Samsung SyncMaster S27A850D review

All the ports face sideways, and with a VESA mount the S27A850D is ideal for wall-mounting or for use in multi-monitor setups. One side has the connection for the USB hub, which goes to your PC, and three USB3 ports, as well as two 3.5mm audio sockets; the other side houses two DVI ports and a DisplayPort input. The power supply clips onto the back of the monitor, rather than dangling messily on your desk or beneath it.

There’s another clever feature: you can plug in two computers and view their desktops side-by-side on the display. This Picture By Picture function even has its own button underneath the screen, making it easier to set up, but the first time you do it you’ll have to make the S27A850D your primary display for both computers, and change the resolution on each to 1,280×1,440. This goes to show how much screen space you have with the 2,560×1,440 resolution – it’s enough to comfortably show two desktops side by side.

There are also plenty of Eco options – including a graphic that tells you how many trees you’ve saved. The more practical options are the movement sensors that can turn the monitor off when you leave your seat, and another light sensor that adjusts the brightness based on ambient lighting. With its LED backlight, the S27A850D only draws 53W anyway.

Then there’s the cost. You can get many less expensive monitors that have adjustable stands, USB hubs and large resolutions, but few that have all three and USB3. However, none of them will have the S27A850D’s amazing PLS panel, and it really is a cut above the rest. Hopefully, we’ll see it on less expensive panels in the future, but until then we think it’s the best monitor you can buy, so it wins our Ultimate award.