Search results for 'Technology' - Page: 2
| ITBrief - 17 May (ITBrief)Life360 partners with Hubble Network to debut Find with Life360, a groundbreaking global location-tracking network leveraging satellite Bluetooth technology. Read...Newslink ©2024 to ITBrief | |
| | | PC World - 17 May (PC World)Fantastic deals do not exi… Wait, no. That can’t be right because we just found a $400 off Dell G16 laptop. Usually available for $1699.99, you can get this gaming rig for a mere $1349.99, which is a significant saving considering powerful GeForce RTX 4070 gaming laptops typically range from $1500 to $2000 without sales.
The Dell G16 has a heart of gold – and by that I mean a potent Intel Core i9-13900HX processor. That’s a last gen CPU, sure, but the newer 14900HX model isn’t that much of an improvement, so you can expect top-notch gaming performance. With a whopping 36 MB cache, 24 cores, and 32 threads, the Dell G16 can turbo boost up to 5.40GHz. This means it can handle even the most demanding games and applications with ease. It’s a practical choice for gamers who value performance over the latest model hype.
Oh, and that’s not all. The Dell G16 has a powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, with 8 GB GDDR6, providing outstanding visuals no matter what flavor gaming you’re into. Coupled with a 16-inch, 2560×1600 display that boasts a 240Hz refresh rate, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, and Nvidia G-Sync + DDS technology, the Dell G16 will transport you right into your favorite gaming world.
Memory and storage are well catered for, with 16GB of DDR5 memory and a 1TB SSD, offering ample space and speed for all your games and programs. Sure, we’d have loved to see more RAM in there so you can load up on all the Skyrim mods, but 16GB is perfectly adequate. You can also easily pop in another 16GB memory stick since the max is 32GB and there are two slots to fill in.
Battery life is pretty much what you’d expect from a gaming laptop, with Dell promising about 6 hours of use (less while gaming). That’s pretty decent, and if you don’t want to worry about carrying your charger with you, you can always grab the Baseus Blade laptop power bank, which we found on sale yesterday for just $63.
For gamers who prioritize top-notch performance at a value, the Dell G16 with its RTX 4070 graphics offers a compelling package. Getting this level of gaming power for $1349 is a heck of a bargain.
If you’ve reached this far and decided that perhaps a gaming laptop isn’t what you need, then the Inspiron 16 Plus (Intel Core i7-13620, RTX 4060, 32GB DDR5, 2TB SSD), which we recently reviewed and loved enough to give the Editors’ Choice award to, is also on sale going for $650 off, available for an excellent $1200.
Get the Dell G16 with RTX 4070 graphics for $1349 at Dell
Gaming Laptops Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | ITBrief - 16 May (ITBrief)IDeaS` analytics boost Ace Parking`s revenue by 55%, optimising airport parking with advanced revenue management software and dynamic pricing strategies. Read...Newslink ©2024 to ITBrief | |
| | | ITBrief - 16 May (ITBrief)Andy Hung from Wolters Kluwer unveils advancements in CCH Integrator, a technology solution configuring to meet stringent modern tax compliance demands, including BEPS Pillar Two regulations. Read...Newslink ©2024 to ITBrief | |
| | | PC World - 16 May (PC World)Virtual machines, simulated PCs with their own operating systems running within another computer’s software, are super freakin’ cool. (That’s a technical term, I’m a professional technology writer.) But they’re not easy to set up, especially if you’re a newbie. They just got a lot easier, because VMware made its popular Workstation Pro and Fusion Pro VM software free for personal use.
get windows 11 pro for cheap
Windows 11 Pro
Most users who are looking for a free solution to running a virtual copy of Windows, Linux, or any other operating system on a PC typically go with Oracle’s VirtualBox, which is open-source and powerful, but not especially user-friendly. As a professional product with decades of development and support, VMware Workstation is far more accessible.
Workstation Pro can be downloaded here, Fusion Pro here. Workstation is for installation on Windows and Linux, Fusion for Mac, and both can be used to run more or less any modern operating system virtually.
