Acer S241HL: Affordable Ultra-Thin Monitor
This in-depth Acer S241HL review is focused on the pros and cons of a 24-inch LCD monitor. This model is a good option for both home and office due to the Acer eColor technology that allows adjusting the display settings for different types of content (text, media, movies, etc.).
Dimensions
The S241HL is a mid-sized monitor, having 22.2 x 6.5 x 15.8 inches in size. The weight of the whole unit along with the stand equals 7.6 pounds. The aspect ratio is 16:9.
Features
The Acer S241HL specs include standard features, making this model inexpensive. For example, the average refresh rate of 60Hz and 5ms response time allow cutting the item's price. However, you are unlikely to notice any obvious ghosting or blurring when watching action movies or playing games. This is thanks to the Twisted Nematic panel. This technology doesn't work as good as the others (VA or IPS) when it comes to color reproduction, but it's one of the best choices for the fast-moving content that appeals to sports fans and gamers.
The Acer S241HL has 250 nits of brightness, which is rather impressive as for a TN model. The screen has an anti-glare coating and stays bright in daylight. The monitor shows a clear picture without faded colors thanks to the Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution. In addition to being energy-efficient, the WLED backlight adds brightness to the overall picture and makes both static and dynamic types of content look good. At default settings, the monitor consumes around 19.8W of power, which is pretty low as for a 24-inch monitor.
The connection options are wide: there are HDMI, DVI, D-SUB ports, and an audio jack for 3.5mm headphones. The monitor comes with all the necessary accessories to start using it immediately, i.e. the Acer S241HL driver, DVI cable, and AC adapter. However, you will need a screwdriver to put the stand together.
The monitor is equipped with a pair of 1W speakers. You probably won't use such weak speakers with your PC permanently, but it's still a useful feature to have.
Design
The monitor design is strict: it has an all-black case and a minimalist, round-shaped stand. The stand has a glossy finish and does a great job in providing a sturdy base to the monitor, allowing a user to adjust it from 15° up to 5° down. The bezels are quite noticeable and can't be considered thin.
The unit has a slim profile and the stand takes very little space on the desktop, so the monitor is suitable for placement in the space-limited areas of your home or office. You can also mount it on the wall, using the 100 x 100 VESA.
The onboard user controls are located under the bottom bezel, right beneath the power LED indicator. They are quite standard: power switch, arrow buttons to toggle between the OSD options, menu, auto adjustment, and empowering button that allows accessing the scenario modes.
Conclusion
On a final note, I can say that the Acer S241HL bmid 24-inch screen LED-lit monitor is quite a basic model, equipped with a simple TN panel that shows a clear picture with average brightness. It can also be considered as a good power-saving model thanks to the WLED backlight technology. The monitor with such specs is not designed to impress, but it's definitely on the same line with the good ones. Thus, the S241HL gives you the basic features and a decent experience for a pleasant price.
