computers

This display is great. Wanting a small LCD to use alongside my 18" model, I compared every monitor under 16" in several large stores (I even considered the cute and low-priced 14" Mag, but its image, color, and viewing angle are mediocre or worse). The Sony SDM-HS53 seemed clearly best (my target use is desktop applications including document and web design).

This was strongly confirmed at home. Using this Amazon page as a test image on my 18" NEC Multisync (which I quite like), I zoomed out on the HTML image so that the font size was just below a legible size. I then viewed the same image on the 15" Sony. The type was of course noticably smaller (physically, not in pixle dimensions), but it was also noticably more legible from the same distance. Impressive.

The Sony also had a warrentee period at LEAST three times longer than any other model I saw.

Though a minor issue, I'm not a great fan of the slightly silly swooping style of the support base, but unless you look at the monitor from below the middle of the screen (almost in the plane of the base plate) you scarcely notice it. It seemed more prominent in stores when displayed on a counter or shelf at standing eye level, and it's fine at desk height at home. The unenlarged image on the Amazon pages gets the home look about right. If you enlarge it you can see the sillier appearance when viewed from a low angle. Boy, this is really picky (and besides, other people may love the look).

One other reviewer here strangely complains about a warm screen. Well, as with any LCD, some FRACTION of the 25 watts max power consumption will show up as warmth, but who buys an LCD monitor as a pillow (or pokes the screen to enhance smudges)? As to the "radiation" concern of another reviewer, this seems to involve both confusion with CRT displays and a lively imagination. HARMFUL radiation is a non-issue with LCDs. VISIBLE radiation is what displaying an image is all about.

I bought this monitor about a month ago. This was to be used in a multiple station office setup. I wouldnt recommend this monitor to any one that wants a quality monitor. First, lets talk about refresh rates. At 30 m/s its slow for such an overpriced monitor. Also the setup controls make it difficult to tweak. Also image quality isnt spectacular, they tend to be blotchy and you miss much detail. I have also noticed that the reflective black trim is made out of low quality materials and tends to collect more finger prints than the local police station. The screen also tends to get warmer that it should. And finally the the power supply tends to make a humming noise (its a standard in all of them, I own 5. One for each of my office workstations). To sum it all up, its a too expensive to be worthy of buying and you are simply paying is the Sony name. There are many monitors out there that are worthy of buying at lower prices and better warranty's. Also, the warranty doesnt cover less than 8 burnt pixels. Sony says that less than eight burnt pixels is considered normal wear and tear. I hope this helps!

This is a very modern LCD monitor. It works well. But one thing i dont like is that it must produce A LOT of radiation, because every time ive used it i have felt sick afterwards. Ive also felt like the skin on my face, and tops of arms and hands are slightly burnt after using the monitor. The fact that the monitor is making me sick, is causing me to look for another monitor now. Preferably one with less radiation output. Ive noticed a decrease in my health since using the monitor. This may not be the case for all people, but it is for me.