As BleepingComputer notes, this shift in direction follows Broadcomm’s somewhat tumultuous acquisition of VMware last year. VMware’s Workstation Player and Fusion Player software are being discontinued as a result of this change. (The Player programs are the equivalent of Adobe Reader versus Acrobat, they allow you to open VMware virtual machines but not make changes or access all features.)
VMware’s post on the switch to a free model notes that anyone who uses the software for commercial purposes will need to buy a license key and enter it during the setup process. Most professional customers have a licensing deal set up with Broadcomm, but individual commercial users will need to subscribe for $120 a year. Don’t get caught using a free personal license in a commercial environment or you’ll no doubt be handed a big bill in return.
Full disclosure: The writer’s father is an employee of VMware, but was not contacted for this article.
Virtual Machines Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 16 May (PC World)With Thunderbolt Share, Intel is turning the Thunderbolt cable into a way to connect two PCs to one another, sharing files or controlling a PC. Simple, huh? Well, except that Intel isn’t exactly making it available to everybody.
Thunderbolt Share is a new Intel specification that connects two PCs via a cable, one to each Thunderbolt port. Alternatively, you can connect it to a Thunderbolt dock instead. Thunderbolt Share offers several options, all at blazing 40Gbps or higher speeds: control another PC, transfer files, sync them, or even migrate one PC to another. Is it a killer sneakernet replacement? Sure seems like it for local networks.
The idea? You or your family own more than one PC. If they’re Thunderbolt-capable, Share will unlock a number of handy additional sharing capabilities without needing to set up a workgroup, a network switch, or any other solution. Dock makers, too, will see an advantage: suddenly, Thunderbolt hubs like the Plugable 5-in-1 Thunderbolt Hub (USB4-HUB3A), part of our list of the best Thunderbolt docking stations, won’t just be designed primarily for external displays with Thunderbolt ports.
There’s just one thing. Intel didn’t take the simple route and just make Thunderbolt Share part of the Thunderbolt spec. Instead, Thunderbolt Share will be a software app Intel will license to PC and dock makers. And it won’t work for legacy Thunderbolt 3 or USB devices either — not officially, anyway. In short, you’ll have to keep track of which devices are Thunderbolt Share-capable, because without one, Thunderbolt Share won’t work. A special logo, however, will help.
The Thunderbolt Share logo will appear on PCs and licensed peripherals.
The Thunderbolt Share logo will appear on PCs and licensed peripherals.Intel
The Thunderbolt Share logo will appear on PCs and licensed peripherals.Intel
Intel
“It’s really going to offer users an easy, fast, and efficient way to do more with your two PCs by securely sharing screens external monitors, keyboard, mouse, storage and all your files,” said Jason Ziller, vice president and general manager of Intel Client Connectivity Division, in a briefing with reporters.
A decade ago, Intel showed off something very similar: a 10Gbit Ethernet-over-Thunderbolt demonstration called Thunderbolt Networking. This is a faster version, an Intel representative said via email. Thunderbolt Share uses up to a 20Gbps connection over Thunderbolt 4 with low latency, and should achieve those speeds on recent PC models with some variability for different specifications.
How Thunderbolt Share works
Thunderbolt Share is designed to work only with docking stations and PCs that include either the Thunderbolt 4 or upcoming Thunderbolt 5 specification. You’ll also need the intermediary Thunderbolt Share software, designed by Intel, which will ship on licensed PCs. If you own a licensed Thunderbolt Share docking station, that accessory maker will point you to where you’ll be able to download the software. Remember, at least one of the PCs or docking stations must have a Thunderbolt Share license.
Once the software is installed on both computers, you’ll be able to connect the two PCs to one another using a Thunderbolt 4 or 5 cable, Intel says.
Thunderbolt Share offers four different options.
Thunderbolt Share offers four different options.Intel
Thunderbolt Share offers four different options.Intel
Intel
Once that occurs, you’ll have the choice of four different tasks:
Control other computer: You’ll see the other computer’s desktop in a window on your PC. You’ll be able to control it using your keyboard and mouse, and you can place that external PC’s window on your display. Essentially, you’re performing a local, cabled version of Microsoft’s Remote Desktop without all of the setup. Since all this takes place over a cable, you don’t have to worry about someone intercepting your communications on the Internet.
