One of the latest trends in desktop computer peripherals is UltraWide monitors. The wider aspect ratios make them ideal for multitasking in a way that a traditionally-massive display fails to accomplish. Gamers seeking out a more immersive experience also fall back to UltraWide displays.
Catering to this demographic, ASUS has unveiled its latest monitor, a super-wide 49-inch ROG Swift XG49VQ Curved Gaming Monitor. Featuring what ASUS has deemed a “double Full HD” display, 144Hz refresh rate, and more, the company’s latest endeavor enters the market with a few questions left unanswered. Head below for a closer look.
Many of the 49-inch displays we’ve seen throughout 2018 clock in with a lower refresh rate than most gamers find ideal. Dell’s recent UltraSharp 49 only packs a 60Hz display, similar to the Philips model from earlier this year. So with a 144Hz refresh rate, ASUS’s new ROG Swift XG49VQ monitor already checks a box that its competition can’t.
Unfortunately, that’s one of the only positives that this 49-inch display carries compared to Dell’s or Philips’ versions. The latter both feature 5120×1440 resolution panels, making ASUS’s 3,840 x 1,080 display look a little lackluster. It does sport HDR, meaning blacks will be darker and colors more vibrant, although it’s no substitute for 4K.
To further appeal to the gaming crowd, ASUS is promoting this monitor as an ideal solution for streamers. Its49 inches of screen real estate do make multitasking easier, especially when it comes to displaying chat and other streaming functions to the side of your gameplay.
Missing from the announcement is also what kind of I/O we can expect from ASUS. It’s likely that the monitor will feature HDMI and potentially DisplayPort inputs, but the number is still unknown. And that’s not all that still hasn’t been detailed yet.
As of now, details on how much ASUS’s new 49-inch display will cost are still up in the air. Similar versions from competitors retail around $1,500. But those are for monitors with slightly better resolutions and specs, so it’s difficult to pinpoint how much the ROG Swift XG49VQ monitor will set you back. Given its 3,840 x 1,080 resolution, it’ll hopefully enter the market on the more affordable side.
It’s still unknown when the new monitor will be released as well. Previously-announced 49-inch models we’ve taken a look at still aren’t available for purchase, so history doesn’t bode well for ASUS here. With the holiday season right around the corner, hopefully this means the company will look to take advantage of the festivities to debut its latest release.
If you can’t wait to upgrade your desk setup, Samsung’s 49-inch UltraWide Monitor features a similar 144Hz refresh rate and other notable functionality at $869.
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