LG 32UN650P 4K monitor vs MSI Modern MD342CQPW monitor

[TestLink]

Any idea how the below compare with an LG 4K. I dont play games at all. But just productivity, social media, videos etc

MSI Modern MD342CQPW - 34in - UWQHD - 120Hz - Curved Monitor
www.msi.com/Business-Productivity-Monitor/Modern-MD342CQPW

LG 32UN650P 4K
www.lg.com/uk/monitors/uhd-4k-5k/32un650p-w/

I have never used an MSI brand monitor or a VA panel before. So how will an LG 4k compare with an MSI UWQHD.

I know it is not a like by like comparison, but any suggestions?

 

[Timbot]

Interesting pair of monitors. Both really quite different.

One is a curved 21:9 VA panel and the other is a flat IPS 16:9 IPS panel.

VA panels tend to have higher contrast and deeper backs. Colours can be punchy but not necessarily accurate and they have a narrow viewing angle so the brightness drops off when viewed obliquely. The oblique viewing angle issue is negated slightly by the curvature of the screen meaning as you are looking less obliquely at the edges of the screen.

IPS panels tend to have more accurate colour production but are lower contrast and as a result the blacks can look somewhat grey. The viewing angle tends to be very wide so it's not an issue if you are sitting off to the side. This is more relevant again with a large monitor like the one you have linked to as if you sit centrally you are looking more obliquely at the edge of the screen.

Curved vs flat. Personal preference. Some like one, others the other. Curved is more immersive. Flat may be better for productivity but that's open to debate.

Things to consider. What are you plugging into it? If multiple sources e.g. a desktop and a laptop then the KVM switch in the MSI will be helpful as the source of the image dictates which computer is controlled by the keyboard and mouse so you don't need to keep switching the USB cables from one to the other. Inputs. What inputs do you need? No point having Display Port, HDMI and USB-C if you need VGA. So check what each offers.

Personally I like an ultra-wide for productivity (and letting my kids loose on their games) as I can have a webpage, a Word doc and an Excel spreadsheet open side by side at the same time and I'm not having to battle to get to the window underneath the one I have just been using. So ultra-wide like the MSI can be really useful for productivity.

FWIW I've gone for a flat IPS 3440x1440p ultrawide (https://www.gigabyte.com/Monitor/M34WQ#kf)

This was because of a number of reasons:
IPS gives nice wide angles which is useful if a few of us are looking at the monitor at the same time.
OLED not an option due to burn in issues
Managed to get it for £320 on a Black Friday deal
KVM switch built in so I can connect my laptop by USB-C and my desktop with the Display Port
My wife wanted flat and not curved (boo, hiss!)

So lots to consider!

Hope this is helpful. Doesn't really answer your question but hopefully gives you a few pointers.

 

[Timbot]

By the way, I meant to say a bit about the manufacturers.

The panels tend (like TV panels I believe) to be made by a handful of manufacturers and sold to different companies.
I think (and I don't know this for certain) that the one in my Gigabyte is actually an LG IPS pannel.
It may well be that the MSI panel is also made by LG.
Manufacturer wise it therefore likely makes little difference which name is on the bezel.
Best option is to look at reviews from people regarding reliability of the components, look at the warranty provided and also decide where to get it from- some suppliers are easier to return faulty items to than others...

 

[TestLink]

Thanks. I have already purchased the 32UN650P 4K flat monitor. Got it on Black Friday deal for around 260 euro. Not bad for the price.