Controlling another PC via Thunderbolt Share.
Controlling another PC via Thunderbolt Share.Mark Hachman / IDG
Controlling another PC via Thunderbolt Share.Mark Hachman / IDG
Mark Hachman / IDG
Drag and drop files: Nothing special, though the copy/move functions should take place at Thunderbolt speeds — between 80Gbps and 120Gbps speeds, depending on the specification.
Sync files: Presumably this works like syncing files to the cloud or so on: ensuring that files in two folders on the two PCs are in sync. It’s not clear which PC will be given priority, but it will most likely be the host.
Transfer data to a new computer: Remember PCmover? The PC-to-PC migration software (which Intel and Microsoft reportedly contributed to) used to even include a dedicated cable. This Thunderbolt Share function works like Windows Backup and Restore or one of our recommended backup programs, migrating your files (but not apps!) from one PC to the other at the press of a button. It’s not quite clear whether this includes things like system preferences, however.
Thunderbolt Share looks almost exactly the same as Bravura’s Easy Computer Sync, down to the text on the screen.
“Thunderbolt Share is built on both Intel and third-party technology (with appropriate licensing/permissions),” an Intel representative said in an email. “This ensures we can provide the best value to users and our OEM partners who are licensing Thunderbolt Share for their supported PCs and accessories going forward.”
Thunderbolt Share: who will get it, and who won’t
Intel didn’t explicitly say whether or not Thunderbolt Share will be a feature attached to its Evo Edition PCs, but it seems quite likely. While Ziller hinted that users may be able to buy a license to Thunderbolt Share in the future, that isn’t happening right away.
Given that Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 are almost identical, that’s not great news for owners of older Thunderbolt 3 docks. Owners of USB4 docking stations are technically out of luck as well — and given that AMD Ryzen laptops use USB4 ports in place of Thunderbolt, that means that owners of Ryzen notebooks are left out. Ziller said that Thunderbolt Share devices are identified “locally,” presumably meaning that they’ll have some sort of local authentication. But an Intel spokesman also confirmed that there’s no limitation in adding Thunderbolt Share to existing devices, provided that they meet Intel’s hardware requirements.
USB4 docks should be compatible, but it sounds like they won’t be.
USB4 docks should be compatible, but it sounds like they won’t be.Mark Hachman / IDG
USB4 docks should be compatible, but it sounds like they won’t be.Mark Hachman / IDG
Mark Hachman / IDG
And, of course, not every laptop and docking station manufacturer will support Thunderbolt Share, either. Intel identified MSI, Lenovo, Acer, and Razer among the PC makers supporting the technology, and Kensington, Plugable, Belkin, and Promise as device makers which will support Thunderbolt Share. Again, you’ll have to have one device in a Thunderbolt Share connection chain that has a valid license. Plugable said that it plans to release a docking station that will allow one PC to drive other “headless” PCs without displays, using Thunderbolt.
However, one Thunderbolt Share licensee said that it’s still pursuing alternatives.
“While we believe that Thunderbolt Share will provide great benefits to creators, gamers, consumers and businesses, we are exploring additional solutions for seamless peripherals-sharing within Belkin docks,” a representative of Belkin, one of the Thunderbolt Share licensees, said in an emailed statement. “As we’re still in early days, we’re not ready to share our product plans but we’ll let you know as soon as we are.”
Thunderbolt Share hands-on
Intel provided an evaluation copy of the Thunderbolt Share software for PCWorld to test out. I performed my own tests, but my colleague Gordon Mah Ung tested the technology, too, in the video just above.
As Intel suggested, I downloaded and installed the Thunderbolt Share software on both of my test laptops, which each have Thunderbolt ports. I used a manufacturer-supplied Thunderbolt 4 cable; a generic 10Gbps USB-C cable just won’t work.
You’ll see this Thunderbolt Share screen after setting up both laptops and connecting them.
