Gigabyte M34WQ  Monitor Review

Reviewed Nov 18, 2021 at 10:51am
Writing modified Sep 30, 2024 at 10:18am
Tested using Methodology v1.2 
Gigabyte M34WQ

Track

0.0
Mixed Usage 
0.0
Office 
0.0
Gaming 
0.0
Media Consumption 
0.0
Media Creation 
0.0
HDR 

Track

 2

The Gigabyte M34WQ is a 34 inch ultrawide monitor with a fast 144Hz refresh rate. It's part of Gigabyte's M Series gaming monitors, designed with both productivity and gaming performance in mind. It has a great selection of additional features, including a built-in keyboard video and mouse switch (KVM), so you can control two sources with a single keyboard and mouse. It's a great monitor for a bright room, with impressive reflection handling and high peak brightness in SDR. Motion looks fantastic, thanks to its fast response time at the max refresh rate, it has low input lag, and it supports both FreeSync and G-SYNC variable refresh rate technology for a nearly tear-free gaming experience. Sadly, it has low contrast and mediocre black uniformity, so it's not the best choice for a dark room, and although it supports HDR, it adds very little.

Our Verdict

0.0
Mixed Usage 

The Gigabyte M34WQ is a very good monitor overall. It's an impressive gaming monitor with low input lag and an excellent response time at the max refresh rate. It's great for office use, as the ultrawide format is excellent for multitasking, and it has some excellent productivity features, including a built-in KVM switch. It's great for media creation, but it has limited coverage of the Adobe RGB color space. It supports HDR, but HDR doesn't add much, as it's not very bright in HDR and has a low contrast ratio.

Pros
  • Image remains accurate at an angle.
  • Excellent gray uniformity.
  • Excellent response time at the max refresh rate.
  • Fantastic low input lag.
Cons
  • Blacks look gray in a dark room.
  • Stand can't be rotated to a portrait orientation.
0.0
Office 

The Gigabyte M34WQ is a great office monitor. The ultrawide format is excellent for multitasking, and visibility isn't an issue in a bright room, thanks to the impressive reflection handling and high peak brightness. It also has a great selection of additional features designed for productivity, including a built-in keyboard video and mouse switch (KVM), so you can control two sources with a single keyboard and mouse. It also has excellent gray uniformity and good text clarity.

Pros
  • Impressive reflection handling.
  • Image remains accurate at an angle.
  • Excellent gray uniformity.
  • Great selection of productivity features.
Cons
  • Blacks look gray in a dark room.
  • Stand can't be rotated to a portrait orientation.
0.0
Gaming 

The Gigabyte M34WQ is an excellent gaming monitor. The ultrawide screen delivers a more immersive gaming experience, and it has a fast refresh rate with low input lag. It has an excellent response time at the max refresh rate, resulting in clear motion with little blur behind fast-moving objects. It supports both FreeSync and G-SYNC VRR, which can help reduce tearing. It's great for gaming in a bright room, as it can easily overcome glare. Unfortunately, it's not the best choice for a dark room, as it has low contrast and mediocre black uniformity.

Pros
  • Impressive reflection handling.
  • Excellent response time at the max refresh rate.
  • Fantastic low input lag.
  • Fast refresh rate.
Cons
  • Blacks look gray in a dark room.
0.0
Media Consumption 

The Gigabyte M34WQ is a decent monitor for watching videos. The large, ultrawide screen delivers a more immersive movie-watching experience, and the wide viewing angles make it a great choice for watching it with other people. Visibility isn't an issue, as it has great peak brightness in SDR and impressive reflection handling. Unfortunately, it's not the best choice for a dark room, as it has low contrast and mediocre black uniformity, so blacks look gray.

Pros
  • Impressive reflection handling.
  • Image remains accurate at an angle.
  • Excellent gray uniformity.
Cons
  • Blacks look gray in a dark room.
  • Mediocre black uniformity.
0.0
Media Creation 

The Gigabyte M34WQ is a great monitor for media creation. The ultrawide aspect ratio and large screen make it easier to see more of your workflow at once. It has wide viewing angles, excellent gray uniformity, and incredible gradient handling. You can turn the stand to share your screen with someone else, but it can't rotate to portrait orientation. Unfortunately, although it has a superb SDR color gamut, it has limited coverage of the Adobe RGB color space, which might disappoint some content creators.

