The VX2640w is a 26 inch diagonal (66 cm) for the price of a 24'' (61 cm).  The resolution is the same at 1920 x 1200 pixels and so the display will simply be a bit bigger.  On the back, we find HDMI, DVI as well as VGA and we really appreciated the double presence of digital interfaces.  We can thus connect a console or TV box on the HDMI and a computer on the DVI.  Otherwise, one small disappointment was that there were no integrated speakers and just a jack to connect headphones or speakers (with and without a subwoofer we had good results).  For the rest in ergonomics, the base is nothing elaborate and there is a small cable guide on the back.

Many promises...

It’s a TN 3 ms (like the Iiyama B2406WS) whose characteristics also include a contrast ratio of 1000:1 (and even a dynamic 4000:1 according to the manufacturer!) and energy consumption announced at 64 watts.  For the second characteristic, we can hope that it will attain or at least surpass this value while for the third it’s the contrary; a 24'' TN panel normally consumes 40 watts.  So will energy bills be as high as ViewSonic announces?

The first consumers targeted: gamers

Before we answer the above question, let’s take a look at reactivity.  In this area and like the Iiyama, the VX2640w was impressive.  It is indeed one of the current most reactive screens; however, we should mention the presence of a very very light ''reverse ghosting'' effect or a small outline behind objects in movement.  Once again, this was very slight and only the most demanding users will notice it.


Also note that input lag on this screen is very low with an average of 10 ms or a delay of a little less than one image with a CRT.  So here we have a monitor that is perfectly made for gaming, especially with a PC.  With a game console (thanks to the HDMI), unfortunately ViewSonic’s Aspect Ratio function found in the OSD functions poorly with 1080p producing a stretched and degraded image.  Otherwise, rescaling is very mediocre.  This is too bad because the 1/1 mode functions with SD sources and 720p.
 
Remaining tests sadly didn’t give us the best results

Viewsonic announces a strong contrast and rather high power consumption.  For the first, we can immediately discard the exaggerated 4000:1 figure measured in unrealistic conditions (the guiding norm here can lead to false measurements and mislead the consumer, especially with this model).  Otherwise, we only obtained half of 1000:1 and this was even after adjustments were made.  By default the screen is too bright and blacks are totally washed out.  It is necessary to set the monitor to sRGB mode so that you obtain more classic values – though black ended up only at 0.41 cd/m² (half the depth in black of the best models) and final contrast at 480:1.  The screen thus adjusted deserves a score of 4 stars in color fidelity.

The VX2640w also claims to be a wide color and therefore that it displays more intense colors than other screens.  This should only be of interest to graphic artists as they have wide gamut sources that enable taking advantage of it.  Digital cameras, websites, or games do not benefit.  Otherwise, with classic images, blues are a bit too intense compared to normal rendering.

Finally, for power consumption, it is roughly around 80 watts whatever the monitor setting, or in other words, the double of that of its rivals.

P.S.  Since March 31st, 2008 ViewSonic’s warranty changed to a 2 year factory return and a 28 day “Dead-on-arrival Service” (free exchange of the monitor for a new one usually within 48 hours) according to the manufacturer’s website.