If you’re a professional photographer, content creator or editor, you need one of the best monitors to accurately edit your work. The BenQ Creative Pro PD2732U is an excellent choice, and it makes a strong first impression with its sleek, gun metal design and superb build quality. Its generous selection of ports and seriously impressive color coverage and accuracy make it an outstanding option for pros.

That said, the PD2732U isn’t quite perfect — but neither of its flaws are massive dealbreakers. Its panel isn’t the brightest in SDR or HDR modes, and the 60Hz refresh rate feels limiting if you’re working with high-framerate videos.

Should you still buy it? Read my full BenQ Creative Pro PD2732U review to find out.

BenQ Creative Pro PD2732U review: Specs

BenQ Creative Pro PD2732U review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? A Calman Verified 27-inch 4K monitor with lots of ports
• Who is it for? Professional photographers, creators and editors
• How much does it cost? The BenQ Creative Pro PD2732U is available for $699 / £649
• What do we like? The sleek design, photography-centric features, excellent color coverage and accuracy, and array of ports
• What don’t we like? The dim panel, and 60Hz refresh rate

BenQ Creative Pro PD2732U review: The ups

From its lovely design and wide array of ports, to its fantastic color coverage and accuracy, the BenQ Creative Pro PD2732U is a wonderful monitor for professionals.

Lovely design and build quality

The BenQ Creative Pro PD2732U is a looker. Unlike its siblings, like the BenQ PD3226G ($1,099) and the BenQ PD2730S ($1,199) which feature gray bezels and stands, the PD2732U sports a gun metal look that is just so pleasing to the eye. The part metal construction adds to the monitor’s visual appeal — and to its structural integrity, of course.

Thanks to that, the PD2732U feels like an extremely well-built monitor. Its IPS panel doesn’t feel overly plasticky or flimsy. Unlike the Alogic Edge 40-inch 5K Ultrawide ($1,499), the PD2732U’s hinges don’t feel flimsy either, and the panel doesn’t move easily, even when someone shakes your desk.

I also appreciate being able to lift the monitor easily and move it around, as it weighs 18.87lbs (with stand and base). It’s a little lighter than some other productivity-focused monitors I’ve tested, like the Dell Pro P3426WEV (21.96lbs, $749), and the BenQ MA270S (19.05lbs, $999).

The 27-inch screen size also means that you should be able to place another similarly-sized (or smaller) monitor next to it if you prefer a dual-monitor setup. The PD2732U measures 24.2 x 16.9-21.5 x 9.5 inches, and it didn’t take up too much space on my office desk. Overall, the PD2732U’s design, dimensions and build quality don’t give you much to complain about.

Plenty of ports

In addition to the stellar design and build, the BenQ Creative Pro PD2732U hosts a plethora of ports that ensure better cable management and give you plenty of room to hook up various peripherals and accessories. Around the back, you’ll find the power port (duh), an HDMI 2.0 port, a DisplayPort 1.4 port, and two Thunderbolt 4 ports with 90W of power delivery and daisy-chaining.

I used one of the Thunderbolt ports to connect my MacBook Air M2 to the monitor and charge my laptop at the same time. There’s Smart KVM, too, which enables you to use a single keyboard and mouse with two computers when both are hooked up to the monitor (even wirelessly) — great for those who regularly switch between macOS and Windows.

You also get a USB hub with three USB-A ports and one USB-C port. The Type-C port is an upstream one, while the Type-A ports are downstream ones (two with 7.5W PD and one with 4.5W PD). All ports have transfer speeds of up to 5Gbps. This level of connectivity is similar to what you’ll find on other BenQ monitors, like the MA270S and the PD2730S.

To help with cable management, BenQ happily includes a handy cable holder in the box. You can clip it around the PD2732U’s stand before attaching it to the base, and then bunch up your cables and run them through it. I find this very helpful, and it makes me wish all monitors came with one.

Photography-centric features

In the past when we’ve reviewed BenQ monitors, we’ve complained about the lack of a dedicated Adobe RGB mode on the likes of the PD2730S and the PD3226G. Not anymore! Alongside other photography-centric features that I’ll get into, the BenQ Creative Pro PD2732U features an Adobe RGB mode which makes the monitor actually useful for photographers who print. Because the Adobe RGB gamut covers a wider range of colors used by CMYK printers versus sRGB, having a dedicated mode is crucial for ensuring color accuracy when printing, so it’s great that the PD2732U doesn’t skimp on it.

The PD2732U carries a bunch of certifications, too. It’s Calman Verified, which means that it’s been tested by the popular brand that makes display calibration software (it’s what we use to test the best TVs). Calman Verification basically ascertains that Calman approves of the monitor’s AQColor technology.

It’s Pantone Validated and Pantone SkinTone Validated. The latter is the creative industry-standard color definition for printing, and the latter guarantees that the monitor is capable of showing accurate human skin tones. The PD2732U features Eye Care flicker-free technology, too, which eliminates invisible screen flashing at all brightness levels to prevent eye strain. Having stared at the monitor for up to eight hours a day for nearly a week, I can confirm that I did not feel any eye fatigue or get any headaches, so this is a wonderful display for those who spend long hours editing.

The PD2732U is a great monitor for creators who are MacBook users, too, as it features M-book Mode. This eliminates differences between macOS displays and the monitor, so colors on the PD2732U appear exactly as they do on my MacBook Air M2. You also get iDevice Color Sync for accurate previews of iPhone and iPad content, and iKeyboard Control which allows you to adjust the monitor’s brightness and volume directly from your laptop’s keyboard.

My favorite monitor accessory returns

When I unboxed the BenQ Creative Pro PD2732U, I was very happy to see my favorite monitor accessory make a return. The monitor comes with BenQ’s Hotkey Puck — this time in gun metal to match the display — and it’s a white circular remote with a scroll wheel and a few customizable buttons. It enables you to control the monitor without extending your arms and reaching for the buttons on the display itself.

The three customizable buttons can be remapped to gain quick access to color modes, input, app launch, and more. I love how the Hotkey Puck streamlines workflows, and it’s especially useful if you frequently switch between color spaces.

Wide color coverage and great accuracy

The BenQ Creative Pro PD2732U’s stellar design, connectivity options and useful Hotkey Puck would amount to nothing if the monitor didn’t boast excellent color coverage and accuracy… and it ticks both boxes. First of all, the PD2732U’s 4K IPS panel has a resolution of 3840 x 2160, and it’s beautiful to look at. Even before I conducted my lab tests, I could tell that the monitor was displaying lovely and accurate colors.

And then, my lab tests confirmed it. BenQ claims that the PD2732U covers 100% of the sRGB and 99% of the DCI P3 color spaces. My lab tests showed that it covers 100% and then some across both gamuts. As you can see from the table above, the PD2732U covers 147.1% of the sRGB space and 104.2% of the wider DCI P3 gamut.

The PD2732U outperforms the pricier BenQ PD2730S and the Alogic Edge 40-inch 5K Ultrawide in the sRGB space, and easily outperforms both in the DCI P3 space, as neither cover 100% of it. Even the very expensive Apple Studio Display ($1,499) can’t hold a candle to the PD2732U as its DCI P3 coverage is limited to just 80.8%.

In real-world use, when I was watching YouTube videos and editing images, I found the colors to be bright, vivid and detailed. There was plenty of detail to be found and enjoyed in the shadows, and highlights didn’t appear too sharp or peaking in 4K videos.

In addition to wide color coverage, the PD2732U color accuracy, measured as a Delta-E score, is outstanding, too. Delta-E is a numerical representation of how much two colors differ, and it gives you an idea of how close the color relayed on screen (i.e. the monitor) is to the color output from the source (i.e. the computer). You ideally want this score to be as close to zero as possible.

According to BenQ, the PD2732U should have a Delta-E score of less than or equal to 2 straight out of the box. In my testing, the monitor achieved a score of 0.11, upstaging the Apple Studio Display and the BenQ PD3226G (albeit narrowly). This essentially means that the monitor relays colors extremely accurately. After seeing that number, I was more confident when editing photos for various camera reviews and my photography Instagram page as I knew that the colors I was seeing were as accurate as they could be.

BenQ Creative Pro PD2732U review: The downs

The BenQ Creative Pro PD2732U isn’t perfect — it’s not the brightness monitor out there, and its refresh rate is limited to 60Hz only.

Not very bright

One of my biggest gripes with the BenQ Creative Pro PD2732U is that it isn’t a very bright display, and its poor SDR and HDR performance stick out like a sore thumb. In my lab testing, the PD2732U achieved a peak brightness of just 182.6 nits in SDR, and 184 nits in HDR (10% window size).

If you’re editing photos or videos, you shouldn’t have your monitor’s brightness turned all the way up anyway, but the extra brightness is nice to have when watching movies, playing games or browsing the internet, for instance. The PD2732U is, then, upstaged by other productivity-focused monitors, as you can see in the table below.

All of its siblings, like the MA270S, the PD3226G and the PD2730S, beat the PD2732U with ease when it comes to peak brightness. I will say, though, that all three monitors are pricier than the PD2732U — as are the Dell Pro P3426WEV and the Alogic Edge 40-inch 5K Ultrawide, which also outperform it.

There’s another reason why the PD2732U’s SDR performance, at least, is handicapped. Similar to the PD3226G, the PD2732U features BenQ’s Uniformity Technology which applies automatic uniformity compensation to keep the brightness at appropriate levels for editing, especially in sRGB and Display P3 modes. Basically, it’s a deliberate feature specifically designed for creators and editors. If you want a bright panel, I’d recommend any of the aforementioned monitors instead — though they will cost you more.

60Hz refresh rate only

The BenQ Creative Pro PD2732U is a productivity-first monitor so it’s not surprising that its refresh rate tops out at 60Hz only. It’s not meant for competitive gaming or esports, and you may want to consider one of the best gaming monitors, like the Alienware AW3426DW ($799), for those purposes.

For casual video viewing and most editing tasks, 60Hz should suffice, especially if you want the monitor’s extensive color coverage and accuracy. However, if you edit high-framerate footage (120fps or higher) and do rapid timeline scrubbing, 60Hz might not be enough. The BenQ PD3226G with its 144Hz refresh rate might suit your needs better, if that’s the case.

BenQ Creative Pro PD2732U review: Verdict

There’s a lot to love about the BenQ Creative Pro PD2732U, especially if you’re a professional photographer or editor. It’s ideal for those who care more about color accuracy and connectivity than outright brightness or a high refresh rate. Its stylish, sturdy design looks great on a desk, while the wealth of photography-centric features (including the handy Hotkey Puck) make it a practical choice for day-to-day work.

There are a couple of notable compromises, though. The low brightness holds it back for general entertainment, while 60Hz feels restrictive for high-framerate video editing. But if you’re buying a monitor primarily for photo and digital-to-print editing, the PD2732U shouldn’t give you much grief.

The Lenovo ThinkVision P27UL-40 is one seriously impressive monitor. Announced during IFA 2026, this is Lenovo’s first 27-inch 4K InkJet Printing OLED Thunderbolt docking monitor for productivity work. It can even synchronize with Lenovo laptops to create a more unified workspace.

I briefly went hands-on (or eyes-on) with the P27UL-40 during a Lenovo IFA event, and let me tell you, it was a sight to behold. The contrast provided by the OLED panel is excellent and helps make colors truly pop out.

I’m also a fan of the slender design, which includes a stand with a cutaway for your phone. This is exactly the kind of monitor I’d want for my own work setup.

Here are my early thoughts on the Lenovo ThinkVision P27UL-40 and why it could be great for those who want a work monitor that’s a cut above the rest.

Lenovo ThinkVision P27UL-40 hands-on: Specs

Lenovo ThinkVision P27UL-40 hands-on: Display

There’s a lot of fancy tech in the ThinkVision P27UL-40, but suffice it to say that it offers excellent image quality for whatever’s on the screen.

The photos you see throughout this article don’t do the 27-inch 4K OLED panel justice, as it looks far superior in person. I actually asked Lenovo to dim the lights around the monitor, and that allowed me to see just how bright and vibrant the panel can get.

Lenovo says it will cover 99% of the DCI-P3 and 100% sRGB color spaces, and targets 500 nits of HDR brightness.

You don’t often see 27-inch 4K OLED productivity monitors, since these kind of monitors are usually gaming devices. But as someone who uses monitors for both work and play, I appreciate that Lenovo brought some of its gaming monitor tech to the ThinkVision P27UL-40. Trust me when I say that your eyes won’t be disappointed.

Lenovo ThinkVision P27UL-40 hands-on: Design

The ThinkVision P27UL-40 might have a simple design at first glance, but it has some subtle features to help streamline your workspace and comfort.

The swivel connecting the monitor’s stand to the base makes it easy to twist the monitor left and right. Raising and lowering the monitor along the stand is also simple.

There’s a cutaway on the stand to tuck your cables through, which keeps your desk nice and tidy. Speaking of cutaways, there’s also another one right on the base for your phone, which is also very convenient.

Thanks to the built-in Thunderbolt hub, you can connect your laptop with a single cable to transmit video, data, and power simultaneously.

If the laptop is from Lenovo, you can synchronize brightness controls and even mirror the power button. I didn’t get to test this, but it sounds like it should streamline things for those with a Lenovo laptop.

Lenovo ThinkVision P27UL-40 hands-on: Outlook

I'll need some proper time with the Lenovo ThinkVision P27UL-40 before rendering a verdict, but based on my brief time, I think this could be a fantastic monitor for work, creative projects, and even gaming.

Our lab tests will also reveal if the monitor can hit those lofty color reproduction numbers that Lenovo detailed.

The Lenovo ThinkVision P27UL-40 launches in March 2027 with a price tag of $1,299. That's certainly a little steep, but given everything this monitor promises, it might be worth it. Stay tuned for more!

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The new Samsung Odyssey G80HS delivers the most detailed picture quality of any gaming monitor I’ve ever reviewed. The 6K resolution, which is a first for gaming monitors according to Samsung, brings out minute details you normally wouldn’t see. Trust me when I say that words alone cannot properly convey how good this monitor makes games look. It’s a literal sight to behold.

You don’t just get spectacular image quality here; the G80HS also offers professional-grade performance for competitive gaming thanks to its up to 330Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. Of course, the standard 165Hz refresh rate also makes the cinematic games it's intended for run buttery smooth.

While you’ll need a very powerful gaming rig to take full advantage of this monitor’s features, and the panel is IPS rather than OLED, there’s no denying that the Samsung Odyssey G80HS will make your eyes happy. It’s certainly expensive, but for what it offers, you’re more than getting your money’s worth. This is one of the best gaming monitors out there. Find out more in my full review.

Samsung Odyssey G8 (G80HS) review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? The Samsung Odyssey G8 (G80HS) is a 6K gaming monitor.
• Who is it for? It’s for folks who want the sharpest image quality possible from their gaming monitor.
• What does it cost? The Samsung Odyssey G8 (G80HS) retails for $1,599 but is currently $1,299 on Samsung’s website at time of writing.
• What do we like? We like the sharp and detailed image quality, super-fast performance, and utilitarian design.
• What don’t we like? We wish it had an OLED panel and cost a bit less.

Samsung Odyssey G8 (G80HS) review: Specs

Samsung Odyssey G8 (G80HS) review: The ups

The Samsung Odyssey G8 (G80HS) delivers a crisp 6K image and fast gaming performance in a sleek, eye-catching design.

Practical design

The G80HS has a sleek design that straddles the fence between gamer aesthetic and practicality. It’s not a head-turner like some of the larger Odyssey monitors I’ve reviewed, but I consider that a plus since your focus remains on whatever game you’re playing. And if you’re using this monitor at the office, it won’t completely look out of place… unless you enable the RGB lighting on the back.

That lighting surrounds the monitor mount. You can choose from six standard lighting effects, plus CoreSync, which syncs the lighting effect with whatever’s happening on the screen for added immersion. Granted, you can’t fully enjoy the RGB lighting since it’s on the back of the monitor, but the extra pizzazz is always fun.

