NEC MultiSync EA231WMi - 23in Monitor - NEC MultiSync EA231WMi

Aside from the usual diversions (photos, videos and games), the NEC is also a great monitor to work with day-to-day. Obviously the adjustability helps here, but the general image quality is also at play. Unlike cheaper displays you get a nice, clean white level that's complemented by razor-sharp text. This is bound to help reduce eye-strain in the long-term.

NEC has a few more cards to play here, too. An integrated ambient light sensor on the front of the display will, when activated, dynamically adjust the brightness and white balance to suit the ambient conditions. This is a subtle, yet rather clever, mode that'll be particularly beneficial to anyone who lacks the knowledge to adjust settings manually.

In addition to this there's also an ECO mode, which unsurprisingly aims to reduce power consumption through cutting brightness and contrast yet further. This takes the typical power usage down from a not unreasonable 43W to a frugal 28W, though this is when using the most aggressive setting - you can adjust the severity of the mode in the OSD.

Speaking of which, the OSD is one of the few areas of the NEC that could do with some work. It's functional enough and the mini-joystick mounted on the front edge provides surprisingly accurate and swift navigation, but the OSD is rather small and cluttered in comparison to those we see on many more recent models.

This is a pretty minor complaint, though; as is the 16:9 aspect ratio that dictates you lose a hundred or so (120 to be exact) vertical pixels compared to 16:10, 24in monitors. If that's the worst compromise for a keenly priced, high-quality monitor then it's one we are happy to bear.

Verdict

There are one or two things about the NEC MultiSync EA231WMi that we'd change, but on the whole this is an excellent monitor. Its sturdy design, flexibility and excellent image quality all stand it in very good stead, making it one we'd recommend to anyone in need of quality at a comparatively reasonable price.