Televisions and monitors are often used interchangeably because of their similar hardware, but it’s not often that you come across a product that can do the same thing for both productivity and entertainment with the same capability. Monitor’s design and core specifications are often focused on productivity, being bright, sharp, and with high-resolution but moderately sized panels. However, Samsung’s new ‘smart’ monitor appears to be equally intuitive if you want to watch some Netflix after doing your work for the day.
Officially priced at Rs. 33,499 in India, Samsung 32-inch Ultra-HD Smart Monitor M7 It’s called a ‘do-it-all’ screen by the company. As the name suggests, this is a 32-inch productivity-focused monitor for work with an Ultra-HD (3840×2160-pixel) LED HDR panel, plus smart functionality that means you can use it as a television as well. can do. This could be perfect for anyone with very limited space who wants a unit that can comfortably function as a monitor as well as a smart TV. Is this the most versatile 32-inch monitor you can buy right now? Find out in this review.
Samsung Smart Monitor M7 sports a 32-inch Ultra-HD screen with 16:9 aspect ratio
Samsung 32-inch Ultra-HD Smart Monitor M7 (LS32AM700UW) Design and Specifications
Although there are plenty of Ultra-HD monitors around a 32-inch screen size, TVs of this size are extremely unusual with this resolution. Naturally, this is due to the need for sharpness and accuracy with a monitor you’ll be sitting much closer to than a TV. The Samsung 32-inch M7 monitor is primarily intended for use with a computer, but its features and specifications make it suitable for working as a television as well.
The Samsung 32-inch M7 monitor features an Ultra-HD (3840×2160-pixel) vertical alignment (VA) LED-backlit LCD screen with the 16:9 ratio seen on practically every modern television. The screen has a typical brightness level of around 250 nits, a maximum refresh rate of 60 Hz, a response time of 8ms, and support for High Dynamic Range content up to HDR10 format. These specifications are generally not suitable for enthusiast-level gaming; The monitor is used for everyday productivity, as a large screen to replace or complement the smaller screen on your laptop. Of course, the resolution and HDR support also make it suitable for occasional TV use.
When it comes to design, the Samsung 32-inch M7 monitor is simple and discreet, keeping the focus on the screen. It has thin borders around it, a small Samsung logo on the bottom, a slim profile, and just a few ports and inputs at the back. For connectivity, the Samsung M7 monitor has Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2. There are two HDMI 2.0 inputs (one supports ARC); a built-in USB 2.0 hub with two Type-A ports (and another for service functions); a USB Type-C port; and a power inlet for the included power cable.
USB Type-C connectivity is particularly interesting and versatile here, as it allows for up to 65W of power, data, and a display signal. You can use the monitor to power a laptop or smartphone using the port with the correct cable. The USB Type-A port can be used to power devices, and can also be used to play content from a storage device to a TV.
A remote is included with the Samsung M7 monitor, which is essential for controlling the smart interface and other functions
The sale package includes a center-mounted stand that elevates the screen of the Samsung M7 monitor by about 10 cm. Although the monitor rests firmly with the stand, I noticed it vibrated a bit because of my ceiling fan. It wasn’t bothersome to me, but the constant slight movement can be a problem for many. You can also wall-mount the monitor, but the wall-mount kit is not included in the box.
The Samsung M7 Smart Monitor with Attached Stand weighs in at 6.5kg. Box includes 1.5m power cable, HDMI cable and remote. Since it’s meant to be used as a TV as well, the Samsung M7 monitor has speakers built in, though output isn’t mentioned and none of the major audio formats are directly supported by the UI.
Samsung 32-inch Ultra-HD Smart Monitor M7 (LS32AM700UW) Features & Software
As the name suggests, the Samsung 32-inch Ultra-HD Smart Monitor M7 is a ‘smart’ screen, with its own software interface and access to apps. The monitor runs on Samsung’s Tizen operating system, which provides access to many apps and games, including major streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, Apple TV, and many others focused on Indian language content. When not in use as a screen for your computer, the monitor can double as a capable Smart TV.
Of course, you can just stream media and content from a connected computer, but smart connectivity combines versatility and ease of use; Just kick back at the end of the work day and use it with the remote, just like you would a television.
Other key features include mobile connectivity options such as Apple AirPlay 2, Samsung’s Wireless DeX for use with your smartphone and tablet, and the Office 365 app when used with an active subscription. If you only use Office apps, cloud storage, and a web browser, you don’t even need to connect the PC to the Samsung M7 monitor; It can be used as a terminal for your work. That said, such use cases will be limited and specific, as you will likely have your own computer as well.