Setting up this 32-inch monitor isn’t too much trouble as it weighs just shy of 17 pounds when attached to its stand. This also makes it easy to turn around when you want access to its back-side ports. So long as you’ve got it set up on a standard-sized gaming or office desk, it’ll be right at home and not take up much space.

Port-wise, you get the basics, including a DisplayPort, a pair of HDMI ports, three USB-A ports, a USB-C port, and a headphone jack. This monitor lacks speakers, so that headphone jack could be useful if you’re not already using one of the best gaming headsets connected to your PC. You’ll need to turn the monitor around, as it’s nearly impossible to connect and disconnect ports by touch alone.

The shaft has a cutaway you can tuck the cables through, keeping your desk tidy. Raising and lowering the monitor along the shaft requires little effort because it glides smoothly. The same is true for tilting or swiveling the monitor to your desired viewing angle—including a 90-degree rotation for portrait orientation.

Lastly, the wide, flat base not only keeps the Odyssey G80HS in place on your desk but also stays unobtrusive. Since it’s flat, you can easily keep your phone or accessories on it.

Sharp image quality

You might think that 6K resolution is gimmicky or unnecessary, but I assure you, the results are immediately apparent on the G80Hs. I’m not being hyperbolic when I say that this monitor delivers the sharpest image quality I’ve ever experienced. If you’ll excuse the cliché, it’s a sight to behold.

I tried Cyberpunk 2077 and Forza Horizon 6 because both support 6K resolution. As soon as I fired up the games, I could see extra details I hadn’t before, such as the heat rising from a tailpipe in Cyberpunk 2077 or cracked gravel in Forza Horizon 6. Background elements also have finer detail you wouldn’t normally see.

You can switch between 6K and 3K resolution. While the latter delivers half the resolution of the former, you’re still getting a crisp image. Each resolution has a different refresh rate, which I’ll cover in the next section. Suffice it to say that if you’re already used to playing PC games on a 1440p monitor, you’ll be more than happy with 3K resolution.

The Samsung Odyssey G8 (G80HS) delivered strong results in our lab tests. In its Original display setting, it produced slightly oversaturated hues in the sRGB color gamut and a perfect 100% in the more demanding DCI-P3 color space. Color reproduction isn’t as vivid as those of competitors like the Asus ROG Swift OLED and Alienware AW3426DW; its hues are more naturalistic and closer to real life.

HDR brightness is strong at 380 nits across 100% of the screen in Game Standard HDR mode. While Asus and Alienware’s monitors can get very bright on OLED panels, they can’t match the Odyssey G80HS’s vibrancy. Sure, it’s not an OLED monitor, but it can get much brighter because of that.

It has nine core display modes, including dedicated modes for genres like FPS, RTS, and Sports. The differences between the modes are minimal since they’re tuned for their respective genres, and there isn’t a radically different viewing experience between them.

Insane performance

Since this is a dual-mode monitor, you get two refresh rates: 165Hz at 6K resolution and 330Hz at 3 K resolution. The former is for cinematic games like Cyberpunk 2077 where you want the best possible image, while the latter is tailor-made for fast-paced competitive games like Call of Duty where higher refresh rates are crucial. Both have a low 1ms response time.

To test the Odyssey G80HS, I connected it to the HP Omen Max 45L, a monstrous gaming PC packing an AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU, an Nvidia RTX 5080 (18GB), 64GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD. You’ll need a similarly powerful PC to take advantage of Samsung’s monitor’s insane performance.

Whether it was at 165Hz or 330Hz, Cyberpunk 2077 ran buttery smooth. Sure, I wasn’t quite able to hit 165 frames per second to match the lower refresh rate, but the extra headroom let me enjoy the 65-70 fps I did get.

Doom: The Dark Ages is where I got to truly test what this monitor could do. With DLSS at 6x and Ultra Performance enabled, the game ran at a blistering 400 frames per second, even higher than the monitor’s top 330Hz refresh rate. Though I’m not a competitive gamer, I could still feel the difference in this twitchy game. Yes, there are gaming monitors with higher refresh rates, but Samsung’s is still no slouch.

Simple UI

You can bring up the menu by pressing the OSD joystick on the back. Reaching the OSD isn’t too difficult, as it's fairly low along the bottom of the monitor. The stick itself is relatively small but easy to move up and down or left and right.

The UI is about as no-frills as it gets. The blue lines on a black background are easy on the eyes and make everything easy to read. Navigating the menu with the joystick is seamless thanks to the responsive joystick and interface. While there are plenty of modes and settings to sift through, the layout makes it simple to find whatever you’re looking for.

Samsung Odyssey G8 (G80HS) review: The downs

While the Samsung Odyssey G8 (G80HS) certainly delivers on its promises, it has one potential drawback.

Pricey

Given that this is a 6K dual-mode gaming monitor, it’s no surprise it costs a pretty penny. Even at its current discounted price of $1,299, you’re still putting down a fair bit of cash. And that’s before factoring in the cost of the high-end gaming PC required to get the most out of this monitor.

If you just want an affordable gaming monitor with the basics, the $799 Alienware AW3426DW is the best bet. That said, you won’t get the rich picture quality of the Odyssey G80HS. If you want the very best image for gaming, Samsung’s monitor will be worth your money. But if you just want a high-end monitor at a lower price, other options are out there.

Samsung Odyssey G8 (G80HS) review: Verdict

Price aside, there’s no denying that the Samsung Odyssey G8 (G80HS) is an exceptional gaming monitor thanks to its superb 6K resolution. Trust me when I say that this is arguably the best viewing experience you can have on a non-OLED gaming monitor. And if that wasn’t enough, the dual-mode lets you switch to a higher refresh rate for competitive gaming.

If you’re willing to spend big for a superlative gaming experience, you owe it to yourself to check out the Samsung Odyssey G8 (G80HS). You won’t be disappointed.

The best curved monitors can make even the most mundane tasks feel immersive, and they result in less eye fatigue as the edges match the curve of your eyes. The Dell Pro P3426WEV is one of the finest ultrawide curved displays I’ve had the pleasure of testing. It sports a minimalist design that makes it fit for the office, and it comes with an integrated USB hub for cable management, and a built-in 5MP webcam for those who attend multiple calls a day.

Boasting good sRGB color coverage and accuracy, as well as a 100Hz refresh rate for gaming, the P3426WEV doesn’t give you much to complain about… unless you’re a professional colorist, as the monitor doesn’t have the best DCI P3 coverage. There’s no HDR support either.

For the complete breakdown, read my full Dell Pro P3426WEV review.

Dell Pro P3426WEV review: Specs

Dell Pro P3426WEV review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? A 3440 x 1440 curved monitor for productivity
• Who is it for? Office workers who want one large monitor instead of two
• How much does it cost? The Dell Pro P3426WEV is available for $749 / £505
• What do we like? The low-key design, sRGB color coverage and accuracy, integrated USB hub, and built-in webcam
• What don’t we like? No HDR support, and not the best for color grading

Dell Pro P3426WEV review: The ups

From its inconspicuous low-key design and handy built-in webcam, to its integrated USB hub and excellent sRGB color coverage and accuracy, the Dell Pro P3426WEV is a great productivity monitor.

Inconspicuous design, perfect for the office

If you want a monitor that’s designed for the office and doesn’t draw attention to itself, the Dell Pro P3426WEV is a great choice. Sporting an all-black screen with a silver stand, no garish RGB lighting, and minimalist branding, the P3426WEV fits right into the office space.

As the numbers in its name suggest, the P3426WEV is an ultrawide (and curved) 34-inch display — and it’s wide enough to negate the need for two separate monitors. You can also get a flat 22-inch, 24-inch, 27-inch or 43-inch version.

I tested the 34-inch model which measures 32.11 x 22.57 x 9.03 inches, including the stand. It weighs 21.96lbs when it’s fully assembled, so it’s a chonky boi, and it’s designed to stay put in one place. The P3426WEV has a 21:9 aspect ratio and in my testing, I found this to be more than plenty for navigating multiple windows and applications, and multi-tasking. I didn’t really miss having two separate monitors — which I used prior to testing the P3426WEV.

The P3426WEV is also perfect for those who spend up to eight hours, five days a week, staring at a screen — like me. The monitor is TÜV 4-star certified for eye comfort, so it reduces eye fatigue while you work. It features low blue light technology too, and Dell says that it “reduces harmful blue light emissions to ≤35% for enhanced eye comfort without sacrificing color.” Having used the monitor for more than a week, I can confirm that my eyes haven’t felt uncomfortable or tired.

Integrated USB hub

If, like me, you don’t like cables cluttering your desk, and you don’t want to bother with a dedicated USB hub, the Dell Pro P3426WEV is the answer to your woes. It functions as a single-cable docking station thanks to its integrated USB hub. There’s a plethora of ports for essentially all your peripherals — keyboards, mice, desktop speakers, headphones, you name it.

Naturally, you get a power port as well as HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 ports for hooking up your MacBook, Windows laptop, or consoles. Around the back, you’ll find two downstream USB-A ports, an upstream USB-B port, and an upstream USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode ports — all of these pack 5Gbps transfer speeds.

If you’re wondering what DisplayPort Alt Mode means, I’ve got you covered. It means the monitor’s USB-C port can receive video signals using the DisplayPort protocol, offering higher data bandwidth, and the ability to daisy–chain multiple monitors from a single port. The P3426WEV’s rear USB-C port can help you cut down on cables and is also handy if you're routing graphics through a docking station via USB-C (you can still access the high resolutions and support refresh rates of DisplayPort). I used this USB-C port and the included cable to hook up my MacBook Air M2. It’s similar to the one you’ll find on the BenQ MA270S ($999).

And that’s not all. Located on the bottom edge, you’ll find a pop-out port housing. When you gently push it, it extends downward to reveal a USB-C port with 15W of power delivery, and a USB-A port. Both downstream ports feature 5Gbps speeds. There really is no dearth of ports or connectivity options on the P3426WEV.

Handy built-in webcam

Adding to the Dell Pro P3426WEV’s office-first design is its built-in webcam which sits right on top of the panel — something that those who take a lot of work calls will find useful. The webcam is fitted with a Sony Starvis 5MP f/3.4 sensor and features three different resolutions — 2K/30fps, FHD/60fps, and HD/60fps — which can be adjusted via the onboard menu.

It has an 81° field of view (FoV) which, in my testing, felt just enough to frame me properly while also including some of the background for added context. Additionally, it features an AI Auto Framing function and once the webcam has detected you, it zooms in and out (2x digital zoom) even if you’re moving within the FoV, ensuring that you’re the center of attention at all times. You’ll need to download Dell Display and Peripheral Manager to enable AI Auto Framing.

The photo above was captured using the P3426WEV’s webcam while the monitor was connected to my MacBook Air M2. The colors and my skin appear true to life, though the sunlight coming in from the windows behind me appears blown out. I was expecting this as the webcam has a very small sensor. The shot itself is backlit, and the webcam has done what it needed to: it has adjusted the exposure correctly and lit up my face.

I also tested the webcam’s AI Auto Framing capabilities. As you can see in the clip above, the webcam is a little slow to shift focus but when it finally does it, it frames me accurately.

When you aren’t using the webcam, you can use the lock slider on top to cover the lens. If you’re using a Windows laptop, you can also configure Windows Hello to work with the P3426WEV. Via Windows settings, you can set up the P3426WEV’s webcam to recognize your face and unlock when you sit down in front of it (Wake On Approach).

Excellent sRGB color coverage and accuracy

The Dell Pro P3426WEV’s integrated USB hub and built-in webcam wouldn’t account for much good if the monitor didn’t boast good color coverage and accuracy. After all, those are the most important aspects of any monitor. Fortunately, the P3426WEV doesn’t give you much to complain about when it comes to sRGB color coverage and accuracy.

I ran my usual lab tests and as you can see in the table above, the P3426WEV covers 122.8% of the sRGB color gamut. The P3426WEV upstages the Alogic Edge 40-inch 5K Ultrawide ($1,499) which costs a lot more than Dell’s offering. While the P3426WEV doesn’t score as highly as the BenQ MA270S and the BenQ PD3226G ($1,099), anything over 100% (or on the mark) is great, so the P3426WEV still goes above and beyond.

I watched a couple of 4K YouTube videos and was pleased with the colors I saw on the monitor. Reds didn’t appear oversaturated or neon, but just vivid enough to be eye-catching. Greens looked punchy while deep blues appeared clean and rich. As the P3426WEV is a work monitor, I primarily tested it by browsing the web and getting on with my daily tasks. In those activities, the color coverage gave me nothing to whine about.

I then tested color accuracy, represented by a Delta-E number. It’s a numerical representation of how much two colors differ, giving you an idea of how close the color relayed on screen (the monitor) is to the color output from the source (the computer). The closer the Delta-E number to zero, the better.

The P3426WEV boasts outstanding color accuracy, having achieved a 0.05 score in my lab tests. You can see how the monitor fares against its competitors in the table above. It outperforms the BenQ PD3226G (0.16) and the Alogic Edge 40-inch 5K Ultrawide (0.08). The 0.05 score means that the colors displayed on the P3426WEV are near-identical to the ones being sent to it by the laptop.

My lab tests went a long way in reassuring me that the colors I was seeing were as accurate as they could be, and this gave me a lot of confidence when editing photos for my photography Instagram account. In addition to that, the P3426WEV features 10-bit color depth, too, which means that it’s capable of displaying 1.07 billion individual hues. This makes the monitor good for creatives — although professional color graders may be left feeling shortchanged (more on that shortly).

Decent for gaming, too

If you like gaming casually between tasks, the Dell Pro P3426WEV should suffice. It’s got a 100Hz refresh rate so it offers smooth motion in RPGs and racing games. I tested the monitor by playing Cyberpunk 2077 and Forza Horizon 5, and across both titles I appreciated the visual experience offered by the P3426WEV. The 21:9 aspect ratio and wide field of view enabled me to see more of the game worlds, resulting in me feeling immersed in both titles.

Because you have so much screen real estate, you can also run different apps side-by-side. I had Slack running in a small space on the side of the display to ensure I didn’t miss any time sensitive messages from my colleagues while I tested the monitor for gaming.

If you want an ultrawide monitor specifically for gaming, the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 with its 360Hz refresh rate should be right up your alley. At $949, it costs a pretty penny but it isn’t that much more expensive than the P3426WEV. There’s also the LG UltraGear 45GR75DC with its 5120 x 1440 resolution and 32:9 aspect ratio, and it costs $899. Again, only a $100 price hike compared to the P3426WEV.

Dell Pro P3426WEV review: The downs

While the Dell Pro P3426WEV is great for most things, its SDR mode is dim and there’s no HDR support. Also, DCI P3 color coverage isn’t ideal for professional photo editing.

Dim SDR and no HDR

The Dell Pro P3426WEV doesn’t feature a high dynamic range or HDR mode. This means that it can’t display deeply dark shadows and ultra-bright highlights at the same time. Video games and movies mastered for HDR will not look the way the creators intended either.

While this isn’t a massive drawback for a productivity-focused monitor, it would have been nice to have it, especially given that some of the P3426WEV’s competitors do. The P3426WEV isn’t the brightest in its standard dynamic range (SDR) mode either. It achieved 284.8 nits in my lab tests, as you can see in the table above. The BenQ MA270S and the Alogic Edge 40-inch 5K Ultrawide are brighter at 387.4 and 417 nits respectively, and they both feature HDR modes, too.

In real world use, I didn’t have any problems viewing the P3426WEV’s screen under bright office lights and with the blinds behind me drawn. But when I opened the blinds and sunlight flooded the room, the monitor looked a little dim.

Not the best for professional color grading

While the Dell Pro P3426WEV’s sRGB color coverage is great and doesn’t give you much to complain about, the same can’t be said for its DCI P3 coverage. DCI P3 is a significantly larger color space compared to sRGB, and it’s heavily used in cinema, and professional color grading. Unfortunately, the P3426WEV falls just short of being perfect here.

In my lab tests, the P3426WEV covered just 87% of the DCI P3 color gamut. Essentially, the monitor dips its toes into wide-gamut territory but doesn’t deliver the deep, rich reds and greens required for color grading and professional video work.

