The Asus VA249HE brings the benefits of a high-quality VA panel to the budget market and compete with TN and IPS variants. This new and practical entry-level monitor is proof of Vertical Alignment’s rise in the industry, unlike before when it was regarded as prone to interlacing while the decent modules are exclusive only to premium models. We are expecting quality and capabilities outside of the Asus VA249HE’s price range, and if it passes tests, it should be a fantastic low-budget solution for casual gaming or basic editing.
Asus VA249HE Specifications
- Screen Size: 24 Inches
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080p FHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment (VA)
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Response Time: 5ms
- Contrast Ratio: 3000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 250 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: No
- Stand: Height – No
- Stand: Tilt – Yes (-5°/+20°)
- Stand: Swivel – No
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes 100 x 100
- Connectivity: HDMI x 1, VGA x 1
- Dimensions with Stand(WxHxD): 21.75” x 15.63” x 8.07”
- Weight: 11.46lbs
Design and Features
The Asus VA249HE employs a simple design which dictates its purpose and intended environments, but the brand’s attempt to modernize the aesthetics are too modest for this age. The chassis uses a textured matte black plastic material which is likely similar to what its upmarket co-products have, meaning it shouldn’t attract marks easily. At least, the single stage bezels on this device aren’t intrusive, and there are no panel borders which ruin the view.
Another compromise you have to live with on the Asus VA249HE is the limited ergonomics, which are welcome and expected for monitors at this range. The stand with an 8-inch diameter is a proven design that can provide stability, but it can only offer 25 degrees of tilt. The mechanism is completely removable so that you can utilize the 100 x 100 VESA bolt holes readily visible on the rear.
The Asus VA249HE’s dimensions are subtle so you won’t need an oversized desk to accommodate two or even three of these side by side. The gentle bulge makes it easy to wall mount the device, but the less than 16 inches of height could be troublesome for taller users. But if what this affordable monitor will offer appeals to you, you might need a monitor stand or articulated armatures to maximize viewing comfort.
The I/O panel on the Asus VA249HE is relatively simple as well since it only includes HDMI and VGA for video inputs. These two ports are sufficient for necessary operation, so there are no USB slots, speakers, or even an audio jack for the user’s convenience, but these omissions are expected. Asus could have added these features since there is space in the down-firing panel, but it could affect pricing upon release.
Display and Performance
The Asus VA249HE sports a 24-inch VA panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, and 5ms response time which are all acceptable for the intended purpose. What stands out, however, is the promised 3000:1 contrast ratio which should be taken with a grain of salt. Most cheap VA monitors fail to go over 1500:1, but even that number already provides an excellent effect on imaging.
Asus also promises comprehensive gamut coverage for this model and we are expecting at least 100%, if not more. Some notable models from brands like Samsung reach 125%, but these monitors cost two or three times more. If the Asus VA249HE can provide decent gamut volume and accuracy, then it could suffice as a display for basic editing and content creation.
Due to VA tech’s advantage, the Asus VA249HE could also be a great display for entertainment purposes. Films with low light or noire in its overall ambiance are fantastic on VA panels since details and effects are more visible. The Asus VA249HE also includes the SplendidPlus features found on the brand’s latest offerings.
This feature includes filters for theatre, gaming, low-light, and even sRGB to maximize the screen’s capabilities according to your needs. This implementation isn’t always successful with the monitors we tested, but some can provide some mileage in common scenarios such as when playing games. As always, we will have to test the monitor out to evaluate how effective these filters will be.
Due to the absolute budget-oriented nature of the Asus VA249HE, the brand did not include gaming features such as refresh rate overclocking and Adaptive Sync. Entry-level VA panels are prone to issues which gaming variants were meant to solve, but to be fair, this device could provide improvements in this regard. Also, since the bezels are thin enough, this product could be a cheap solution for multi-monitor setups which could cost thousands if you choose a ROG variant.
Thoughts on the Asus VA249HE
The Asus VA249HE, despite its glaring shortcuts and omissions, is still a promising budget monitor in our books. We are always excited to check out VA panels and how they perform in fast-paced action because most would prefer the middle ground the tech offers. Extra vibrancy or comprehensive gamut volumes are almost guaranteed, and the extra contrast does wonders in making details pop out.
Although we hope that the company prices the Asus VA249HE competitively since most of their products are known to sit at the top of the expensive list. Brands like BenQ and Dell are already offering low-priced, but decent monitors, and we hope that this device competes within a few bucks. The Asus VA249HE is already available in some parts of the globe and US availability will follow in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!
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