ViewSonic VX2739wm monitor boasts a 1ms response time, here's our review

As world-first claims go, raising the response time bar from 2ms to 1ms isn't exactly life altering. Thankfully, the VX2739wm is exactly the kind of monitor to appeal to those for whom 1ms is worth shouting about.

For a start, it's well equipped, with HDMI, DVI and D-SUB inputs alongside a four-port USB hub. If you're not using HDMI there's a 3.5mm audio input to supply the 2W SRS speakers, and their volume was impressive, albeit with little bass and a rather tinny sound.

The size is the real draw, though, with a 27in diagonal and a 1920 x 1080 resolution making it a versatile beast. We've had few issues with 2ms monitors in the past, so it wasn't a surprise that this 1ms panel aced our response time tests. It's far from the most important feature on a monitor these days.

What is important is image quality, and here the ViewSonic does reasonably well. Our test clips had plenty of detail and accurate colours, and the 300cd/m2 brightness makes for a strong white level and an even backlight. Gradients were smooth and, once we'd lowered the contrast, evenly distributed from black to white.

But there were weaknesses. The backlight has a cold tinge and bleeds noticeably at the top and bottom edges, which can be distracting during films. And colours just don't have much punch to them; the TN panel gives a picture that's watchable but doesn't compare to a half-decent IPS or PVA screen. The stand also only tilts.

You're paying only $638 for the VX2739wm, though, which goes some way to make up for that, and it has the feature list to appeal to gamers and video junkies.

If a big screen for those purposes is what you're after, it's certainly worth spending the extra. But as a PC monitor first and foremost, it's hard not to conclude you'd be better off spending less to buy a top-quality 24in monitor instead.