Pros
  • Impressive reflection handling.
  • Image remains accurate at an angle.
  • Excellent gray uniformity.
  • Great selection of productivity features.
Cons
  • Blacks look gray in a dark room.
  • Mediocre black uniformity.
  • Stand can't be rotated to a portrait orientation.
0.0
HDR 

The Gigabyte M34WQ is mediocre for HDR content. Its IPS panel has a low contrast ratio, so blacks look gray in the dark, and there's no local dimming feature to improve it. Also, while it displays a wide range of colors in HDR, it doesn't get bright enough to make highlights pop, so those colors aren't vivid.

Pros
  • Displays a wide range of colors.
Cons
  • Blacks look gray in a dark room.
  • No local dimming feature.
  • Not very bright in HDR.
  • 0.0
    Mixed Usage
  • 0.0
    Office
  • 0.0
    Gaming
  • 0.0
    Media Consumption
  • 0.0
    Media Creation
  • 0.0
    HDR
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Sep 30, 2024: Added that the Dell U3425WE is an alternative ultrawide monitor with a bigger USB hub and higher power delivery.
    2.  Updated Apr 18, 2023: Confirmed that 1440p works on this monitor with the PS5.
    3.  Updated May 02, 2022: We tested the monitor with the PS5's new variable refresh rate feature and confirmed that it's not compatible, since the PS5 only supports HDMI Forum VRR.
    4.  Updated Apr 08, 2022: Updated to Test Bench 1.2, resulting in changes to the results and scores with the Response Time and Input Lag. Added tests for Console Compatibility and macOS compatibility and made minor changes to other tests, which you can see in our Changelog.

    Check Price

    Differences Between Sizes And Variants

    We tested the 34 inch Gigabyte M34WQ, part of Gigabyte's M Series gaming monitors, designed with productivity and gaming in mind. There are many other M Series monitors, some of which are listed below. Unlike some of the recent M series monitors we've tested, this one doesn't support HDMI 2.1.

    Model Size Native Resolution Max Refresh rate Panel Type HDMI Version 
    M32Q 32" 1440p 170Hz IPS 2.0
    M32U 32" 4k 144Hz IPS 2.1
    M34WQ 34" 3440x1440 144Hz IPS 2.0
    M28U 28" 4k 144Hz IPS 2.1
    M27Q (rev. 1.0) 27" 1440p 170Hz IPS 2.0
    M27F 27" 1080p 144Hz IPS 2.0

    If you come across a different type of panel or your Gigabyte M34WQ doesn't correspond to our review, let us know, and we'll update the review. Note that some tests, like gray uniformity, may vary between individual units.

    Our unit was manufactured in Aug. 2021; you can see the label here.

    Popular Monitor Comparisons

    The Gigabyte M34WQ is somewhat of a unique monitor with impressive gaming performance and some great office features. It's great if you're working from home and are looking for something that delivers great productivity during the day and excellent gaming performance at night. There are very few monitors on the market that offer this combination of features.

    For more options, check out our recommendations for the best 34-49 inch monitors, the best ultrawide monitors, or the best office monitors.

    Gigabyte G34WQC

    Track

    The Gigabyte G34WQC and the Gigabyte M34WQ use different panel types, each with strengths and weaknesses, but the M34WQ is better overall for most users. The M34WQ has better ergonomics, much better viewing angles, a faster response time, and a great selection of additional features. The G34WQC is better for a dark room, as it has much better contrast.

    Dell S3422DWG

    Track

    The Dell S3422DWG and the Gigabyte M34WQ use different panel technologies, each with strengths and weaknesses. The Dell uses a curved VA panel, so it's a better choice for a dark room, as it has better contrast. The Gigabyte is a flat IPS monitor, so the image remains accurate at an angle. The Gigabyte also has better ergonomics and a better selection of additional features.

