Acer B223WG review

The Acer B223WG is a 22in monitor designed primarily for business use, and has a 1,680x1,050 resolution rather than the now popular 1,920x1,080 resolution. Windows fonts are much easier to read at the lower resolution, and you don't lose much vertical space, which is important if you're reading documents, web pages or other tall documents.

In addition, the B223WG has a height-adjustable stand that has 115mm of vertical movement, and can be swivelled into portrait mode. Most people don't need portrait mode, but it could be a boon if you're planning on buying two monitors and placing them side by side in portrait mode. The thin bezel is welcome for this setup, too. We were slightly disappointed with the B223WG's horizontal swivel range though, which covers just 70 degrees.

On the rear you'll find VGA and DVI video inputs, plus a minijack audio input and a headphone output. The internal speakers are underpowered, but are fine for watching movies on YouTube, for example. The DVI port supports HDCP, so you can watch protected video content such as Blu-ray films.

The menu system is controlled by small buttons below the screen, and is easy to navigate. There are five presets and you can control brightness and contrast, and enable dynamic contrast for each one. There are also colour controls, offering warm and cool temperatures, and a user setting for control over individual colours.

We found it hard to notice any difference in contrast with dynamic contrast turned on. Picture quality was generally good, with fairly accurate colours, but it couldn't quite match the best monitors. This was most noticeable in light scenes, where fine details disappeared due to poor contrast. Also, those who like vibrant, saturated colours might be disappointed that the HH222DPB's more muted tones.

While it's a practical choice, the B223WG isn't good value unless you need an adjustable stand. If you're going to use your monitor for anything other than office work, BenQ's G2222HDL is a much better choice thanks to its Full HD resolution, better image quality and lower price.