The gaming monitor style traces its origins again to 2013 and one of many first 144 Hz screens to hit the market was Asus’ VG248Q. At the time it value about $400 ($475 in in the present day’s cash) and set a brand new bar for responsiveness and velocity. And do not forget that Adaptive-Sync wasn’t but within the combine, to not point out issues like HDR or prolonged coloration.
In 2021, that very same $475 should buy a QHD display operating at 165 Hz, but when your monitor finances begins with a 2, a 25-inch 144 Hz show is one of the best guess. Lenovo hits that concentrate on neatly with its G25-10. It checks the 144 Hz and Adaptive-Sync containers and gives HDR with a caveat we’ll clarify in a second. It doesn’t have prolonged coloration, but it surely delivers the whole lot else wanted for clean, responsive gameplay and the potential to be among the many greatest gaming screens.
Lenovo G25-10 Specs
| Panel Type / Backlight | TN / W-LED, edge array |
| Screen Size / Aspect Ratio | 25 inches / 16:9 |
| Max Resolution & Refresh Rate | 1920×1080 @ 144 Hz |
| FreeSync: 48-144 Hz | |
| G-Sync Compatible | |
| Native Color Depth & Gamut | 8-bit (6-bit+FRC) / sRGB |
| HDR10 | |
| Response Time (GTG) | 1ms |
| Brightness (mfr) | 320 nits SDR |
| 400 nits HDR | |
| Contrast (mfr) | 1,000:1 |
| Speakers | None |
| Video Inputs | 1x DisplayPort 1.2 |
| 1x HDMI 1.4 | |
| Audio | 3.5mm headphone output |
| USB 3.0 | None |
| Power Consumption | 12.2w, brightness @ 200 nits |
| Panel Dimensions WxHxD w/base | 22 x 14.7-19 x 9.2 inches (559 x 371-483 x 234mm) |
| Panel Thickness | 1.9 inches (48mm) |
| Bezel Width | Top/sides: 0.2 inch (6mm) |
| Bottom: 0.9 inch (24mm) | |
| Weight | 11.2 kilos (5.1kg) |
| Warranty | 3 years |
The Lenovo G25-10 is an old-school design based mostly on a TN panel. Traditionally, that has been the tech behind quick panels, however the newest IPS screens have taken velocity to new heights, albeit at a better value. Lenovo is utilizing a reliable TN half to maintain the value in verify.
The backlight is LED with over 400 nits peak brightness accessible. Adaptive-Sync is included for each FreeSync and G-Sync (Nvidia licensed) platforms. 144 Hz is supported over HDMI and DisplayPort with out overclocking.
HDR assist is a bit completely different from the norm. Lenovo’s advertising and marketing data says nothing about it, however we discovered an choice within the OSD labeled “HDR(HDMI).” Here’s the deal: HDR works solely over HDMI and never with Adaptive-Sync. That means for gaming, it’s important to select one or the opposite. However, that’s not an enormous loss as a result of there isn’t any dynamic distinction or native dimming right here. We’ll present you the HDR check outcomes, however the takeaway is there isn’t any enchancment in image high quality. You can use HDR for video, however not for gaming except you’re keen to simply accept body tears.
The coloration gamut is sRGB, which isn’t uncommon on this class. Our measurements present it to be correct without having for calibration. For $230 at this writing, that’s not a nasty factor. The G25-10 is a finances monitor, however not one which feels or seems low cost. Ultimately although, the proof shall be within the gaming.
Assembly and Accessories for the Lenovo G25-10
The Lenovo G25-10 is effectively packed in three components – base, upright and panel. They assemble with out the necessity for instruments. The package deal is gentle but strong with good construct high quality. The energy provide is inner, so that you get an IEC energy wire along with an HDMI cable.
Product 360: Lenovo G25-10
The Lenovo G25-10 includes a trendy design aesthetic with a virtually edgeless bezel that’s simply 6mm vast across the prime and sides. It’s utterly flush with the anti-glare layer, which maintains a pointy and contrasty picture whereas protecting reflections at bay. The backside trim is about an inch vast with a big Lenovo emblem on the left and a set of OSD controls on the correct. The buttons are giant and protrude to make them simpler to work by really feel. They are clearly marked as effectively.
The stand is rock-solid and gives 5/22 levels tilt and a 4.3-inch top adjustment. There isn’t any swivel or portrait mode. From the again, you may see the Lenovo G25-10’s easy angular design. There aren’t any curves right here, however corners are softly rounded. The stand includes a deep base and a small clip to maintain the cables tidy.
