Ultimate All-in-One Monitor Setup

InfoThis is a summary of the following YouTube video:

The One Monitor for EVERYTHING - Mac, PS5 and PC

Oliur / UltraLinx

Jul 2, 2024

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Science & Technology

MSI 321URX is the ultimate all-in-one monitor

  1. Tech evolves rapidly, and a new monitor has surpassed the previously best all-round monitor from the end of 2023.
  2. The new monitor is ideal for connecting a Mac, PC, and game console, making it versatile for various uses.
  3. The monitor must meet several criteria: 28 to 32 inches in size, 4K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate or more, USB-C with power delivery, reasonably priced (ideally $1,000 or less), and OLED display.
  4. The recommended monitor is the MSI 321URX, which meets all the specified requirements.
  5. The MSI 321URX includes a monitor arm, stand, HDMI cable, USB cable for the built-in hub, and a three-pin power connector, with no external power brick.
  6. Assembly of the monitor is straightforward, with no screws required, and the stand offers significant adjustability in height, angle, and tilt.
  7. Despite the stand's small footprint and adjustability, a monitor arm is recommended for a cleaner look and more desk space.

Thin, versatile OLED monitor with seamless KVM switch

  1. The monitor is very thin, typical of OLED monitors, which requires careful handling to avoid flexing.
  2. The rear of the monitor houses all the necessary components and ports, though the design is somewhat cluttered.
  3. The front design features thin bezels on the top and sides, but a noticeable chin with the MSI logo that stands out due to its different color.
  4. Ports include a headphone jack, two HDMI ports, one DisplayPort, a USB-C port, a USB upstream port, and two USB-A ports, with the power connector on the opposite side.
  5. A built-in KVM switch allows seamless use of a keyboard and mouse across both PC and Mac when connected to the monitor.
  6. The iQunix Magi65 keyboard, mentioned in the context, is a 65% layout keyboard made from CNC aluminum, featuring multimedia controls, customizable buttons, and a tasteful RGB strip.

Versatile, high-quality glossy QD-OLED monitor

  1. The iQunix Magi65 keyboard supports Mac media controls and includes additional keys for Mac or Windows layout. It offers three connection options: standard USB, USB wireless dongle, or Bluetooth, with a battery life of up to 300 hours.
  2. The monitor lacks built-in speakers, which may be a downside for some users. However, many people use external speakers or headphones, making this less of an issue.
  3. The monitor's controls are located at the back bottom center, including an on-off button, a joystick for menu controls, and an assignable hot key. The reviewer wishes for a remote control for easier access, as seen in some LG monitors.
  4. The monitor features a 32-inch QD-OLED screen, which provides better colors than standard OLED monitors. The glossy screen with an anti-reflective coating minimizes reflections and enhances the overall visual experience.
  5. The reviewer prefers the glossy screen for its premium look and feel, and believes it should become the norm. The monitor delivers an excellent experience for gaming and content consumption, surpassing expectations despite the reviewer's extensive experience with different monitors.

MSI OLED monitor excels in contrast, color, and versatility

  1. The MSI OLED monitor enhances contrast and color vibrancy, making visuals pop more effectively.
  2. It performs best in dimly lit or dark rooms, providing deep blacks and a better movie-watching experience.
  3. A common issue with OLED monitors is burn-in, but MSI offers a reassuring three-year warranty for burn-in issues.
  4. For desktop use over extended periods, burn-in may occur, but mixed usage like work and gaming reduces this risk.
  5. MSI has implemented various measures to mitigate burn-in, reflecting their confidence in the monitor's durability.
  6. The monitor's response time is excellent, making it ideal for gaming, a common strength of OLED technology.
  7. It covers 99.1% of the DCI-P3 color range, making it suitable for color-accurate tasks like photo and video editing.
  8. Out of the box, the monitor's color accuracy is impressive, and it can be further enhanced with a color calibration tool.
  9. The monitor excels in HDR content due to individually lit pixels, providing true blacks and a fantastic viewing experience.
  10. It features a 1000 nits HDR mode, which can be very bright, enhancing the experience of watching HDR movies.

Versatile monitor with high refresh rates

  1. The monitor's brightness can be too high for close gaming setups.
  2. A key feature is the USB-C port that provides power, enabling a one-cable setup for MacBooks or other laptops with USB-C ports.
  3. This single cable can handle data for the external monitor and charge the laptop up to 90 watts, sufficient for most users, including those with a 16-inch MacBook Pro.
  4. The setup is cleaner and frees up an extra port for other uses.
  5. Depending on the Mac, users can achieve up to 120 hertz refresh rate at 4K resolution without adjusting settings.
  6. A specific type of USB-C cable is required to handle both power and data.
  7. For PS5, the monitor supports full 4K at 120 hertz and variable refresh rate, providing a natural experience on an OLED display.
  8. The main use case for the monitor is PC gaming, particularly for games like Overwatch 2.
  9. The monitor supports 4K at 240 hertz, which is ideal for gaming, though not all games can run at this resolution and refresh rate even with a powerful GPU like the 4080 Super.
  10. Overall, the monitor offers a great experience for Mac, PS5, and PC gaming.

Versatile monitor under $1,000

  1. The author uses window scaling at 125%, which they find to be the optimal setting.
  2. They have tried to find downsides to the monitor but found very few, such as aesthetics, menu interface, and lack of built-in speakers.
  3. The monitor is priced under $1,000 in the US, specifically around $950, making it a great deal.
  4. The content is catered to a US audience because most viewers are from the US.
  5. The monitor is highly versatile, capable of connecting to a Mac, gaming console, and PC simultaneously, providing an excellent experience across all devices.
  6. The author teases upcoming videos about their gaming setup and PC build, encouraging viewers to subscribe and follow on social media.