Lines keep blurring between work and pleasure screens, and OLED overwhelms.
There are many new computer monitor releases made at the Consumer Electronics Show every year, and it can be challenging to decide which ones are worthwhile. There were two standout themes among this year’s most intriguing models.
First off, a lot of the issues I raised in 2022 regarding the lack of OLED monitors were resolved this year. Several ideas for OLED monitors in 2024 were unveiled at CES, and several of those screens were designed to be desktop-friendly in size. This includes the release of alternative smaller screens and 32-inch, non-curved QD-OLED options for those who have been waiting for OLED displays in a wider range of form factors.
Second, CES hinted that the distinction between gaming monitors and high-end monitors used for general or even professional reasons may become increasingly hazy in the future as more people combine their personal and professional lives. The optimum gaming display and the greatest productivity monitor do not yet fully align in a single model. However, with this week’s developments, I’m thinking of ways that future displays could be even more useful for users who have significant interests in both work and play.
These are the most attractive monitors from CES 2024 for the time being.
The Dell UltraSharps reach 120 Hz.
Due to their USB-C connectivity, Dell UltraSharp displays have long been a favorite among creatives and professionals, including Mac users. The debut of IPS Black is the most significant innovation that Dell has introduced at the last few CES exhibitions in an effort to enhance its offering. However, Dell concentrated on enhancing video resolution for CES 2024.
The 39.7-inch ultrawide Dell UltraSharp 40 Curved Thunderbolt Hub Monitor (U4025QW), shown above, has a refresh rate of 120 Hz and a resolution of 5120 x 2160. With the majority of monitors designed for workers still operating at 60 Hz, this represents a significant improvement for users whose PCs can handle 11,059,200 pixels at 120 frames per second. For a while, only gaming displays could boast such speeds, but as more TVs move toward higher refresh rates (mostly thanks to gaming consoles), more people are getting used to seeing quicker panels. Additionally, we wouldn’t blame employees for engaging in some light gaming on the U4025QW, given other features like a 2500R curve.
However, according to Dell, the refresh rate enhancement aims to improve eye comfort. A Dell representative told me last month at a press event that the UltraSharp U4025QW is one of two monitors with 5-star accreditation from TÜV Rheinland’s new Eye Comfort program, which Dell helped establish.
TÜV claims that the certification procedure now “covers a broader range of safety indicators, such as ambient brightness, color temperature adjustment and regulation, and brightness,” and “is no longer limited to the old low-blue-light or flicker-free labels.” Control over color temperature and brightness for various ambient lighting conditions is one of the new needs. An ambient light sensor built into the Dell ultrawide monitor takes care of this.
Additionally, a minimum refresh rate of 120 Hz is required for certification, which is most likely where Dell obtained the figure from. A Dell representative affirmed to Ars that the monitor’s use of IPS Black had no bearing on its TÜV certifications and that, in theory, it could have received five stars if it had used another kind of panel, such as VA.
When Dell introduced two 24-inch and two 27-inch UltraSharp displays with 120 Hz refresh rates in November, the company announced that it was adding 120 Hz to the UltraSharp lineup. Dell went all out at CES, bringing the refresh rate to a top-tier ultrawide 5K Thunderbolt 4 monitor, demonstrating that this update wasn’t just a fluke limited to its smaller UltraSharps.
An enhanced version of ComfortView Plus, which employs hardware that minimizes blue light levels, is accessible on the U4025QW. It works, in my experience, without causing colors to go yellowish, as some other methods of combating blue light do. Following a 2020 release, Dell has not made any significant updates to ComfortView Plus. However, the company currently claims to be utilizing a “more advanced LED backlight” to lower the percentage of blue light exposure from 50% to less than 35%.
According to Dell’s estimations, 8% less eye tiredness is suggested after 50 minutes of less blue light exposure; however, efficacy varies and is challenging to quantify. UltraSharp U4025QW is on sale on February 27.
Asus’ foldable portable monitor
Asus intends to introduce what should be the first OLED monitor with a foldable screen in 2024. The 17.3-inch ZenScreen Fold OLED MQ17QH portable monitor from Asus folds in half to make it feel like a 12.5-inch panel when carried. The flexible screen is lightweight for a portable screen of this size and as thin as other portable monitors, measuring 0.38 inches thick when open, which further enhances its portability.
However, the Fold OLED is anticipated to be extremely costly for a portable monitor—or any kind of monitor—in true emerging-tech form. According to an Asus representative, the company plans to launch the consumer-grade screen at a price point of roughly $2,000. With such a high price for what’s likely going to be a secondary or tertiary screen, the vast majority of the consumers this monitor targets will not reasonably be able to buy it.
Beyond individual ownership and the MQ17QH in particular, though, this display is intriguing because it offers a glimpse into the foldables of the future—a category that tech enthusiasts appear determined to popularize despite their limits.
I can finally imagine myself using a foldable screen device for a prolonged period of time. The screen’s possible distraction from glare and reflections is still a source of worry. However, those issues might be more tolerable on a backup screen, such as a portable monitor, than on more important devices, such as PCs and phones.
Additionally, since manufacturers won’t have to take into consideration the problems with memory, computation, cooling, storage, and durability that foldable phones and laptops have, new designs may be introduced more easily and at a lesser cost ultimately.
Compared to what Asus’ foldable display would offer, there are monitors with a lot more features and larger screen real estate. However, the MQ17QH is a unique product that distinguishes itself not just for what it can accomplish but also for what it could be able to do for foldable devices and monitors in general.
MQ17QH is anticipated to release in Q2.
MSI’s “cheating” monitor
If your monitor displayed an icon during gameplay that indicated which way adversaries were coming from, what advantage would you have over other players? Although you may get the same information by looking at a map, it might be simpler to spot impending danger with an indicator that is visible while the activity is underway rather than having to quickly scan your surroundings.
