AOC I2381FH Frameless IPS Monitor Review

There’s already an influx of display solutions at this time, and choosing the right one for your defined usage may prove to be daunting with the plethora of options open for you. Price, performance, ergonomics, functionalities, ports, and extra features play the utmost factors in choosing, and it’s difficult to gauge what you’d sacrifice if your budget is already set to the bare minimum. We’re taking AOC’s I2381FH for a spin to see if it can deliver on that end, so let’s see how it fares.

There’s already an influx of display solutions available at this time, and choosing the right one for your defined usage may prove to be daunting with the plethora of options open for you.  Price, performance, ergonomics, functionalities, ports, and extra features play the utmost factors in choosing, and it’s difficult to gauge what you’d sacrifice if your budget is already set to the bare minimum. We’re taking AOC’s I2381FH for a spin to see if it can deliver on that end, so let’s see how it fares.

Technical Specifications
Monitor Line	Style Line
Monitor Size	23-inch
Visible Screen Size	509.76x286.74
Screen Format	16:09
Brightness	250cd/m2(type)
Contrast Ratio	1000:1
Dynamic Contrast Ratio	50M:1
Viewing Angle	178/178
Response Time	4ms
Maximum Resolution	1920x1080 @60Hz
Ports	D-Sub
	HDMI
Power Consumption	On: 28W
	Standby: 0.5W
	Off: 0.3W
Features	Plug and Play
	Kensington Lock
	i-Menu
	e-Saver
	Flicker-Free
Regulations	Energy Star 6
	TCO 6
	EPEAT No
	CE
	EAC

The AOC I2381H is part of the company’s 81 Series. We’re not sure of AOC’s naming conventions, but it also appears that the 81 Series also falls on its Style-line of monitors. Whatever the case, you can really tell AOC is going for a classy style in this one, as visible from its ultra-slim profile and metallic base.

Unfortunately, what we have right now is only the monitor itself as well as the included power brick that came with the box. But just to note, aside from those, AOC is also including a VGA cable, an HDMI cable, and a driver for the monitor.

DESIGN

AOC’s goal to make the I2381FH classy, as we’d like to believe, is definitely achieved here. Its slim panel borders look impressive as they seamlessly connect to the display, while its frame thickness is also kept to a minimum. The bottom bezels are a bit thicker to make room for the OSD controls, and of course the company’s logo.

On the other hand, the flipside is where all the ports are at. The HDMI, VGA, DC power input, and the 3.5mm audio jack all sit together, while the Kensington Lock is pushed near the center base of the monitor.

We’re going to give compliments to AOC with the I2381FH’s slim profile here. Measuring 10mm, it’s one of the thinnest monitors you can probably get your hands on for its low price tag, which we will also be discussing later on.

Meanwhile, its metallic base is one of its emphatic  features. It brings a solid and firm foundation to the entirety of the display, and it adds up a nice touch of classy overall. However, if there’s one gripe to it, it’s the limitations on adjustability – you can only tilt it about 20 degrees backwards, and that’s about it. No pivots, no swivels, just the standard about face.

OSD CONTROLS

The I2381FH’s controls aren’t exactly hard to grasp and key in, although I still sometimes misfire buttons whenever I’m configuring the settings. First on the menu is the Luminance section, which will also be your go-to place for changing the brightness, contrast and gamma, and enabling DCR. You’ll also get five preset for Eco Mode such as Text, Internet, Game, Movie, Sports, and Standard, with each preset increasing the brightness accordingly.

Image Setup is where you fine tune your colors, while Picture Boost gives you another adjustable layer of Brightness and Contrast. OSD Setup is probably self-explanatory already, although it also adds a “Break Reminder” that notifies you in an hourly basis to take a break. Don’t turn it on if you’re planning to use it for gaming.

On the other hand, defaulting the left and right buttons for volume may not be what you’d prefer it to be set on. You’re probably not going to tweak settings on a regular basis, but you can easily control volume on Windows, on the menu, or your speaker/headset. A preset could have worked instead, though. So we’re hoping for AOC to address this.

PERFORMANCE

23 inches of workspace and gaming eye candy offers enough for anyone to love. Especially on my already crowded desk space where a PC and a PlayStation 4 already stand, that size would easily make the sweet spot. The I2381FH’s ultra-slim profile and sinuous metallic base also helped.

There’s a whole lot of advantages of IPS panels over the TN panels of yesteryears, and they’re in action with the I2381FH. Color reproduction is absolutely fantastic, and we’re loving the viewing angles on this one as colors don’t shift on any viewable angles.  

You can also expect nothing less from its 23-inch panel. Its native Full HD deliver rich and vivid colors, and brightness levels are adequate based on our lighting conditions from dim to well lit. We're pleased to see AOC going for a matte finish on the panel, thereby eliminating glare, as well as fingerprints.

Backlight bleeding on the other hand appears to be evident, which is imminent on IPS panels. Signs of backlight bleeding appear on the bottom left and bottom right part of the panel, but you probably wouldn’t notice it unless we point it out or you have keen and sensitive eyes for such things.

CONCLUSION

AOC’s I2381FH doesn’t exactly tick all the checkboxes when it comes to our preferences in picking up a monitor.  But let’s get real here for a moment. Its ergonomics and port options doesn’t exactly cater to our needs, especially when it comes to our productivity and multitasking needs. It’s a form over function thing, but nothing too worrying - they can be remedied through simple chores that aren’t exactly what you’d call hardwork. 

On the other hand, its ultra-slim profile is simply one to behold. Monitors of this caliber in AOC's range want to make an emphasis on form factor, and it shines brightly. Color reproduction is also topshelf, making it a viable solution for budding photographers, film buffs, and even avid gamers.

To sum it up, while the AOC I2381FH comes with a couple of shortcomings, its primary features do what they do best. AH-IPS panels simply have that superiority over TN panels, and it even gets better with AOC’s cutting edge breakthrough in designing the I2381FH. Put that with an appealing price tag of Php7,990, and the AOC I2381FH is definitely a monitor worth considering.