The new Alienware 34 QD-OLED monitor is the most amazing display I've ever seen

Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED Gaming Monitor playing Destiny 2
(Image credit: Future)

Alienware is storming CES 2022 with one of the most jaw-dropping displays I've ever laid my eyes on. As the world's first quantum-dot OLED monitor, the Alienware 34 Curved QD-LED Gaming Monitor should wow gamers and non-gamers alike. 

If you haven't heard of quantum dot OLED, here's the gist. The Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED is designed to deliver superior color performance along with the ultra-wide viewing angles and perfect blacks that OLED panels are known for. And Alienware adds the industry's fastest 0.1ms response time and 175Hz native refresh rate for the smoothest gameplay possible.

I had a chance to spend a bit of hands-on time with the Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED, and it's easily a candidate for our best gaming monitor list. 

Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED release date and price

The Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED Gaming Monitor will arrive March 29. Unfortunately, Dell is holding off on announcing a price until closer to launch, but we would expect the Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED to command a premium. 

Dell currently sells a 38-inch curved gaming monitor for $1,459, and that model doesn't use OLED; a 55-inch OLED gaming monitor from Dell will run you $2,499. But since QD-OLED is a new technology, it's difficult to predict the price of this particular model. 

Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED: What is quantum dot?

Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED Gaming Monitor

(Image credit: Future)

Quantum Dot display technology, pioneered by Samsung, pairs the crispness and pixel-perfect contrast of OLED with the boosted brightness and expanded color that quantum-dot technology delivers. The result is (ideally) a best-of-both-worlds display that offers the impeccable quality of OLED without sacrificing the brightness and color that QLED panels offer.

On the 34 Curved QD-OLED Alienware says that quantum dot tech delivers superior color performance with a higher peak luminance and greater color gamut range compared to white OLED (WOLED). The trick? QD-OLED directly converts blue light in the primary colors of read and green through a Quantum Dot pixel layer. For more, see our what is QD-OLED explainer. 

Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally
PriceTBA
Size34 inches
Resolution3440 x 1440
Refresh rate175Hz (DisplayPort), 100Hz (HDMI)
Aspect ratio21:9
Brightness 250 cd/m2 (typical), 1000 cd/m2 (peak)
Nvidia G-SyncNvidia G-Sync Ultimate at 175Hz
Ports2 HDMI, 1 DisplayPort, 4 USB 3.2, audio line-out, headphone
Height adjustable Yes
Dimensions32.1 x 14.3 x 5.4 inches
Weight15.26 pounds (panel only), 35 pounds with cables and packaging

Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED performance

Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED Gaming Monitor with desktop and keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

If you're looking for serious color performance, you'll be pleased to know that the Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED Gaming Monitor is rated to cover 99.3% of the demanding DCI-P3 color gamut. In addition, factory calibration of Delta-E <2 means that the colors should be accurate out of the box.

In addition to an infinite contrast ratio, this monitor should offer 1000 nits of peak brightness, and it has a VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 400 certification. 

During an in-person briefing ahead of CES 2022, I was amazed by the eye-popping colors and ultra-wide viewing angles on this monitor when watching a trailer for Destiny 2. I didn't notice any washout, even as I stood off to the side and let others marvel at the panel. 

Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED gaming

As you might expect, the Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED has Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate certification, which means you should expect low-latency gameplay along with support for HDR and cinematic color.

Alienware says that this monitor boasts the industry's fastest 0.1ms GtG (gray to gray) response time and a 175Hz refresh rate when you use DisplayPort. That drops to 100Hz over HDMI. Regardless, you should expect fluid gameplay and fast reaction times no matter what you're playing when you pair this monitor with one of the best gaming PCs or best gaming laptops

Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED design and ports

Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED gaming monitor side view

(Image credit: Future)

It just wouldn't be an Alienware monitor without a glowing Alienware head and the company's futuristic Legend 2 design. But the real attention grabber is the display itself, which uses a 1800R curved panel. You also get customizable stadium loop OLED AlienFX lighting along, improved cable management and an OSD 5-axis joystick for adjusting settings. 

You can customize the Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED viewing experience pretty much any way you like, as the height adjustable stand has tilt, swivel and slant capabilities. 

Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED Creative Mode

I can pretty much guarantee you that creative pros will gravitate towards this QD-OLED monitor, and Alienware is catering to that crowd with a dedicated Creator Mode. You can toggle between the DCI-P3 and sRGB color space and adjust gamma settings on the fly. 

Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED outlook

The Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED Gaming Monitor looks like it could be the ultimate monitor for gamers for those willing to pay a premium. But it also has the makings of being a stellar monitor for creative pros who want the best color performance and accuracy for editing videos and photos. 

But Alienware isn't the only company showing off stellar gaming monitors at CES 2022. Samsung announced the Odyssey Neo G8, the world's first 4K 240Hz monitor.

We thoroughly test all of the best gaming monitors in our labs, and we very much look forward to evaluating this display to see if the first quantum dot display is worth the hype. 

Mark Spoonauer

Mark Spoonauer is the global editor in chief of Tom's Guide and has covered technology for over 20 years. In addition to overseeing the direction of Tom's Guide, Mark specializes in covering all things mobile, having reviewed dozens of smartphones and other gadgets. He has spoken at key industry events and appears regularly on TV to discuss the latest trends, including Cheddar, Fox Business and other outlets. Mark was previously editor in chief of Laptop Mag, and his work has appeared in Wired, Popular Science and Inc. Follow him on Twitter at @mspoonauer.

  • affinitysean
    The technology is definitely great for creative pros but the curved panel is a total deal-breaker. Lines gotta be straight - I'm a pro filmmaker and photographer. Lines gotta be straight. If a creative is designing a brochure, the lines gotta be straight. Websites... lines gotta be straight. I'd pay $5k if this was a 34" 4k display. As is, it's good for gaming where nobody cares if things look straight.
    Reply