You’ll see this Thunderbolt Share screen after setting up both laptops and connecting them.Intel
You’ll see this Thunderbolt Share screen after setting up both laptops and connecting them.Intel
Intel
Once the software was installed on both laptops, simply connecting the cable opened the Share software, which offered me the four choices from controlling the other PC to syncing files. (Thunderbolt Share also works if you’ve plugged in your laptop in to an existing Thunderbolt dock with a second cable, by the way.)
Surprisingly, the most obnoxious roadblock had nothing to do with Thunderbolt or the software: I wanted to control one PC via the other, and the software wouldn’t do so until I had downloaded an up-to-date Intel integrated graphics driver. (Most PC makers recommend that you download drivers through them.)
Controlling one laptop with another doesn’t quite feel like you’d be able to sneak in a bit of gaming on a personal gaming laptop, controlled remotely. Streaming video, for example, was a little stuttery, though not too bad. Audio doesn’t transfer across the Thunderbolt Share bus, however. It is handy to be able to poke around another laptop for a missing file, however.
Whoops. Make sure you have the latest graphics driver installed.
Whoops. Make sure you have the latest graphics driver installed.Intel
Whoops. Make sure you have the latest graphics driver installed.Intel
Intel
That might be, while the other Thunderbolt Share functions feel vaguely similar. My testing of the best Thunderbolt docks at PCWorld involves copying a folder of files from a connected SSD over a dock’s Thunderbolt cable; it took just about the same amount of time (1 minute 6 seconds) to copy the folder from one PC to the other. Weirdly, it took quite a while (three minutes!) to copy the folder from the remote SSD to the remote PC, not touching the local laptop; it took 1 minute 20 seconds to copy the file from the remote drive to the remote PC.
Syncing a folder worked fine; the default are the major folders (Documents, Videos, Photos, et cetera) but you can specify a particular folder if you so wish. The only feature I didn’t test was copying files as part of setting up a new PC.
So why isn’t Thunderbolt Share part of, say, the Thunderbolt 5 spec? According to Ziller, Thunderbolt Share is a “value-add” feature: you won’t get any benefit if you own a single PC. For that reason alone, Intel is separating it out, trying to benefit gamers and creators who work back and forth on different PCs.
Granted, a Thunderbolt cable is just another cable on your desk. A Thunderbolt dock already has wires snaking back and forth to your PC, to displays, to SSDs and so on. So there’s that. On the other hand, Thunderbolt Share honestly sounds like a decent solution to solve the “sneakernet” problem that just won’t go away.
Additional reporting by Gordon Mah Ung.
Computer Accessories, Networking Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 16 May (PC World)There are great monitors, and then there’s the Samsung Odyssey Ark 2nd gen. Even though it’s only been a few months since this fantastic monitor was released, we’re already seeing a jaw-dropping 40 percent discount, its biggest deal so far. Instead of spending $2999.99 on it, you can get it for just $1799.99. That’s still a good chunk of change, but not when you consider everything this model has to offer.
The Samsung Odyssey Ark 2nd gen is a massive 55-inch behemoth with a 1000R curved display. Whether you’re playing some World of Warcraft with your guildies or shooting up zombies, you’ll be sucked right into that world thanks to the stunning 4K visuals. They’re made even more luscious thanks to the inclusion of quantum mini-LED backlighting, an OLED alternative, and the HDR10+ support that technology unlocks.
Gamers will also appreciate the blistering 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, which translate into buttery smooth visuals. Plus, the AMD FreeSync Premium Pro promises tear-free and stutter-free gameplay.
Of course, the Samsung Odyssey Ark 2nd gen isn’t just for gaming. You can connect up to four different devices at the same time, switching between them as needed. Frankly, that’s ideal for all those gaming sessions you squeeze in between work meetings (it’s not just me who does that, right?). Thanks to the Multi View feature, you can keep an eye on your work chat while playing.
One super cool thing is that the Ark has a built-in KVM switch, which enables you to control multiple PCs with a single mouse and keyboard, efficiently simplifying your workflow. Simply brilliant.
