As you might have guessed from the model number, Samsung's latest TFT isn't the usual, run of the mill, 20.1-inch panel, but a 21-inch widescreen display which has the same native resolution as most 20-inch panels; 1,680 by 1,050 pixels.

It also has an 8ms (grey to grey) response time, 0.27 dot pitch and 1,000:1 contrast ratio, so image quality shouldn't be an issue, and that was borne out under testing.

Despite it having the same desktop area as a 20-inch monitor, the extra inch makes more of a difference than you would think. Somehow everything feels less cramped, and text is more comfortable to read.

Our review sample was stylishly finished in silver (although black is available as an option) with a thin bezel. The only thing that lets the 215TW down in the looks department is the base, which really doesn't do it justice.

Set in the lower right-hand side of the bezel are seven clearly-labelled control buttons, while under the bezel is the integrated speaker panel. The speakers themselves are, unfortunately, like a lot of monitor speakers - too tinny to be of much use - but thankfully there is a headphone socket provided.

Samsung has really thought through the ergonomics of the SyncMaster 215TW. It has one of the best ranges of adjustment we have seen, especially on such a large monitor. You get height adjustment and vertical tilt, a swivel base and the real surprise; you can pivot the screen through 90 degrees, which is useful if you are working on long documents.

The 215TW comes with an impressive array of connectors; DVI (with HDCP support), analogue 15-pin D-sub, a set of component video connectors, left and right audio input, composite video and S-Video, all of which means there isn't a lot you can't connect it to.

As with most of Samsung's latest monitors, it comes with Magic Bright2, a profiling feature that's helpful if you can't be bothered to keep adjusting your monitor settings when you switch from one task to another. Pressing one of the buttons on the front panel allows you to toggle through five preset settings; Text, Internet, Game, Sport and Movie. There is also a Custom setting which allows you to tune the colour calibration, brightness and contrast manually if you want to.

If you are looking for a large TFT then this display takes some beating, with its great range of features and ergonomics, and Samsung backs the SyncMaster 215TW with a 3-year warranty.

It's not cheap but it does have an impressive array of features, particularly when it comes to adjustment and connectivity and - with the HDCP support - a degree of future-proofing too.