The P3426WEV is outdone by its productivity-focused competitors, such as the BenQ MA270S and the BenQ PD3226G with their respective 158.7% and 104.1% coverage. Surprisingly, the much cheaper Lenovo L27I-4B ($109) covers slightly more of the DCI P3 than the P3426WEV.

For general office workers who mostly deal with documents, spreadsheets, charts and low-stakes graphics, these will still render sharply with natural colors. Even casual editors who post their photos primarily on Instagram and social media should face minimal impact. Professional video editors and colorists, though, may want to consider alternatives for precise color grading. I’d recommend the BenQ MA270S or the BenQ PD3226G. If you want a curved but capable monitor, you’ll need to splurge on the Alogic Edge 40-inch 5K Ultrawide.

Dell Pro P3426WEV review: Verdict

The Dell Pro P3426WEV is a superb ultrawide monitor, and anyone who spends eight hours a day in front of a screen will thoroughly appreciate it. Equipped with an integrated USB hub for great cable management, and a built-in 5MP webcam that records video in 2K at 30fps, the P3426WEV is an all-in-one solution for office goers. It boasts wide sRGB coverage and color accuracy, too. Oh, and there’s a 100Hz refresh rate for casual gamers.

But the P3426WEV isn’t perfect. There’s no HDR support and the monitor isn’t the brightest even in SDR. DCI P3 color coverage falls short of 100% too, which means the monitor isn’t the best for color grading and professional colorists.

If neither of those feel like dealbreakers to you, and you just want a curved monitor with plenty of screen real estate, then the P3426WEV shouldn’t give you any trouble.

The Alienware 39 5K2K OLED (AW3926QW) is Alienware’s finest gaming monitor yet. That’s saying a lot, given how fantastic its 34-inch QD-OLED monitors have been. But thanks to its enhanced OLED technology, fast performance, and sleek design, it’s hard to argue that it's one of the best gaming monitors you can buy.

The star of the show is the four-stack, three-subpixel RGB stripe tandem OLED panel, which is the first of its kind to hit the market. Thanks to that, you get higher brightness, richer colors, sharper text, and superb contrast. The crisp 5K resolution also ensures that everything looks absolutely stunning. And if that weren’t enough, you can also switch to 330Hz refresh mode for fast-paced competitive shooters.

Other than being a tad too big for some setups, the Alienware 39 5K2K OLED (AW3926QW) is about as perfect a gaming monitor as you can get. Find out why in my full review.

Alienware AW3926QW review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? The Alienware 39 5K2K OLED (AW3926QW) is a feature-rich gaming monitor.
• Who is it for? It’s for folks who want a gaming monitor with dual refresh rates to balance visual fidelity and performance.
• What does it cost? The AW3926DW costs $1,099.
• What do we like? We like the classy design, vivid OLED panel, fast and smooth gaming performance, and easy-to-use UI.
• What don’t we like? We don’t like that you need a relatively large desk to comfortably use this 39-inch monitor.

Alienware AW3926QW review: Specs

Alienware AW3926QW review: The ups

From its minimalist design, crisp visual quality, and smooth performance, there’s a lot to love about the Alienware AW3926QW.

Sleek design

The Alienware AW3926QW has a design reminiscent of the AW3426DW, but it’s larger, with a 39-inch panel instead of 34. I’m glad the design matches its smaller sibling, as it looks equally great in an office as it does in a gaming den.

The panel’s 1500R curvature conforms nicely to the curvature of your eyes and draws you into whatever game you’re playing. The 21:9 aspect ratio is similarly immersive for gaming and also gives you more desktop space for windows and apps for when you’re working.

Over on the back, you’ll find the Alienware logo, which is the main thing that tells you this is a gaming monitor — especially if you enable the AlienFX RGB lighting. The back isn’t flush, unlike on the AW3426DW, because it has a gap for the air vents. It also includes a VESA mount for one of the best monitor arms, if you prefer.

Like the AW3426DW, this monitor has a flat stand to keep it in place. Since its profile is relatively small, you’ll still have plenty of room on your desk for the best gaming keyboards and best gaming mouse.

The shaft has a cutaway for clean cable management. Lowering and raising the monitor along the shaft is seamless, as is tilting and swiveling it to your preferred viewing angle. And while the monitor weighs 22 pounds, I found it light enough to easily move around when I needed to access the ports on the back.

Speaking of ports, this monitor has a pair of HDMI 2.1 ports, a DisplayPort, two USB-A ports, two USB-C ports, and a USB-B port. There’s also an OSD (on-screen display) joystick underneath the ports for navigating the monitor’s display settings.

Vibrant display

There’s a lot of fancy technology under the hood of the AW3926QW, especially the four-stack, three-subpixel RGB stripe tandem OLED panel. Thanks to that and the 5K resolution, this monitor delivers a stunning picture quality.

Cyberpunk 2077 looks incredible on the AW3926QW. I drove around the city during the day and marveled at how the glass towers and the river gleamed in the sunlight. The neon signs and colorful holograms were vivid and sharp. You can also see more of your surroundings because this game supports 21:9 monitors.

There are two display modes here: 5K resolution and WFDH. Naturally, you get the best image from 5K (5120 x 2160), which is perfect for cinematic games like Cyberpunk 2077. WFHD (2560 x 1080) lowers the resolution but bumps the refresh rate to 330Hz. I’ll cover that shortly, but suffice it to say that 1080p resolution doesn’t look as sharp as 5K, but is still clear enough for the competitive gamers this mode is for.

The AW3926QW delivered strong results in our lab tests. In its standard display mode, the AW3425DW produces vivid colors (sRGB and DCI-P3) and solid color accuracy (Delta-E). These values are comparable to the Samsung Odyssey G8 G80HS in its Standard mode, though the Asus ROG Swift OLED produces more oversaturated hues.

HDR brightness is pretty strong for an OLED monitor. In dedicated HDR modes, the AW3926QW reaches around 500 nits at 10% of the display and about 300 nits across the entire screen. OLED gaming monitors are finally delivering brighter HDR, and I’m glad to see that the Alienware AW3926QW hasn’t missed the party.

There are 11 display modes available. This includes dedicated modes for game genres like FPS, RTS, Sports, and more. As with the AW3426DW, there’s a Creator Mode with better color accuracy for video and photo editors. Aside from that mode, the other options differ only slightly from one another, such as FPS being brighter and Sports being more colorful.

Smooth and fast performance

Whether you’re playing at 165Hz or 330Hz, everything runs smoothly on this monitor. Compatibility with Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, along with the ultra-low 0.03ms response time, ensures that games run buttery smooth with no perceptible input lag. You’ll get much faster performance from the LG UltraGear 27GX790B-B, which can run at 540Hz and 720Hz, but unless you’re a professional gamer, you likely won’t notice a difference.

To test the AW3926QW, I connected it to the HP Omen Max 45L, a monstrous gaming PC packing an AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU, an Nvidia RTX 5080 (18GB), 64GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD. You’ll need a similarly powerful PC to take advantage of the monitor’s insane performance.

Whether it was at 165Hz or 330Hz, Cyberpunk 2077 ran buttery smooth. Sure, I wasn’t quite able to hit 165 frames per second to match the lower refresh rate, but the extra headroom let me enjoy the 65-70 fps I did get without any hiccups like screen tearing.

Simple UI

The Alienware AW3926QW uses the same interface as the AW3426DW. As before, the UI features a black-and-gray background with blue-and-white lettering. This is where you’ll find all the available display modes and other settings. There are many menus and submenus to sift through, but it’s easy enough to find whatever setting you need.

The OSD joystick, located just beneath the ports, is easy to find by touch. The stick itself is responsive and has the right balance of rigidity and looseness.

Alienware AW3926QW review: The downs

The Alienware AW3926QW is a nearly perfect gaming monitor for most folks, but it does have one drawback that might make it inconvenient to own for some.

A bit unwieldy

This likely won’t be a dealbreaker for most, but if you have a small workspace, you may not have enough room to comfortably fit this 39-inch monitor into your setup.

I’ve reviewed much larger gaming monitors, such as Samsung’s 49- and 57-inch Odyssey monitors. Alienware’s device is much smaller in comparison, but I still needed a relatively deep desk to use it comfortably. Thanks to the panel’s size and curvature, you’ll want to sit a good distance away.

Alienware AW3926QW review: Verdict

The Alienware AW3926QW delivers a phenomenal gaming experience thanks to its immersive, vivid, and sharp curved panel. The tech behind the display is so impressive that I fully expect competitors to ape what Alienware has done.

Even if there are monitors with higher resolutions and refresh rates, the AW3926DW beautifully balances visuals and performance. Sure, it’s a tad pricey, but it’s worth it for the features it offers. This is exactly the kind of gaming monitor I’d want to own. It’s that good!

Super high-resolution monitors usually force you to compromise on motion clarity. Compared to lower-resolution esports panels, it’s simply next-to-impossible to push the same insane 500Hz+ refresh rates. That was until Nvidia found a way around that.

Enter the 5K AOC Agon Pro AGP327KG — the first of its kind armed with Team Green’s G-Sync Pulsar. I saw this technology at CES 2026 in some competitive-tier gaming monitors, but now it's in something with staggeringly high pixel density; to me, this is a game changer.

G-Sync Pulsar explained

What is G-Sync Pulsar? Good question! You’ve already got variable refresh rate and extreme low motion blur on deck, so what else does it do? Well, a simple way to explain it would be that Nvidia’s regulating the pulse of the monitor itself — specifically the backlight.

To make an IPS monitor like this light up, you need a backlight strobing to illuminate the pixels. In normal screens, the whole backlight will strobe independently of what’s being shown on screen. That means that as the game moves, monitor backlight strobes may reveal pixels in mid-transition, which leads to the human eye perceiving blur.

G-Sync Pulsar brings variable-frequency strobing tied to the refresh rate, so the backlight strobe pulses in lock step with every game frame (also known as a scanout). That ensures a stable image with every pop of light, which gives you a crispier picture and the perception of higher motion clarity.

Previously, Pulsar was limited to smaller 27-inch 1440p panels, and in my time testing it, I was blown away by the tack-sharp definition of everything on screen. Slapping it on a 5K 144Hz monitor shows exactly what the tech can do when given the space to stretch its legs, and I’m floored by it.

The end result

Just like the smaller screens, there was a level of clarity that meant my eyes didn’t need to focus on specific subjects on-screen. It all jumped into focus in a significant way while playing Delta Force.

Whether it’s text clarity of the signs on the wall, the targets at a distance or the on-screen elements, the traditional blur I’d become used to just became all the more noticeable. So fair warning — this tech will turn you into a display snob hunting down the absolute peak of crispiness.

Some final extra nice bits

As for the Agon Pro itself, there are a few user-friendly things I wanted to shout out. First off, this is packed with I/O, including 2x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort, 1x USB Type-C, a USB-B upstream and 3x USB-A. This has all the connectivity needed to be your central hub for your setup.

Second, there’s ambient adaptive tech such as a built-in light sensor that can automatically adjust both brightness and color temperature based on your room’s ambient lighting — nice touch for eye care and accuracy (especially with the deep contrast ratio of that glossy screen)!

Finally, there’s customizing the screen itself. There’s a joystick to get around the OSD menu, which can feel clunky. But thanks to that Nvidia tie-in, you can change some of the key settings in the Nvidia app without needing to fall out with a clunky menu.

We’re waiting on confirmed pricing and an official launch date, and given the high resolution and Pulsar inside, we should brace our wallets. But lowkey, this is looking set to be a belter of a monitor for your high-fidelity gaming needs.

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• I just went eyes-on with the world’s fastest OLED gaming monitor — and motion blur is officially dead

I’ve tested a few esports-tier gaming monitors over the past couple of years — all touting refresh rates comfortably in the hundreds of hertz and offering smoothness unlike anything I’ve seen before.

But all of them have been based on TN IPS panels that may be super fast, but don’t necessarily have the motion clarity to match. Enter the $1,099 Asus ROG Swift OLED PG259QWS ACE (baffling name, I know), the world’s fastest OLED esports monitor with a 720Hz refresh rate.

As it turns out, that shift to OLED is utterly groundbreaking for motion clarity, and it actually helped me play better at Counter-Strike… Crazy, I know, but let me explain.

Supercharged clarity

I know the main allure of OLED has always been the color and contrast ratio — that’s always been my thought process anyway. But by moving away from the flickering of IPS display technology and drastically upping OLED's pixel response time, it is almost like watching a picture move rather than a screen.

The PG259QWS features a staggeringly low 0.02ms response time, which preserves motion clarity as I’d never seen before. Even my fastest flick-shots didn’t make the game smear.

That is all thanks to this TrueBlack Glossy Tandem 1080p WOLED panel that solves the compromise between raw speed and visual fidelity. It delivers a flash flood of color with a 99.5% DCI-P3 color gamut and deep, inky blacks, plus a peak 1,700-nit brightness, while staying sharply detailed in every challenging situation.

Popping shots off at distance got a whole lot easier with the AWP without using the scope, thanks to this panel!

The cheat code — Position Sensor

Now, when it comes to playing competitively wherever you are, one of the biggest friction points isn’t just frame drops or picture smearing — it’s the ergonomics. When a player sits down at a tournament desk, whipping out a tape measure to recreate the exact millimeter-perfect monitor angle of a home setup is rather stressful.

But this is where Asus’ clever work comes in: the Position Sensor. Basically, using real-time monitoring, you can get a readout of the exact height, angle, and your distance to the screen. It’s one of those small features that’s incredibly critical to getting the best performance in-game.

A gamer’s verdict

For the casual player, 720Hz is absolute overkill. But for the top 1% of competitive players chasing motion perfection, Asus has just set a new gold standard.

For the rest of you, there are cheaper OLED options, including the ROG Strix OLED XG259QWPG for $699, which reduces the refresh rate and cuts the cost. But to this player’s eyes, I have to applaud Asus here — this is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.

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The PlayStation 27" Gaming Monitor bridges the worlds of console and PC gaming. While the PS5 is primarily used as a living room device, many prefer connecting Sony’s console to one of the best gaming monitors and playing at their desk. Now they can do so with a monitor designed specifically for the PS5 that’s also compatible with the best gaming PCs.

This 27-inch monitor covers the basics, including a 1440p IPS panel with a variable 240Hz refresh rate. The design is fairly nondescript, with a black-and-white theme that matches the PS5. It also includes unique features, such as Auto HDR tone-mapping that calibrates your PS5’s video settings and a convenient charging hook for your DualSense controller.

While the PlayStation 27-inch gaming monitor isn’t revolutionary, it delivers on its promise as an excellent desktop companion for your PS5. Sure, it doesn’t have 4K resolution or an OLED panel, but it still offers a fantastic gaming experience for only $349. If you’re looking for a monitor for both your PC and PS5, this monitor comes with my highest recommendation. Find out why in my full review.

PlayStation 27" Gaming Monitor review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? A 27-inch gaming monitor that’s specifically designed for the PS5 and PS5 Pro.
• Who is it for? For gamers who own a PS5 and/or a gaming PC and prefer playing at their desk.
• What does it cost? The PlayStation 27” Gaming Monitor is available now for $349 on PlayStation’s website and at Best Buy.
• What do we like? We like the sleek, minimalist design, bright and colorful display, fast performance, built-in charging hook, and Auto HDR tone mapping.
• What don’t we like? We don’t like that it tops out at 1440p and lacks an OLED panel.

PlayStation 27" Gaming Monitor review: Specs

PlayStation 27" gaming monitor review: The ups

The 27-inch PlayStation gaming monitor impresses thanks to its elegant design, vibrant picture quality, smooth performance, and PS5-centric features.

PS5-like design

The first thing you’ll notice is that this looks a lot like a PlayStation monitor, thanks to its black-and-white color scheme. The almost all-white back, featuring the iconic PlayStation logo, complements the black shaft, stand, bezels, and the port locations. It’s a classy design that looks just as good in an office as in a gaming den.

