NEC Debuts Budget P221W Pro Color LCD

NEC's new P221W 22-inch LCD display may not carry gamer specs, but it covers 96 percent of the AdobeRGB color space without breaking the budget.

When typical computer users—and especially gamers—look for a new LCD monitor, they want to maximize certain specifications like response time, brightness, and contrast, without breaking the bank. NEC’s new MultiSync P221W takes the opposite approach: it doesn’t offer gamer-friendly specs, but it is capable of displaying 96 percent of the AdobeRGB color gamut at a price that won’t put color professionals into bankruptcy court. The monitor represents the first member of a new P-series of MultiSync monitors from NEC.

“Built upon the success of the 90 Series displays, the new MultiSync P Series has features specifically designed for the professional graphics user,” said NEC Display Solutions product manager Stan Swiderski, in a statement.

The P211W offers a 1,680 by 1,050 resolution, a 1,00:1 contrast ratio, 16ms response time, a 178° viewing angle, and 200cd/m² of brightness. The display also offers an AmbiBright sensor for automatic brightness adjustment, DVD-D and VGA inputs, and a power-saving mode that brings the monitor down to just 2 Watts of power consumption. The unit also sports a four-way tilt stand and VESA mounting capability.

The P221W should be on sale in December for an estimated street price of $636.90. A separate SpectraView color calibration kid will be available at the same time for a suggested price of $347.99. Although the monitor may not make gamers drool, for folks who work with professional color, the unit could represent a bargain.