After working my proverbial off all summer to buy myself a new computer that I would build from scratch, I was looking for the best (within a reasonable price range) and I think I found it.
The VM Pro 451 was a very daunting product as it was delivered - the box is huge! But after flexing my muscles I finally got it out. To get it up and running simply required me to plug the monitor cable into one of the slots on the monitor (It has two so you can attach two computers. I could only afford one!), and into my computer. Of course I had to plug it in too... But that was that - when I turned my computer on it worked straight away.
To connect the USB hub there is a USB to USB cable provided to plug into the back of your computer. This is a great feature - I hate having to reach over to the back of my computer to plug stuff in. Similarly for the speakers - you just plug the provided cable into your computer and monitor. But the speakers aren't great. Not for me anyway, I listen to a lot of music and it kills it. But they're fine for just your bleeps and warnings etc.
As for the resolutions - my graphics card only supports up to 1600x1200, but 1280x1024 is perfect. Gives loads of space for your desktop and hasn't ever flickered on me yet. At 1600x1200 though, it appears to flicker if you open something like Notepad with lots of white pixels. The monitor itself supports up to 1800x1440 flicker free.
All in all, a great monitor. The two dark lines are barely noticable in normal use - it took me a few days using it to actually notice that they appeared, and 1280x1024 is enough for anyone. Games/DVDs etc look fantastic on this monitor. Definitely recommended.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: Best resolutions. Best refresh rates. Stylish. Light weight. Long lasting. Big 19" display, small case Disadvantages: Expensive. Trinitron (2 dark lines 1/3 & 2/3 down screen). No installation disk (Files on Internet). Blurry at far corners at highest resolutions
Advantages: Best resolutions. Best refresh rates. Stylish. Light weight. Long lasting. Big 19" display, small case Disadvantages: Expensive. Trinitron (2 dark lines 1/3 & 2/3 down screen). No installation disk (Files on Internet). Blurry at far corners at highest resolutions