The most popular streaming services have apps available for the Samsung M7 monitor, including Netflix and Amazon Prime Video
The monitor has Bixby and Google Assistant support. There’s also auto source switching, which switches to a newly connected device when plugged in. Google Assistant worked well on the monitor, with the same functionality I’ve seen on most smart TVs.
AirPlay on the Samsung M7 monitor was particularly useful for me, as I was able to use it to wirelessly mirror my MacBook Air’s screen and quickly view content on the M7 monitor while using it. iphone 12 mini (Review) as the controller. The feature worked well for me, activated within seconds and there was no drop-off or instability in the connection.
Usefully, the Samsung M7 monitor includes a remote, with which you can control every aspect of the device. The remote has a D-pad for navigation, voice assistant, navigation and playback buttons, volume and channel controls, and a microphone button for implementing hotkeys for Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and web browsers. All apps natively support Ultra-HD HDR10 content, and support for AirPlay 2 means you can connect to Apple devices wirelessly.
Samsung 32-inch Ultra-HD Smart Monitor M7 (LS32AM700UW) Display
Most monitors use HDMI for connectivity to source devices, and you can actually use any monitor as a television simply by plugging it into a streaming device or set-top box. However, thanks to its embedded operating system and the ability to function as a standalone device with independent Internet connectivity, the Samsung M7 is perfectly suited for use as a 32-inch television after working hours.
I installed the Samsung M7 on my home work desk, to be used primarily as a computer monitor for this review. It was located about 1 meter away from me and directly behind my MacBook Air. For connectivity, I used an HDMI-to-mini DisplayPort cable most of the time, but I occasionally used AirPlay.
I had the display optimized for use as a monitor; Due to the limitations of both the AirPlay 1 and Mini DisplayPort cables, I got a full-HD (1920×1080-pixel) signal on the monitor in both cases. To test the Samsung M7’s Ultra-HD capabilities, I relied on content from Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV+.
In fact, the Samsung M7 works best as a monitor for your laptop, and despite the fact that I was limited to full-HD, the monitor significantly increased my daily productivity. I found the picture sharp and clear from a distance of about 1-1.25 meters, allowing me to clearly read text and see images clearly against a background of all colors.
The Samsung M7 monitor runs on the Tizen operating system, also seen on Samsung Smart TVs
I was able to make better use of all the screen real estate for writing, image editing, web browsing and the occasional video watching. Colors were painted accurately, motion was clean and free of artifacts, and the size of the screen itself made all the difference in improving my work and productivity.
Switching to Smart UI, watching typical streaming television shows and movies on a 32-inch screen in Ultra-HD resolution was a unique experience for me. Although Ultra-HD content is best enjoyed on the big screen at normal TV viewing distances, I watched streaming content on the M7 monitor at the same distance as I was used to work while sitting at my desk.
Somebody feed fill in Ultra-HD and watching Parks and Recreation episodes in Full-HD on the Samsung M7 monitor was an interesting experience; Since I was watching a lot closer than I usually would on a 32-inch television, the screen didn’t seem too small, and it didn’t put too much strain on my eyes either. Colors with standard Dynamic Range content looked a bit dull, but HDR content looked better despite lower peak brightness, and the sharpness of Ultra-HD content was prominent and easy to distinguish.
The sound quality on the Samsung Smart Monitor M7 isn’t particularly special, or even anything out of the ordinary. However, I found it very useful to have a built-in speaker system on the monitor, and it was noticeably louder than my laptop’s speakers. At medium to high volumes, the sound is more than capable of handling regular computer tasks, although you may want to use good headphones if you’re listening to music. For watching TV about 1-1.5 meters away from the screen, the sound was almost enough.
Decision
Televisions and monitors are generally thought of as separate product categories, but the Samsung Smart Monitor M7 is a great example of how they can merge into one. Although in best condition and functioning as a monitor, the Samsung M7 works well as a television for occasional viewing. It’s also a rare example of a 32-inch Ultra-HD screen that can stream directly and competently from sources like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, and Apple TV.
33,499 in India, the Samsung M7 monitor is a bit pricey for what it has on offer, and the sound quality is mediocre for TV viewing. However, these are minor drawbacks on a device that is otherwise excellent at what it does; If you’re looking for a productivity and entertainment-focused monitor, or a 32-inch Ultra-HD TV, the Samsung M7 is worth considering, and can come in handy especially in smaller spaces where you can combine both functions into one. want. device.
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