefer ultra-slim panels with thin bezels:
ViewSonic’s recently launched VX2776
provides just that. With a slim 6.6mm
display and an ultra-thin 2.2mm bezel, the
VX2776 has been engineered to provide
an unrivalled visual experience. The idea
behind the design is to enable users to
break free from bulky bezels to a more
frameless experience. The monitor also
features a unique triangular-based stand
that complements the modern aesthetic of
the product.”
Thin bezel displays, such as NEC’s
new Multisync EX241UN with a 0.8mm
bezel, are also ideal for multiple monitor
configurations as they minimise any visual
intrusion.
AOC recently collaborated with design
house Studio F. A. Porsche on two stylish,
‘3-sides frameless’ monitors, the 24-inch
PDS241 and the 27-inch PDS271. The
power and display cables run through
the asymmetrical stand, offering a sleek
and clean look. The cable is then divided
into individual cables in an external
modular box. The display has an extremely
slim 5.2mm profile, thinner than many
smartphones.
There is also a trend for curved
monitors, with companies like Samsung
leading the way in the curved monitor
display market. For example, the Samsung
CH711 and CF791 Quantum Dot curved
monitors have a curvature of 1,800R and
1,500R respectively, and an ultrawide
178-degree viewing angle. These monitors
are designed with gamers in mind, offering
greater immersion during gameplay, but
are just as useful for professionals (see
CF791 review in issue 4 of
Technology
Reseller
).
In addition, monitors designed especially
for collaboration typically come with better
than average built-in features. In the case of
the Dell 24 Monitor for Video Conferencing,
this includes a built-in two megapixel Full
HD IR camera, noise-cancelling microphone
and dual 5W speakers.
4. Energy efficiency/sustainability
Considering a product’s green credentials
before buying is increasingly important
for organisations with sustainable
procurement policies. Over the next three
years, to help meet ‘Greening Government
Commitments,’ a set of targets to reduce
the government’s environmental impact,
HMRC is replacing 50,000 monitors with
Philips 221B6LPCB displays. Explaining
the appeal of the 221B6LPCB, Butler said:
“This 21-inch’ 1080p monitor is built with
85% post-consumer recycled plastics. Its
built-in IR sensor, called the PowerSensor,
detects when a user is not present and
reduces the screen’s brightness, therefore
reducing energy costs by up to 80%.”
Posen Wang, Managing Director of
ViewSonic Europe and UKI Country Head,
says that energy-conscious manufacturers
such as ViewSonic are making an effort
to reduce the use of mercury in their
products to enable and encourage
recycling. The VG2233MH monitor,
for example, uses a mercury-free LED
backlight to power its display.
It’s common to find ‘eco-modes’ and
energy-saving features on new monitors,
Energy-
conscious
manufacturers
such as
ViewSonic are
making an effort
to reduce the
use of mercury
in their products
to enable and
encourage
recycling
Dell P2418HZ
HP EliteDisplay S240uj
features an integrated
wireless charging display
on its base
Samsung CF791 Quantum Dot
Philips
241B7QPJKEB
EDITOR’S CHOICE AWARD
PHILIPS
:
POP-UP CAMERA MONITORS
