I was looking for an ultrawide monitor for work and games, for PC and MBP simultaneously. Philips 349P7FUBEB - review

My needs were clear: I wanted a curved monitor to which I would connect two devices at the same time - one with Windows 10, the other with macOS. The condition was also the ultrawide width for working on many windows. I also expected USB-C and bearable gaming parameters. I hunted down the Philips 349P7FUBEB model and checked how it worked.

Philips 349P7FUBEB is a 34-inch ultrawide monitor advertised as equipment for both the office and the player's room. When the screen debuted at the end of 2018, its price was over 3500 PLN. Now the monitor can be caught a thousand zlotys cheaper. It was the price drop that made me interested in this model. I must admit that the economic aspect was extremely important to me. I am not a professional photographer or editor. I also don't need a top matrix.

Unfortunately, the combination of ultrawide screen, UWQHD resolution and USB-C socket is an expensive combination.

The price is particularly high due to the presence of a USB-C socket. Most monitors meeting my criteria cost well over 3000 PLN. A handful of much cheaper models was massacred with negative reviews and comments. Philips 349P7FUBEB enigmatically took place somewhere in the middle of the rate, with a price of PLN 2,700. Without any solid reviews in the Polish media, but it is warmly received in countries west of us. I decided to take a chance.

I will not beat around the bush: after almost a month with a new screen I have no doubt that the Dutch offer a good, fair price-performance ratio. The monitor exceeded my expectations, although several elements could still be solved better. But overall, the Philips 349P7FUBEB actually works well as a home office center as well as a panel for the latest video games. Unfortunately, especially in the latter application, it was not without some sacrifices.

Despite the 34 inches, the Philips 349P7FUBEB is a flexible and properly configurable monitor.

Praise the manufacturers for their solid base that keeps the monitor steady even when tinkering with sockets. Adding it to the total weight of the monitor, we get almost 10 kg. What I liked most, however, was the leg that allows you to adjust the height of the screen. The range of movement of the rail is really wide, amounting to 18 cm. In practice, the monitor works great in combination with high desks and hydraulic desks, due to the possibility of extremely strong lowering of the screen, just a few cm from the top.

The foot rail does not run abruptly but smoothly. Instead of choosing one of several height points, we freely raise or lower the screen. This one always stays in place, and everything works lightly, gently and pleasantly. To these 18 cm height adjustment, -170/170 horizontal adjustment should be added, as well as a -5/20 degree tilt. The latter parameter could be a bit higher, but that's a worry for people working standing at an electric desk.

The dessert is the hole in the foot through which we will pass most of the cables connected to the monitor. There is something to connect, because the Philips 349P7FUBEB has a PC audio input, headphone output, three USB 3.0 ports (one with fast charging function), USB-C socket (power up to 65W), HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.2. This allows you to replace the monitor with a truly multimedia docking station. Through the device we will charge the smartphone, use the mouse and keyboard or keep the 13-inch MacBook Pro without a charger. In addition, the equipment was equipped with really not so bad speakers. If you don't have headphones on hand, the problem is solved.

Image quality at 7+, which is a good compromise between price and quality.

Model 349P7FUBEB has an MVA matrix. Performing a terrible generalization, panels of this type are placed between cheap TNs and IPS rich in vivid colors. In particular, the curved screen plays in favor of Philips. Thanks to the rounded design, the viewing angles are better than flat VA, and the monitor appears smaller and more concentrated with details. Of course, this is an optical trick, but it works for the benefit of the user. This type of magic is needed at a density of 110 PPI. This is a classic value for 21: 9 monitors, which does not knock down when we sit opposite the 86 cm screen.

With a resolution of 3440 by 1440 pixels and a density of 110 PPI, the image is sharp ... as long as we have a sufficiently deep desk. From a distance of 40 cm you can already look for imperfections and pixels. At the same time, the question arises: who normally sits in front of the 34-inch ultrawide monitor at a distance of less than a meter? By keeping your home office organized, your image will be more than sharp and clear. Of course, people spoiled by Retins or panels for photographers will feel the difference. Artists should not, however, be interested in the economic model of Philips. With them in mind, copies are created several times more expensive.

While I can't fault the sharpness and clarity, I will stick to the contrast.

I had several 3000: 1 screens in my apartment and this one looks surprisingly pale against them. It's hard to believe in the specifications given by the manufacturer. I would bet a lot more on 1000: 1. The second complaint is maximum brightness. Manufacturers declare 300 cd / m². However, when I place my Philips next to another 300 cd / m² monitor, the reviewed model glows slightly less. This is a slight difference, but the most noticeable and has nothing to do with additional monitor settings.

In general, the Philips 349P7FUBEB are characterized by very vivid, sometimes exaggerated colors and slightly faded, washed-out black. Poor contrast is the matrix's biggest drawback, but the curved screen works wonders to mask imperfections and intensify the feeling of depth and sharpness. The uniformity of the backlight is correct, but nothing more. I was very pleased that the matt coating does not apply a rough effect to the image. In addition, the viewing angles are positively surprising. Given the price and quality, we have a fair 7 out of 10.

