While OLED gaming monitors started out as very expensive, they’ve slowly become… not quite as expensive, but still expensive all the same. Even with big discounts, it’s rare for OLED monitors to get within striking distance of their LCD predecessors.
Today is one of those days. Amazon subsidiary Woot is offering the best price we’ve ever seen on an OLED gaming monitor: this 34-inch MSI OLED monitor is going for $499.99. That’s less than half the usual price you normally see for an equivalent model.
What’s the catch? Well, Woot’s offer is for a refurbished model — but don’t let that turn you away. You get a 180-day warranty with this one, which is better than most refurb displays. (But with general concerns around OLED burn-in, I’d understand if you felt like passing on this deal. In that case, consider buying the extended Asurion warranty that’s offered at checkout.)
Still here? Then listen up. The MSI MAG 341CQP has a 34-inch ultrawide 3440×1440 curved panel and boasts 175Hz of refresh and 0.03ms of response time, which isn’t the fastest in the world but should be more than enough to make your gaming PC sweat on newer releases and keep online competitive games buttery smooth. Naturally, it supports AMD FreeSync and extra gaming features like an integrated crosshair.
For connections, you get DisplayPort 1.4, double HDMI 2.1, and USB-C. (The USB-C only delivers 15 watts of charging, which probably won’t be enough to charge up a gaming laptop but it’ll handle video just fine.) It also packs an extra pair of USB-A ports and a headphone jack. And yes, it’ll work with most monitor arms thanks to its 100×100 VESA mount.
Woot’s deal is valid for another three days, but I expect this one will sell out much faster than that, so hop on it quickly if you’re ready to buy.
Get this MSI ultrawide OLED monitor for just $500Author: Michael Crider, Staff Writer, PCWorld
Michael is a 10-year veteran of technology journalism, covering everything from Apple to ZTE. On PCWorld he's the resident keyboard nut, always using a new one for a review and building a new mechanical board or expanding his desktop "battlestation" in his off hours. Michael's previous bylines include Android Police, Digital Trends, Wired, Lifehacker, and How-To Geek, and he's covered events like CES and Mobile World Congress live. Michael lives in Pennsylvania where he's always looking forward to his next kayaking trip.