    LG 34GN850-B

    Track

    The Gigabyte M34WQ and the LG 34GN850-B offer similar overall performance, but each has a slight edge depending on your planned usage. The Gigabyte is better for productivity, as it has a few extra office features built-in, including a keyboard video and mouse switch (KVM), which allows you to switch between two sources with one set of input devices. If you only plan on gaming, the LG is a better choice, as it has a faster refresh rate and better motion handling, but it lacks a backlight strobing feature.

    ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B

    Track

    The ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B and the Gigabyte M34WQ use different panel types, each with strengths and weaknesses, so the best one depends on your usage and viewing conditions. The ASUS looks better in a dark room, as it has much better contrast, and it's a bit brighter overall. The Gigabyte has much better viewing angles, ensuring the sides of the screen remain accurate. The ASUS can slightly compensate for this, though, as it has a curved screen.

    Show more 

    Video

    How We Test Monitors
    How We Test Monitors

    We buy and test more than 30 monitors each year, all of which we purchase ourselves, without cherry-picked units or samples. We put a lot into each unbiased, straight-to-the-point review, and there's a whole process from purchasing to publishing, involving multiple teams and people. We do more than just use the monitor for a week; we use specialized, custom tools to measure various aspects and deliver objective, data-driven results. We also consider multiple factors before making any recommendations, including the monitor's cost, its performance compared to the competition, and whether it's easy to find.

    Test Results

    perceptual testing image
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    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style
    Curved
    LockedLocked
    Curve Radius
    LockedLocked

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    Accelerated Longevity Test
    Uniformity PicturesN/A
    0.0
    Build Quality

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    0.0
    Ergonomics
    Height Adjustment
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Tilt Range
    LockedLocked
    Rotate Portrait/Landscape
    LockedLocked
    Swivel Range
    LockedLocked
    Wall Mount
    LockedLocked

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    Stand
    Base Width
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Base Depth
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Thickness (With Display)
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Weight (With Display)
    LockedLock lbs (Lock kg)

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    Display
    Size
    Locked34"
    Housing Width
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Housing Height
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Thickness (Without Stand)
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Weight (Without Stand)
    LockedLock lbs (Lock kg)
    Borders Size (Bezels)
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Controls

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    In The Box
    Power Supply
    LockedLocked

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    Picture Quality
    0.0
    Contrast
    Native Contrast
    LockedLock : 1
    Contrast With Local Dimming
    LockedN/A

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    0.0
    Local Dimming
    SAMPLE
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    Gigabyte M34WQ Local Dimming Video Sample
    Local Dimming
    LockedLocked
    Backlight
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    SDR Brightness
    Real Scene
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Peak 2% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Peak 10% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Peak 25% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Peak 50% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Peak 100% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Sustained 2% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Sustained 10% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Sustained 25% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Sustained 50% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Sustained 100% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
    LockedLock
    Minimum Brightness
    LockedLock cd/m²

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    0.0
    HDR Brightness
    VESA DisplayHDR Certification
    LockedLocked
    Real Scene
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Peak 2% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Peak 10% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Peak 25% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Peak 50% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Peak 100% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Sustained 2% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Sustained 10% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Sustained 25% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Sustained 50% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Sustained 100% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
    LockedLock

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    0.0
    Horizontal Viewing Angle
    SAMPLE
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    Gigabyte M34WQ Horizontal Viewing Angle Video Sample
    Color Washout From Left
    LockedLock°
    Color Washout From Right
    LockedLock°
    Color Shift From Left
    LockedLock°
    Color Shift From Right
    LockedLock°
    Brightness Loss From Left
    LockedLock°
    Brightness Loss From Right
    LockedLock°
    Black Level Raise From Left
    LockedLock°
    Black Level Raise From Right
    LockedLock°
    Gamma Shift From Left
    LockedLock°
    Gamma Shift From Right
    LockedLock°

