I have used and tested many types of monitors since I started working . Among my favorites so far is the PRISM+ NOMAD 16 a portable monitor with an OLED panel. Most recently, I was given the opportunity to test the MSI MAG 341CQP QD-OLED, which is a gaming monitor with a 34-inch QD-OLED panel with an 1800R curve. In this article I will answer whether this monitor priced at RM4799 is worth it?
SPECIFICATION AND DESIGN
34″ QD-OLED screen, 3440 x 1440 pixels (UWQHD),
21:9, 175Hz Adaptive-Sync, DisplayHDR True Black 400
97.8% Adobe RGB Color Support
DCI-P3 99.3%
139.1% sRGB
Contrast Ratio 1500000:1
Brightness (Nits) 250 (SDR) / 1000 (HDR)
Adaptive-Sync Adaptive Display Support
VESA mount 100 x 100 mm
I/O 1x Display Port (1.4a)
2x HDMI (2.1)
1x Type-C + PD 15W
2x USB 2.0 Type-A
1x USB 2.0 Type-B
1x 3.5mm audio jack port
Audio None
No Webcam
Price RM 4,799
I really like monitors with curved screens because they give a unique user experience and a wider view. The curved screen can also help a little in reducing the reflection of sunlight, especially in the office surrounded by large windows. For the MSI MAG 341CQP QD-OLED, this is my first time testing a large monitor with an OLED screen. Not only that, it is also a gaming monitor with a built-in cooling system that supports DisplayHDR True Black 400 color.
If you are wondering why a 34-inch monitor costs almost RM5000? This is because it also supports HDMI 2.1 connection to play video games at 4K 120FPS resolution. This monitor also has many connection ports that are enough to connect a computer, console or even charge devices at a rate of 15W. The MAG 341CQP QD-OLED screen can also be adjusted in height and viewing angle with a foot system that has a hidden cable management system.
USAGE EXPERIENCE
I've only had the opportunity to use this monitor for about two weeks, so I'm not quite satisfied with it yet. What I can share with you, in this short period of use I can feel that this is one of the best monitors I have ever tested. From the point of installation to use I feel happy and really hope to continue using this monitor.
First, using a USB-C connection has the problem of not full screen unlike using an HDMI connection. But I don't really care about this issue because the problem of the screen not being full on a curved monitor is something I can already expect. Even so, after the monitor is connected to my laptop it can be charged to provide backup power. Since I use this monitor in the office SDR and HDR color support with brightness of 250 nits and 1000 nits is enough. As far as my usage goes, no annoying problems have occurred that interfere with my vision.
When it comes to playing consoles, the PlayStation 5 is my choice. The HDMI 2.1 connection is pretty good with the system also detecting HDR displays and high refresh rate support. The resulting colors are bright enough, dynamic and pleasing to the eye that I often praise Wow! The quality of the OLED panel used is also quite good with a black color that looks really black.
The OSD menu on the MSI MAG 341CQP QD-OLED is also designed to be user-friendly. It's just that I don't like the controls with three buttons on the back that are hard to see until I have to change the settings. This OSD menu displays screen resolution, refresh rate, color settings, HDR settings and more. It is very easy to understand for those who enjoy customizing their monitor settings.
Another feature I rarely use on a monitor is KVM which to me is a bonus feature. Another interesting thing about this monitor is MSI OLED Care 2.0 which uses a machine learning system and artificial intelligence to ensure the screen is more durable so it is confident to give users a three-year burn-in guarantee.
Making the experience of using this monitor more interesting for me is the MSI Gaming Intelligence application that can be installed on Windows for more control over the display settings. This application will be an alternative to the settings in the OSD menu earlier.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX?
In every purchase, you will receive the following;
1x MSI MAG 341CQP QD-OLED
1x Feet
1x VESA Mount
1x HDMI 2.1 Cable
1x Power cable
1x Set of manual and safety book
CONCLUSION
In my review, OLED monitors larger than 30-inches are common to cost around RM4000. But for a 34-inch that costs RM4799, it's actually quite high. So is it worth it? After a short two weeks of use, I've been using this monitor alongside two Windows 11 laptops and a PlayStation 5. All I can say is, it's one of the best monitors I've ever used.
What I like the most is the color and dark level of black on this monitor. User-friendly OSD menu, there are apps that provide additional controls and AI features that protect the screen to last longer. The MSI MAG 341CQP QD-OLED is a monitor worth having if you can afford it.
PROS AND ADVANTAGES
Solid and beautiful screen quality.
Very dark OLED black color.
Good design, modern, and simple.
Packed with helpful features and apps.
User-friendly OSD menu.
CONS AND DISADVANTAGES
Curved screens are not all platform friendly.
OSD menu control buttons are difficult to control.
USB-C charging is limited to 15W only.