The Samsung Odyssey Ark Gen 2 has so much to offer. While we admit it’s a pricey monitor, it’s a worthwhile purchase, especially now that it’s $1200 off.
Save $1200 on the Samsung Odyssey Ark 2 at Amazon
Monitors Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 15 May (PC World)USB-C is the one connection to rule them all—literally, in many cases, thanks to a recent law passed by the European Parliament. Its popularity has made USB-C a common sight on new monitors. A USB-C monitor can act as USB hub, giving you additional ports for connecting various USB devices, but the monitor’s USB-C port can also serve as a video-input alternative to HDMI or DisplayPort; and some USB-C monitors can even charge a connected device while in use.
The details of USB-C can be confusing, however, and pricing for USB-C monitors is often higher than that for monitors that lack the interface. See our buyers’ guide below our recommendations to better understand the nuances.
For even more monitor recommendations, check out our roundups of the best monitors and the best monitors for a home office. And while you’re at it, check out our list of best monitor arms so you can optimize the ergonomics and comfort of your desk setup while viewing that brand new monitor.
Updated May 14, 2024: Check out our review of the BenQ PD3225U, which offers the complete package: an impressive 4K IPS Black panel, great brightness, impressive color gamut and color accuracy, loads of image quality customizations, and USB-C support as well as a full complement of ports, mitigating the need for an expansion hub or dongle. Of course, with all this goodness, it’s no surprise that it also comes at a premium price.
Dell Ultrasharp U2724DE – Best USB-C monitor overall
Pros
Attractive and functional design
Class-leading Thunderbolt and USB connectivity
IPS Black improves contrast
120Hz refresh rate
Cons
Most competitors offer 4K resolution
No HDR support
Adaptive Sync has some caveats
The Dell U2724DE Ultrasharp has exceptional connectivity that caters to a mix of office productivity, gaming, and multimedia use. It supports Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, USB-A, Ethernet, and video-out. It also provides up to 90 watts of Power Delivery over USB-C for charging a connected laptop or tablet.
Dell employs a new type of display panel called IPS Black, which achieves a better contrast than past IPS panels. It enhances the monitor’s depth and immersion which, though not able to conquer OLED or Mini-LED, is better than average for its category. The monitor scores high marks in color accuracy and offers a wide, vibrant color gamut.
The most surprising feature is the monitor’s 120Hz refresh rate. Boosting the refresh rate improves motion clarity and fluidity in 3D games. It also makes the Windows desktop feel more responsive. Very few competing USB-C monitors have a 120Hz (or better) refresh rate, and those that do lack the U2724DE’s range of connectivity.
Dell makes a couple sacrifices to achieve a refresh rate of 120Hz. It sticks to a modest display resolution of 2560×1440 instead of 4K (3840×2160). HDR is missing, too. Those willing to sacrifice the 120Hz refresh rate for 4K resolution and HDR should consider the U2724DE’s predecessor, the U2723QE.
Dell’s U2724DE carries a reasonable MSRP of $649.99 which, though not inexpensive, is good value for the monitor’s many features. It’s a great USB-C monitor for work and play.
Read our full
Dell U2724DE review
BenQ GW2790QT – Best budget USB-C monitor
Pros
Attractive and ergonomic design
Sharp, bright image
Includes USB-C and DisplayPort-out
Acceptable built-in speakers and microphone
Cons
Mediocre image quality
No HDR
No Adaptive Sync
Best Prices Today:
$279.99 at AmazonNot Available at Adorama
The BenQ GW2790QT is an inexpensive monitor that doesn’t skimp on USB-C. Though priced at just $300 (with occasional drops to $280 on Amazon), it features a USB-C port with 65 watts of Power Delivery and DisplayPort Alternate Mode, which makes it possible to connect and charge a laptop or tablet.
It also has HDMI, DisplayPort, three USB-A 3.2 downstream ports, and a 3.5mm audio jack. It even includes DisplayPort-out, a rare feature that simplifies cable management by enabling daisy-chaining to a second monitor.
