ASUS ML248H: Thin for the Win?
by Chris Heinonen on October 27, 2011 12:00 AM ESTPower Consumption
The ASUS ML248H certain does well on our power consumption test. It pulls just 24 watts with the backlight at max, and only 10 watts with the screen at minimum brightness. Of course, since the screen only put out 251 nits and many other displays can output far more, it’s easier to achieve that lower power consumption number. Po perhaps we’ll have to develop a better way of comparing power requirements, such as nits per watt per square inch or something similar. For now, at least ML248H is good for potentially reducing power use.
Final Thoughts
Aside from having a slim cabinet, the ASUS ML248H doesn’t have too much to recommend it. The stand looks nice, but it didn’t work well at all in my desk environment and was barely adjustable. The TN panel loses contrast and color at the edges with normal viewing angles, and it has big backlight uniformity issues that prevent me from recommending it for any sort of print or photo use.
For gaming I suppose it does well, with under a half frame of lag, but there are now VA and IPS models out there that can do as well, without the TN issues. Some of the style choices led to other compromises, like an OSD button system that often frustrated me, and having to use an external power brick, which I really hate having to find a place for on my desk.
In the end, it’s difficult to recommend the ASUS ML248H for most users. If you want a high quality LCD, there are far better options, although they’ll certainly cost more. If you need a thin display for your desktop, there are other choices out there that offer better performance in the same form factor. At $200, the ML248H just doesn’t seem to offer enough to really set it apart from the competition.
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ssssss - Thursday, October 27, 2011 - link
Great article, have not read it. Wahoo.B3an - Thursday, October 27, 2011 - link
Shut up.And @ anyone at AT, can you introduce rules where you only review GOOD monitors. As in, nothing that has TN a panel. I know that will cut out a lot of stuff (AKA shit!) but theres still some good monitors out there that are actually worth reviewing.
Sabresiberian - Friday, October 28, 2011 - link
I disagree, I want to see companies get blasted in public for producing junk by reputable review sites like Anandtech and Tomshardware.I also want to know myself how these monitors perform.
As far as me actually buying another TN panel - well, there's the 120Hz panels, and if they get 2560x1440 0r 2560x1600 120Hz TN panels that are top notch for TN I might just bite, but otherwise they are off my list.
;)
ckryan - Thursday, October 27, 2011 - link
I really dislike TN panels. Hate it. But TN has always been awful, and now that it's better in 2011 than it was in 2003, it's still awful. e-IPS is the new TN -- able to slot into lower price points but with competitive (if not mindblowing) performance. In the laptop market you have to grin and bear it, but on your destop and in your pocket you don't have to. You can always choose a phone with an IPS screen, and now there are many more lower cost options for your desk. e-IPS and a few analogous VA paneled screens have at least decent viewing angles, color reproduction, and response times. e-IPS in particular is available in some dirt-cheap configurations with few options/no height or tilt/etc. and pricier products with more ergonomic functions and mo' betterness included. TN for desktop displays is really limited to 3D and 120HZ at the moment (I know some really like their TN panel displays, but there are cheap e-IPS options that are certainly worth a look). The U2311H and now the U23/2412 are midrange eIPS options, while NEC makes some much more expensive models. Asus and LG have some really decent eIPS models, and so I hope that prospective monitor buyers at least take a look at something other than a TN panel before making a buying decision. I hope that the explosion of mobile devices with great displays will leave people wondering why they put up with sub-par units in laptops and monitors.Asus makes this same chassis into displays with MVA and eIPS, in addition to the TN here. This monitor, in addition to it's two other-paneled siblings would make a nice article -- hint, hint _-.
MrSpadge - Thursday, October 27, 2011 - link
Agreed! A TN with an unergonomic stand so that you can not even try to work around its weak points. It doesnt even have a DVI output. So unintersting! Sadly someone will buy it..spellingmisteaks - Thursday, October 27, 2011 - link
I'm so over TN panels. With IPS panels dropping close to 200 bucks, there's no reason to waste money on a TN panel.iSmug - Thursday, October 27, 2011 - link
Totally agree.The 24" A-MVA version is the same price. ML249H
The 23" e-IPS version is $10 cheaper. ML239H
I don't understand why anyone would want the TN version..
I own the ML239H. It was by far the cheapest option for the monitors with the same LG panel.
dingetje - Thursday, October 27, 2011 - link
TN + 16:9 panel = waste of reviewspaceDaduck - Thursday, October 27, 2011 - link
..and included with an ugly design. Agree completely.slick121 - Thursday, October 27, 2011 - link
Agreed. I don't know who they are targeting but I wouldn't want that on my desk.