Question 1

dose this monitor take a vga input?

Accepted Answer

You will need a Displayport to VGA or D-DVI to VGA adapter.

Question 2

Can this monitor run at a lower resolution than the 2560X1440?

Accepted Answer

Yes, this monitor can run at reduced resolutions. I have an application that was created at a much lower resolution (an old automobile service manual). It runs just fine. However, low resolution digital images (for example 600x800) displayed at 100% will be fuzzy. They need to be shrunk down so that their 600x800 pixel pattern occupies 600x800 pixels on the screen at which point they appear very crisp or sharp. ParaView, a post-processing program for fluid, thermal, and/or structural simulations that I use at the recommended screen resolution of 2560x1440 produces exquisite images on these monitors.

Question 3

Will this monitor will work with my Lenovo ThinkPad 420?

According to Lenovo,

Maximum external resolution: 
2560x1600 (DisplayPort)@60Hz; 
2048x1536 (VGA)@75Hz; 
1920x1200@60Hz (single-link DVI-D via cable 45J7915

The ThinkPad comes with built-in Intel video (HD Graphics 3000), and I don't believe it is possible to add a separate video card.

Thanks in advance!

Accepted Answer

Yes, with the DisplayPort connection (2560 x 1440).
I have three of these monitors. I love them. I use all three of them connected to one computer, while two of them are simultaneously connected to another computer (via dual-link DVI).

Question 4

Can you use this monitor as a second monitor with an IMac connecting through the through the IMac Thunderbolt connector? One user said returned because no driver for IMac available. "Unfortunately, I found that Samsung (probably by design) does not supply a Mac-compatible driver for it."

Accepted Answer

Greetings Shopper,

I have two Samsung S27A850 monitors connected via display port cables to an Nvidia FX4800 graphics card in a Sun Ultra 27 workstation running under 64-bit MS Windows 7. They work fine; sharpest, brightest monitors I have owned to date. However, as much as I admire the Apple's computer offerings, I have no idea
of what is possible in having a dual display driven by Apple hardware.

I do know that "all" of the 1.5 GB of graphics memory on the Nvidia FX4800 is required to support two of these monitors each at their native, optimal resolution.  Nvidia does offer an FX4800 for "the Mac."

Question 5

I have a laptop with HDMI only connection. I have an hdmi to dvi cable. If I buy this screen will it work with my laptop?

Thank you

Accepted Answer

I tested this with a Mac mini (ca. 2010) with an HDMI output. I sent the video signal through an HDMI-DVI converter and things worked apparently just as well as with my normal mini-display port -> DVI connector.
Hope this helps.

Question 6

Does this monitor have a 100 MM Mount?

Accepted Answer

Yes this model has the 100x100mm mounting space.

Question 7

what video connection cables comes with monitor?

Accepted Answer

This model comes with the DVI cable and VGA cable.

Question 8

Is there a height/pivot/swivel/tilt stand available for this monitor?

Would I be able to use the stands from my old SyncMaster 2443's with this monitor?

Accepted Answer

The stand that comes with this model has height, pivot, swivel, and tilt built in. Seems to work just fine on the two that I have, although I can't say I've moved them since I unboxed them and positioned them on my desk a few months ago.

I doubt the old stands would work and I'm not sure why I would try. I happen to have a 2443 as my third monitor and I never considered using its stand on these. The ones the SA850 come with seem to be quite serviceable.

Question 9

Is this monitor new?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the D is the latest model of the 850. I use this monitor for work (Signmaking/ 3d rendering) and gaming. Everything about this monitor is quality. I would recommend this monitor.

Question 10

Why are there 2 DVI inputs? Is 1 and output for daisy-chaining?

Accepted Answer

No, there are just two dvi inputs that allow more than one computer to hook up to it. There are times when you might want to hook up another computer (home server possibly) that you only need to see it's screen occasionally.  Then you can switch the input from one machine to the other by changing which port you are going to get the video from.

Dual link dvi is needed to drive the resolution, so I can't imagine being able to push two of the screens over one cable.

Questions & Answers