Mac Format

Samsung Space Monitor S27R750Q

A display that helps reclaim valuable desk space

- ROB MEAD-GREEN

You can push the screen out of the way when you don’t need it

£359 FROM Samsung, samsung.co.uk FEATURES 27in WQHD (2560x1440 pixel) LCD VA display, 250cd/m2 brightness, 100% sRGB, 4ms response time, 1x HDMI 2.0 port, 1x mini-DisplayPor­t

Space is often at a premium when we’re sitting at our desks. It’s all a bit of squeeze. And if you have an external display on your desk too… Oh boy.

Looking to help solve that problem is Samsung’s Space

Monitor, an LCD panel available in either 27in or 32in guises (we’re testing the 27in version here), which sits on a heightadju­stable stand (0-213.9mm) that simply clamps to the edge of your desk. This stand enables you to push the screen back out of the way when you don’t need it and lower it into place when you do – it’s also been designed so that the Space Monitor can fold flat against a wall. The amount of space this frees up is mind-boggling. A great idea done well. Only…

Some limitation­s

The Space Monitor’s stand has two main drawbacks. First, the clamp. It’s a chunky G-clamp-like thing that, while substantia­l enough to hold the display (and its stand) firmly in place, also requires a fairly wide desk/table lip on which to sit. Second, the stand’s adjustable arm can only be moved in a vertical plane. That enables you to raise/ lower the monitor into the perfect viewing position, but you can’t swivel it from side to side. Luckily, the screen’s sheer size ensures that this isn’t much of an issue, it’s just not quite as flexible as you might hope.

As for the Space Monitor itself, it’s a rather plain-looking black rectangle with narrow bezels, square edges and a very limited port selection out back: just a single HDMI port and a mini-DisplayPor­t, plus a single service-only USB-A port. There are no other USB ports of any kind, so you can’t use it as a hub. There are no built-in speakers either. At least the supplied combined HDMI/power cable can be slotted neatly in the groove running down the back of the supporting arm, keeping things tidy. Slots on the back of the screen enable it to drop on to the stand single-handed before securing it with the four supplied screws.

The Space Monitor’s specificat­ions are fairly basic. In 27in guise, you get a WQHD (2560x1440 resolution) VA panel, offering 250cd/m2 brightness and 100% RGB, but that’s it – you won’t find HDR support or a wide colour gamut here. It’s an everyday display, not a designer’s dream.

Setup and calibratio­n is straightfo­rward, with an easily accessible joystick on the back for accessing the menus, which include Game and Eco modes. Even at the default settings, the monitor looks great with reasonable black level detail, vibrant colours, a fast 144Hz refresh rate and 4ms response time – perfect for work, movie viewing and even gaming. The only slight flaws are a little light leakage at the very edges of each corner.

 ??  ?? The clamp and heightadju­stable stand help to keep the display out of the way.
The clamp and heightadju­stable stand help to keep the display out of the way.

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