In the IT world, a monitor is an essential part of each home office. Some tasks require working with multiple windows simultaneously, and in these cases, every pixel matters. I have been using the old Asus VZ279HE for ages, but a year ago I decided to upgrade and buy a new Samsung Smart Monitor M7. Affordable monitor with 4K resolution and smart features, which overall fits my needs very well, but there are some drawbacks that you should know about.
Samsung Smart Monitor M7 review
The Samsung Smart Monitor M7 is a 4K monitor, available in 27 and 32-inch screen sizes. The 32-inch screen is the version that I would suggest because this screen is big enough for multitasking. Brightness range is also designed for primary usage in offices due to the good handling of reflections. For the HDR, unfortunately, the brightness peak is limited. Overall, it is a great monitor for office work, software development, content creation, and so on because of the combination of a large screen that delivers detailed and sharp images.
Interface
I have reservations about eye care modes, which are not very usable due to the impossibility of their customization. The UI of the control panel can be disruptive if you are working on something and just need to make some small corrections. Simply adding brightness can be an operation that will take several clicks via the navigation menu.
Features and connectivity
The built-in smart platform Tizen developed by Samsung, is a great enhancement, making this monitor an ideal choice if you want to have both a small TV and monitor in one device. Media consumption is quite easy, as you don’t need a PC. You can just open one of the provided apps and start watching. Very handy is, in this case, the use of a remote control instead of a joystick.
To be honest, I am not a fan of joysticks for control that are hidden somewhere in the back of the monitor, and you need to wriggle your fingers for a minute to set something up. The monitor can be used as a hub, as it contains USB ports for your keyboard or mouse, for example. It also offers the possibility of docking your devices. It is worth noticing, that the display port is missing on this device.
Controls
The remote control makes navigation through the options menu and the Tizen smart interface quite easy. It contains some quick-access buttons for predefined streaming services, and also a microphone that can be used with Alexa and Bixby assistants. The monitor itself also has a built-in internal microphone that can be used for voice control. Especially handy is the usage of the remote when you use the device as a small TV while watching a movie while lying in bed. Speaker quality is also acceptable for a monitor in this price range.
Not the best pick for gaming usage due to the basic 60Hz refresh rate, and lack of support for gaming-oriented features which make fast motions blurry. All the parameters can be checked on the official product site.
Design
The design of the Samsung M7 is quite simple and straightforward, with a black or white body and a basic stand. The stand is, based on my point of view, too small for the size of the 32-inch monitor and, in some cases, doesn’t provide the desired stability. For monitors of these dimensions, using a longer stand would be better. Disadvantages include the lack of possibility for rotation adjustments.
Samsung Smart Monitor M7 pros & cons
PROS
- Sharp image
- 4K resolution
- Large 32-inch screen
- Brightness range
- Extra features
- Built-in smart Tizen platform
- Remote control
- Pricetag
CONS
- Narrow viewing angles
- Design + stand
Conclusion
Overall, the Samsung Smart Monitor M7 is a great pick if you expect a sharp 4K image in a smart monitor that can also represent a small TV. The big 32-inch screen can easily handle more windows open simultaneously, and the brightness range will suit the majority of home office environments. All this is packaged in a device with a reasonable price. If you are interested in some price discount, check those coupons. The drawbacks of the monitor aren’t big if we are considering office work or media consumption. After a year of service, I didn’t have any noticeable problems with this machine, so the M7 is worth it.
Are you interested in other home office equipment reviews? Check out the similar articles on our site. See you there!
