ASUS VK278Q 27" Full HD 1920x1080 2ms HDMI 2.0M web cam (Rotatable) Monitor

I admit my bias, I have been using Asus back to the 90's for work on high end systems. It was one of a handful of companies that I would even consider using for specialty servers, development, or specialty machines then. It is one of even fewer now. Their failures were always followed by a concerted effort to not only compensate, but out-do themselves next time around.Their venture into so many different fields at once bothers me a little. They were the kings of good hardware, but like Samsung and so many others, success breeds mediocrity, and I don't want to see them go that way.But as with their routers, their components, optical drives, laptops brand, and tablets, they have so far done well in remaining true to the innovative roots with the monitors as well...I am a long-time Samsung die-hard... If you see anything that can display a video in my home, it says Samsung on it, for many good reasons. Asus however caught my eye with the usual pack leading combination of so many possible combinations, good fundamentals and utilization scenarios, that you will never toss them out, because they can be re-purposed forever in valid roles.The pricing they are clearly undercutting others with, to break into these other markets was just icing on the cake.I bought one of these a couple years ago and used it in concert with my Samsung monitors. I was so impressed with it's handling of my rather extreme switches from 3d Modelling one day, to 2D graphics, web development, DB and low-level C++ stuff, video editing, a full bore Allen & Heath recording studio the next, then randomly throwing on spells of high end gaming or command line only for months at a time.It fit every role, and never showed signs of inadequacy. When the last Sammy started showing signs of age, I never even had to think, I just bought a matching Asus (and you can mount two 27" side by side nicely with some of the tougher arms Amazon carries, and an extension arm btw...)So even two years later, this thing was worthy of a similar investment price-wise, despite some of the newer technologies it lacks (3D built in, though my 3GB 580's take care of that nicely anyway)... I am really picky about this stuff... this one was a no-brainer, even being that old...Pros:- Big- Giant- Cool- Asus- Two on a single rack = amazing (I use the Ergotron single post with two arms stacked and an additional arm extension, I can do just about anything with two 27" monitors without effort... could probably even add another to this...and just might)- PIP can be set to any other input source (VGA, HDMI etc), I use it on my second monitor to keep remote servers and network monitoring in constant view. There are a thousand uses for this, I love it.- It has connections for everything, and as Asus has always been masters of, you can use it all together to amazing effect.Cons:- Button array annoys me, I don't like using the menu buttons at all.They are along the bottom and unintuitive. I've bought worse... but think Asus could do better.- Menu system is fair, but again not as easy or intuitive as it should be, mostly due to the buttons- Camera a bit weak, inflexible. But I only really use it for security and face recognition anyway.- it has speakers... I guess this is fine, but I haven't really wanted built in speakers since 1996...so your call, I have never heard them, but I don't even know where they are , so no harm to me.- Frankly I would have liked to see more utilities and software options from Asus support. Unusual for them to throw as little behind these as they have since launch. Such a good line, so little of the software wizardry that I am used to from Asus. To be fair, these don't need anything, and I don't even use what they do offer.There are monitors that do more (I suppose), monitors that have more advanced features, monitors that have any number of superior specialties. I have not yet however found myself wanting anything more than I have from this set of 27's... and I want equipment that allows me to do anything. I would buy them for anyone I knew that I wanted to be truly happy with what they got. I would (and have) spend three times as much on one if I thought it would fit the bill better.

So I have had this monitor for a few days now. I used it on a new build that I just finished. My other computer has an  Asus VW246H 24-Inch Full-HD LCD Monitor with Integrated Speakers  that I purchased new a few years ago for around $40 cheaper than this monitor. So far I have had zero problems with either Asus monitor. This one is a beast at 27 inches. I am keeping this build at my parents house. My mother commented that even doctors offices don't have monitors this big. Anyway the colors are amazing, the pictures are crisp and clear. Playing BF3 on this computer with ultra everything, the monitor keeps up. There is zero ghosting or artifacts, and I have seen no evidence of screen tearing. It really is impressive for gaming. Out of the box the setting were pretty good. A little tweaking has it looking great! The screen was bright out of the box. I turned it down some as in a dark room white background internet pages would melt your eyes. This monitor has some great hookup options. HDMI, DVI, Displayport, and D-sub. Personally I just use this as a computer monitor and stick with the DVI. I prefer this over HDMI as long as I am not running sound. They are both digital standards, and minus HDMI's ability to carry sound, they are identical. That saves me from having to worry about an HDMI cable. This monitor comes with a DVI cable, so I was good to go. The built in webcam works as advertised. I have not tried it with Skype yet, but I did test the camera itself. No it does not have a microphone, but I didn't expect it to nor would I want it to. The speakers are very poor, however I knew that going in, and did not get this monitor because of the speakers. If you have nothing else, they will work, but a $10 pair sounds worlds better then the built in ones. The only real negative about this monitor is the stand. It does not hold the monitor well. If you bump the desk, the monitor shakes. It seems that ASUS could have put a little better engineering job into a stand that holds a monitor this large. For that I will reduce one star. Overall I am extremely pleased with this monitor. I will update if anything changes. My other Asus monitor that I got in January of 2010 is still going strong with daily use, and I hope this one lasts as well.

This may be good monitor, BUT, the maker must have figured that we are all tech gurus. NO INSTRUCTIONS as how to set up the damm thing. It is difficult to find how to change the settings as there are absolutely no instructions for set-up. The only bit of instructions is cramed with about 10 languages and is very confusing to follow...essentially just a vague diagram of the buttons on the monitor. example, no instructions how to set up the Pic in Pic feature, so the ordinary PC user would be totally lost.Other than that, good display, attractive package. clear picture, (some day I might figure out how to make adjustments).I did not try the speakers yet, I also did not attempt to try the camera...(no instructions)...and I even went online to Asus site...NO SUPPORT

1st off One dead pixel on arrival, not a deal breaker though as it onlyshows up when the screen is either dead black or when theres purple right around it.I didn't want to go through teh pain of sending it back and it's off to the side so whatev.2nd thing to note: Slight discoloration and brightness difference about 1 cm around edge ofentire screen. Also not reeaaallly quite a deal breaker, but close.I figure that hey, at this price point it's still a pretty good deal as I payed like3 bills for a huge monitor. If I was that persnickety I would have doled out the extra3 hunskies for a samsung.Build is good quality, solid and attractive. All the controls and options that I wouldwant. Screen does jiggle a bit if you have a wobbly desk, but you guessed it - not a deal breaker.Packaging was abit shoddy though, could have used more peacking peanuts or something.all in all I say when it comes to this monitor if for it's size and build versus price "I jump eeen it"

NO problems, easy to set up and twin with a 24" Samsung LCD. I wish I had a second 27 inch like it even though it works well with the 24 inch. Some might find the default a bit bright but I'm OK with it. I work with graphics and it make computer life so much easier and faster having two screens.

it is a good product. The web cam it's just ok. Good resolution good sound. I love it becouse it is exactly i need.

excellent screen