Need a computer, but not necessarily looking for much more than a monitor? It seems like an odd request, and yet Viewsonic is answering the call for this niche product with a screen that packs in a tiny Android computer.
Labeled a “Smart Display” by Viewsonic, the 22 inch touchscreen display is more than just a monitor, running a little computer inside the screen.
It’s not quite an all-in-one, and yet it also is, with the sort of specs and innards of a smartphone found inside this 22 inch Full HD capable screen, including a dual-core 1GHz processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, Android 4.0 “Ice Cream Sandwich,” WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1, microSD support, as well as bits seen more in computers, such as three USB ports, 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera good for 720p HD video conferencing, Ethernet, and microHDMI.
“The VSD220 Smart Display is engineered for today’s cloud connected world,” said William Tse, Country Manager for Viewsonic Australia. “Viewsonic is embracing the post-PC transition with what will be a full range of connected display solutions. For consumers, the VSD220 is perfect for surfing the web, engaging on social networks and enjoying a world of Android apps.”
If you already use an Android phone, there’s a chance that you know what sort of apps this entails, with productivity tools, games, web browsers, social networking, and more, and since there’s a microHDMI port, you can plug in a desktop, laptop, or tablet to have the VSD220 work as a regular monitor.
The touchscreen connectivity uses a relatively older form of touch technology, with two-point optical tracking used here, the same technology used in the Viewsonic TD2220 announced earlier in the month.
Pricing for the VSD220 is set to $799 RRP, which may be a touch pricey for what is essentially a mid-range Android phone sitting inside a 22 inch monitor. In comparison, we’re beginning to see Windows all-in-one computers at the same size with not only more speed, but more options and software, all for similar pricing, so it will be interesting to see how this one goes.
Regardless, the 22 inch Viewsonic Smart Display should be hitting stores now, and could offer a light computer experience for someone in your household who doesn’t need more than Android for their lifestyle.