Gliding the monitor up and down the shaft is easy, as is tilting and swiveling it to your preferred viewing height and angle. The shaft is completely flat and takes up little space on your desk, leaving more room for peripherals. There’s also a VESA mount on the back to use it with one of the best monitor arms, if you prefer.

Port-wise, you get everything you need to connect to a PS5 and/or PC. This includes a pair of HDMI 2.1 ports, a single DisplayPort, two USB-A ports, a USB-C port, and a USB-B port. Since the monitor is so light, it’s easy to turn it around to access the ports. It’s nearly impossible to connect anything by touch alone if you’re facing the monitor.

My favorite design element is the charging hook for your controller. The hook swings down from the back of the monitor like a door handle and snaps into place when fully down or fully up. There’s just enough room on the hook’s end for your DualSense controller to rest comfortably while it charges. This is one of the smartest features I’ve seen on a monitor.

Vivid and sharp display

The 27-inch PlayStation gaming monitor has a 27-inch (2560 x 1440) IPS panel. Although it’s not an OLED screen, you still get excellent image quality because the monitor automatically calibrates your PS5 for the best HDR settings. The 16:9 aspect ratio is also ideal for PS5 games and many PC titles.

There are only four standard picture modes: Default, Cool, Warm, and sRGB — with each of these having corresponding HDR modes. Some can look brighter or more colorful, but you generally get the same image quality across the board.

I was blown away when I tested Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 on this monitor in the Default display setting. Because the colors aren’t oversaturated, in-game New York City looked incredibly lifelike and cinematic. Neon signs and energy bolts pop out nicely, while HDR provides strong contrast between dark and light elements. This is as good as it gets for a non-OLED panel.

The 27-inch PlayStation monitor did well on our lab test. Color reproduction (sRGB and DCI-P3) is excellent, while color accuracy (Delta-E) is just slightly lower than what I usually see from gaming monitors. In contrast, the $349 Alienware AW2726DM delivers much more vivid colors, but its HDR across 100% of the screen can’t match the PlayStation 27’s. The latter is certainly a benefit of lacking an OLED panel.

Smooth performance

The PlayStation 27-inch gaming monitor supports up to a 240Hz refresh rate, double the PS5’s maximum 120Hz. That means that whether you’re playing on a PS5 or PC, you’ll get a buttery-smooth gaming experience thanks to the high refresh rate and VRR support.

Spider-Man 2 on the PS5 Pro runs like a dream on this monitor. I didn’t experience a single instance of screen tearing or input lag. This is especially important in a game like this, where you’re swinging through Manhattan’s artificial canyons at breakneck speeds one moment, and dealing with mobs of enemies the next. No matter what’s happening on the screen, the monitor handles it beautifully.

Simple interface

The menu UI’s design is as clean and simple as the monitor itself. The interface features a transparent background with white lettering. Here, you can access the aforementioned picture modes, as well as settings for audio, inputs, profiles, and more.

The OSD (On-Screen Display) joystick on the back lets you navigate the menus easily. Located just above the power button, the white joystick blends well with the back of the monitor and offers the right balance of sturdiness and flexibility when you move it up and down and left and right.

PlayStation 27" Gaming Monitor review: The downs

While there’s a lot to like about this PlayStation monitor, it has a few minor drawbacks.

No OLED or 4K

The only two real negatives about the 27-inch PlayStation gaming monitor are that it doesn’t have an OLED panel and it tops out at 1440p. If you absolutely need an OLED monitor or 4K resolution, then this could be a major deterrent. However, if that doesn’t matter to you, you might not see these as negatives at all.

I’m mostly sharing this as an expectation check, because while it’s a bummer that the display isn’t OLED and the resolution is 1440p tops, I don’t consider these major deal-breakers. The overall image quality is phenomenal, and arguably better than what you’d get on some similarly-priced monitors.

As for price, the $349 price tag makes it extremely easy to forgive any shortcomings, especially when its upsides vastly outweigh the negatives.

PlayStation 27" gaming monitor review: Verdict

The PlayStation 27-inch gaming monitor is a worthwhile purchase for gamers who primarily play at their desk. Though it’s not the fanciest gaming monitor out there, it has everything you need for a great experience on PS5 and PC. And as I said before, it’s hard to knock this monitor because of its affordable $349 asking price.

If you absolutely need an OLED monitor, the $349 Alienware AW2726DM is a solid alternative. But if you want seamless integration with your PS5, plus a charging hook for your controller, the 27-inch PlayStation is an easy recommendation. It’s really that good!

Let’s be honest: between soaring memory prices and the endless barrage of tech buzzwords, building the ultimate setup in 2026 hasn't been easy. But amidst the chaos, hardware makers gave us some of the most genuinely exciting, boundary-pushing gear we’ve seen in a decade.

This year, "compromise" became a dirty word. Laptops gained dual OLED screens without losing all-day battery life, budget peripherals delivered soundscapes usually reserved for four-figure studio setups, and on-device processing finally evolved from a gimmick into everyday horsepower.

We sifted through the noise, ran hundreds of lab benchmarks, and tested dozens of contenders to death. Here are the 22 standout winners that earned a permanent place on our desks for the 2026 Tom’s Guide Computing Awards.

Laptops

Dell XPS 13

The Dell XPS 13 is a true MacBook Neo rival and easily the best budget laptop you can buy right now. Despite its low $699 starting price, it doesn’t skimp on luxury features you’d find on more expensive laptops, giving you quality with few compromises.

The thin, light aluminum chassis not only looks great, but it also makes the XPS 13 ideal for travel. The sharp 13.4-inch 2K touch display is bright and colorful, while the Intel Wildcat Lake chip inside gives you plenty of performance for everyday work. And if that wasn’t enough, it has more than enough battery life to last you for a full workday. — Tony Polanco, Senior Writer

Asus Zenbook Duo (2026)

Dual-screen laptops have always been a bit gimmicky to me, but this year’s Asus Zenbook Duo proved me dead wrong with its potent combination of two mesmerizing 14-inch OLED panels and the raw performance of Intel’s breakthrough Core Ultra X9 388H chipset.

It all starts with a ground-up ceraluminum redesign for the double display system that feels premium to the touch and sturdier against the elements. Throw in a CPU that has the power of a supercar paired with the efficiency of a Toyota Prius (you can actually game on this thing, and it has a 14-hour battery life), and it’s easily one of my favorite laptops of the year. — Jason England, Managing Editor of Core Tech

Acer Predator Helios 18 AI

But what about in the gaming laptop space? There’s been a whole lot of monsters born this year, and Acer’s Predator Helios 18 AI definitely sits in that portable desktop replacement camp with what’s lying under the hood (up to an RTX 5090) and the massive wattage being pumped through to the chip.

Combine that with a gorgeously massive and buttery-smooth mini-LED panel, up to 192GB of RAM (in this economy!?) and a strong keyboard typing experience with plenty of ports, and you’ve got quite a winning formula. — Jason England, Managing Editor of Core Tech

Razer Blade 16 (2026)

The Razer Blade 16 (2026) is an ultraportable gaming laptop that makes no compromises. Thanks to its powerful components, it can run even the most demanding PC games at buttery-smooth frame rates. The vivid 16-inch OLED panel ensures all those games are a sight to behold.

The sleek design, with its sturdy, CNC-milled, all-black aluminum chassis, means this laptop will look just as great in the office as it is in your gaming den. Of course, RGB lighting on the keyboard deck shows the Blade 16 knows how to have fun. Though certainly pricey at $3,599 (to start), this is one of the finest gaming laptops I’ve reviewed and is worth your hard-earned cash. — Tony Polanco, Senior Writer

Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514

When MediaTek jumped into the Chromebook pool with its Kompanio Ultra ARM silicon, it was like Google’s laptops got a shot in the…well, arm. And of all the options released, the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 stands out as one of the most impressive.

Because it’s not just about the performance and power efficiency (almost 15 hours of battery life on one charge) or AI-infused simplicity of a Gemini-boosted Chrome OS. It’s about the experience you build around them, and this OLED 2-in-1 is one of the nicest-feeling Chromebooks I’ve touched. — Jason England, Managing Editor of Core Tech

Tablets

Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2

The Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 is an entertainment-focused Android tablet that has the largest speaker I’ve ever seen. The JBL speaker is so large, you could even say it’s a speaker with a tablet attached, rather than the other way around. And it’s not for show either, as it delivers punchy, bassy sound you can feel in your chest. You can even use it as a Bluetooth speaker, which adds versatility.

The 12.1-inch IPS display is bright and colorful, making whatever you’re watching look its best. The 16:9 aspect ratio is great for videos, and it also works well for comic books and websites in vertical mode. There’s also a handy built-in kickstand when you want to sit back and relax at your desk. Though its performance isn’t the best for getting work done and it's too heavy to hold for long periods, the incredible sound and overall ease of use make this $399 tablet an easy recommendation. — Tony Polanco, Senior Writer

Desktops

Alienware Area-51 Desktop

The Alienware Area-51 is for hardcore users willing to pay top dollar for premium gaming performance. Aside from AMD Ryzen X3D processor options, this is effectively the same PC I reviewed last year. That’s not a bad thing, as this is still a phenomenal PC.

You can configure this beast with up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 GPU, 4TB of storage, and 64GB of RAM. You can also kit it out with an Intel Core Ultra 200S chip if you’re Team Blue. All of it is housed in an otherworldly design that keeps the PC running cool and quiet. If you have the space for it in your office or gaming den, this is the ultimate gaming PC. — Tony Polanco, Senior Writer

Lenovo Yoga Mini

The Lenovo Yoga Mini breaks free from the rectangular design of other mini PCs, adding cool extras like RGB underglow and touch controls. This circular mini PC is meant to sit front and center on your desk, and it looks absolutely stunning.

Despite its smaller size and unique shape, the Yoga Mini is equipped with Intel’s latest Ultra X5 and X7 chips to handle whatever you throw at it. Lenovo didn’t skimp on ports either, and you also get an integrated fingerprint scanner in the power button for secure and seamless logins. If you’re after a small yet unique mini PC that stands out from the crowd, this is one of the most impressive machines and designs I’ve seen yet. — Anthony Spadafora, Managing Editor

Asus ROG G1000

So I’ll just say it upfront — Asus has created a monster that’s not just designed to be played, but to be seen as well. This is a monolithic pre-built tower that packs a whole bunch of flash courtesy of that holographic fan giving it a real stage presence atop your desk.

This is what happens when a company throws out the game plan and decides to do something a bit bonkers. Under the hood, you can spec it up to an AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2, an RTX 5090, a whopping 128GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 4TB SSD — complete with a 1,000-watt power supply keeping it all going. Top it off with some real cooling innovation with that Tri-zone airflow design, and this beast won’t break a sweat. — Jason England, Managing Editor of Core Tech

Khadas Mind Pro

Khadas continues to build on its modular mini PC ecosystem with its new Mind Pro. Although this portable mini PC packs in more power than ever before, it’s not that much larger than the original Mind or the Mind 2S. Likewise, thanks to Khadas’ proprietary Mind Connector on the bottom, it’s still compatible with the company’s existing docks, which instantly transform its mini PCs into a gaming rig or even a laptop.

The Mind Pro may be small, but like its predecessors, it still comes packed with full-sized ports, including dual Thunderbolt 4 ports. There’s also a 7.98Wh battery inside that lets this more powerful mini PC sleep for over 48 hours, so you can bring it from one workstation or location to another. The Mind Pro’s extra thickness over the Mind is certainly worth it if you want even more power in a similar form factor with a growing ecosystem of game-changing accessories. — Anthony Spadafora, Managing Editor

Monitors

MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36

MSI knows how to make a great gaming monitor, and the MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 is one of its best so far — and certainly the best this year. A blistering 360Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time deliver buttery-smooth gameplay.

The monitor also boasts phenomenal color coverage and accuracy, making it ideal not just for gaming, but for professional color grading and editing too. The X36 also features an AI Care Sensor that automatically alters the monitor’s display settings by detecting a human in front of it — yes, AI isn’t just a gimmick on the X36. — Nikita Achanta, Senior Reviews Writer

Alienware 27 240Hz QD-OLED Gaming Monitor (AW2726DM)

The Alienware AW2726DM is a premium gaming monitor that costs less than you’d expect. For $349, you get a gorgeous 27-inch 1440p OLED panel that makes everything look its best, a blazing-fast 240Hz refresh rate, and a low 0.03ms response time that can keep up with even the fastest-paced games.

The biggest compliment I can give the AW2726DM is that it has become my main monitor at work, proving that it’s not just good for gaming, as text on websites and documents appears nice and crisp. While HDR brightness could be brighter, and the design is very basic, lacking embellishments like RGB, this is a wonderful gaming monitor that won’t kill your bank account. — Tony Polanco, Senior Writer

Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G8 G80HS

The Samsung Odyssey 32-inch G8 G80HS is a marvel to behold thanks to its super-sharp 6K resolution, which is a first for gaming monitors, according to Samsung. It offers the most detailed picture quality I’ve ever seen. Trust me when I say that your eyes won’t be disappointed.

In addition to 6K at 165Hz, you can also switch to 3K mode at 330Hz for fast-paced competitive games. If you have a powerful PC that can play games at frame rates high enough to match that refresh rate, you’re in for a silky smooth and fast experience. While certainly pricey at its usual $1,599 asking price, you’re getting your money’s worth for visual fidelity and performance. — Tony Polanco, Senior Writer

Audio

Edifier HECATE G2000 Pro

Excellent sound quality? On a sub-$200 budget? The Edifier G2000 Pro desktop speakers look straight out of a sci-fi movie, and they’ve got otherworldly sound quality to boot. The reactive RGB lighting dances to in-game sounds and the beat of drums when listening to music.

The G2000 Pro packs plenty of oomph, delivering deep, meaty bass that makes you feel immersed in RPGs, horror, and racing titles. The treble is bright and crisp, so you can hear the clashing of swords in excruciating detail — and it never becomes fatiguing. In-game dialogue is loud and clear, too, making the G2000 Pro one of the best computer speakers out there. — Nikita Achanta, Senior Reviews Writer

Edifier HECATE G5 Max

The Edifier G5 Max makes you feel like the main character without breaking the bank. Equipped with a 53mm dynamic driver, 7.1.4 Spatial Audio co-developed by Hecate and THX, and an extremely comfortable design, the G5 Max also supports Hi-Res Audio streaming.

Chock-full of features usually reserved for premium prices, the G5 Max goes the extra mile by offering dual apps for customization. It is, by far, the best gaming headset for those on a budget. — Nikita Achanta, Senior Reviews Writer

Sony Inzone H6 Air

The Sony Inzone H6 Air proves that gaming headsets can be just as good for listening to music. Equipped with 40mm studio-grade drivers found in Sony’s monitoring headphones, the H6 Air is the ideal headset for audiophiles and gamers who want an immersive experience.

Whether you’re taking in the sights and sounds in open-world RPGs or infiltrating enemy bases in FPS titles, the H6 Air ensures you hear every soft footstep and loud explosion. Its open-back design offers superior comfort for all-day wear, and it comes with a detachable boom mic that makes you sound loud and clear. The H6 Air is the one headset to rule them all. — Nikita Achanta, Senior Reviews Writer

Components

Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus

Intel’s been on a bit of a comeback tour this year, and the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is a highlight of its return to form. By focusing on the fundamentals and righting the wrongs of its previous “Arrow Lake” generation, Intel’s created something special (and well-priced) for your machine.

The productivity chops are still here — staying miles ahead of AMD in terms of getting stuff done. But with critical improvements to its gaming performance by speeding up the travel time for data inside the chip and offering performance packages, these vastly cheaper chips get uncomfortably close in potential to Team Red’s pricey X3D CPUs. — Jason England, Managing Editor of Core Tech

AMD Radeon RX 9070 GRE

GPU pricing has become a bit of a running joke in 2026, but amid huge price increases, AMD has managed to hold down the fort, with the nicely powerful Radeon RX 9070 GRE staying (or even below) its MSRP.