Philips 349P7FUBEB as an office monitor - it's very good.

After almost a month of work, I'm happy with how the monitor made it easier for me during a virus pandemic. Thanks to the richness of ports, I can easily switch between MacBook Pro and PC. When one of the video sources is turned off, the monitor automatically switches to the other. If it is also turned off, it automatically goes into sleep mode. Useful given the considerable energy consumption of this equipment (67.09 W).

Philips decided to equip its equipment with several accessories to facilitate office work. Many will be happy about the LowBlue mode that reduces the emission of blue rays. The monitor supports PiP and PbP functions. Unfortunately, in the latter case the screen scares with two giant horizontal stripes. Even changing the resolution of individual sources does not help. The image never scales to fill the largest possible screen area. Due to this, PbP will work, for example, in monitoring, but to work in text editors rather falls off.

The Dutch, on the other hand, add to the USB-C socket, which successfully powers my 13-inch MacBook Pro. A significant number of USB ports also means that we will connect a mouse and keyboard directly to the monitor, without the need for an additional USB hub. I liked the foot rail very much, allowing you to freely adjust the height of the screen. A great deal if you use an electric desk or work from time to time from time to time.

It is also impossible not to mention the advantages of the ultrawide size. On 349P7FUBEB, I always have a minimum of three windows next to me: a web browser, a text editor and an editorial editor. Everything on top, immediately visible, without juggling cards. In this way, efficiency increases. In turn, thanks to the curved screen, access to content is slightly easier. We do not have to move the head from left to right, unless of course we keep the right distance from the screen. Condensation occurs.

Philips 349P7FUBEB as a gaming monitor - it's fine.

The good news is that the maximum screen refresh rate is 100 Hz, while games in the 21: 9 aspect ratio simply look amazing. The bad news is the lack of support for HDR technology. A response time of 4 ms (GtG) is sufficient for the maximum refresh rate of this model, although this is not a parameter that breaks players' heads off their heads. It is also worth mentioning AdaptiveSync support.

Philips 349P7FUBEB is my fad, largely based on the MacBook USB-C socket. I mention this because there are many cheaper screens in the 21: 9 aspect ratio on the market, with a much higher refresh rate, higher maximum brightness, better contrast and HDR support. Playing is an additional function for my Philips office work. From this perspective, the monitor is up to the challenge, although it resembles a guy in a suit admitted to the skatepark. However, it turns out that an elegant guy can stay on board.

We are dealing with a model that is not dedicated to video games, but it is enough to play. DOOM Eternal at a resolution of 3440 by 1440 pixels, at ultra settings and with 60 frames per second it looks lick your fingers. And how to play it! Return to 16: 9 is no longer an option. The snag is that I will find you a similar panel with the same resolution (and maybe even with a slightly better contrast) cheaper by at least half a thousand zlotys. Of course, the cheaper alternative will not be as versatile as the tested Philips, and it was the makeshift home office that was my priority when choosing the monitor.

At the end I will only mention how pleasant surprise is the Game mode in the SmartImage tab for the OSD menu. I usually turn off this type of image filter and make a simple configuration myself. However, in the case of SmartImage I have nothing to complain about the finished overlay. It fits perfectly into video games, extracting elements from shadow and black, as well as sharpening details and bringing colors to life. I didn't really expect that. Especially on the monitor, which is slightly more suitable for the office than for the player's burrow. You can see players with knowledge of Philips.

Philips 349P7FUBEB stays with me permanently as part of a makeshift office.

The equipment is exactly what I would like it to be. Its distinguishing feature is versatility and multimedia, while maintaining an acceptable price. The charge for charging the MacBook Pro via USB-C is noticeable against the background of the cheapest widescreen screens dedicated to games, but I will not replace this feature for any HDR. 349P7FUBEB is a great pillar of the home work center, to which we will connect laptops, desktops and other devices. It is not only a monitor, but also a solid docking station for a makeshift office during a pandemic.

The biggest advantages:

  • Good price for a 34-inch ultrawide panel with USB-C
  • Easy, tool-free assembly
  • A very good solution for a home office
  • He gets along great with MacOS, powers 13-inch MBP
  • Docking station possibilities: it will charge the devices, operate the mouse and keyboard
  • Versatility, good results in video games
  • Great leg, flexibility of arrangement

The biggest disadvantages:

  • Low contrast
  • Maximum brightness seems lower than specified by the manufacturer
  • OSD confirmed by moving to the side instead of pressing
  • Similar models without USB-C are clearly cheaper
  • Acceptable to everything, he is nowhere a champion

Great price-performance ratio, flexible and solid construction, good image quality and versatility - these are the main advantages of the screen with which I intend to spend not only the period of social isolation, but also the next few years. You just have to remember that 349P7FUBEB is a bit more suitable for office sheets than for video games.



I was looking for an ultrawide monitor for work and games, for PC and MBP simultaneously. Philips 349P7FUBEB - review

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