That’s not all. The GW2790T has built-in speakers and a microphone, which makes it an all-in-one video conferencing display. The microphone admittedly isn’t the best, but it’s fine for video conferencing.BenQ throws in an ergonomic stand with adjustments for height, tilt, swivel, and pivot. The stand’s sturdy base ensures the monitor remains securely in place on your desk. It also has a unique cut-out that can be used as a smartphone or tablet stand.
The GW2790T’s many strengths are offset by a couple downsides. It lacks gaming-oriented features like AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync, and it doesn’t support HDR. These missing features make the GW2790T less useful for entertainment, but it’s a go-to pick if you want an affordable USB-C monitor for your office.
Read our full
BenQ GW2790QT review
Viewsonic ColorPro VP16 OLED – Best portable USB-C monitor
Pros
Versatile, useful stands
Good connectivity, cables included
Numerous image quality customization options
Top-tier image quality even at default settings
Cons
Speakers are included, but weak
Pricey for a portable monitor
No HDR
Best Prices Today:
$399.99 at Amazon
The Viewsonic VP16-OLED is a remarkable portable OLED monitor that brings together top-notch image quality, USB-C connectivity, and an innovative stand design.
The monitor’s 15.6-inch 1080p OLED panel delivers exceptional color accuracy, gamut, and contrast. It surpasses many full-sized OLED monitors and nearly all portable monitors. This makes it a great choice for productivity, though it also looks excellent when viewing movies or playing games.
The VP16-OLED’s stand can be used as a kickstand or expanded to hold the monitor upright, making it ideal for professionals who want to maximize their workspace or need improved ergonomics. The stand includes two USB-C ports, both of which can provide power and video input to the monitor, and a micro-HDMI port for compatibility with non-USB-C devices. The monitor includes all the necessary cables as well as a USB-C power brick.
There is a drawback: the cost. The Viewsonic VP16-OLED’s MSRP of $399.99 is expensive for a portable monitor. However, if you place a high value on image quality and want the best monitor for your portable office, the Viewsonic VP16-OLED is an excellent choice.
Read our full
Viewsonic ColorPro VP16-OLED review
Asus ProArt PA348CGV – Best ultrawide USB-C monitor
Pros
Excellent SDR image quality
Sturdy, hefty design
Wide range of customization
120Hz refresh rate
Cons
USB-C hub lacks video-out or ethernet
HDR is merely passable
Best Prices Today:
$899.99 at Amazon
The Asus ProArt PA348CGV is a spectacular ultrawide USB-C monitor. It manages to serve a huge range of people, from gamers to prosumers and professionals, without letting anyone down.
This monitor has a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and up to 90 watts of Power Delivery, so it can charge a connected laptop or table. The USB-C port can drive up to four additional USB-A ports, offering a wide range of physical connections. It doesn’t support ethernet or video-out, however, so some owners will still need an additional adapter.
Image quality is superb. Color accuracy is excellent, the color gamut is wide, and maximum brightness is high. The monitor’s 34-inch panel has a resolution of 3440×1440, which is roughly equivalent to a 27-inch 1440p monitor and looks sharp in everyday use. The monitor has a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz and supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, which is good news for gamers.
The ProArt PA348CGV is reasonably priced, as well, at $729.99—not a bargain, but lower than most ultrawide monitors with similar features. Its price, wide range of features, and excellent image quality make the ProArt PA348CGV a great USB-C monitor for gamers and content creators.
Read our full
Asus ProArt PA348CGV review
Dell Ultrasharp U4924DW – Best super-ultrawide USB-C monitor
Pros
Excellent build quality and stand
Lots of connectivity including USB-C
Easy-to-use menu with numerous options
IPS Black improves contrast ratio
Cons
Image quality is mediocre overall
No HDR or Adaptive Sync
Expensive for its feature set
Best Prices Today:
$1,296.91 at Amazon1359.99 at Dell$1359.99 at Dell Home
The Dell Ultrasharp U4924DW is the best super-ultrawide monitor with USB-C. It offers outstanding USB connectivity, functioning as a USB-C hub with a total of six downstream USB ports (four USB-A, two USB-C) plus Ethernet and audio-out. The USB-C port also supports DisplayPort Alternate Mode and provides 90 watts Power Delivery, letting users connect and charge a laptop or tablet over a single USB-C cable. This eliminates the need for a separate USB-C hub or dock which, in turn, reduces cord clutter behind your desk.
