Monitor Review: NEC MultiSync E231W

Lately, there are some features that have become pretty much ubiquitous among newly released LCD monitors. Take, for example, LED backlighting. What started as a selling point has become practically a prerequisite. And with this more energy-efficient means of backlighting, some sort of claim of being green has become part of almost every monitor sales pitch. And for good reason, too, given that such displays not only look good; they let us feel good, whether it's because we're helping to save the environment from toxic pollutants or save ourselves from higher energy costs.

So it comes as no surprise that one of NEC's latest display offerings, the MultiSync E231W, continues in the company's recent tradition of releasing LED-backlit LCD displays that tout their environmentally friendly features. This 23-inch widescreen display offers 1,920 by 1,080 full HD resolution (another of those increasingly ubiquitous features) at an estimated price of $299. But let's take a closer look and see if the E231W is just yet another green peripheral, or one that manages to stand out from the bunch.

How Green Is It?

As with other white LED-backlit displays, the E231W is about 40 percent more efficient than would be possible with CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent lamps) backlighting. So whereas a CCFL-backlit 23-inch monitor might have sucked down an average of about 40 watts in typical usage, an LED-backlit unit sips only about 24 watts in comparison (depending on other settings, of course). But while this is already considerable savings in terms of energy efficiency, NEC looks to go further.

Among the options that the E231W offers are two "Eco" modes that let you lower energy consumption. With the Eco modes turned off and with the brightness set to what I typically work at, the E231W drew about 24 watts of electricity, though if I cranked up the brightness I could manage to get it to 27 watts. Moving to the first of the Eco modes, the monitor's Energy Star setting, resulted in my Kill-a-Watt meter going down to about 22 watts while the second Eco mode, labeled as offering 40 percent power savings, dropped that down to only 17 watts.

Still not enough? Then try making use of the display's Auto Brightness function. Offering three options, this feature can let the E231W adjust its brightness based on ambient light, white content, or a combination of the two. Combining auto brightness with the second, more efficient, Eco mode resulted in the monitor drawing a puny 11 watts of electricity, but it also resulted in a display that was too dim for my personal preferences. So you'll want to play with the various options and see what works for you.

Whatever level of efficiency you go with, you'll eventually wonder just how much energy you're saving and how much you're helping the environment. Rather than leave you wondering or obliging you to do some calculations on your own, NEC includes a carbon footprint meter that lets you know how much of an impact each setting you make has on the E231W's carbon footprint, as well as how much it's saving you in energy costs. Just plug in your currency and the amount that your utilities provider charges for electricity, and the E231W will do the rest, even keeping a running total of both types of savings.

What Else Does It Offer?

While energy efficiency is nice and all, there are certainly more things to consider in choosing a monitor. In addition to the previously mentioned 1080p resolution, this 23-incher offers a 5-millisecond standard response time, though NEC's Rapid Response feature boasts being able to lower that to as little as 4 ms in displaying full-motion video. In viewing Blu-ray movies and playing games, content displayed fluidly and without problems.

A twisted nematic (TN) display, the E231W is more limited in its viewing angles and color accuracy than a pricier in-plane switching (IPS) flat panel would be. But viewing angles were quite good for a TN display and will meet most users' needs, offering horizontal and vertical viewing angles of up to 176 degrees. While graphics professionals and hardcore enthusiasts would notice the difference, typical users will be more than satisfied with the E231W's performance.

Text and images alike, look crisp and clear, even with the default settings, and can be calibrated and set to users' personal tastes. The screen, furthermore, has a nice matte finish that, while it might not let colors seem to pop as much as on glossy displays, pretty much does away with the glare issues that are common to glossy screens.

Connection-wise, the E231W offers three options: VGA, DVI-D, and DisplayPort. An HDMI port isn't included. But given that this is business-class monitor is meant more for work than for play and that adapters are readily available for those who do wish to input content from an HDMI source, this is no huge omission. Similarly left out are the audio capabilities and the built-in USB hub that can be found in some similarly priced monitors. Both would have been nice, if only to cut down on desk clutter. But again, most users will consider these to be forgivable omissions.

Accessing the E231W's various functions, meanwhile, is handled via an intuitive on-screen display that can be navigated through a combination of buttons and a multi-directional "NaViKey." If further control of the various settings is needed, users and/or IT managers can download and use NEC's NaViSet software, which allow the monitor's options to be accessed by mouse and keyboard.

As for mounting options, NEC didn't skimp: The E231W's included ergonomic stand lets you pivot, tilt, swivel, and adjust the height of the display. And if that doesn't quite meet your needs, VESA 100x100mm holes let you use a wall or desk mount.

Finally, the E231W is protected by a three-year parts-and-labor warranty, a must for any business environment.

While the NEC MultiSync E231W isn't without room for potential improvement, there's a lot to like about this monitor. It offers a pretty good feature set at a pretty good price point. So whether you're looking for a monitor that has solid green credentials or just solid performance, this is one you'll want to consider.