The new Samsung 2343BWX display works great [Archive]

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k9jri

Nov 16, 2008, 10:30 AM

Samsung's new 2343BWX, 2048 x 1152 display works absolutely perfectly with my 2.4 gHz. MacBook using Apple's Mini DisplayPort adapter and the included DVI cable.

Very bright, good color and good off axis viewing. I was worried that the 2048 X 1152 would not work when Samsung warned that some video cards would not provide the maximum resolution as dual link DVI might be required.

This is a brand new monitor and locally (Indianapolis) COSTCO appears the only place that has tem available.

Mike

dolphin842

Nov 17, 2008, 01:13 AM

So did you have to use the dual-link adapter, or did the single-link one work fine?

Also, how much was the monitor? Some sites report that it could be released in other stores for as low as $299.

Finally, how does the GUI look? Is the text too small? The pixel density is pretty big for a monitor that size.

k9jri

Nov 17, 2008, 08:41 AM

The standard $29 Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter is what I have. It worked perfectly.

The price was $329.99 but if the price drops getting the difference returned will not be an issue with Costco.

The pixels per inch are actually 4% less than on my 13" MacBook so everything is actually displayed 4% larger on the new screen. When you drag a page from one display to the other the Samsung's image is slightly larger, noticeably clearer, brighter and better color accuracy than the MacBook's internal display.

All considered I am quite pleased with the display for the price.

dolphin842

Nov 17, 2008, 09:44 AM

Very cool, thanks for the update. I'll be keeping an eye on this model :).

MacMur

Nov 21, 2008, 12:40 AM

Just curious, have you used the usb connections on the monitor? I was going to get a LED Cinema Display but maybe this will possibly fill the bill for what I need and cost an arm and a leg less. Any thoughts

k9jri

Nov 21, 2008, 10:53 AM

The Samsung 2343BWX does not have a built in USB hub. The only connection between the MacBook and the 2343BWX is the Apple MiniDisplayport to DVI adapter and the DVI to DVI cable included with the monitor.

chriscamp

Nov 21, 2008, 04:17 PM

I gave up waiting for the LED cinema display (and reconsidered spending $999 Canadian for a monitor) and bought the Samsung 2343 BW and am very happy with it. The tighter pixel density of the 2048x1152 resolution in a 23"display is a perfect compliment to the new MBP - text is not too small yet everything is crisp and clear. Viewing angles and color (after calibration with an eye-one unit) are very good. Brightness is eyeball-melting if turned right up.

I am not really a gamer but if you like to boot into windows to play a few games this monitor may not be for you - it does not have 1:1 pixel mapping and games do not support the odd resolution so there will always be some stretching of the output. When I tested the monitor at the store the windows systems they had set up could not even identify the resolution (not sure if a driver or what is required - I have not tested it in boot camp).

For my needs it it working out great - and the $299 cdn price tag (on sale) made it even more attractive. Chris

Edit - forgot to mention the stand the 2343bw comes with is very basic/horrible - fixes monitor only 4 inches off desk. Not sure if the BWX model fixes this - the international version of the BW model shows it coming with a proper height adjustable stand. I will be hunting for a decent replacement stand or arm...

k9jri

Nov 21, 2008, 06:17 PM

Mine is the 2343BWX and it has the fixed heigth stand. In may application it is fine but adjustment would be a plus. I would like to be able to spin it vertically as ut look great in portrait mode.

- Mike

chandsa

Feb 11, 2009, 05:33 PM

The standard $29 Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter is what I have. It worked perfectly.

So were you able to take full advantage of the 2048 x 1152 screen resolution? The 13.3" MB has an integrated graphics card, at least mine does and i'm wondering if this limitation in the MB will prevent me from making full use of the 2048 x 1152 resolution. I am unsure if these MB's come with dedicated nVidia graphics cards, though I have seen some for sale on eBay.

Thank you!

KnightWRX

Feb 15, 2009, 09:26 AM

I just bought a 2343BW and I can use the 2048x1152 with no problems at all, on a 13.3" Macbook.

chandsa

Feb 16, 2009, 09:17 AM

I just bought a 2343BW and I can use the 2048x1152 with no problems at all, on a 13.3" Macbook.

Thanks for your response KnightWRX!

Sesshi

Feb 16, 2009, 09:50 AM

How high does it go? (bottom of screen <--> desk surface)

KnightWRX

Feb 16, 2009, 02:29 PM

Mine isn't height adjustable. I'm not home right now, but it's about 3" off the desk. With my Macbook on the mStand, the Macbook's screen is about a half inch lower than the top of the monitor.

Benguitar

Feb 16, 2009, 02:51 PM

That is great to hear! :)

I am currently using a "HANNS-G" widescreen display set at 1440 x 900.

It is working great as well!

Tom B.

Feb 17, 2009, 09:10 PM

I just bought a 2343BW and I can use the 2048x1152 with no problems at all, on a 13.3" Macbook.
Thanks for your response KnightWRX!

Unfortunately MacBooks with the GMA 950 or GMA X3100 do not support this resolution.

KnightWRX

Feb 17, 2009, 09:11 PM

Unfortunately MacBooks with the GMA 950 or GMA X3100 do not support this resolution.

