LG E2381VR

Monitor Reviews: 22''-30'' LCD Displays

It's clear that LG isn't planning to slow down its monitor production any time soon. As well as adding new models, it's abandoning the old boxy shapes that used to predominate amongst its entry-level monitors in favour of slimmer, more stylish frames. The new LG E2381V monitor is one such example: its 23'' display is just 11.9 mm thick. The hardware offering is far from exemplary. Once you've counted up the VGA, DVI and HDMI ports and the headphone jack, there's not much else to say. Bizarrely, when you tilt the display back just a few degrees, a component seems to push against the back of the panel, and its outline is highlighted by a lighter zone on screen, a bit like when you press an LCD screen with your finger. As a result, we suggest you're very careful when handling the E2381V. The same is true of the menu: touch-sensitive controls are a good idea in theory, but the glossy finish means anybody can see you've been using them because of the greasy fingerprints you'll leave behind. It's also worth pointing out that all of the connectors are down in the base and that there's a separate power block: that's how LG managed to get the frame down to under 12 mm. Using the default settings, the E2381V doesn't do a good enough job of reproducing colours.