The ViewSonic VX2255wmb is a standard priced 22 inch with classic characteristics ; however, its design and ergonomics are way above average.  The black lacquer finish (or white, something Mac users will like) is attractive and modern.  Buttons are easily accessible and you will appreciate the cable guide on the back, the rotating base, vertical adjustability, as well as the added webcam.  All of this for the same price as a basic monitor.

The 22 inch with the best color fidelity on the market!

But the real nice surprise, even better than its fine ergonomics, was in color rendering.  It proved to be even superior to the Samsung 226BW S series. The average difference measured on our 18 standard colors after one hour of warm-up time was only 1.9 (on our test computer equipped with an NVIDIA graphic card and 1.8 on another PC with an ATI).  With the 226BW, this figure was 2.1 and on classic models this number is commonly 3.5.  A screen can be outright problematic when color differences have results as high as 6 while at less than 2, as is the case here, even professional graphic artists won’t have much to say.  To better grasp the difference between a normal product and one which excels in this domain, look at how grays are produced on this VX2255wmb compared to the LG L226WTQ.

While we are still on the subject of colors, there was one defect.  Its depth of black was only at 0.35 cd/m², which is more than the 226BW’s measurement.  This is in the average but a little disappointing when we wanted total perfection in everything.  Very good LCD monitors can attain 0.20 cd/m².

Movies and games

As is generally the case for screens equipped with TN panels, we noticed a significant amount of shimmering and compression defects in movies.  Also typical of products with integrated speakers was a poor sound quality.  Basses and highs were more or less inexistent but this was no worse (or better) than other monitors that feature this component.  For good sound, nothing is like an external speaker set.  As for a better image and less shimmering in movies, you will have to put a little distance between yourself and the screen.
Finally, for games we have a classic 5 ms TN panel.  This is good and enough 95 % of the time ; however, for on-line game fanatics where there is constant movement and combat, the 226BW is still better.  It is noticeably more reactive and for this reason there is less smearing in rapid movements.

Last but not least, ViewSonic was smart enough to offer a zero dead hot or black pixel warranty (dead colored pixels are covered under the classic ISO 13406-2 norm).

So, the question arises which is better: the 226BW (ideally, an S series) or the ViewSonic VX2255wmb ? The first has slightly better reactivity and, some may say, a more attractive design.  The second has a base that allows the screen to be rotated and vertically adjusted as well as offering an integrated webcam, perfect colors and a zero hot and black pixel policy.  If you aren’t an extreme game fanatic, the ViewSonic VX2255wmb should win your preference.