Dell’s U4924DW is a curved ultrawide but has a less aggressive curve than alternatives focused on gaming, which in turn makes it more suitable for work tasks. It also benefits from a sturdy, elegant design, a small yet effective stand, and VESA mount compatibility for both 200x100mm and 100x100mm mounts. The monitor also supports picture-by-picture and picture-in-picture modes that let users view two input devices at once. It’s perfect for use in either a home or corporate office.
Image quality is solid, but the monitor has a mediocre 60Hz refresh rate and lacks support for HDR. The lack of these features is surprising given its $1,999 price point. Still, the U4924DW is a wise investment if you care more about productivity than gaming and entertainment.
Read our full
Dell Ultrasharp U4924DW review
LG DualUp 28MQ780-B – Best USB-C monitor for productivity
Pros
Unique aspect ratio is useful for photo, video editing
Makes an awesome second monitor
Highly adjustable stand
Vivid, accurate color
Cons
Difficult to fit in a small home office
USB-C port offers limited downstream connectivity
Can lack immersion in some content
Best Prices Today:
$629 at Amazon$699.99 at LG
The LG DualUp 28MQ780-B is a USB-C monitor with a unique 16:18 aspect ratio that’s almost exactly square. It can rotate into a 18:16 aspect ratio if you’d prefer. The monitor is much taller than most monitors and, as a result, has an adjustable stand that clamps to the rear of your desk instead of a normal desktop stand.
The monitor’s odd form factor is ideal for viewing large, complex documents and can be useful for editing portrait or square photos. It’s also well suited for use as a second monitor alongside a large 32-inch display.
The DualUp 28MQ780-B has a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and 90 watts of Power Delivery, so it can charge a connected laptop or tablet. The USB-C port can extend connectivity to two additional USB-A ports. Unfortunately, the monitor lacks ethernet or video-out, so some owners may need an additional adapter.
What about image quality? It’s great. The monitor has great color accuracy, a wide color gamut, and respectable sharpness thanks to its resolution of 2560×2880. Just be warned: The odd aspect ratio makes it a strange fit for gaming and movies. This is a monitor built for work, not play.
Read our full
LG DualUp 28MQ780-B review
What to look for in a USB-C monitor
Many features desirable in a USB-C monitor are the same as on any other display. A sharp, vivid, bright, and contrast-rich screen is best. However, shoppers who want to buy a USB-C monitor should keep an eye on details only relevant to USB-C.
Remember, too, that a USB-C display can be used in two contexts. First, you can connect your USB-C monitor to a desktop PC or laptop via a USB-C cable, and use it like a traditional USB-C hub via the USB-C cable’s 20Gbps interface. That’s pretty straightforward.
Second, you can also use the USB-C cable as a replacement for a display cable like HDMI or DisplayPort, especially for newer laptops that might eliminate an HDMI or DisplayPort port.
It’s here that USB-C monitors can get tricky. The traditional rule of thumb is that a USB-C port can support a 4K display at 30Hz resolution. DisplayPort Alternate Mode (see below) increases that to 4K60, which is much easier on the eyes. Newer laptops use DisplayPort 1.4, which combines a high-bit-rate mode (HBR3) with a DSC compression mode that should allow for 4K60 video alongside the ability to use USB 3.1 storage devices.
Be aware, however, that the USB-C cable’s 20Gbps throughput may not allow for video to be passed to premium displays like the NZXT Canvas S27Q at its full 1440p, 165Hz refresh rate. Those specifications probably assume that you’re using a dedicated video port like DisplayPort, instead, as well as its separate video cable. You can certainly connect the display to your laptop using both a video cable and the USB-C cable simultaneously, however.
