As far as I can tell from the brief look, NEC 2690 does look like very nice! and as I already mentioned before, it does keep the 90 series legacy - evolved into the 26" bezel and LG-Philips LM260WU1 panel. Specifically, that legacy includes:
Quote:
ColorComp?
This uniformity compensation and correction system aims to reduce any screen uniformity errors to almost unnoticeable levels. ColorComp works by applying a digital correction to each pixel on the screen to compensate for differences in color and luminance. Each display is individually characterized during production using a fully automated system which measures hundreds of points across the screen at different gray levels. These measurements are used to build a three-dimensional correction matrix for the display screen which is then stored inside the display. This data is used to compensate for the screen uniformity, not only as a function of position on the display screen, but also as a function of gray level. If desired, the ColorComp correction can be turned off in order to maximize the screen brightness.
http://www.necdisplay.com/products/...e/colorcomp.htm
Quote:
Internal 12-bit lookup table (LUT)
A 12-bit gamma lookup table (LUT), which allows MultiSync 90 Series monitors to display 16.7 million colors out of a palette of 68.5 billion, provides for more finely detailed, high-definition rendering of color images and crisper display of even the most delicate shadings and color differences.
http://www.necdisplay.com/products/...ormance/LUT.htm
Quote:
Gamma selection
Gamma can be set by using preset values (including S-Curve and DICOM GSDF) or creating a custom setting from 0.5 to 4.0 in increments of 0.1, providing an ideal setting for video or other applications.
http://www.necdisplay.com/products/...yMgmt/gamma.htm
I always liked the thin bezel of the 90 series, and 2690 bezel does look great and for someone interested in video walls, monitor stacking or dual screens:
http://www.necdisplay.com/products/...matrix_comp.htm
... such design could help, no doubt.
If you combine all of this from the above (and that means really really great colours) with low & much more improved response time (at least I hope that overdrive is properly controlled), increased 92% of the colour, 26" screen estate and great design - you have really superb all around screen, perfectly capable for any task - ranging from gaming to critical colour work.
Also, if we are talking about price, we have to be realistic. This monitor is expensive simply because it delivers expensive technology - and that always come with the price. You are paying for the NEC brand too (and that includes great after-sales support, at least in the UK). In that sense, price bracket, especially for this model, is quite realistic imho. Yes, you may downgrade to 24" and pay less for cheaper brands (BenQ, Dell ... etc), but I think that this usually comes with the PQ consequence. On the other hand, upgrade to Dell 30" or HP 30" is possible ... but this may bring another problems (dual DVI link + enormously expensive PC to drive such monitors in native resolutions). For me, 30" is simply huge & overwhelming option for PC (desktop) usage. It's really on the TV edge.
Interestingly enough, 2690 is the first 26" size panel - it's not everyday sight and question is: "is this panel size proper middle ground between the 24" and 30"? - especially because you are still keeping the 1920x1200 resolution and that means less costs for the upgrade no particular stress to the GPU. On the other hand, I'm slightly worried that keeping the same 24" resolution and adding the 2" more will introduce the chunky pixels (and screen door) - but we can't tell for sure until first hand experience.
Well ... on the second thought - I really could ask NEC to send me one sample for early review on TFTcentral
travbomb, are there any last minute spec changes ? I guess that DFC (digital fine contrast) is not included and that would leave us with LM260WU1 - dynamic contrast. Also, is there any chance that 2690 integrated the "OverDrive Off" feature ? As I predicted, OptiClear is not option on this model. If you still have that 2690 sample with you, I guess that you are still our reliable source for such information.