Hasta La Gadget!

ViewSonic has decided to give Android-powered “smart displays” a second go-round. After releasing the VSD220, it’s following it up with the VSD240, a 24-inch monitor running Android 4.1. Though we’re living in an age when Sony and Lenovo are both marketing battery-powered all-in-ones to consumers, ViewSonic is targeting the VSD240 more toward business users than anyone else. The idea, company reps say, is that it could act as a secondary display in the office — one that’s smart enough to update apps all by itself. By that same logic, it would make for a nifty kitchen computer, though even then, Vizio spokespeople are quick to say this isn’t intended to be a primary system.

We happened to see it in person at a CES-related event here in Vegas, and our quick assessment is that the screen is responsive, and the design chintzy. (Just look at that tacky plastic.) In addition to that 1080p display, it packs a 1.7GHz quad-core Tegra 3 chip along with a TI multicore OMAP processor. As for connectivity, this glorified monitor features HDMI, Ethernet and USB ports, along with an SD card slot, WiFi and Bluetooth. ViewSonic has also baked in a 1.3-megapixel webcam, microphone and speakers. It’ll be available in North America starting in April, with street prices expected to hover around $499.

Dana Wollman contributed to this report.

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Today things are officially off and running with CES 2013, and what better way to start some announcements from HP then with a host of new Windows 8 PC monitors. HP has a slew of 5 new monitor series. They’ll be featuring impressive LED, IPS, and ProDisplay monitors on the showroom floor this week, and we’ve got all the details so read on below to find out more.

We’ll jump right in as they’ve just announced 5 different monitors this afternoon. The biggest of the bunch coming in at 27-inches is the new HP Envy 27 Monitor. This features a beautiful and vivid 27-inch IPS LCD panel with their thin blade bezel design. It’s also protected in edge-to-edge hardened glass for extra gloss and protection. It features built-in Beats Audio stereo speakers, and a full 1920 x 1080p HD resolution. The new 27-inch IPS Envy 27 hits the streets February 3rd for around $499.

Next since we’re talking about IPS displays is their new HP Pavilion 20xi-27xi IPS monitors. While not covered in hardened glass like the model above, the xi series features a similar edge-to-edge bezel free design with their blade technology. They’ll come in 4 sizes: 22xi, 23xi, 25xi, and 27xi and all have 1920×1080 Full HD resolution options. You’ll then get support via VGA, DVI-D and HDMI connectivity, while a smaller 20xi offers 1600 X 900 resolution with VGA. The IPS panels ensure 178-degree viewing angles and excellent colors. The new Pavilion xi monitors start at $129 and go to $339 for the 27xi. All available around the end of January.

Then for those on the go HP’s announced their new HP U160 15.6-inch LED Backlit Monitor. This unique display features a built in stand that doubles as a carry case, and is ideal for those on the go needing a portable monitor. Weighing in around 3.4 lbs and measuring only 1.02 inches thin, this should be a great choice for many. It’s expected to be available in January starting at $179 USD.

Next up is the HP x2401 24-inch LED Backlit Monitor (pictured below and also at the head of this article). This is another high end Beats Audio powered monitor, only it is 24-inches and comes with an LED display instead of IPS — so won’t be priced as high as the 27-inch monitor above. The X2401 features an MVA panel, not IPS, but still gives excellent 178 degree viewing angles and extremely inky black colors. This monitor also rocks a full 1920 x 1080p HD resolution 5000:1 contract ratio, and comes in a brushed aluminum finish. Oddly HP states it won’t be available until November, but will be priced at $249.

Then last but certainly not least is the new HP ProDisplay LED backlit line. These are more traditional monitors, and come in 18.5, 20, and 21.5-inch inch models. Respective names are P191 18.5-inch, P201 20-inch, P201m 20-inch, and P221 21.5-inch LED Backlit Monitors. These offer 250 nits brightness, 1000:1 contract, 3M:1 DCR, 5ms response time, and 170/160 viewing angles, so not quite IPS quality. These have the always welcomed 35-degrees of tilt adjustability and 90-degree pivot modes for multiple uses. I’d probably snag two P221′s and put them side by side. The new ProDisplay line will be priced at $129-179 based on size.

Surely we can expect big things from HP here at CES, and we’ll be running around trying to get pictures and videos of all their latest and greatest. Stay tuned for plenty more from CES 2013.

HP unveils a slew of new IPS and LED monitors at CES 2013 is written by Cory Gunther & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

In case you haven’t noticed, HP’s presence at CES 2013 pretty much boils down to monitors: the company just unleashed nearly a dozen models and, uh, very little else. As it is, we decided to round up most of the new displays into a single news post, but there’s one we felt deserved its own story. That would be the U160, HP’s first USB-powered monitor. Now of course, this is hardly the first USB display to hit the market, but it is the first made by HP, which seemed noteworthy enough, given how big a player HP is in the monitor space.

In any case, this has a matte 15-inch screen with 1,366 x 768 resolution, and comes with a built-in leather case allowing you to prop it up for presentations and whatnot. It weighs 3.4 pounds and measures 1.2 inches thick, which for comparison’s sake means it’s slightly heavier than whatever Ultrabook you’re carrying around. Interestingly, HP won’t discuss the other specs in great detail, except to say that the contrast ratio and brightness levels are comparable to most notebook screens. So we guess you’ll just have to take HP’s word for it? In any case, if you’ve been looking for a travel monitor and fancy this one, it goes on sale this month for $179.

Filed under: Displays, HP

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Lenovo has brought forth several unique visions in the Windows 8 universe this week with touchscreen prowess and unique hardware abilities such as the wireless touch of the ThinkVision LT1423p, also known as Lenovo’s mobile monitor. What you’re about to see is a brand new way to add touch to the device you’ve already got with a lovely 13.3-inch display with full touch – but don’t be fooled, this is no tablet!

Back in our original ThinkVision LT1423p details post you find that this machine doesn’t yet have a release date other than a basic Q2 2013 window, nor a price, but what we’ve seen thus far makes us want it right this minute – full touch for any machine running Windows 8. This beast is able to work wirelessly via wi-fi direct or wired with a relatively new USB to micro-USB B connection – have a peek at that plug in the gallery for a double-take.

This machine is extremely light for its size, is able to work with or without a connected rechargeable battery, and is presented with Lenovo drivers that work with what the company notes is essentially any PC working with Windows 8. The front is covered with Gorilla Glass, the display is a decent 1600×900 pixels, and the whole package will be another rather unique addition to the Windows 8 environment come this Spring/Summer.

Have a peek at the Lenovo tag to see the rest of the magic the company has revealed this week and be sure to stick around SlashGear’s full CES portal for more CES 2013 than you can possible handle. Also be sure to let us know if you’re planning on working with a mobile touch monitor some time in the future – seem like a real prospect to you?

Lenovo ThinkVision mobile monitor hands-on: touching Windows 8 across the room is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

With CES 2013 just days away, more items from the show are beginning to surface. One of the many items you’ll find in Samsung’s booth will be this cool looking touchscreen display, which can rotate 90 degrees.

Reminiscent of the clunky old Radius Pivot displays which could do the same thing, the Samsung Series 7 SC750 is designed specifically to offer images in either landscape or portrait modes. The ergonomic display also helps you get the screen up off the surface of your desk and to a better eye level when in landscape mode.

The display offers full 1920×1080 resolution, along with a 5000:1 contrast ratio, and a speedy 5ms refresh rate. The display has a modern brushed-metal stand, and a bright wide-viewing-angle LED backlight.

The SC750 will ship during Q1 of this year, but Samsung has yet to announce pricing.

[via Flickr]