It might be pricey, but the Predator X34 is great for both gaming and both.
Acer Predator X34
Curved displays aren’t new anymore, but the Acer Predator X34 was the first curved G-Sync monitor that hardcore gamers could buy. As a gaming monitor, it has very high specifications. To begin, it has a curved 34-inch IPS display and supports a resolution of 3,440 x 1,440 pixels. Response time is rated at 4ms, which is great for an IPS monitor; and refresh rates can go up to as high as 100Hz. Plus, it supports NVIDIA’s G-Sync technology, which aligns the refresh rate of the monitor to the draw rate of the GPU to reduce the effects of tearing, lag and stutter.
The Predator X34 even has the design down pat. The highly angular stand looks menacing and it adjusts for height and tilt, though is not rotatable. Behind the display are ambient lights that can be adjusted to suit your mood. The Predator X34 also has a built-in 4-port USB 3.0 hub, which can be used to connect to keyboards, gaming mice or to change your mobile devices.
IPS monitors have reached very high standards these days, and the Predator X34 works very well out of the box. Colors are vivid and vibrant; brightness uniformity (an issue on larger displays) is not really a problem too. The edges can seem less bright - but only if you really stop to notice.
Its high refresh rates mean games play smoothly and fluidly. G-Sync is a valuable tool as well, especially if you are achieving high frame rates and having problems with tearing. It can help reduce lag and stuffer too if you are playing a more demanding game and experiencing wildly varying frame rates.
Gaming aside, the Predator X34 excels in regular use and productivity tasks too. Its ultra-wide resolution allows up to three sizable windows side by side. Users who do a lot of work with spreadsheets will be happy to know that up to 52 columns can be displayed quite comfortably.
Still, curved monitors are not priced cheaply and at $1,699, the Predator X34is clearly a high-end product. But if the price tag doesn’t put you off, what you will have is a very capable monitor that can excel at both gaming and productivity.
AT A GLANCE
Display size Curved 34-inch
Screen resolution 3,440 x 1,440 pixels
Refresh rate Up to 100Hz
Response time 4ms
Price $1,699
CONCLUSION
It might be pricey, but the Predator X34 is great for both gaming and both.
