In a fit of touchy feeliness, Dell has launched the ST2220T multi-touch LCD monitor. It's a slick looking yet sizeable beast, and whilst unboxing it, I was surprised at just how big it actually was. When it comes to PC screens, the experts say that size definitely matters, and this is proved to be the case with the T2220T.
Sporting a diagonal screen size of 21.5 inches in an HD movie friendly 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio, the ST2220T has plenty of on-screen real-estate for both computing and media consumption. Having multiple document windows open side-by-side frequently proved useful beyond measure.
Sporting a native resolution of 1920 x 1080 and a fast 2ms response time, the 2220T is ideal for both gamers wanting oodles of hi-res on screen gaming action, as well as multi media pundits wanting to watch DVDs or Blu-rays. Toss in HDMI, DVI and two USB ports, plus integrated speakers and a webcam for those of us with Skype accounts, and the 2220T is able to do double duty as communications hub with seamless integration into most home theatre PC setups.
If you're thinking that the 2220T is a well-featured bit of gear, you'd be right - about the only thing missing was the kitchen sink. Its features may have impressed, but the million dollar question was this: How did on-screen images look? The short answer was surprisingly good.
Thanks to an impressive 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, a dazzling 220 cd/m2 brightness, colours were vibrant and felt extremely life-like. Watching a Blu-ray in 1080P showed detail that could only be described as eye-poppingly crisp - almost more real than real.
Touchy Feely
What really separated the 2220T from the 'me too' PC monitor crowd was its touch screen capabilities which, when paired with Windows 7, and combined with its ingenious stand (that allows the ST220T to be tilted forwards, backwards, and flat) makes for a pretty nifty multi-touch experience. With tablets and the iPad currently all the rage, it was interesting to use the 220T in a flat horizontal position, which made it feel like an iPad on growth hormones.
The Kiwi-developed optical tracking technologies (which uses tiny corner mounted cameras to track your fingers position) mightn't be as accurate as traditional capacitive touch-screen technologies, but it proved fine for most run-of-the-mill use (e.g. dragging and dropping, re-sizing windows etc.).
Another big advantage of optical tracking technologies was that styluses could also be used in addition to fingers for greater accuracy. About the only downside to all this touchiness was having to regularly clean fingerprints and smudges off the glossy screen. All told, the ST2220T's touch screen experience felt very Minority Report like and it goes without saying that this was verily cool indeed.
Verdict
There's a whole lot to like with the ST2220T. Not only is it able to deliver vivid on-screen action, it also packs enough connectivity options to satisfy any red-blooded PC user. Last, but by no means least, is the fancy pants touch screen features that greatly extend its usefulness. In short the ST2220T is a smoking hot bit of kit.
SPECS
Dell ST2220T Multi-touch monitor
$499
Screen Size: 54.61cm (21.5")
Panel Type: IPS (active matrix LCD)
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 or 50,000:1 (dynamic)
Brightness: 250 cd/m2
Response Time: 8ms/15ms touch
Viewing Angle: 178° vertical/horizontal
Colour Depth: 16.7 million colours
Touch screen technology: Optical touch
Touch functionality: Windows 7 gestures
Connectivity: DVI-D (HDCP), VGA, HDMI, 4x USB 2.0
Size and Weight (W/D/H): 528.1mm x 58.5mm x 380.1mm; 6.30kg
