The Samsung M5 (LS27CM500EEXXS) is a 27-inch computer monitor with Smart TV features and built-in speakers. It retails in Singapore at S$428 (27-inch) and S$488 (32-inch) and comes in black and in white.
Any one familiar with Samsung Smart TV would be able to handle the M5 Smart Monitor with ease. For me, it’s the first time using the Samsung Smart Monitor/TV UI, so it’s a refreshing experience. Many people today revolve their lives around the study room – the new “living room”. But with a smart monitor on the study table instead of a normal computer monitor, the display becomes a lot more useful without the need to go through the laptop or desktop PC. Just make sure to position the monitor to minimise glare, the matt surface refracts light and will make it hard to watch.
The Samsung M5 does not come with a TV digital tuner, but it is probably not a criterion for the target users. It has many connectivity options to enjoy visual content – from Wi-Fi and Wireless PC mirroring to Miracast and AirPlay and of course, HDMI ports. Many streaming apps are pre-installed, like YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, just to name a few from the hundreds available which can be installed from the app page. There are two USB Type-A connectors to plug your keyboard, mouse, webcam, storage devices, game controller. It also supports Bluetooth. It also supports standard VESA mount.
Being a Samsung product, it works comfortably within the SmartThings ecosystem and supports Samsung DeX. This means you can turn the Smart Monitor into a control centre to display your connected devices for monitoring. You can also configure to display useful contents like date and time, weather, photo gallery. The monitor wakes up automatically when it senses presence near it and will turn off when no one is around.
The most convenient way to operate the Samsung M5 is through the SmartThings app on your smartphone through the virtual remote control panel. It detects whenever you needed to do an on-screen data entry and lets you enter it through the smartphone conveniently. It would be good if the remote control supports air mouse, as I find it hard to navigate the on-screen features with just the 5-way pad. Also, the smartphone keyboard does not always pop-up when there are on-screen data entry, for instance, when accessing YouTube or Netflix.
Of course, the physical remote is definitely a faster way to control the M5 without having to take out your phone and run the SmartThings app. The remote control has four shortcut app buttons to quickly start-up Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and the Internet browser. The volume rocker can also be pressed down to mute. On the monitor, just below the “SAMSUNG” logo, is a single button that you can use to operate with limitations. You can only adjust volume, channel, change source, and power.
From the SmartThings app, you can also use the smartphone camera to project to the screen. Projecting computer content to the M5 can be done via HDMI or via the wireless PC mirroring or AirPlay. There is a lag for the wireless, so where possible, go for direct display cable connection. The M5 supports MultiView where it splits the screen to display content from multiple sources.
Verdict
The Samsung Smart Monitor M5 costs not much more than a 27-inch single-purpose computer monitor, but it lets you achieve more purposes than an extended computer monitor. It does not offer advanced monitor settings and controls, but its key advantage is the inclusion of the Smart TV aspect of things to the product, allowing convenient wireless content interaction and consumption. Extra useful if you already own Samsung products like smartphones, TV and other IoT devices. For those who are not in the Samsung ecosystem, you won’t feel left out, as you can also install the necessary applications on your existing smartphone brand.
The Samsung M5 Smart Monitor is available now in Singapore and comes in 2 sizes – S$428 (27-inch) and S$488 (32-inch), and in two colours – white and black.
