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The LG 38UC99 (Check on Amazon.com) is a stunning ultra-wide monitor. Big, curved, it’s like having two monitors in one. Destined for professional use, can it meet the needs of every professional?
Package
The LG 38UC99 package includes an HDMI cable, a Display Port cable, a Type-C to Type-C cable and a Type-C to Type-A adapter. It’s only missing an audio cable.
Build quality
The LG 38UC99 is a fairly stylish monitor, as long as you like its white glossy color. Screen curvature is quite pronounced, and it looks amazing when you look at it from the sides.
On the back, we find two HDMI 2.0 ports, a DisplayPort, two USB 3.0 ports, one of them with quick charge (5V/1.5A), and one USB Type-C port. The latter can be used, both as a power source and for the video signal. Finally, we also have an audio jack, since this monitor also sports two 10W speakers.
The stand is made out of plastic, but it mimics the appearance of brushed metal. The monitor is adjustable in height and tilt.
Image quality
The LG 38UC99 is a 38-inch curved monitor with QHD+ resolution (3,840×1,600 pixels) in the 21:9 ultra-wide format. The panel is IPS, thus guaranteeing excellent viewing angles, and provides over 99% sRGB coverage. The colors are very beautiful: deep, intense, even the blacks, with good overall contrast, making this monitor ideal for both media consumption and video games. The maximum brightness measures 300 nits. Overall, the visual experience is remarkable. Compared to a more traditional 4K monitor it loses some definition, something that is noticeable when reading but gains a lot more flexibility.
The LG 38UC99 can also be a good gaming monitor. It comes with AMD Free Sync support and Motion Blur Reduction. The only real drawback is the maximum refresh rate of “just” 75Hz and the response time of 5 milliseconds.
Using the on-screen controls it is possible to calibrate the image and also manage two different sources at the same time, basically dividing the screen into two. In addition, via the On-Screen Control software, available for free, you can also take advantage of the Picture-In-Picture function.
The most interesting feature, however, is that you can set a preset for each application. That means that you can enable the “Cinema” mode for your media player, or “Read” mode when you launch Adobe Reader. The only problem is that the current Preset will be applied to the entire screen.
The audio quality merits an honorable mention: the volume is higher than the average monitor, and it is OK for a TV show or voice commentary.
Unfortunately, due to its size and weight, the monitor tends to wobble a bit.
Price
The LG 38UC99 is particularly expensive. It costs (Check on Amazon.com).
Final Verdict
The LG 38UC99 is a great monitor. Ideal for professional use can also double as a gaming monitor thanks to Free Sync support. It’s not perfect for professional graphic designers, but all the others will appreciate it for its bright colors, real estate and ease of use. Its Achilles heel is the price but it’s bound to come down.
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