Built atop AMD’s RDNA 4 architecture to support all that FSR Redstone goodness, this is a fantastic 1440p GPU that offers decent ray tracing performance, strong frame rates, and real value for money. It may not be the best for productivity, but if you want bang for your buck in gaming, this is solid. — Jason England, Managing Editor of Core Tech

Intel Arc G3 Extreme

It’s a double win for Intel in the components category, as the Arc G3 Extreme in the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ delivers the next-generation breakthrough for gaming handhelds we’ve been waiting for.

Taking that monster integrated GPU from the Panther Lake laptop chips and stuffing it into a handheld (XeSS 3 multi-frame generation and all) has led to a giant leap not just in frames per second, but in power efficiency too. With just over four hours of battery life on one charge in our gaming testing, and the ability to play games on a 4K screen with ease, this is a phenomenal chip. — Jason England, Managing Editor of Core Tech

Accessories and peripherals

Tessan Voyager 205

One thing that’s become an increasingly difficult task on my travels is keeping everything powered. The USB-C port demands can create a Frankenstein combination of travel adaptors all over my hotel room, but the Tessan Voyager 205 has the international compatibility and raw wattage to charge every single thing in my arsenal.

With three USB-C ports at 45W, three USB-C ports at 160W, USB-A, and a plug adaptor to plug something else in to make the most of that 205W output, this is a compact beast of a charger that keeps everything topped up with ease. — Jason England, Managing Editor of Core Tech

Satechi Mac Mini M4 Stand & Hub with SSD Enclosure

Satechi has long made some of the best Apple accessories, and its Mac Mini M4 Stand & Hub is the first accessory I’d pick up for Cupertino’s latest mini PC. Thanks to its anodized aluminum finish and dimensions, it complements the Mac mini M4 perfectly while giving you easy access to the device’s power button with a handy cutout on the back.

With Satechi’s Mac Mini M4 Stand & Hub, you can instantly add three USB-A ports and an SD card reader to your Mac, but that’s not all it can do. There’s also a free M.2 slot on the underside which lets you expand your Mac mini’s storage by up to 4TB. Whether you want to beat the Apple Tax on storage or add extra ports to your Mac mini M4, this accessory is easy to recommend. — Anthony Spadafora, Managing Editor

Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro

Few keyboards are “designed for audiophiles,” but the Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro is, and it’s the best-sounding mechanical keyboard I’ve ever tested. Its Kailh Cocoa switches, five layers of sound-dampening foam, and double-shot PBT keycaps come together to create a raindrop-like sound profile that’s gobsmackingly fantastic.

Plus, the Rainy 75 Pro is an absolute beast for productivity, thanks to its ultra-responsive switches and up to 900 hours of battery life. Its full CNC-machined aluminum construction also means the keyboard can stand the test of time. There really is no better deck for hardcore typists (and fans of a thocky sound). — Nikita Achanta, Senior Reviews Writer

Whether you’re leaving for the first time or heading back to college, packing tech for your dorm room is just as important as the essentials. With space at a premium, it makes sense to get devices that can do double duty. So, if you’re thinking about picking up a TV, I strongly recommend getting a monitor with USB-C connectivity and power delivery instead.

At home or in a shared apartment, one of the best TVs absolutely makes sense. But when you’re sharing a cramped dorm room with another person, you don’t have that luxury. While you could squeeze in a smaller 42-inch TV, you won’t have any desk space left for your books, laptop, and everything else.

You also won’t be able to wall mount a TV in a dorm, but a monitor gives you far more flexibility. Although you could use the included stand and let it sit on your desk, you can also pick up one of the best monitor arms. With a monitor arm, you free up valuable desk real estate and can easily reposition your display — angling it toward your bed for late-night streaming or toward your chair for studying.

These days, there are plenty of great budget monitors out there. Alternatively, you could pick up one of the best monitors with all the extra features — and if you choose wisely, it could easily last until you graduate. Either way, there’s one specific feature I always look for whenever I shop for a new monitor: USB-C connectivity.

Do it all with a single cable

The first and most important investment to make for your college career is one of the best laptops for students. While budget-friendly, many offer the same core features you’ll find on a far more expensive machine. Just make sure the laptop you pick up features a USB-C port that supports both DisplayPort Alt Mode (video output) and USB Power Delivery (charging). With that kind of laptop in hand, you can move on to choosing the right display.

The beauty of a USB-C monitor is that a single cable turns your laptop into a full desktop workstation. However, not every monitor with USB-C is built the same. Cheaper options often limit their ports to 15 watts of power, which is barely enough to trickle-charge a smartphone — let alone power a laptop while you're working.

That’s why you should look for a monitor that offers at least 65W of Power Delivery. That provides plenty of juice for 13- and 14-inch laptops like a MacBook Neo or Dell XPS 13, keeping your battery topped off so you can unplug and head straight to class. If you use a larger, power-hungry machine — like a 16-inch MacBook Pro — you’ll want to target a monitor with 90W to 100W PD. That ensures your laptop won't slowly drain its battery during heavy editing or gaming sessions while plugged into the display.

Laptops aren't the only devices that can benefit from a monitor with USB-C, either. Modern iPads, Android tablets, and flagship smartphones can also output video over USB-C straight to your display. But if you want to switch between multiple devices on one desk without constantly swapping cables, there’s another essential feature to look for.

Different devices, same peripherals

If you're just swapping between two laptops, you don't have much to worry about — you can always rely on their built-in keyboards and trackpads. But if you want to connect a phone, a tablet, a dedicated gaming rig, or even one of the best mini PCs, those built-in controls aren't an option.

That’s where a monitor with a built-in KVM switch comes in. KVM stands for "keyboard, video, and mouse," and it’s a hardware feature that lets you control multiple devices using a single one, in this case your monitor. If you’re writing an essay on your laptop and suddenly want to review photos from your phone or jump into a PC game on the big screen, a KVM switch lets you use the exact same keyboard and mouse across every device without missing a beat.

When shopping for a display with KVM functionality, look for a rear panel that includes a USB-C port, a USB-B port, and a few USB-A downstream ports. You plug your desktop peripherals — like a keyboard, mouse, or even a webcam — directly into the monitor's USB-A slots. When your laptop is connected via USB-C, the monitor automatically routes those peripherals to your laptop.

To connect a second device like a desktop or mini PC, you simply run an HDMI or DisplayPort cable for video, plus a USB-B-to-USB-A cable for data back to the monitor. Once plugged in, the display handles all the signal routing behind the scenes. You don't have to unplug a single wire; your peripherals seamlessly switch over to whatever device is actively displayed on screen. Sure, you could buy multi-device Bluetooth gear to switch between screens, but re-pairing connections manually gets tedious fast.

Higher watts and better cables

Now, I’d never recommend that you pick up the first monitor you find, even if it meets your current criteria. Since this is a display for college, you’ll likely use it for several years. That’s why it’s always a good idea to futureproof a few key features if you have the budget for it.

While you might start off your college career with a 13-inch MacBook Air or a Dell XPS 13, your workload could easily change by junior year to the point where you need a 16-inch MacBook Pro or a heavy-duty workstation. In that case, a display with lower Power Delivery output won't cut it anymore. If your budget allows, look for a monitor with 90W of Power Delivery or higher so you're covered no matter what laptop you upgrade to down the line.

Another easy trap to fall into is using the wrong cable to connect your laptop to your new monitor. If your display comes with a full-featured USB-C cable in the box, great. If it doesn't — or if you need a replacement — you need to specifically look for a cable rated for high-wattage charging that explicitly supports video pass-through out of the box. Most students won't need expensive Thunderbolt 5 cables, but since this single cord is carrying both high-resolution video and continuous power to your main machine, it pays to invest in a quality option.

A big TV might make your dorm room the hangout spot on your floor, but a reliable USB-C monitor with Power Delivery will keep your devices charged, streamline your desk setup, and give you maximum screen real estate without sacrificing a single inch of actual space.

More from Tom's Guide

• Ultimate back to school guide 2026: Laptops, Chromebooks, headphones and more
• 9 last-minute back-to-school laptop deals under $800 I recommend right now
• I test tablets for a living — here are the pros and cons of using them for school

LG Display has announced a new "dream OLED" production method that is supposed to improve brightness, lifespan and efficiency.

LG has traditionally produced its OLED panels using a fine metal mask (FMM) process that evaporates OLED materials through tiny holes in metal plates. That method is costly and isn't flexible depending on the scale of the panel.

The new FLiPP method deposits RGB pixels without using the FMM plates. "Compared with panels produced using FMMs under identical conditions, FLiPP enables displays to increase brightness by 1.6 times, extend lifespan by 2.4 times, and reduce power consumption by 13%," the LG press release claims.

Ostensibly, removing the metal panel should also reduce weight, but that may not be significant enough to note.

LG's YouTube video explains it a bit more, comparing FMM to a staggered stencil art process while FliPP secures pixels in more precise positions.

Per LG, this new production method could be used to produce RGB OLED panels from as small as 1 inch all the way up to 100 inches.

"One of FLiPP’s greatest advantages is that it is free from panel size and resolution constraints. In theory, it can be used to produce displays ranging from 1 inch to 100 inches and can be applied not only to conventional panels but also to VR and AR displays, making it a virtually universal, 'ultimate technology'," the company said.

Initially, it appears LG will start with tablets and monitors, but as the video above notes, it could expand to everything from smartwatches to TVs. However, production won't really start until late 2027 at the earliest.

As far as we can tell, LG may be one of the first companies to potentially ditch metal masks at a commercial level, especially for TVs.

However, TCL may beat LG to the punch. Last year, TCL showed off its inkjet OLED printing method, and in July OLED-Info reported that the company is starting to enter mass production with a 27-inch 4K RGB display.

The difference is that right now, it's unclear if inkjet-printed OLED displays can be scaled up to larger TVs, but this is be worked on.

All in all, OLED monitors, TVs and more could get very interesting in the next couple of years.

More from Tom's Guide

• 'LG TVs are better than they've ever been' — here's what they're doing right, what they're doing wrong, and what needs to change in 2026
• Tom's Guide TV Satisfaction Survey: Tell us what you love (and hate) about your TV
• We asked readers which TV brand they trusted most — and one company rose above the rest

I love OLED gaming monitors, but not all OLED devices are created equal, so I put on my critical glasses when eyeing Lenovo’s Legion Pro 32UD-10 4K 240Hz monitor. My assessing eye quickly turned to ogling.

At 31.5 inches, the Legion Pro 32UD-10 is a decently large display that delivers a vivid array of colors, making gaming far more immersive than with almost all IPS or VA monitors I’ve played on. Compared with other OLED gaming monitors, the Legion Pro 32UD is quite solid on that front.

Of course, it trips up on one key aspect: its brightness. It’s a common issue with OLED gaming monitors, but the Legion Pro 32UD-10 is especially dim out of the box. It makes up for it with its crisp 4K resolution and smooth 240Hz refresh rate.

At the current $879, it’s one of the best gaming monitors, but unless you want something very specific from the Legion Pro 32UD-10, you’re likely to find a brighter gaming monitor for a similar price.

Lenovo Legion Pro 32UD-10 4K 240Hz review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? The Lenovo Legion Pro 32UD-10 is a standard 16:9 OLED gaming monitor.
• Who is it for? Gamers seeking a large OLED gaming monitor for under $1,000 (on sale).
• How much does it cost? The Lenovo Legion Pro 32UD-10 is typically $1,099, but it's currently on sale at Best Buy and Lenovo for $819.
• What do we like? The Lenovo Legion Pro 32UD-10 offers a colorful panel with sharp resolution and a high refresh rate, all packed into an elegant design.
• What don’t we like? The display looks dim out of the box, and while you can set it to a brighter mode, it’s still dimmer than some competitors.

Lenovo Legion Pro 32UD 4K 240Hz review: Specs

Lenovo Legion Pro 32UD-10 4K 240Hz review: The ups

The Lenovo Legion Pro 32UD-10 is packed with good looks both inside and out, including a sleek design, pretty display, and excellent performance.

Sleek design

For a gaming monitor, the Lenovo Legion Pro 32UD-10 is surprisingly elegant, with its white hexagonal base, thin panel, and slim neck.

The panel measures 28.30 x 16.35 x 2.02 inches, which isn’t too big. However, you’ll need to work around its hexagonal base — it looks good but isn’t practical, as it blocks space you could use to slide in any accessories you usually keep on your desk. The stand has a hole for easy cable management. There’s also a clear plastic piece with no defined purpose, but you might be able to slot your phone into it (my Pixel 9 just hits the display).

As for movement, you can raise or lower the monitor by 5.3 inches and tilt it back by 5 degrees or forward by 22 degrees. The swivel range is 45 degrees to the left and right. Adjusting the swivel feels smooth, while the tilt is stiff but secure.

There’s an array of ports on the back, including a single DisplayPort, two HDMI 2.1 slots, three USB-A ports, and a single USB-C port. There’s no USB-B slot, but I don’t think anyone will miss it. Below the ports, in the center, are the joystick and buttons for navigating the display settings, along with the power button.

While this is technically a gaming monitor, it’s nice not to be blasted with crazy RGB lighting. And the white colorway is a refreshing break from the homogeneous black-and-gray gaming tech.

Vivid display

The Lenovo Legion Pro 32UD-10 4K 240Hz is a stunning OLED display that captures every detail you never knew you wanted to see, all in a blast of color.

I jumped into space-dad simulator (Pragmata) and took in the gorgeous, twisted landscape of New York City. Everything from the neon signs to the yellow taxi cabs popped on screen. The blue tanks on the creepy baby creatures were vividly clear, especially when they turned red after being shot.

Our lab results matched my hands-on testing. In Standard mode, the Lenovo Legion Pro 32UD-10 delivers strong colors across both sRGB and DCI-P3 color gamuts. It keeps pace with the $799 Alienware AW3426DW but is slightly duller than the $859 MSI MPG 321URXW. The Legion’s color accuracy (Delta-E) is slightly higher (worse) than its competitors’, but it wouldn’t be noticeable to the human eye.

There are 7 display modes to choose from, including Standard, FPS (two), Racing, RTS, and Game (two) modes. I highly recommend setting the monitor to Game mode, as it’s the most general-purpose option and it’s brighter than the Standard mode (I’ll get into brightness later).

Smooth performance

With a 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time, the Lenovo Legion Pro 32UD-10 has been nothing but smooth sailing. The monitor supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, which eliminates screen tearing, stuttering, and ghosting. Although I couldn’t find it on Lenovo’s website, the monitor is also compatible with Nvidia G-Sync.

I tested the Lenovo Legion Pro 32UD-10 with my custom desktop, outfitted with an AMD Ryzen 7 5800X CPU, an Nvidia RTX 5080 GPU, and 32GB of RAM. It was enough to push the monitor to its limits in some games, especially at 4K resolution and 240Hz. You technically don’t need a high-end gaming rig to enjoy this display, but if you want to make full use of it, you need power.

In a graphically demanding game like Pragmata, I couldn’t push it to its limits, but the high refresh rate made dashing around enemies feel smooth, and I had all the refresh rate I needed for faster reactions at high frame rates. With a sharp panel like this, capturing the intricate details of my enemy’s armor while I’m fighting made the experience feel more present.

For those used to curved monitors, as I am, going back to a flat screen is quite jarring because the sides of the screen appear farther away than they should. Something to keep in mind for those switching from a curved display.

Solid UI

The interface is simple. The UI uses black and gray with blue backgrounds and white text. There’s nothing offensive here. It’s not particularly intuitive, but it's not terrible to navigate.

The joystick is the primary navigation method, but there are two other buttons: one for inputs and the other for display modes. Unfortunately, the buttons don’t open a dedicated screen to adjust their settings quickly; they simply take you to their tab in the main interface. As for overall navigation, I do wish the buttons and joystick were lower and more pronounced on the body.

Lenovo Legion Pro 32UD-10 4K 240Hz review: The downs

You might be used to lower brightness on OLED gaming monitors, but the Lenovo Legion Pro 32UD is dim even by that scale. It was also a pain to put together.

On the dimmer side

While OLED monitors can land a bit dim, the Lenovo Legion Pro 32UD 4K 240Hz is especially on the dimmer side right out of the box.

