Even for a 24-inch LCD display, the Samsung SyncMaster 244T's price tag is on the high side. It offers a generous amount of desktop real estate for individuals who handle multipage documents or like to work in multiple applications at once, but it's not the best in its price range when it comes to features or image quality. On the other hand, the 244T is no slouch, either.

The 244T includes analog and digital inputs, so you can share it between two computers and save both money and desktop space. It also includes S-video, composite video and component video inputs. The slim bezel puts the emphasis on the screen, and the base is sturdy if not a bit too large.

A row of buttons on the right side of the bottom bezel provides convenient access to all controls, including the easy-to-navigate on-screen menu (OSM) and the auto adjustment feature for the analog input. The front of the 244T has a source button for switching between the analog and digital inputs. The MagicBright feature includes five brightness presets (text, movie, internet, game and sports), and PIP lets you simultaneously view content from two different sources.

There is a pair of USB ports on the left side of the 244T, so it can double as a USB hub for plugging in scanners, digital cameras and other peripherals. The downstream USB port (the one that connects to your CPU) is also on the left side of the display, which is an odd placement for this cable.

The 244T has a maximum resolution of 1,920X1,200. Image quality and color fidelity are good, with ample contrast and relatively sharp detail in highlights and shadows. Text also appears sharp, even at smaller font sizes. We expected the 8-millisecond pixel response time to deliver flawless video, but there was noticeable smearing in some of our test videos and games.

The Samsung SyncMaster 244T has a collection of attractive features and an unusually large number of configuration options, but it's still a little overpriced for what it offers.


Pros:  Great input selection, PIP functionality, multiple adjustment options, MagicRotation software automatically rotates the image when you switch between landscape and portrait modes, MagicTune software sports an attractive and easy-to-use interface, includes color calibration software
Cons:  Expensive, no speakers

Warranty
3 years