If your laptop uses either Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 — all of which use a 40Gbps data connection and a USB-C port on your laptop — you should probably have no issues connecting your laptop to the monitor at the full refresh rate using a Thunderbolt cable. Just consult your laptop’s specifications and/or manual to make sure.
Power Delivery
USB-C Power Delivery provides power over a USB-C cable. It’s not part of the core USB-C specification, so devices with USB-C (including monitors) don’t always support it. Power Delivery can pack up to 240 watts, but most USB-C monitors provide just 65 to 90 watts. It’s a perfect fit for those who own a thin-and-light laptop, 2-in-1, or tablet.
Power Delivery is inadequate for some devices, such as gaming laptops, which consume more power than current USB-C monitors can provide. These laptops may still charge when left at idle but will charge slowly (or even discharge the battery) when in use.
Ethernet
Wired ethernet is a desirable feature in a USB-C monitor. Many modern laptops lack a physical Ethernet port, so its inclusion on a monitor is convenient. It can improve the speed and reliability of a connected device’s internet connection.
While useful, this is an expensive feature available only on premium models. The Dell U3223QE is the only USB-C monitor on this list with ethernet support.
DisplayPort Alternate Mode
DisplayPort Alternate Mode is a feature available to USB-C that handles video as if the USB-C cable was a DisplayPort cable. It supports all the features you’d expect from DisplayPort including high refresh rates and adaptive sync.
A monitor without this feature won’t accept video over USB-C, meaning you’ll have to connect both USB-C and a separate video input. All the monitors on this list support DisplayPort Alternate Mode.
How we test monitors
PC World’s monitor guides are the result of independent tests by PC World staff members and freelance technology journalists.
We test each monitor with a Datacolor Spyder X2 Ultra color calibration tool. This tool can measure a monitor’s brightness, contrast, color gamut, color accuracy, uniformity, gamma, color temperature, and other important aspects of display quality. Using a tool that measures objective quality helps us objectively compare dozens of monitors.
Our tests of USB-C monitors also consider the range of USB-C connectivity and features available. We prefer to see a USB-C monitor with a complete range of physical connectivity including ethernet and at least 90 watts of Power Delivery, but these desirable features are balanced against the monitor’s price.
FAQ
1.
Do I really need a USB-C monitor?
A USB-C monitor is a great way to expand your computer’s connectivity without the added clutter of a USB-C hub or dock. It reduces the wires present on your desk, freeing up space for other uses. PC World’s guide to USB-C hub monitors has the full story.
USB-C monitors are excellent when used with a USB-C laptop that consumes less than 90 watts of power at load. Docking a laptop at a desk can be annoying if you use a wired keyboard, wired mouse, and external monitor. A USB-C monitor can consolidate all your wired devices to a single USB-C cable.
If these benefits sound good, then a USB-C monitor could be for you. If not, you may get more value from a conventional monitor.
2.
Are USB-C monitors expensive?
Yes, USB-C monitors are more expensive. Basic monitors without USB-C retail for as little as $100, while similar monitors with USB-C start around $150.
That price premium persists through all price categories. You can expect to pay around $50 to $100 more for a USB-C monitor than you would for a similar monitor without it.
Premium productivity and professional monitors are an exception. Nearly all monitors in these categories offer some form of USB-C support. They remain expensive, though, and are often priced between $500 to $1,000 (and sometimes more).
3.
Are USB-C monitors good for gaming?
Technically speaking, USB-C monitors can be great for gaming. USB-C video is handled over DisplayPort Alternate Mode, which preserves all the usual benefits of DisplayPort. This includes great support for high refresh rates, high resolutions, and adaptive sync.
But there’s a catch: Many monitors that have a USB-C port don’t support important gaming features like an enhanced refresh rate, low pixel response times, or adaptive sync. The Asus ProArt PG348CGV, our pick for best ultrawide with USB-C, and the NZXT Canvas 27Q, our best budget pick, are two notable exceptions. Just make sure that you’re connecting to them with a dedicated DisplayPort or HDMI video cable, and not using the USB-C cable as the video cable, too.
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