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    0.0
    Vertical Viewing Angle
    SAMPLE
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    Gigabyte M34WQ Vertical Viewing Angle Video Sample
    Color Washout From Below
    LockedLock°
    Color Washout From Above
    LockedLock°
    Color Shift From Below
    LockedLock°
    Color Shift From Above
    LockedLock°
    Brightness Loss From Below
    LockedLock°
    Brightness Loss From Above
    LockedLock°
    Black Level Raise From Below
    LockedLock°
    Black Level Raise From Above
    LockedLock°
    Gamma Shift From Below
    LockedLock°
    Gamma Shift From Above
    LockedLock°

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    0.0
    Gray Uniformity
    50% Std. Dev.
    LockedLock%
    50% DSE
    LockedLock%

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    0.0
    Black Uniformity
    Native Std. Dev.
    LockedLock%
    Std. Dev. w/ L.D.
    LockedN/A

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    0.0
    Color Accuracy (Pre-Calibration)
    Picture Mode
    LockedLocked
    sRGB Gamut Area xy
    LockedLock%
    White Balance dE (Avg.)
    LockedLock
    Color Temperature (Avg.)
    LockedLock K
    Gamma (Avg.)
    LockedLock
    Color dE (Avg.)
    LockedLock
    Contrast Setting
    LockedN/A
    RGB Settings
    LockedLocked
    Gamma Setting
    LockedLocked
    Brightness Setting
    LockedLock
    Measured Brightness
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Brightness Locked
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Color Accuracy (Post-Calibration)
    Picture Mode
    LockedLocked
    sRGB Gamut Area xy
    LockedLock%
    White Balance dE (Avg.)
    LockedLock
    Color Temperature (Avg.)
    LockedLock K
    Gamma (Avg.)
    LockedLock
    Color dE (Avg.)
    LockedLock
    Contrast Setting
    LockedLock
    RGB Settings
    LockedLocked
    Gamma Setting
    LockedLocked
    Brightness Setting
    LockedLock
    Measured Brightness
    LockedLock cd/m²
    ICC Profile
    Download

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    0.0
    SDR Color Gamut
    sRGB Coverage xy
    LockedLock%
    sRGB Picture Mode
    LockedLocked
    Adobe RGB Coverage xy
    LockedLock%
    Adobe RGB Picture Mode
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    SDR Color Volume
    sRGB In ICtCp
    LockedLock%
    sRGB Picture Mode
    LockedLocked
    Adobe RGB In ICtCp
    LockedLock%
    Adobe RGB Picture Mode
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    HDR Color Gamut
    Wide Color Gamut
    LockedLocked
    DCI-P3 Coverage xy
    LockedLock%
    DCI-P3 Picture Mode
    LockedLocked
    Rec. 2020 Coverage xy
    LockedLock%
    Rec. 2020 Picture Mode
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    HDR Color Volume
    DCI-P3 In ICtCp
    LockedLock%
    DCI-P3 Picture Mode
    LockedLocked
    Rec. 2020 In ICtCp
    LockedLock%
    Rec. 2020 Picture Mode
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Reflections
    Screen Finish
    LockedLocked
    Total Reflections
    LockedLock%
    Indirect Reflections
    LockedLock%
    Calculated Direct Reflections
    LockedLock%

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    0.0
    Text Clarity
    Pixel Type
    LockedIPS
    Subpixel Layout
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Gradient
    Color Depth
    LockedLock Bit

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    Motion
    0.0
    Refresh Rate
    Native Refresh Rate
    LockedLock Hz
    Max Refresh Rate
    Locked144 Hz
    Max Refresh Rate Over DP
    LockedLock Hz
    Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI
    LockedLock Hz
    Max Refresh Rate Over DP @ 10-bit
    LockedLock Hz
    Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI @ 10-Bit
    LockedLock Hz

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    Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
    FreeSync
    LockedLocked
    G-SYNC
    LockedLocked
    VRR Maximum
    LockedLock Hz
    VRR Minimum
    LockedLocked
    VRR Supported Connectors
    LockedLocked
    Variable Refresh Rate
    LockedYes

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    0.0
    Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate
    Recommended Overdrive Setting
    LockedLocked
    Rise / Fall Time
    LockedLock ms
    Total Response Time
    LockedLock ms
    Overshoot Error
    LockedLock%
    Worst 3 Rise / Fall Time
    LockedLock ms
    Worst 3 Total Response Time
    LockedLock ms
    Worst 3 Overshoot Error
    LockedLock%

