Samsung - 34” ViewFinity S5 Ultrawide QHD 100Hz AMD FreeSync Monitor with HDR10 (DisplayPort, HDMI) - Black

I use my computer for both work and for gaming. My job virtually requires either an ultrawide or two screens, and I have found 21:9 1440p to be the sweet spot for both productivity and entertainment. I previously had a used Viotek curved display of the same size and resolution, but replaced it with this because colors and contrast were severely limited and the backlight was very inconsistent and splotchy in places. This Samsung is significantly sharper, with great color accuracy and contrast. Samsung claims 72% NTSC gamut, which is roughly equivalent to 99% sRGB, and while I have no instruments to confirm this, colors do look very vibrant. Viewing angles are also quite nice for a VA panel as well. My computer is in a room that does not get a lot of natural light, so it’s plenty bright to serve my needs. Samsung states that minimum brightness is 250 nits and “typical” is 300, so it’s difficult to determine what the maximum is. However, the backlight appears to be very consistent to my eyes and. HDR content doesn’t exactly “wow,” given the somewhat low brightness measurement, but the support is much appreciated. As long as the display is not in an overly bright location, such as facing a window with sunlight coming through, it should be very viewable. Gaming and entertainment performance is generally quite solid, as well. “Game” mode with the fastest response time produces a very crisp, bright, vibrant image with very little lag or blur at higher framerates. 100hz is a fairly slow refresh rate for gaming, but large, ultrawide, high resolution monitors are typically better suited to immersive single player experiences rather than competitive gameplay. With Freesync enabled on an AMD GPU, 60-100 FPS gaming is very smooth and looks fantastic. This is a good budget choice if you prioritize good color reproduction, size, and FOV over raw performance. On the subject of FOV: I prefer a wider FOV on a flat over a curved display, because the curvature seems to emphasize lens distortion at your peripheral vision and appears more natural on a flat display. Note that some games still don’t take full advantage of ultrawide resolutions, so be forewarned that there may be visual oddities. Older games that don’t support 21:9 may appear very, very stretched in fullscreen mode and may require being run in a window instead. Just something to be aware of if you primarily play older games. 1080p and 1440p 16:9 video also looks just fine on this display, although it understandably cannot use all of the screen real estate. If your needs are for competitive gaming, console gaming, or film/video content, then I would steer towards a 16:9 display with a higher refresh rate. Longevity remains to be seen, but I have no reason to predict any issues with this display within the next 5-10 years based on my experience with other Samsung displays. Overall, it’s a solid multi-use display that looks great doing just about anything at a great price.

This is an excellent monitor for the price! I have it connected to a MacBook Air 15" and it worked out of the box using a simple USB C to HDMI 2.1 cable. That said, you have to use BetterDisplay to get a more complete list of resolutions to choose from (this only applies to the Mac). It did take me a while to get it to look perfect, as far as black levels go, but the level of detail and quality is on par with the liquid retina XDR display in the Mac itself. I wasn't too sure about using an ultra widescreen display TBH, but it's just PERFECT! I have my dock on the left side of the screen. I am using stickies next to the dock (yeah, Macs still have those and they're quite useful when you actually have space for them). On the far right I have Stage Manager running, which is a very useful and smart tool for organizing open windows. Overall, I am very pleased with this setup and the monitor is surprisingly capable for what I use it for (which is graphics design, photo/video editing, and light gaming).

I am thoroughly impressed with this monitor! The size is perfect, offering an immersive viewing experience without overwhelming my desk space. The picture quality is simply outstanding—vivid colors, sharp details, and deep contrasts make everything look fantastic. One of the standout features for me is the Picture-in-Picture (PiP) functionality. It allows me to multitask effortlessly, making my workflow much more efficient. The high refresh rate is another highlight, providing smooth visuals that are especially noticeable during fast-paced activities. Connectivity is a breeze, particularly with my Mac. The monitor integrates seamlessly, and setting it up was hassle-free. Overall, this monitor combines top-tier performance with user-friendly features, making it a fantastic investment.