Walking the streets of a corrupted New York City in Pragmata, I found the dark alleys and shadowy areas didn’t fill out as much as they should have, so I couldn't make out the details of the garbage truck that was right next to me. I felt like I needed to turn off the lights in my room to get the full experience.

The $859 MSI MPG 321URXW, which we consider dim, wasn’t that bad out of the box. However, setting the Lenovo Legion Pro 32UD-10 to Game mode gave the monitor a notable brightness boost. But even with that boost, it can’t keep up with the $799 Alienware AW3426DW.

In HDR, the Lenovo Legion Pro 32UD-10 reached up to 419 nits of brightness on 10% of the display in Standard mode. That’s pretty solid, and it would be great to experience that level of brightness if you use HDR mode.

Unfortunately, Windows HDR sucks. That’s because it balances brightness across applications, so everything looks darker unless you’re explicitly playing HDR content.

Simple yet frustrating build

The Lenovo Legion Pro 32UD-10 comes in three pieces. Unlike its competitors, it does not click together easily. Instead, there are four screws for the base and four for the monitor. That’s fine; you’ll only be doing this once. However, I ran into a few issues while building this.

When connecting the monitor to the base, the screws were close enough to the neck that if you screw them in lengthwise with the included screwdriver, you’ll scratch the monitor’s paint. In the end, I couldn’t get the screws to sit flush with the mount. Then, when attempting to adjust it further, a piece of the screwdriver’s head snapped off — to be clear, I was not using any more force than normal.

This could all be a series of unfortunate events exclusive to me, so I’m not weighing it too heavily, but it was nevertheless frustrating.

Lenovo Legion Pro 32UD-10 4K 240Hz review: Verdict

The Lenovo Legion Pro 32UD-10 can easily be a go-to gaming monitor for many folks. It’s got the elegant design paired with elite specs — a 4K resolution and 240Hz refresh rate will carry you a long way with most high-performance rigs. On top of that, you get those deep blacks and bold colors that OLED is famous for. The one hang-up is that it’s relatively dim.

I didn’t have a major issue with the dimness during my testing. Yes, there are brighter panels out there, but my eyes did eventually adjust, and if you’re playing in a dark room, games like Pragmata are still going to pop. If you’re looking for the best, however, this isn’t it.

For $80 less, you could go with the Alienware AW3426DW, which gets you a curved ultrawide screen and a brighter overall display. But if you’re looking for a standard, non-curved display, then the Lenovo Legion Pro 32UD is still a solid choice.

The Asus ROG Swift OLED PG34WCDN is one of the loveliest gaming monitors I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing. Not only does it look great on a desk, but its curved OLED panel makes games feel more immersive. Though it’s pricey at $1,299, it’s a worthwhile investment that’ll enhance your gaming experiences for years to come.

Like the equally awesome Alienware AW3426DW, Asus’ monitor features an ultrawide 21:9 aspect ratio, which is great for expanding your gaming POV and letting you comfortably have more open windows on the screen. The 800R curvature isn’t too extreme but still does a nice job of enveloping you. The sharp 3440 x 1440 resolution and vivid OLED panel also keep you immersed. It can also get surprisingly bright for a gaming monitor.

Some of the monitor's unique features set it apart from competitors and deliver sharper image quality. The Penta Tandem QD OLED display with Pure RGB is a first outside Asus' own UCWM series and improves text rendering. The new Black Shield Film offers superior ambient light handling, eliminates color shift, and improves black depth perception.

Performance is smooth and responsive, thanks to the fast 360Hz refresh rate and low 0.03ms response time (respectively). Whether you’re playing fast-paced first-person shooters or enjoying a more cinematic experience, the ROG Swift OLED has you covered.

Aside from its high price compared to similar monitors, the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG34WCDN is easily one of the best gaming monitors you can buy. Find out why in my full review.

Asus ROG Swift OLED PG34WCDN review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? The Asus ROG Swift OLED is a curved gaming monitor.
• Who is it for? Gamers who need a monitor with a high refresh rate for fast-paced competitive gaming.
• What does it cost? Asus ROG Swift OLED (PG34WCDM) costs $1,299 on Newegg.
• What do we like? We like the sleek design, immersive curved panel, vivid image quality, and smooth performance.
• What don’t we like? We don’t like that it costs more than similar gaming monitors.

Asus ROG Swift OLED PG34WCDN review: Specs

Asus ROG Swift OLED PG34WCDN review: The ups

The Asus ROG Swift OLED impresses thanks to its eye-catching design, vibrant image quality, and blazing-fast performance.

Sleek design

You won’t mistake the ROG Swift OLED for anything other than a gaming monitor, thanks to its dark chassis, sharp angles, and standard red lighting. It’s a pretty aggressive design, but that’s what makes it so striking.

While certainly not as gargantuan as the 49-inch Samsung Odyssey OLED G9, you’ll still need a relatively large table for this monitor. Its tripod-like stand is just a few inches shorter than the 30.9 x 21.6 x 11.5-inch panel. Though wide, the legs are elevated high enough to let you keep peripherals under them if you’re running out of space.

There’s a cutaway on the stand’s shaft that makes management simple. It’s also easy to raise or lower the monitor to your desired height, tilt it backward by 5 degrees or forward by 20 degrees, and swivel the screen 15 degrees left or right.

You’ll find plenty of ports on the back. This includes one DisplayPort, two HDMI ports, three USB-A ports, one USB-C port, a headphone jack, and a USB-C port. Given the monitor’s size, you’ll need to either go around it or rotate it to access the ports, as you can’t easily connect cables by feel alone.

This wouldn’t be a proper gaming monitor without RGB lighting. On the back, there’s a large ROG logo you can customize with different colors and lighting effects via the menu. My favorite lighting feature is a red ROG logo projected under the stand and onto your table. The lighting here isn’t intrusive and nicely complements the monitor’s overall aesthetic.

Vivid display

The OLED panel delivers bright, colorful images that make every game you play look its best. The contrast between dark and light elements is fantastic and enhances the already oversaturated hues. The 21:9 aspect ratio and 800R curvature also draw you in. Even if you’re not getting a 4K image, 3440 x 1440 is still very sharp.

A game like Cyberpunk 2077 shines on the Swift OLED. The neon-drenched streets and holograms come alive thanks to the monitor’s oversaturated color reproduction. On the 21:9 panel, I can see more of the surroundings than I would on a standard 16:9 display. The sharp resolution and overall brightness also ensure everything comes through clearly.

And what do our lab tests have to say? In its default User mode, the ROG Swift OLED produces oversaturated hues in both the sRGB and DCI-P3 color gamuts, as both are well above the 100% target. As you can see in the table above, the panel on Asus’ monitor is more colorful than the one on the Alienware AW3426DW in its standard mode.

One major win here is brightness. In dedicated HDR modes, the ROG Swift OLED reaches nearly 500 nits at 10% of the display and about 280 nits across the entire screen. Dim HDR brightness has been my chief complaint with the gaming monitors I’ve reviewed, so it’s great to see Asus (and Alienware) bucking this trend.

Speaking of dedicated display modes, you get a total of nine here. This includes standard fare like FPS, RTS, and Sports modes, each tuned for its respective gaming genre. The modes differ only slightly from one another, depending on their functions.

Blazing fast performance

The ROG Swift OLED delivers professional-grade gaming performance thanks to its 360Hz refresh rate and super-low 0.03ms response time. Compatibility with Nvidia G-Sync also helps deliver smooth gaming performance. While it doesn’t match the LG UltraGear 27GX790B-B’s insane 540Hz and 720Hz modes, you won’t complain about this monitor’s performance.

To test the ROG Swift OLED, I connected it to the Alienware 16 Area-51, a powerful gaming laptop with an Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU, an Nvidia RTX 5080 GPU, and 32GB of RAM. You’ll want a sufficiently powerful rig like this to take advantage of this monitor’s stellar performance.

Cyberpunk 2077 ran smoothly thanks to the high refresh rate and low latency. I couldn’t get the frame rate anywhere near the 320Hz refresh rate, but the extra headroom meant I didn’t experience choppiness. And unless you’re a hardcore competitive gamer, you probably won’t notice much, if any, input lag—I certainly didn’t.

Clean UI

The ROG Swift OLED has a clean UI that you can easily access by clicking the OSD joystick. This is where you'll see all the display modes and make fine adjustments to brightness, RGB lighting, and other features. Everything is organized into clear sections, and it’s easy to navigate.

The OSD joystick rests behind the ROG logo at the bottom center and is easy to reach. The stick is relatively rigid but still has enough give when you move it. It also sticks out enough to not feel like a nub.

Though the menu is a bit more complex than on other gaming monitors, it doesn’t overwhelm either.

Asus ROG Swift OLED PG34WCDN review: The downs

There’s no denying that the Asus ROG Swift OLED is a fantastic gaming monitor that checks all the right boxes. That said, it has one major drawback.

Pricey

To be fair, the Asus ROG Swift OLED isn’t the most expensive gaming monitor I’ve reviewed. It’s fairly priced for what it offers. However, unless you’re a hardcore competitive gamer who needs an ultra-fast refresh rate, there are other, more affordable options.

The main example that comes to mind is the Alienware AW3426DW, which also has a 21:9 aspect ratio and a 3440 x 1440 resolution. While it has a “lower” 280Hz refresh rate and a less curved panel, you get most of the Swift OLED’s key features for just $799. Because of that, you’ll have to ask yourself whether the extra $500 for a higher refresh rate and flashier RGB lighting is worth it.

Asus ROG Swift OLED PG34WCDN review: Verdict

Gaming monitors designed for high-level competitive play usually sacrifice picture quality for faster performance. The Asus ROG Swift OLED doesn't, proving that you can have the best of both worlds. Yes, it’s designed for fast-paced online gaming, but it also delivers stunning overall picture quality.

If the $1299 asking price is too steep, then check out the $799 Alienware AW3426DW I mentioned above. But if Asus’ monitor fits your needs as a competitive gamer, then I promise you won’t be disappointed. Right now, it’s one of the finest gaming monitors you can buy.

The MSI Pro Max 271UPXW12G is a 4K QD-OLED monitor designed with creative professionals in mind — specifically those who prefer Mac over Windows. Despite its Mac-centric design, it manages to pack in many of MSI’s best gaming features to make it an ideal display for both work and play.

I remember when I first saw the MSI Pro Max 271UPXW12G back at CES, as it left an immediate impression on me. Unlike the Studio Display or Studio Display XDR, you won’t find any of Apple’s usual limitations here. Instead, this is a full-featured QD-OLED monitor with all the ports you could ever need — and then some.

After using the Pro Max 271UPXW12G as my daily driver for the past month across both macOS and Windows, I’m just as impressed as I was when I first laid eyes on it. From its sleek, minimalist design to its packed array of ports and, of course, its 4th-Gen QD-OLED panel, this display has served me well both on and off the clock. Still, while I appreciate that it has built-in speakers, they do leave a bit to be desired.

My MSI Pro Max 271UPXW12G review will help you decide if this is the best monitor for your Mac (and even your gaming PC or PS5) — or if it’s worth paying the Apple Tax for a Studio Display instead.

MSI Pro Max 271UPXW12G: Cheat Sheet

• What is it? A 27-inch 4K QD-OLED monitor designed for Mac that you can also game on.
• Who is it for? Creative professionals who need full color accuracy on Mac or Windows and don’t want to deal with the limitations and higher price of Apple’s Studio Display.
• What does it cost? The MSI Pro Max 271UPXW12G costs $999, but now you can find this monitor for $710 in white or $650 in black and often for even less when it’s on sale.
• What do we like? Its sleek design, the vibrancy and detail of its 4th-Gen QD-OLED panel, the integrated Mac controls, its 120 Hz refresh rate, the full-featured ports and its built-in KVM switch.
• What don’t we like? That the monitor auto-mounts a drive on both Mac and Windows and that the built-in speakers leave something to be desired.

MSI MSI Pro Max 271UPXW12G: Specs

MSI Pro Max 271UPXW12G: The Ups

The MSI Pro Max 271UPXW12G is an incredibly capable professional monitor in a sleek and stylish package. You’d be hard-pressed to find a similar port array on even more expensive displays — and beyond creative work, it manages to hold its own against top-tier gaming monitors even if that isn’t its primary focus.

As clean as can be

Just like with MSI’s MPG 321URXW gaming monitor I reviewed last year, the Pro Max 271UPXW12G is incredibly thin thanks to its QD-OLED panel. On the top and sides, the display is razor-thin at four to five millimeters (0.16 to 0.2 inches) — with its internal components and built-in power supply housed in the center.

Underneath the Pro Max 271UPXW12G’s display, you’ll find an AI Care Sensor that houses a CMOS camera/sensor and an NPU used for features like presence detection and adaptive brightness. This monitor also comes with MSI’s OLED Care 3.0 tech to protect its panel from burn-in.

Around back, there’s a joystick and two buttons for navigating the monitor’s OSD menu to adjust its settings. While the Pro Max 271UPXW12G has a circular cutout for the included monitor stand, MSI includes a standard 100 x 100 VESA mount adapter if you want to use this display with one of the best monitor arms. There’s also a square plate in the box in case you want to mount a mini PC like the MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG or the updated 3MG behind your monitor.

Speaking of the monitor stand, it’s made entirely from metal — and to date, it’s one of the highest-quality included stands I’ve seen yet. I typically use a monitor arm, but with the Pro Max 271UPXW12G, I didn’t even consider it.

I also really appreciated that MSI includes every cable you need right in the box — from DisplayPort to USB-C. The ones that came with my review unit were color-matched to the white version of the Pro Max 271UPXW12G I tested, blending in seamlessly with the rest of my setup too.

A multi-workstation hub

Although MSI designed the Pro Max 271UPXW12G with Apple’s Macs in mind, you wouldn’t want to limit yourself to one operating system (or device) with this monitor. While other displays have built-in KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) switches to let you use the same peripherals seamlessly across two computers, this one actually supports three.

As such, the Pro Max 271UPXW12G is outfitted with an impressive selection of ports. For video, you get dual HDMI 2.1 connections, DisplayPort 1.4a, and two USB-C inputs with power delivery. While one is limited to 15W, the other delivers 98W of power so you can use and charge one of the best laptops simultaneously. For the KVM switch, there’s a USB-B port alongside four USB-A ports.

Since I switch between computers quite often while reviewing the best mini PCs, I like to use my mouse and keyboard’s 2.4 GHz USB dongles instead of Bluetooth. Even with a webcam connected too, I still had one free USB port — which was really impressive.

Another detail I really like about the Pro Max 271UPXW12G is its internal power supply instead of a bulky power brick. This made cable management under my desk a lot easier — and if you ever need to replace this monitor’s power cable, it uses the same standard one as a desktop PC.

Sure, you could plug in one of the best MacBooks or even a Mac mini M4 into the Pro Max 271UPXW12G and call it a day. However, by doing so, you’d be wasting one of its best features: the built-in KVM switch. With a Mac on one side of my desk and a PC on the other, switching between the two and using the same keyboard and mouse was almost instant. Likewise, it worked like a charm over both USB-C and with the included USB-B cable.

Crisp, colorful and Mac-friendly

In the past, it was often difficult using a third-party monitor with a Mac due to how macOS handles pixel density. This causes text fringing, where the words on your screen look fuzzy or blurry. Fortunately, MSI considered this when developing the Pro Max 271UPXW12G and gave it a higher pixel density of 166 PPI.

One of the best things about the Studio Display and the Studio Display XDR I reviewed is being able to use your keyboard to adjust things like brightness and volume — which you can’t do on a lot of third-party displays. To address this, MSI created a dedicated Mac app called M-Mate. After installing it from the App Store, not only can you control this monitor using the keys on your MacBook, but you can also match the Pro Max 271UPXW12G’s color profile with your Apple laptop or even your iPad.

If Apple’s color profile isn’t the one you use for photo or video editing, no worries — this monitor comes with a ton of other popular ones too. With a few clicks on the joystick around back, you can switch between sRGB, Adobe RGB, DCI-P3, and several other color spaces depending on the task at hand. Though not for everyone, creative professionals will really appreciate this feature.

