First thing that you’ll spot is definitely size of the frame. Display has 10-inch diagonal which, in combination with the biggest resolution that we saw so far on digital frames (1024 x 600px), results in exceptionally picture quality. Colours and picture brightness are even better than on most netbooks that passed through our test lab lately. When you take the frame, for the first time, into your hands you will notice absence of (control) keys. There are none of them, if we don’t count well hidden power key, which is almost perfectly fitted into embossed surface on the back panel. Other commands are implemented through touch sensitive sensors (Samsung Starlight touch keys) located along right side of the frame.

Particularity of this model is large amount of internal memory.  While competitors usually are bragging with 64MB or in best case with 128MB of memory (which was up to now, maximum memory size for digital photo frames), SPF-105P offers whole Gigabyte (1GB) of internal memory. That’s more than enough for huge amount of photos, but also for large number of MP3 songs that are also supported. Music is reproduced thanks to two small stereo speakers (stereo is also rarity in this class) and music can be played during photo slideshows. When frame is used only for music reproduction, graphic equalizer is displayed on the screen and it looks very attractive. During photo reproduction, info about images can be displayed, such as name of the file, picture resolution, date when the picture is taken, etc. If it’s necessary Samsung can even display a clock.

Basic memory can be enlarged in several ways – with USB memory or built-in card reader. Samsung SPF-105P supports SD, MMC, MS and CF card formats, so probably you won’t have problems with compatibility. This is one of the rare frames that has its own battery which means that it can function autonomous when it’s not near power source. We must also mention excellent solution for frame stand: it can be easily set from horizontal to vertical position and vice versa.

Additional display

Digital photo frame comes with USB cable for connection with computer. It can be used for usual matters like transferring photos and songs to memory or for something much, much, more interesting. If you install software from included CD, Samsung SPF-105P can easily become additional monitor. Excellent resolution and relatively big dimensions made it ideal for “displacement” of some windows to get more space on your primary monitor. For example, it can be used for instant messenger and all communication windows or for tool pallets when you use graphic editing application. Through software, located in system tray it is possible even to choose display orientation or its brightness (which can be done also manually, by using two keys that are only active in this mode).  Software offers possibility of choosing the working mode but only when USB connection is active.

Unfortunately display response time is relatively slow, so it’s not too useful during dynamic changes. We have tried to start video in this mode, but we didn’t succeed – window of video program was displayed but not the movie itself.  On the other hand, display of static pictures was fantastic. Moreover, just to get whole picture about display quality of this frame, we must tell you that equivalent 20-inch monitor would need to have 2048x1200px resolution, which is impossible to find on the market (similar resolution have 24-inch monitors).