Samsung's new 24-inch S24A850D and 27-inch S27A850D are the first monitors to utilize Samsung's new PLS (Plane to Line switching) panel that boasts the same characteristics as the IPS panel technology.

Picture quality; Better coating than most IPS panels; Ergonomic adjustability; High resolution; Viewing angles; Low power consumption

Out-of-box settings; Lacks HDMI; Black depth; Some clouding; Color gamut not accurate

Samsung is no stranger to the LCD market. They make LCD panels that set the bar for others to follow and in fact are the ones making the displays for Apple's new iPad. They know how to cram a bunch of pixels onto a panel and the screen we are looking at today has quite a few.

High resolution - 2560x1440; 3x USB 3.0 Ports; Lots of height adjustment; Display can rotate; Multiple inputs; Good color quality

Pros; Construction feels a little cheap; No Display Port Cable; Premium price for the extra resolution

By: Michael Phrakaysone Enter any specialized business facility focused on graphical or video content and you will realize that their displays are not ones consumers would typically use at home. They are not ones you would find at your local Wal-Mart because monitors vary for specific purpose.

The Samsung SA850 monitor is in a class that is slightly above what the day to day computer user will need but will integrate nicely into a home environment if the advanced features are needed.

IPS (In-Plane Switching) technology has remained relatively unchallenged at the ‘high end' of the monitor market and has also penetrated into slightly lower-end consumer models in the form of ‘E-IPS'.

Colours are rich; deep and varied with good consistency; Excellent high-end brightness; good luminance range and quite pleasing white purity; Low haze screen surface handles glare well without profoundly upsetting colour vibrancy or image clarity and is probably the best ‘compromise' we've seen...

Some colours appear too deep and oversaturated; No hardware-based support for 2.2 gamma standard and a high luminance required to prevent many colours becoming ‘lifeless; A light haze and mild diffusion leads to slightly inferior clarity and vibrancy compared to a glossy screen surface – you can't...

Samsung's SyncMaster S27A850D is the first of a new breed. It shares the same 2,560 x 1,440 pixel resolution as many high-end 27in monitors, but the panel technology is new: Samsung's latest marks the debut of its own Plane-to-Line Switching, or PLS, panel technology.

We don't normally review monitors that cost over ￡500, but Samsung's S27A850D is no ordinary monitor; as well as an impressive features list - a 2,560x1,440 resolution, fully-adjustable stand and three-way USB3 hub - it's the first monitor we've seen using Samsung's new Plane-to-Line Switching (PLS)...

Samsung's SyncMaster S27A850T is an incredibly pretty, thin monitor, which proves that PLS is a viable IPS alternative. We did find some banding in gradients, and the HDMI movie performance isn't great, but for beautiful sharp imagery and high-level computer use, it's incredibly appealing.

PLS proves itself as a viable alternative to IPS; Incredibly thin; Good blacks; Power-saving features; Energy frugal; Incredible height adjustment; Allows 90-degree vertical rotation

Pricey compared to the competition; Some banding and discolouration in gradients; HDMI port doesn't cope well with interlaced content or judder

The Samsung Series 8 (S27A850T) is a 27in LED edge-lit LCD monitor using Samsung's proprietary PLS panel tech. This monitor may be expensive at $1099, but its image quality is impressive.

Good detail at native resolution; Excellent viewing angles; High quality AG coating

Expensive; Wobbly pivot hinge; No analog audio input

An ultra-slim LED monitor boasting Samsung's PLS panel technology.