During my time testing out the Pro Max 271UPXW12G, I started with my Mac mini M4 on one side and the Khadas Mind 2S mini PC — equipped with Khadas’ Mind Graphics 2 eGPU — on the other. From there, I swapped out the Mac mini for a 16-inch MacBook Pro M5 Pro, which let me take full advantage of that USB-C port with 98W of power delivery. Everything worked and looked great on MSI’s Studio Display alternative, but I wasn’t done there….

Made for more than work

Having used both the Studio Display and Studio Display XDR, I’m still a bit baffled by how both monitors only come equipped with Thunderbolt ports. I’d love to hook up a gaming PC or a console to one of Apple’s monitors alongside a Mac, but unfortunately, I don’t know if that will ever be possible.

Fortunately, with the Pro Max 271UPXW12G, you can actually do this — and at higher frame rates too, since its QD-OLED panel has a refresh rate of 120Hz. Now, I know that isn’t as high as what you’ll find on dedicated gaming displays, but this is a monitor designed around productivity after all.

To put the Pro Max 271UPXW12G’s gaming capabilities — and aesthetics — to the test, I hooked it up to the Minisforum G1 Pro mini PC, which features a desktop-grade Nvidia RTX 5060 GPU. In addition to finishing Death Stranding 2 on PC this way, I also played through a bit of Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. Both games looked incredible on the Pro Max 271UPXW12G, with a bit of help from Nvidia’s DLSS tech. However, I wasn’t done there.

As I simultaneously reviewed the Pro Max 271UPXW12G alongside Splatoon Raiders, I hooked up my Nintendo Switch 2 to MSI’s monitor as well. The colorful hues from the game’s ink-filled battles looked amazing on the panel, and just like with Death Stranding 2, I actually ended up beating the game while using MSI’s display.

There are definitely higher-refresh options out there if you're looking for one of the best gaming monitors. However, this is the only productivity-focused monitor for creatives I know of that lets you jump straight into gaming without severe limitations.

MSI Pro Max 271UPXW12G: The Downs

The MSI Pro Max 271UPXW12G sets itself apart as a third-party Mac monitor with some solid gaming chops to boot. However, it’s not without a few slight downsides — one of which I’m still thoroughly confused by.

An auto-mounting annoyance

Following the recent controversy with LG’s monitors auto-installing software, imagine my surprise when I saw an auto-mounted drive from MSI on both my Mac and PC after connecting the Pro Max 271UPXW12G. Fortunately, we’re dealing with a different beast entirely here.

You see, instead of auto-installing software, the monitor’s onboard microcontroller automatically mounts the contents of a tiny flash storage chip whenever a device is connected via USB-C or through the USB-B cable for its KVM switch.

This drive doesn’t force-install anything, but it does give you a direct download link for MSI Productivity Intelligence on Mac or MSI Gaming OSD on Windows.

The software itself lets you adjust settings like brightness and contrast with your mouse and keyboard so you don’t have to reach for the physical joystick around back. In theory, this is meant to be a convenient shortcut for end users so they don’t have to hunt down extra software on MSI’s support page. In practice, however, I found it fairly annoying — especially on Mac.

Due to how macOS operates, any connected volume automatically mounts directly onto your desktop. While you can turn this off by going to Finder > Settings > General and unchecking External disks under “Show these items on the desktop”, this is still a minor nuisance. Alternatively, you could skip connecting your computer via USB-C or avoid using the included USB-B cable for the KVM switch altogether, but that defeats the entire point of buying a feature-packed, productivity-focused monitor like the Pro Max 271UPXW12G.

Good but not great built-in speakers

Unlike with MSI’s gaming monitors, its business and productivity-focused ones often come with built-in speakers. This is a feature that’s always nice to have in a pinch since you can test your audio easily, and if they’re good enough, you don’t have to bother cluttering up your desk with extra hardware.

The Pro Max 271UPXW12G has dual 2.5W speakers, and for attending meetings or other less demanding tasks, I found they worked well enough. Since their wattage is on the lower side, they do sound a bit tinny, though.

I relied on the Pro Max 271UPXW12G’s built-in speakers for the most part during my testing. However, when it was time to put its gaming capabilities to the test, I opted for a pair of Kanto Ora 4 bookshelf speakers, which made a massive difference.

Now, if you’re the type who wears headphones while working or gaming, this won’t be a problem. The built-in speakers are good enough, but if you want more volume or bass, I’d recommend going a similar route with a pair of the best computer speakers.

MSI Pro Max 271UPXW12G: Verdict

The MSI Pro Max 271UPXW12G is a breath of fresh air when it comes to Mac-focused monitors. Not only can you control its brightness and audio with your MacBook’s keyboard, but you can also match the display’s color profile directly with your Apple laptop. All of those full-featured ports and the built-in KVM switch also make the Pro Max 271UPXW12G a productivity powerhouse for anyone who relies on multiple operating systems and devices for work.

The 4th-Gen QD-OLED panel is another major highlight thanks to its vibrant colors, deep contrast, and anti-glare, low-reflection finish. Similarly, MSI deserves credit for including every cable you could ever need alongside plenty of extra accessories right in the box.

Still, I do wish you could permanently disable the auto-mounting drive on the monitor itself, and the built-in speakers leave some room for improvement. Overall though, if you want a more affordable Studio Display alternative that doubles as a high-performance gaming monitor, the MSI Pro Max 271UPXW12G is an excellent choice — especially given its more competitive pricing post-launch.

The humble computer monitor — they come in all shapes and sizes and with all kinds of display tech, but the way you use them hasn’t really changed since the early 1950s. You plug it in and a pretty picture shows up … That’s about it!

But Lenovo’s Vice President and GM of Visuals business, George Toh, has ambitious dreams for how this peripheral will not only develop over time, but actually change the future of how we go about doing things at our desk.

I got the chance to speak to Toh following a bunch of concept device unveilings over the past few months, to see where he thinks things will go, and being real, I don’t think my desk is ready for the glow-up it’s going to get over the next few years.

Appearances will be deceiving

One of the first things Toh mentioned is that if we were to get into a time machine and travel forward, “the physics of a display won’t change.” It will be that same familiar rectangle on your desk. “I anticipate it to be a lot thinner, but still physically large — I expect it to look a lot more attractive than what it is today,” Toh added.

You can see this pursuit of thinness in a lot of monitors today, which comes up against the simple physics of the heat generated and the dimensions of the panel inside the case. Given the iterative pace of monitor tech, it really doesn’t surprise me that the sleekness will get even sleeker. On top of that, the price of these materials to build panels is coming down too — one of those rare moments in computing where something gets more cost effective.

“Even OLED panel costs are coming down,” Toh proclaimed. “We spend time working with panel and scaler manufacturers to figure out how to get higher refresh rates in a more cost effective way. For example, the cost is very minimal from 144 Hz to 160 Hz.”

But the real differences will come with what they can do, rather than what they look like.

The seamless hub of everything

So chances are you’ve seen us show off all the concepts and prototypes Lenovo brings to trade shows like CES and MWC — whether it’s the rollable ultra-wide gaming laptop, the AI Sense display that moves around with you, or the AI frame gaming display that can enhance resolution to zoom into areas of gameplay on-the-fly.

Lenovo shows these off to get feedback on ideas they have that could become features in future products, and George started to paint a picture of how these will come together. “I anticipate that more and more likely, your display will also be the center hub of your desk,” Toh explained. “When you walk close, it detects you and powers on, and if the device’s app your opening uses a camera, it will start to capture [from the camera on the monitor].”

Right now, the back of my desk looks like a nest of aggressively hostile snakes. I have dongles for my dongles. But Toh’s vision is a monitor that acts as an omniscient overlord. You walk up, it detects you, and it hijacks your camera automatically. The monitor isn't just a dumb screen anymore; it's the brains of the operation.

His vision is a monitor that is “smarter to what content you are displaying on the screen,” which is “able to adjust its own settings and know automatically for you.”

So it should come as no surprise that the key behind this will be agentic AI that runs locally on the monitor. This is something you’ve seen in a couple of conceptual forms — that AI frame gaming display concept used deductive AI to enhance details like flight simulator dials or distant enemies in an FPS with a chip built into it.

"We use a deductive AI mechanism that fills in the blanks on-the-fly, to smooth out the resolution — meaning you’re able to zoom in deep and get a quite good picture," Toh adds.

PC gamers are currently selling internal organs to afford GPUs that can render a blade of grass at 4K. Toh’s solution? Make the monitor do the heavy lifting. By putting agentic AI directly into the display to upscale the image on the fly, the monitor essentially becomes a co-pilot, saving your graphics card from catching fire during a Cyberpunk 2077 boss fight.

Next generation eye health

Then we turn our attention to Lenovo’s AI-powered personalized display and the wellness features it incorporated. We gravitated towards this a lot in our time going eyes on, and it seems like Lenovo’s planning a runway to this new version of eye health that transcends minimizing blue light.

“It tracks how often you blink and yawn. It tracks how much time you rested and can prompt you,” Toh added. “And also it uses things like a circular polarizer that diffuses light in a manner that is more attuned to natural sunlight.”

Modern monitors are essentially high-powered interrogation lamps aimed directly at our retinas. Toh's integration of circular polarizers doesn't just 'reduce glare' — it stops the screen from treating your eyeballs like a laser-tag target, diffusing the light so you don't feel like you've been staring at the sun after an eight-hour shift.

As someone who's spent far more time in front of a screen than he'd like to admit, this is probably the most welcome news of all.

Outlook

For the last 70 years, we've treated monitors like hostages — chaining them to our desks, plugging them into increasingly expensive PCs, and demanding they just sit there and look pretty. We've accepted the cable spaghetti and retinal fatigue as the inevitable cost of doing business.

But speaking with Toh, it's clear the industry has realized that just making a screen thinner isn't going to cut it anymore. Lenovo's vision is to finally give the monitor a brain.

Now, it might take a few years for agentic AI upscaling and circular polarizers to become standard. Until then, I'm stuck battling my nest of hostile cable snakes. But when this glow-up finally arrives, the monitor won't just be a passive window on your desk — it will be a bodyguard for your graphics card, a shield for your eyeballs, and the boss of your workspace.

The days of the "dumb" display are officially numbered. And honestly? Good riddance.

More from Tom's Guide

• I just tested ‘the perfect monitor for MacBook users’ with Nano-texture glass — and it's $600 cheaper than the Apple Studio Display
• Forget a regular TV — I just tested a 160Hz monitor that has Google TV built right in
• I just tested MSI’s $749 QD-OLED monitor — and the X50’s 500Hz refresh rate and colorful panel deliver a phenomenal gaming experience

The Alogic Clarity 6K Touch is, according to Alogic, the “world’s first 6K touchscreen” monitor at the time of writing. It’s plenty bright, and it boasts superior color accuracy and coverage, making it a great choice for creatives and professionals. Throw in versatile viewing angles that let you use the monitor upright or flat, and you’ve got yourself a winner.

But the monitor has noteworthy drawbacks, unfortunately. Its stylus, which is crucial for taking full advantage of the touchscreen, isn’t included with the monitor. Also, the monitor’s refresh rate is limited to 60Hz, and its glossy panel is like a mirror. Oh, and it’s rather expensive.

Is it still one of the best monitors for you? Read my full Alogic Clarity 6K Touch review to find out.

Alogic Clarity 6K Touch review: Specs

Alogic Clarity 6K Touch review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? A 6K touchscreen monitor with a 60Hz refresh rate
• Who is it for? Graphic designers, architects, and other creative professionals
• How much does it cost? Quite a lot! The Alogic Clarity 6K Touch is available for $1,999 / £2,199
• What do we like? The responsive touchscreen, bright 6K panel, superior color accuracy and coverage, and versatile viewing angles
• What don’t we like? The 60Hz refresh rate, stylus that isn’t included, and mirror-like reflections

Alogic Clarity 6K Touch review: The ups

From its versatile viewing angles and responsive touchscreen, to its excellent color coverage and accuracy, the Alogic Clarity 6K Touch is an excellent monitor for creatives.

Versatile viewing angles

I’ve tested many monitors in my time as a reviews writer, but none have been as versatile as the Alogic Clarity 6K Touch — specifically in terms of viewing angles. Featuring a specialized hinge and Fold Stand, the Clarity 6K Touch can be used in a standard upright desktop position, or at a flat drafting-table angle. Adjusting angles is easy as the hinge can be pulled and pushed as needed, but it’s also stiff enough to stay locked into place.

Another thing I appreciate about the Clarity 6K Touch is its 360° rotating base which makes it extremely easy to turn the monitor as and when needed. You don’t need to lift the monitor every time you want to, say, show your monitor to a colleague sitting opposite you. That’s good because this is a hefty boi, weighing a whopping 24.91lbs (including the stand). That’s nearly 10lbs heavier than the Apple Studio Display XDR ($3,299) and 17lbs more than the Apple Studio Display ($1,499) — both of which are the Clarity 6K Touch’s main rivals.

Of course, the Clarity 6K Touch has an ace up its sleeve here: neither of the two Apple monitors can be turned into an almost flat screen. Speaking of, if you’ve got the dough, the Clarity 6K Touch is a great Apple Studio Display alternative, offering seamless integration with MacBooks and you can even plug your iPhone or iPad into it. The monitor’s sleek design and aluminum frame makes it look like an Apple-esque display.

Connectivity and ports are there in spades too. There are two HDMI 2.1 and one DisplayPort 1.4 ports; one USB-C 3.0 port with up to 95W of power delivery; one USB-B 3.0 port; two USB-A 3.0 ports; and a 3.5mm audio out port. The monitor features two 5W speakers which sound decent, too.

Responsive touchscreen

The Alogic Clarity 6K Touch’s unique selling point is its touch panel, and Alogic claims that it’s the “world’s first 6K touchscreen.” The 32-inch LED-backlit panel has a maximum resolution of 6016 x 3384, or 6K, and it’s a great size and resolution for creatives. The touchscreen is extremely handy for architects, artists, graphic designers, and illustrators, and it’s extremely responsive.

To use the touchscreen, you’ll need to connect your laptop to the Clarity 6K Touch using the included USB-C cable — it won’t work over an HDMI or DisplayPort connection as those cannot transmit touch data. Trust me: I tried. Plugging my MacBook Air M2 directly made the touchscreen come to life, and I appreciated not having to install any third-party or proprietary drivers or software onto my laptop.

Once I connected my laptop, I was able to use my fingers to manipulate, control and navigate the screen — like I would do with my mouse, but with my hands instead. The real star of the show, though, is the tilt- and pressure-sensitive (4,096 levels) Clarity Active Stylus Pen 2. I tested it and found it extremely responsive, and I used it to make a few drawings on a free online app.

I’m not an artist or designer, but I thoroughly enjoyed drawing with the stylus. I even got a few of my colleagues to draw on the Clarity 6K Touch. I hope you enjoy our works of art in the gallery above. Everyone who used the stylus said they found it comfortable to hold.

Alogic’s stylus is shaped and designed like an Apple Pencil, and even has an eraser at the top, so you can just flip the stylus to get rid of what’s on the virtual drawing board. There’s also a quick-action button on the stylus which you can hold down to right-click on your desktop, and other shortcuts depending on the software you’re using. Oh, and the stylus magnetically clips to the bottom edge of the monitor, so you don’t need to worry about losing it.

Excellent color coverage

There’s no point in buying a monitor if it doesn’t boast excellent color coverage — especially one that’s as expensive as the Alogic Clarity 6K Touch. Fortunately, my lab testing showed that the monitor goes a long way to justifying its premium price tag, as its color coverage is something to behold.

My lab testing results blew me away, to be honest with you. As you can see in the table above, the Clarity 6K Touch covered 176.8% of the sRGB color space and 125.3% of the wider DCI P3 gamut. Anything above 100% is great, and the Clarity 6K Touch goes above and beyond, delivering a wide array of tones, which look vivid and beautiful on the display.