The facet profile is skinny and sadly unbroken by USB ports; there are none beneath both. Inputs embody one every of DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 1.4. If you need HDR, you have to use HDMI, and if you wish to use G-Sync, it solely works over DisplayPort. There aren’t any inner audio system, however a 3.5mm headphone jack is supplied.
OSD Features of the Lenovo G25-10
The Lenovo G25-20 makes use of a set of clearly marked buttons for OSD navigation. They click on with a high quality really feel, and although not as slick as a joystick, they’re intuitive.
Luminance controls are discovered within the second sub-menu. The Brightness slider works over a slender vary between 440 and 108 nits in response to our measurements. DCR is a dynamic distinction characteristic that deepens blacks and pumps up highlights. It doesn’t clip element, but it surely locks out the brightness management. The image is a bit too brilliant for a room with average to darkish lighting. Energy Star mode suggests an influence saving choice, however we couldn’t see or measure any distinction in luminance, distinction or coloration when utilizing it. If you’re having hassle seeing shadow element, activate Dark Boost.
You don’t must calibrate the Lenovo G25-10 if Game Mode is turned off, however you may work a set of RGB sliders underneath the User coloration temp choice. There aren’t any gamma presets right here, and we missed them. We’ll present you these check outcomes on web page three. There is an sRGB mode, however because the G25-10 is an sRGB monitor, this swap solely locks out all different picture choices and units brightness to round 300 nits. If you want Low Blue Light, that choice can also be on this menu.
The Hz icon is the place you’ll discover the Lenovo G25-10’s gaming choices. Game Mode refers back to the six image modes, however we discovered one of the best picture with Game Mode turned off. Overdrive works effectively on the Normal setting, as Fast mode reveals an excessive amount of ghosting. As we’ve already talked about, HDR is simply accessible over HDMI and with out Adaptive-Sync. The refresh price might be displayed in any nook of the display the place it seems as white textual content inside a black field.
Calibration Settings for the Lenovo G25-10
You don’t must calibrate the Lenovo G25-10, however you may in order for you with the consumer coloration temp choice. We solely needed to cut back the pink slider three clicks to realize wonderful grayscale monitoring. Gamma runs somewhat darkish and can’t be adjusted. Color gamut accuracy is great when Game Mode is turned off. We additionally dropped the distinction slider one click on to make the brightest highlights extra impartial in tone. Our really helpful settings are beneath.
| Picture Mode | Game Mode Off |
| Brightness 200 nits | 55 |
| Brightness 120 nits | 8 (min. 108 nits) |
| Contrast | 84 |
| Color Temp User | Red 97, Green 100, Blue 100 |
Gaming and Hands-on with the Lenovo G25-10
While larger decision and higher pixel density are a very good factor, a 25-inch FHD monitor can render a pointy picture with wonderful element and readable fonts. We sat about two-and-a-half toes away, and although we might simply see the pixel construction if we squinted, it was by no means a distraction. Tiny fonts and icons have been clear and freed from apparent jaggies. Enthusiasts will normally favor QHD or UHD panels, however FHD at a small measurement seems wonderful and prices much less.
With simply over 1,000:1 distinction, the picture had loads of depth in each static and transferring graphics. Video rendered easily with first rate blacks, clear shadow element and brilliant highlights. Some wonderful reflections appeared muted, which we found resulted from darkish gamma. We’ll present you these outcomes on web page three, although it was a minor situation. For photograph modifying or watching video on YouTube, there have been no complaints.
Because HDR solely works over HDMI, we needed to flip off Adaptive-Sync to strive it. In Windows, it makes little distinction in picture high quality. The image is barely brighter and there’s no technique to change it as a result of the brightness slider is locked out. When taking part in Doom Eternal, color seems barely extra saturated, however distinction is excessive to the purpose the place some wonderful textures are rendered invisible. We modified the HDR settings to have any hope of seeing any shadow element. The backside finish of the HDR brightness scale is way too darkish, and we additionally missed the graceful tear-free motion of G-Sync. The G25-10 is greatest loved in SDR mode when gaming.
Speed and response weren’t an issue. Though it’s a bit slower than different 144 Hz screens we’ve examined, that didn’t translate to any destructive points. We aren’t extremely expert gamers, so there was no perceptible lag after we performed Doom Eternal, Call of Duty WWII or Tomb Raider. The overdrive labored successfully on its Normal setting. There was little or no movement blur and no ghosting artifacts. The sooner setting confirmed some white trails behind transferring objects, so we prevented it. As lengthy as body charges stayed over 120fps, there have been no distractions.
HDR was usable when connecting a UHD Blu-ray participant or streaming field. HDR content material from Apple TV rendered properly with somewhat additional coloration saturation and barely deeper blacks. The impact is delicate, but when one makes use of the G25-10 for TV watching, it does an affordable job with HDR content material.
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