Line curves: 5 curved monitors

The key competitive advantage of gaming monitors of the Agon series from AOC is a more democratic price tag with technical characteristics similar to other gaming solutions.

The monitor is "stuffed" with all sorts of gaming stuff just enough to please most users who prefer to spend a lot of time in the virtual gaming world. What is its catchy appearance worth: curved screen shapes, almost invisible frames at the top and side edges, aggressive illumination at the bottom of the front panel and spectacular three-colour backlight at the back. The only thing that attracts extra attention is the LED indicator on the front panel.

The model is based on a VA-panel with a radius of curvature of 1.8 m, the resolution of which corresponds to the FullHD format (1920 x 1080 pixels). The picture on the screen is displayed with a frame rate of up to 144 Hz, which significantly improves the smoothness of the image in highly dynamic game plots. To reduce the visual load in long-term gaming battles, the monitor uses Flicker-Free backlight suppression technologies and reduces the proportion of blue in the Low Blue Light Mode backlight.

Despite the manufacturer's statements about 100% coverage of the sRGB space, the colour accuracy of the model cannot be called a reference, which is why it is not the best suited for serious work in photo and video editors. However, for all other tasks, the monitor is suitable "with a bang", because minor colour distortions on its screen can only be considered by a trained eye of a pro.

The AOC AG27FCX is supported by a height-adjustable stand, in addition, stereo speakers with a power of 3 watts are embedded directly into the monitor body. Another special element in the design of the model is a mount for hanging headphones. And in addition to the standard set of interfaces for connecting external devices, there is a dual-port USB 3.0 splitter on the back panel of the case. All this together elevates the monitor to the rank of popular models with a curved screen that have an optimally balanced ratio of price and features provided.

Samsung "bends" screens many times more actively than other monitor manufacturers do. In the range of its products there are a lot of options for curved panels for every taste and different wallet thickness. The public is particularly interested in the Samsung C27H711QEI model, unlike others, whose backlight is based on quantum dots (QLED).

Acquaintance with the monitor begins with the appearance and you can't call it ugly. The materials of the model's body are dominated by snow-white plastic, the power cable and the HDMI cord are similar in colour. The wires, by the way, are hidden in secret passages directly at the factory, you will only need to start a cable separately to connect the monitor via the Display Port. The model was deprived of other interfaces altogether.

Quantum dots evenly illuminate the monitor's SVA panel (14x1440 dots), simultaneously providing a wide coverage of the sRGB colour space (about 125%). However, the colours on the Samsung C27H711QEI screen sometimes seem a little oversaturated, which can slightly interfere with retouching photos. In everyday tasks, including gaming and watching movies, the picture on the screen looks the best. Moreover, the adaptive frame rate synchronization technology AMD Free Sync (48-75 Hz) comes to the aid in smoothing it.

On the part of the owners of the model, there are often complaints about limited adjustments to the position of the screen, which can only bend forward a little (by 2 °) and lean back (by about 15 °). By all other parameters, the cost of the monitor fully justifies itself, especially against the background of a significantly predominant number of advantages.

The South Korean brand LG was the first to show the concept of a widescreen curved monitor to the public (in 2014). And only after a three-year pause, the company rolled out to the masses the LG 34UC79G gaming model, built on the basis of an IPS matrix with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels.

The 34-inch 21:9 panel is framed by narrow frames. The radius of its curvature is 3.8 m, as a result of which the screen is not curved so much. The picture on the display is displayed in bright and juicy colours straight out of the box — the factory calibration of the screen is performed at the proper level. However, some users would like to see a lower level of maximum brightness.

The sharpness of the monitor for gamers can be traced in all aspects. The key useful "chips" are the refresh rate of 144 Hz, the low response time of the matrix (according to the manufacturer — only 1 ms, but this figure can only be achieved together with the Motion Blur Reduction function) and wide viewing angles. The model also supports the AMD FreeSync frame rate synchronization function (works only in conjunction with Radeon video cards), and other gaming "tricks" stand out the ability to display a sight in the centre of the display and highlight dark scenes.

The stand on which the monitor rests is subject to adjustment within 12 cm in height. It has an "ear" for fixing cables. Experienced gamers also use it as a hook for hanging headphones. A USB 3.0 hub and a set of other interfaces for connecting peripherals or third-party devices (2 HDMI ports, Display Port, audio output) are integrated into the back of the model case. In its niche, LG 34UC79G certainly occupies a leading position, which increases the attractiveness of the model in the eyes of potential buyers.

If the deciding factor when choosing a monitor is the large width of the screen, which is useful in games and when working in multi—window mode, then the brainchild of Asus, a widescreen monitor with an aspect ratio of 21:9, is well suited for the role of one of the interesting options that bother to pay close attention.

Stretched to a great length, the 34-inch panel has curved shapes (its radius of curvature is 1.8 m). The picture on the monitor screen is displayed in a maximum resolution of 3440x1440 pixels — high detail along with curvature provides a comfortable pastime in games and the convenience of working in two windows. Another confirmation of the gaming status of the monitor is a wide variety of gaming presets (8 pcs.), as well as support for adaptive vertical sync technology Free Sync (48-100 Hz), which works in tandem with AMD graphics cards.

The fulcrum for the monitor is a wide translucent base with a built-in Qi wireless charging module. The Harman/Kardon nameplate continues the list of interesting things on board the model, indicating that the monitor is equipped with speakers from an authoritative audio brand. At the same time, for some reason, Taiwanese engineers completely forgot to equip the Asus MX34VQ with USB ports for connecting to the peripheral model and did not take care to make the "leg" of the model height-adjustable.

The high status of the monitor is emphasized by both rich equipment and first-class appearance. And its versatility in terms of performing various tasks allows you to equally fit the image of the model to match any room, whether it is a strict office office or a relaxed home environment.

For a monitor the size of an average TV from the American company Dell, there is not a place on every table — stretching almost a metre wide, the 37.5-inch "giant" puts forward requirements for the availability of free space for installation.

The fulcrum for a truly huge IPS panel with a resolution of 3840x1600 pixels and an atypical aspect ratio of 24:10 is a massive "leg" with a round window made in it for organizing the supply of cables. Instead of the desktop installation method, the monitor can be hung on the wall by means of a 100x100 mm VESA mount.

The factory calibration of the monitor provides coverage of 99% of the sRGB colour space area. In reality, this figure turns into 93-94%, which is also very good. And although the scan frequency of the screen is limited to the standard 60 Hz, when using the model in the "work-games-entertainment" mode, this figure is often enough.

The Picture-to-Picture and Picture-to-Picture programme modes provide the ability to simultaneously display an image from two different sources on the monitor screen. Connection of third-party devices is carried out through a wide arsenal of interfaces, among which there is even a USB Type-C port for organizing audio and video transmission in parallel with charging a laptop (at a power consumption level of less than 100 watts).

The monitor also receives a solid "five" for the high quality of materials and assembly. Direct competitors of the model can be counted on the fingers of one hand (for example, LG 38UC99 38 " ), so in its niche Dell U3818DW is a very strong player who confidently beat the nearest pursuers.