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    0.0
    Response Time @ 120Hz
    Recommended Overdrive Setting
    LockedLocked
    Rise / Fall Time
    LockedLock ms
    Total Response Time
    LockedLock ms
    Overshoot Error
    LockedLock%
    Worst 3 Rise / Fall Time
    LockedLock ms
    Worst 3 Total Response Time
    LockedLock ms
    Worst 3 Overshoot Error
    LockedLock%

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    0.0
    Response Time @ 60Hz
    Recommended Overdrive Setting
    LockedLocked
    Rise / Fall Time
    LockedLock ms
    Total Response Time
    LockedLock ms
    Overshoot Error
    LockedLock%
    Worst 3 Rise / Fall Time
    LockedLock ms
    Worst 3 Total Response Time
    LockedLock ms
    Worst 3 Overshoot Error
    LockedLock%

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    Backlight Strobing (BFI)
    Backlight Strobing (BFI)
    LockedLocked
    Maximum Frequency
    LockedLock Hz
    Minimum Frequency
    LockedLock Hz
    Longest Pulse Width Brightness
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Shortest Pulse Width Brightness
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Pulse Width Control
    LockedLocked
    Pulse Phase Control
    LockedLocked
    Pulse Amplitude Control
    LockedLocked
    VRR At The Same Time
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Image Flicker
    Flicker-Free
    LockedLocked
    PWM Dimming Frequency
    LockedLocked

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    Inputs
    0.0
    Input Lag
    Native Resolution @ Max Hz
    LockedLock ms
    Native Resolution @ 120Hz
    LockedLock ms
    Native Resolution @ 60Hz
    LockedLock ms
    Backlight Strobing (BFI)
    LockedLock ms

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    0.0
    Resolution And Size
    Native Resolution
    Locked3440 x 1440
    Aspect Ratio
    LockedLocked
    Megapixels
    LockedLock MP
    Pixel Density
    LockedLock PPI
    Measured Screen Diagonal
    LockedLock"
    Screen Area
    LockedLock in²

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    0.0
    PS5 Compatibility
    4k @ 120Hz
    LockedLocked
    4k @ 60Hz
    LockedLocked
    1440p @ 120Hz
    LockedLocked
    1440p @ 60Hz
    LockedLocked
    1080p @ 120Hz
    LockedLocked
    1080p @ 60Hz
    LockedLocked
    HDR
    LockedLocked
    VRR
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Xbox Series X|S Compatibility
    4k @ 120Hz
    LockedLocked
    4k @ 60Hz
    LockedLocked
    1440p @ 120Hz
    LockedLocked
    1440p @ 60Hz
    LockedLocked
    1080p @ 120Hz
    LockedLocked
    1080p @ 60Hz
    LockedLocked
    HDR
    LockedLocked
    VRR
    LockedLocked

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    Inputs Photos
    Video And Audio Ports
    DisplayPort
    LockedLocked
    Mini DisplayPort
    LockedLocked
    HDMI
    LockedLocked
    HDMI 2.1 Rated Speed
    LockedLocked
    DVI
    LockedLocked
    VGA
    LockedLocked
    Daisy Chaining
    LockedLocked
    3.5mm Audio Out
    LockedLocked
    HDR10
    LockedYes
    3.5mm Audio In
    LockedLocked
    3.5mm Microphone In
    LockedLocked
    USB
    USB-A Ports
    LockedLocked
    USB-A Rated Speed
    LockedLocked
    USB-B Upstream Port
    LockedLocked
    USB-C Ports
    LockedLocked
    USB-C Upstream
    LockedLocked
    USB-C Rated Speed
    LockedLocked
    USB-C Power Delivery
    LockedLocked
    USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode
    LockedLocked
    Thunderbolt
    LockedLocked

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    macOS Compatibility

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    Features
    Additional Features
    Speakers
    LockedLocked
    RGB Illumination
    LockedLocked
    Multiple Input Display
    LockedLocked
    KVM Switch
    LockedLocked

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    On-Screen Display (OSD)