My GF has a white macbook with a GMA X3100 and can use the monitor at 2048x1152. Where did you get your info ?

Tom B.

Feb 17, 2009, 09:12 PM

My GF has a white macbook with a GMA X3100 and can use the monitor at 2048x1152. Where did you get your info ?

Sorry, forget I said anything. :o

However according to Apple; "The maximum resolution supported on an external display is 1920x1200". I assumed that anything wider than 1920 pixels would not be supported.

But if it does work I may buy one myself.

bryan1884

Feb 17, 2009, 09:40 PM

chandsa

Feb 19, 2009, 11:56 AM

i just picked up a refurb for 170 for legend micro here is a link (http://www.legendmicro.com/store/6824_Samsung-2343BWX-23in-Black-LCD-Monitor-2343BWX.lmsp?RID=23) if anyone is interested. Looking forward to trying it out!

Their website mentions that this unit has a height adjustable stand while many of the other reviewers have mentioned that the stand is not height adjustable. :confused: Does this unit come in two different models where one has the height adjustable stand and one doesn't? A little confusing here.

bryan1884

Feb 19, 2009, 01:25 PM

Their website mentions that this unit has a height adjustable stand while many of the other reviewers have mentioned that the stand is not height adjustable. :confused: Does this unit come in two different models where one has the height adjustable stand and one doesn't? A little confusing here.

Hmmm I don't know I will have to let you know which stand type I receive when it gets here.

bryan1884

Feb 25, 2009, 10:10 PM

the stand type i receive does swivel but does not adjust height. However it is a great looking monitor. I was lucky enough to get one with no dead pixels or anything. However, im not sure if I like using an external monitor...i dont like having to resize all my windows when I just use the mbp after using it with the monitor. This one may be going on ebay soon...

chandsa

Feb 26, 2009, 04:31 PM

bryan1884

Feb 26, 2009, 11:02 PM

Are you putting it on eBay just because of having to re-size the windows? How much are you asking for it :)

yeah i dont know i think it may be to big for me. Ill sell it for what i got it for 199 shipping included, it guarentees no dead pixels and all.

playalistic

Feb 27, 2009, 12:15 PM

I have the LED cinema display but I'm interested in seeing one of these in the flesh so to speak. Can someone take a few snaps and post them up here pleeeeez?!

JohnnyMac1

Mar 25, 2009, 12:51 PM

Has anyone used this monitor with a mac pro??
I'm looking for something to get Me by until I see what the new 30" apple looks like.

wil87

Mar 31, 2009, 01:53 PM

Hi,
I use a 17" Mac Book Pro and it works perfectly with the 2343BWX.
Calibrated it.
Extremely happy with the results.
Ran a little HD movie stuff from iTunes. Monitor VERY SHARP.
Text is great.
joel

uchunkim

Apr 8, 2009, 12:06 AM

i have old macbook 2.0gHz- intel core2duo, and integrated video card (GMA 950)-64MB. anyone know if my macbook will work with samsung 2343BWX with highest resolution?

errepi

Oct 15, 2009, 09:34 PM

Hi there,

new to forum here...

I have a question on this monitor: what is the maximum refresh rate the monitor supports at the 2048x1152 resolution? and at 1920X1080?

Can the monitor support 75 Hertz at these resolutions?

I have a mid-2009 13" Macbook Pro and from what I read here http://support.apple.com/kb/SP541 it "simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors".

I'm really looking into good options for a 23" monitor, but I don't want to buy one that only supports 60Hz at that resolution.

Thanks!

mikegatti

Oct 16, 2009, 02:40 PM

Bought my Samsung 2343BWX at microcenter today for $199 to use with my MacBook Pro 17" (GeForce 8600M GT)
Monitor works great at max resolution "2048x1152, 60Hz (NTSC Television)" (as it displays on the drop down menu when I click the monitor icon on the Menu Bar). Image is bright and colors are crisp (running mine configured with Dynamic Contrast). Stand rotates and pivots up/down, no hight adjustment. Will be using monitor for work (mainly terminal windows open) and for that it provides plenty of work space. Overall I would rate it a 8.5/10, would definitely recommend.

patrickmacrumor

Jan 1, 2010, 08:59 AM

Apple specs says that the maximum resolution 2048x1152 is not supported on MacBooks with the X3100 video adapter. I just bought this monitor which was on sale without checking this information before. Has anyone use this monitor at its maximum resolution on a MacBook with the X3100 video adapter?

Thanks.

peskaa

Jan 1, 2010, 11:16 AM

spank2223

Jan 4, 2010, 01:47 PM

i am going to buy this monitor tonight. I am uncertain if it has vesa mounting on the back. Can anyone confirm. The price of 189 is hard to pass up.

Tom B.

Jan 4, 2010, 02:11 PM

I am going to buy this monitor tonight. I am uncertain if it has vesa mounting on the back. Can anyone confirm. The price of 189 is hard to pass up.

According to multiple sources (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&client=safari&rls=en&num=100&q=2343BWX+vesa+100&aq=f&oq=&aqi=), it has VESA 100mm mounting.

And to anyone still unsure, I use it with my GMA X3100 MacBook at 2048x1152 in clamshell mode and it works perfectly. I can even play 1080p videos smoothly.