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The M2400HD is not a very deep monitor and doesn't generate much heat even after hours of use. The back is all-white with a textured surface and comes complete with VESA-compliant mounting holes. Whether you'd want to use these to attach a VESA wall-mount or arm is questionable as the stand's neck isn't detachable, but they can come in handy when mounting, for instance, Asus' Eee Box or indeed something like the small secondary 7in display on the unique Samsung-SyncMaster 2263DX combo.

The display's connections are as awkward to reach as on most monitors of this type, but cable routing is fairly well-handled by a removable hinged clip. Connectivity is certainly better than one might expect for the price: not only do you get the triple whammy of VGA, DVI and HDMI, but there is also a USB input and 3.5mm audio-in jack. A headphone socket at the side provides audio out from both this and HDMI, essential as the M2400HD's integrated speakers are even more dire than one might expect; fit for only standard PC beeps and warnings and the occasional YouTube video.

Below the headphone socket on the left are two USB 2.0 ports, with a further one at the top specially shaped to handle yet another unexpected feature considering the M2400HD's wallet-friendly nature: a separate 2.0-megapixel webcam with integrated microphone. This camera is styled to match the monitor, with a similar glossy white finish and silver surround. Even its stand, which terminates in a USB plug, is similar to the monitor's, only allowing tilt adjustment. Still, that's already far more than an integrated model would offer, and perhaps the biggest perk is that you can use this camera with any PC or laptop.

In terms of image quality, the webcam is certainly acceptable, with clean, sharp images unless there is fast motion. It also handles dark areas and colour gradients better than most bundled cameras. BenQ includes ArcSoft WebCam Companion 2 and Magic-I Visual Effects, which together provide a fun, easy to use and powerful enough software package.

With all these nice touches, it's a pity BenQ does not include a digital video cable, a policy I really hope the company will change sometime soon. At least you do get everything else, with VGA, USB and audio cables, a plain little quick-start guide, and multilingual manual on CD.

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