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Review of Asus VS197DE
The Asus VS197DE is a 19-inch multipurpose monitor for work and home applications such as document processing, browsing or even light gaming. The compact package costs so little making it ideal as a stop-gap replacement or a secondary display on the side, but budget-conscious users can also acquire it for an entry-level gaming rig. Modern models from Asus dwarf the VS197DE in both physical size and viewing space, but curiously enough, this model still sells like hotcakes on our favorite retailers.
Asus VS197DE Specifications
- Screen Size: 19 Inches
- Resolution: 1366 x 768 720p
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: Twisted Nematic (TN)
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Response Time: 5ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 200 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: No
- Stand: Height – No
- Stand: Tilt – Yes (-5°/+20°)
- Stand: Swivel – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes
- Connectivity: D-Sub, 3.5mm
- Dimensions with Stand(WxHxD): 17.6″ x 13.6″ x 7.3″
- Weight: 5.7 lbs
Design and Features
The Asus VS197DE, much like its bigger brother, the VS228DE, sports a generic but clean looking exterior you can either love or hate. The bezels are at least, an inch thick on each side, making them even more visible due to the smaller screen size. The glossy finish on the front looks great at a glance, but it does attract dust and scratches easily, so cleaning with a soft cloth is recommended. The rest of the cabinet has a matte black finish which feels superb and high-quality to the touch, giving the Asus VS197DE an inconspicuous look suitable for its targeted users.
The compact size of the VS197DE is one of the main reasons anyone would consider this outdated form factor since it makes the product ideal for the cramped desks in offices or small business. The I/O layout only includes a single D-sub port, a legacy connector which you can now commonly find on enterprise PCs or entry level motherboards and graphics cards. Gamers with meaty GPUs might need to look elsewhere, since using adapters with different receptacles will cause issues.
This product is certainly lightweight at less than 6lbs, which makes it easy to carry around or place on tight desk spaces. The included stand has little to offer since it can only tilt, but the VS197DE stands proud and stable on any surface without excessive wobbling. One issue we can see with this design is when tall users view or use this model, so they might need a stack of books or aftermarket mounting to get a comfortable view since the Asus VS197DE is VESA compatible with a 75 x 75 bolt pattern.
Display and Performance
The Asus VS197DE features a crystal clear, 19-inch TN panel with a 1366 x 768 resolution, 60Hz refresh rate and a slow 5ms response time, which right off the bat isn’t ideal for games, except for light playing and titles. Out of the box, this model is set to its highest brightness which makes the screen pop even more, but realistically, you need to set it down a few notches for comfort. The included sRGB mode induces a comfortable saturation of the colors and a decent level of contrast, although we did notice a few hints of discoloration here and there when we looked hard enough.
But the best thing about this model is the excellent screen uniformity thanks to Asus’ top-notch quality and the small form factor. We did not notice any dismal discolorations or backlight leaks on the panel, making this offering ideal for document processing and basic tasks at home like watching movies and browsing the web. It is safe to say that the VS197DE provides its users with excellent value and satisfaction, so long as you consider the price you paid and live with the limitations that come with the affordability.
For the most part, the Asus VS197DE is a suitable model when it comes to its image quality since the panel is clean and crystal clear. We tested this monitor with Battlefield 1 just to see our frames soar since the native resolution is only 720p. Gaming was smooth thanks to the adequate response of this product, but like its aging 5ms TN-equipped siblings in the series, the screen is plagued with ghosting caused by the slow pixel transitions. For casual gaming at home or after work, the Asus VS197DE will suffice for a quickie session.
Conclusion
The Asus VS197DE is an entry-level monitor for everyday tasks or as a secondary display for your needs. The specs are outdated when compared to even the best monitors we selected this year, but you can’t argue with a product which costs less than a hundred. The small price you pay gets you a robust and high-quality monitor, but be sure that you can overlook the limitations that come with it like its poor gaming performance.
A better alternative would be our current favorite in the budget segment, the HP Pavilion 22CWA which has an excellent panel with lush colors, modern design which costs a bit more than this model. Although, if you need more than one unit for multi-head build or screens for your employees or companions at home, the Asus VS197DE is the most cost-effective choice without sacrificing the essentials you need in a budget-friendly enterprise model.
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