With their new MEG 321URX 4K monitor, MSI is adding SkySight, an AI accelerator, to do just that (you can see an image of the monitor turning on via Tom’s Hardware here). While playing League of Legends, MSI demonstrated the 31.5-inch QD-OLED monitor, stating to PCWorld that it intends to train the capabilities on other esports titles, including Dota 2 and Counter-Strike 2.
According to Dell’s estimations, 8% less eye tiredness is suggested after 50 minutes of less blue light exposure; however, efficacy varies and is challenging to quantify. Feb. 27 is when UltraSharp U4025QW goes on sale.
As of right now, SkySight doesn’t appear to violate any League of Legends regulations. However, its application can be viewed as going against the spirit of competitive, fair games. Ultimately, it bestows upon you a capability lacking in others. Tom’s Hardware saw a sign near the demo that said MSI provides consumers with a “strategic edge,” referring to SkySight.
The monitor gives current discussions about what constitutes cheating a further AI twist as gaming devices and computers get more sophisticated and attempt to become more fully integrated into the gameplay experience.
For instance, there has long been debate over displays that allow you to add crosshairs to games. Crosshairs on MSI monitors can be added to automatically change color so they are always visible. This feature was just introduced recently. The Optix Scope feature, which MSI describes as an on-screen magnifier to help with aim, is also included with several of their monitors. To the extent that it can be said, IGN states that Optix Scope “clearly falls into the realm of cheating, and you should never ever use it.” Given that the MPG 321URX, its remarkably comparable cousin, also has these features, it is highly likely that MSI’s MEG 321URX will as well.
The Spectrum Bar, an integrated RGB light bar at the monitor’s chin that may display changing colors depending on how much in-game health you have, is another approach MSI uses to market “AI” while promoting its new monitor. While several RGB peripherals provide comparable functionality, the Spectrum Bar might be easier to see when you’re attempting to focus on the game.
Additionally, MSI claims to be releasing an app that will allow you to train your AI model (with the help of your computer’s processing power) so that Spectrum Bar can identify additional in-game elements and show the appropriate color. The Tom’s Hardware report states that the feature’s processing will function on the monitor following the training.
The advantage-seeking display from MSI is anticipated to launch this spring. The cost is not yet known.
Asus and LG monitors that easily go from 4K to FHD
Displays from Asus and LG demonstrated the ability to quickly go from a native 3840×2160 at 240 Hz to 480 Hz by lowering the resolution to 1080p with a single keystroke or by flicking the OSD joystick. The goal is to increase the monitor’s versatility.
The feature will be available in LG’s UltraGear 32GS95UE. “For fast-paced action titles and shooting games, users can select FHD 480Hz, while visually rich story-driven games can be enjoyed in 4K 240Hz,” the developer stated.
This feature is also present in the ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP, which was unveiled by Asus.
The fact that both displays are certified by the Video Electronics Standard Association (VESA) adds even more legitimacy to the idea. The AdaptiveSync variable refresh rate standard was revised during CES by the same organization that created DisplayPort, including optional testing (for flicker and response time) for displays that employ two sets of resolution and refresh rates with AdaptiveSync.
Dual modes’ adaptability demonstrates that technology manufacturers are always coming up with new methods to customize monitors to meet a variety of demands. However, because of their focus on two extremes—ultra-quick 4K and absurdly fast 1080p—these displays still feel a little narrow. Furthermore, the OS already allows for the modification of the refresh rate and resolution.
Nevertheless, I can’t help but picture a future in which this kind of technology is applied in a slightly different way. In that scenario, one might easily transition from a resolution and refresh rate that are roughly 4K/60Hz to one that is more suitable for gaming, all the while preserving good video clarity and image quality. A display like the one outlined might be more appealing since it allows users to go seamlessly from work to play with only a push of a button, unlike the monitors from Asus and LG, which aim to fit into multiple gaming genres.
The PG32UCDP from Asus will launch in the second half of this year; pricing has not yet been announced. The cost and availability of LG’s dual-mode monitor remain unconfirmed.
The fastest OLED monitor
At CES, monitors are typically expected to get bigger. Over-the-top monitors are at home at the event, regardless of whether that means a large size or extremely enhanced specs. The 26.5-inch Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDP monitor at CES 2024 was the display that defied its specs. It’s the first monitor that has been revealed to support 1440p resolution at a refresh rate of 480 Hz. It is also the fastest OLED monitor ever launched because it is based on an LG Display WOLED panel.
When LG Display unveiled the 480 Hz panel powering Asus’ monitor at CES, it cleared the path for the release of this monitor. A gray-to-gray reaction time of 0.03 milliseconds is claimed by the display. The 480 Hz display, like other recent WOLED panels from LG Display, boosts brightness over prior LG Display OLEDs by using a microlens array.
With 360 Hz refresh rates being the limit for 1440p monitors (OLED or not), this is a 33 percent increase in the number of frames a QHD panel can display in a second. That being said, if you’re coming from a 360 Hz monitor, you probably won’t be able to tell the difference with your unaided eyes, especially if you’re coming from a panel that is 144 Hz or slower. Only those with very specific requirements, such as competitive gamers, ought to give an Asus monitor some thought.
OEMs will inevitably try to push OLED to higher specs as it becomes more and more popular among monitors, especially in the areas of speed and brightness. OLED monitors are still primarily marketed to gamers today, but as the market grows, it may require more attention to be paid to developments in domains other than speed. But with non-OLED 1080p monitors now maxing out at 500 Hz (or 540 Hz if overclocked), don’t expect the monitor refresh rate race to conclude at CES 2024.
Although the price of the PG27AQDP has not been finalized, it is anticipated to be introduced in the second quarter of the year.