The Clarity 6K Touch blows its competition out of the water, upstaging other third-party monitors, like the BenQ MA270S ($999) and the BenQ PD3226G ($1,099). What impressed me the most, though, was how easily the Clarity 6K Touch flew past Apple’s first-party monitors. Both the Apple Studio Display and the Apple Studio Display XDR are excellent in their own right, but neither come close to the Clarity 6K Touch’s color coverage — especially in the DCI P3 color space, which will be important for professional video and photography production.

This monitor sounds great on paper and it’s even better in practice. Having used the Clarity 6K Touch for a week, I can confirm that all colors look lovely. Greens appear vivid and lush, while reds and blues look textured and deep, and I didn’t think any of the colors looked oversaturated or fake. The blacks appeared inky too — or as inky as they could on an IPS/non-OLED panel — and I enjoyed the contrast, especially while watching wildlife documentaries on YouTube.

Great color accuracy, too

In addition to wide coverage, colors appear extremely accurate on the Alogic Clarity 6K Touch too. Color accuracy is measured as a Delta-E number which is a numerical representation of how much two colors differ. It essentially tells you how close the color relayed on screen (i.e. the monitor) is to the color output from the source (i.e. the computer). The closer the score to zero, the better.

In my lab testing, the Clarity 6K Touch achieved a Delta-E score of 0.1, which is superb. This means that the colors displayed on the monitor are extremely close to the ones being sent to it by the source. The only monitor to beat that score is the BenQ MA270S, and even then, it edges the Alogic out by 0.01, which is negligible. The Clarity 6K Touch also performs better than the Apple Studio Display (0.2) and the Apple Studio Display XDR (0.2).

As someone who tests the best cameras and the best drones, color accuracy is crucial when I’m editing photos and videos. My lab tests reassured me that the colors I was seeing on the monitor were as accurate as they could be, and this gave me more confidence when editing photos for reviews and my photography Instagram account.

The Clarity 6K Touch also features 8-bit + FRC color depth. In addition to producing 16.7 million colors, the monitor essentially simulates 10-bit color depth by rapidly flashing two alternating colors so the human eye perceives it as 10-bit. This can sometimes cause flickering issues but I didn’t experience any such thing in my testing. If you want a true 10-bit color monitor, I’d recommend the BenQ MA270S instead.

Plenty bright!

Once I was done measuring color coverage and accuracy, I lab-tested the Alogic Clarity 6K Touch’s brightness, and you can see the results in the table below.

The Clarity 6K Touch achieved a peak brightness of 342.2 nits in SDR mode — only slightly dimmer than the BenQ MA270S. It’s also dimmer than the Apple Studio Display XDR but remember: that monitor is nearly two times pricier than Alogic’s offering. The Clarity 6K Touch reached 298 nits in HDR mode (10% window size) which is nothing to write home about, but hey, at least the monitor has an HDR mode — which the Apple Studio Display doesn’t.

Alogic Clarity 6K Touch review: The downs

The Alogic Clarity 6K Touch isn’t without its faults. Its refresh rate is limited to 60Hz, its gloss panel is like a mirror, the stylus needs to be bought separately, and it’s quite expensive.

60Hz refresh rate only

The Alogic Clarity 6K Touch is a productivity-focused monitor, and as such, it doesn’t have a very high refresh rate, topping out at just 60Hz, just like the Apple Studio Display. I wouldn’t recommend the Clarity 6K Touch to competitive or FPS gamers, but the monitor should suffice for casual, slower-paced gaming.

It’s worth considering one of the best gaming monitors if you spend a lot of your time playing video games. There are plenty of gaming monitors available that also have high color accuracy and wide color gamut coverage. And some are even cheaper than the Clarity 6K Touch, like the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 ($949) with its 360Hz refresh rate or even the 500Hz MSI MAG 272QP QD-OLED X50 ($749).

Gloss panel is like a mirror

The Alogic Clarity 6K Touch features a gloss panel, and you can’t buy the monitor with a matte screen. Positioning the monitor is, then, crucial. My office is west-facing and I sit in front of massive windows which let a lot of sunlight in, especially once it gets past noon. The Clarity 6K Touch’s gloss panel is very reflective: it’s almost like a mirror, and I even used it to fix my hair. There’s a lot of glare and there were a few instances where I had to adjust the screen to ensure I could see it. This also poses a risk to your eye health, as glare can quickly cause eye strain.

One of the biggest advantages of the Clarity 6K Touch’s glossy panel is its anti-fingerprint coating, which is important for any monitor, in my opinion. But is it worth the trade-off if you need to ensure the monitor doesn’t sit in front of big windows or in very bright rooms? I’m not entirely convinced. The BenQ MA270S’ panel is also reflective but not this reflective.

Stylus not included

When I was sent the Alogic Clarity 6K Touch, I was very surprised to find that its stylus wasn’t included in the box, especially given the monitor’s already steep MSRP. While you can use your fingers to manipulate the Clarity 6K Touch’s touchscreen, you need a stylus for drawing if you’re an architect, for instance, and graphic design, and Alogic recommends an MPP 2.0 stylus to use with this monitor.

I tested the Clarity Active Stylus Pen 2 with the Clarity 6K Touch, and it’s fantastic, as you read about earlier. The Clarity Active Stylus Pen 2, on its own, costs $100 at B&H Photo / £69 at Park Cameras, which drives up the monitor’s total cost to a whopping $2,099. And this is a nice segue into my next point…

Expensive

I’ll start this off by saying that while the Alogic Clarity 6K Touch is expensive, it’s still considerably cheaper than the $3,599 Apple Studio Display XDR. It has a retail price of $1,999 at B&H Photo / £2,199 at Park Cameras, so it isn’t for the budget-conscious buyer. That eye-watering price tag makes it more expensive than most other monitors I’ve tested, like the BenQ MA270S ($999), the BenQ Creative Pro PD2730S ($1,199) and the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 ($949).

But again, the Clarity 6K Touch is a lot cheaper than Apple’s first-party monitors. It offers seamless MacBook compatibility and features a touchscreen, which neither the Apple Studio Display XDR nor the Apple Studio Display do — though the latter is $400 cheaper than the Alogic 6K Touch.

The Clarity 6K Touch’s premium price tag is more of a pre-purchase consideration than an outright drawback. If you’ve got the dough, I wouldn’t stop you from buying it, especially if you need a production monitor with a touchscreen. But if you’re a little tight on budget, it’s worth considering other alternatives, like the BenQ MA270S which also offers impeccable MacBook integration.

Alogic Clarity 6K Touch review: Verdict

How much money are you willing to spend on a monitor? If the answer is, “Just under $2,000,” then the Alogic Clarity 6K Touch could be the one for you. The monitor’s 6K panel is plenty bright, and the Clarity 6K Touch boasts excellent color accuracy and coverage. With its versatile viewing angles and seamless Apple compatibility (and sleek design), it’s a beautiful monitor for creatives.

But is it worth the money? I’m not entirely convinced. It’s got a 60Hz refresh rate only; it doesn’t come with a stylus (which costs an additional $100); and its glossy panel is highly reflective, almost like a mirror. Those drawbacks make that eye-watering price tag sting your eyes even more — but at least it’s cheaper than the Apple Studio Display XDR!

If those are drawbacks you can live with, and you need a high-resolution monitor with a touchscreen for professional purposes, then the Alogic Clarity 6K Touch is a solid choice. Its 6K panel really is stunning.

I’ve been a big fan of the Alienware 34 QD-OLED gaming monitor series since its launch in 2022. Subsequent models have introduced subtle but necessary improvements over the years, maintaining the line’s sterling reputation. Now, we have the best iteration yet — the new Alienware 34 280Hz QD-OLED (AW3426DW).

Like the AW3425DW before it, this latest model features an immersive 1800R curved panel with an ultrawide 21:9 aspect ratio. It retains the same flat, space-saving stand and the classy “Interstellar Indigo” color I’ve grown to love. This is a seriously sexy-looking gaming monitor.

As for what’s new, we get a higher refresh rate of 280Hz, up from the previous 240Hz. Then there’s the 4-stack Penta Tandem tech that delivers deeper blacks even in bright environments, along with sharper text with no fringing. Best of all, the panel is now brighter than before, which addresses my chief complaint with prior versions.

Given all its improvements and the same relatively low $799 asking price, the Alienware AW3426DW is another winner and an easy addition to our best gaming monitors list. Find out why in my full review.

Alienware 34 280Hz QD-OLED review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? The Alienware AW3426DW is a curved ultrawide QD-OLED gaming monitor.
• Who is it for? For gamers seeking a curved OLED gaming monitor priced under $1,000.
• How much does it cost? The Alienware AW3426DW costs $799, which is the same price as last year's model.
• What do we like? We like the vivid ultrawide display, elegant design, fast performance, and clean UI.
• What don’t we like? Not worth upgrading from the previous model.

Alienware 34 280Hz QD-OLED review: Specs

Alienware 34 280Hz QD-OLED review: The ups

The Alienware 34 280Hz OLED is a phenomenal gaming monitor thanks to its sleek, space-saving design, vibrant picture quality, and buttery smooth performance.

Elegant design

The Alienware AW3426DW shares the same design as its predecessor, which I’m okay with given how lovely and practical it still is. It won’t look out of place in an office environment or a gaming den.

With its panel measuring 32.05 x 14.23 x 4.38 inches, you’ll need a decent-sized table for this beauty, but nothing overly large. The flat stand is unobtrusive, so it’s unlikely to get in the way of peripherals like your keyboard and mouse. The cutaway on the stand’s shaft makes cable management easy, and you can raise or lower the monitor to your desired height.

You can raise or lower the screen by 4.3 inches along the stand’s shaft and tilt it backward by 5 degrees or forward by up to 21 degrees. You can also swivel the screen 20 degrees left and right. Adjusting the screen to your preferred viewing angle is seamless and should take less than a minute.

There’s a good selection of ports on the back, including a pair of HDMI 2.1 ports, a DisplayPort, a USB-A port, a USB-B port, and a single USB-C port. There’s also an OSD (on-screen display) joystick just below the ports, which you use to access and navigate the display settings.

Again, I’m glad Alienware didn’t change the AW3426DW’s design, since it’s about as perfect as you can get. It might not immediately scream “gaming monitor,” but it keeps the focus on the display and, thus, on whatever game you’re currently playing.

Vivid panel

The Alienware AW3426DW draws you into whatever game you’re playing thanks to its immersive 1800R curvature, sharp 3,440 x 1,440 resolution, and expansive 21:9 aspect ratio. The image quality is so good that you won’t mind that it’s not a 4K OLED panel.

I tested Cyberpunk 2077 and was blown away by the rich picture quality. The increased contrast between dark and light elements is noticeable on this updated panel, making colors feel more vibrant. It’s also brighter than other OLED gaming monitors, resulting in a more vivid image overall.

Our lab tests align with my own testing. In its standard display mode, the AW3426DW produces oversaturated colors in sRGB and DCI-P3, while maintaining good color accuracy (Delta-E). As shown in the table above, its color representation and accuracy are comparable to those of the $899 Asus ROG Swift OLED (PG34WCDM) and the $349 Alienware 27 AW2726DM.

Where the AW3426DW literally outshines the competition is in brightness, which is generally around 300 nits. We even saw HDR nearly hit 500 nits on 10% of the display in certain modes. That might not sound high, but considering how similar gaming monitors are in the 200 to 250 nit range, this is marvelous. Right now, it’s one of the brightest gaming monitors I’ve tested.

You’ll find 11 display modes here. This includes modes dedicated to game genres like FPS, RTS, and Sports. The monitor also has a Creator mode, which offers better color accuracy for creatives (as the name suggests). Other than that, the modes are only slightly different from one another, depending on what they’re designed for.

Excellent performance

The AW3426DW performs like a dream thanks to its high 280Hz refresh rate and low 0.03ms response time. Compatibility with Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync also ensures a buttery-smooth gaming experience for both casual gamers and professionals.

I tested the AW3426DW by connecting it to the new Alienware 16 Area-51 gaming laptop, which packs an Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX CPU, an Nvidia RTX 5080 GPU, and 32GB RAM. You don’t need a gaming rig this powerful to enjoy the monitor, but having the extra horsepower helps if you’re trying to maximize frame rates to match the refresh rate.

Thanks to the high refresh rate and low latency, I had a smooth time playing Cyberpunk 2077. I couldn’t get the frame rate anywhere near the refresh rate, but having all that extra headroom effectively eliminates any choppiness. I also didn’t notice any input lag. Like previous models, you’ll get excellent gaming performance from the AW3426DW.

Intuitive UI

We get the same basic interface as on previous models. The UI features a black-and-gray background with blue-and-white lettering. Within the menus, you’ll find the aforementioned display modes and other settings to adjust the picture to your liking. While there’s certainly a lot to go through, it’s easy enough to find what you’re looking for.

As always, the OSD joystick you use to navigate the menus is responsive and easy to reach. It isn’t flimsy either, despite being a relatively small joystick.

Alienware 34 280Hz QD-OLED review: The downs

If you’re new to the Alienware 34 QD-OLED series, you’re in for a treat thanks to everything this gaming monitor offers. However, if you own the previous model, you might want to hold off.

A minor upgrade

The Alienware AW3426DW is a nearly perfect gaming monitor for what it offers. If you’ve never owned a monitor in this lineup, then this is an easy recommendation. This is especially true thanks to its $799 asking price.

While the AW3426DW is undeniably great, it’s not a mandatory upgrade if you own its direct predecessor. Yes, the higher refresh rate and sharper image make a difference, but not a major one. Besides that, the AW3426DW has the same design as before and many of the same features.

If you own the original AW3423DW — which has lower performance and a less desk-friendly design — then upgrading to the AW3426DW is a no-brainer. If you have the 2025 model, then you can skip this one, as that older monitor is still fantastic.

Alienware 34 280Hz QD-OLED review: Verdict

The Alienware AW3426DW is a phenomenal gaming monitor thanks to its immersive, sharp display, excellent performance, and elegant design. Though it’s not a major upgrade from last year’s model, it’s an easy choice for anyone looking to upgrade from an older monitor. And in a time when everything is going up in price, I commend Alienware for keeping this at $799.

If you’re looking for a smaller and more affordable gaming monitor with a QD-OLED panel and fast performance, you can’t go wrong with the $349 Alienware 27 AW2726DM. And if you’re willing to pay $100 for a more overtly “gaming” monitor, then the Asus ROG Swift OLED is a phenomenal pick.

Though there are certainly other solid options, few deliver the same brilliant experience as the Alienware AW3426DM. This is still my favorite gaming monitor line. As such, this model comes with my highest recommendation. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Amazon Prime Day is in full swing, so if you're looking to buy a new monitor for work or for gaming, you can save a decent amount of cash right now.

Some solid deals I've found include the Samsung 24 (S30GD) for just $79. If you need a larger panel, the Samsung 27 Essential S3 (S36GD) is currently on sale for $109. The Acer Nitro KG241Y for $109 and the Asus ROG Strix 27 for $189 are great gaming monitors that won't break the bank.

There are a lot of awesome deals at the moment, and there are sure to be more as Prime Day continues. For now, here are 11 great monitor deals to save you money. For more sales, check out our Prime Day deals hub and the Tom's Guide Saving Squad page.

Quick links

• MSI Pro MP243EL E14: was $109 now $74 @ Amazon
• Samsung 24" (S30GD): was $129 now $79 @ Amazon
• LG 24U411A-B: was $99 now $84 @ Amazon
• Acer 27 KB272: was $149 now $89 @ Amazon
• Samsung 27" Essential S3 (S36GD): was $129 now $109 @ Amazon
• Acer Nitro KG241Y: was $172 now $109 @ Amazon
• Dell 24 Plus (S2425HSM): was $149 now $118 @ Amazon
• Samsung S3 (S39GD): was $232 now $169 @ Amazon
• ASUS ROG Strix 27” (XG27ACS): was $269 now $189 @ Amazon
• Samsung ViewFinity S50GC: was $329 now $208 @ Amazon
• Dell 27 Plus 4K Monitor: was $299 now $218 @ Amazon

Best Prime Day monitor deals