Review of BenQ GL2450HM
The BenQ GL2450HM is a 1080p monitor equipped with the bare essentials such as HDMI for your home, office and casual gaming needs. Since this model is a budget-oriented offering, some cutting-edge features and nifty accessories are missing from the package, unlike the upmarket cousin, the BenQ XL2430. Of course, there are still some things to appreciate in entry level products such as this unit, so let us take a closer look at the affordable BenQ GL2450HM.
BenQ GL2450HM Specifications
- Screen Size: 24 Inches
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080p FHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: Twisted Nematic (TN)
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Response Time: 2ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 250 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: Yes 2 x 2 Watts
- Stand: Height – No
- Stand: Tilt – Yes (-5°/+20°)
- Stand: Swivel – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes 100 x 100
- Connectivity: HDMI x 1, DVI x 1, VGA x 1, 3.5mm Audio Jack
- Dimensions with Stand(WxHxD): 22.2” x 17.17” x 7.6”
- Weight: 9.5lbs
Design and Features
The BenQ GL2450HM features a basic design we have come to accept over the decades, with its nearly an inch thick bezels on all sides with a glossy finish. Dust and fingerprints are expected, so keeping the display clean can be a chore. The rest of the cabinet on the rear has a textured matte black finish, while the rectangular bulge which holds the internal power supply and the control unit have a carbon fiber-like texture. We’re glad we don’t have to deal with the hassle of a bulky external brick, but having everything inside the casing adds to the overall weight of around 9lbs, which is a bit heavy for a 24-inch model.
Since thGL2450HM is a basic no frills monitor, so this updated version carries a port each for HDMI, DVI, and D-sub, unlike the previous version which did not have HDMI. The three slots will allow multiple host devices to connect to this affordable monitor, so you get an all-around display for your viewing needs for a little over a hundred dollars. The HDMI port will allow audio signals to play on the two 2-Watt speakers you get with the package, but you also have 3.5mm jacks for other devices. Still, the pair included sounded tinny without any pleasing bass response or loudness you can expect from even a cheap speaker set.
One characteristic we like is the thumb-sized OSD buttons with nubs at the lower right corner. They didn’t feel flimsy when pressed, but you can still press the wrong one from time to time since you can’t see them, although eventually, you’ll be able to memorize which is which. Finally, the mechanism for the stand is also free of small details and features we usually overlook, such as ergonomics or cable tidy holes. The whole thing shares the bezel’s glossy finish plus it only offers tilt for adjustments. Even so, the assembly is a breeze since the base snaps onto the neck and locks on with minimal effort.
Display and Performance
The BenQ GL2450HM’s spec sheet sounds as typical as any other entry-level offering’s characteristics, from the 24-inch 1080p TN panel to the 60Hz refresh rates and the 2ms response time. Out of the box, this model is capable of around 970:1 contrast and 270cd/m2 brightness, which is probably its main strength. Color performance, however, slightly drops the ball due to the cool hue of the stock image. Although you can lower the blue color in the OSD to correct this flaw and liven up the warmth of the screen, even so, Delta E is dismal at an average above 4, but this isn’t entirely detrimental to basic tasks and games.
The BenQ GL2450HM does shine in titles with dark environments, like the tunnels and bunkers of Battlefield 1. Even if foggy weather or rains come in on any of the maps, most of the objects are easily visible so we can conclude that grayscale performance is excellent at the most. Input lag is mostly unnoticeable or even non-existent so that you won’t have problems with delays in your control actions. The 2ms pixel response does show a bit of ghosting here and there, but nothing annoying or distracting for the most part. These results are expected from entry-level TN models, so if you go for this affordable option or anything similar, you can consider the responsiveness as the silver lining in exchange for bland colors.
The GL2450HM is not a full-fledged gaming monitor, so you don’t get Freesync or higher refresh cycles. But what makes this model a fantastic basic option is the panel uniformity we saw during the tests. Typically, most of the products in this tier suffer from poor build quality or control, so you get drastically shifting discoloration or tinting due to the uneven LED backlight. The BenQ GL2450HM excels in this regard since there was little variance across the 24-inches of viewing space.
Conclusion
The BenQ GL2450HM provides sufficient strengths in its performance making it worthy of your consideration if you want a budget-oriented monitor as a replacement or a secondary, even if the flaws sound discouraging. For the most part, this model is a great contender for games and movies or even office work, since it is easy to correct the temperature of the image plus the excellent contrast performance.
You also get a snappy response in games so that you can expect smooth enjoyment of your selected titles for after-hours action without lag or ghosting. The BenQ GL2450HM is a barebones display product, but it is a good one at that, just make sure to manage your expectations.
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