If you’re looking for an ultrawide monitor with a high resolution, the MSI Pro MP341CQW is a top-of-the-line model, even if the device has its weaknesses.

Which screen ratio do you prefer: 16:9 or 21:9? Opinions differ in the office, but the undersigned is happy to brush aside other arguments, noting that you can’t multitask well enough without a 21:9 monitor. Such an “ultra wide” model gives you enough work space if you place two windows side by side. Don’t you share this opinion? Feel free to read another article on ITdaily, this model will not convince you either.

The MSI Pro MP341CQW (329 euros + VAT) is a 34-inch monitor with a high resolution (3440 x 1440 pixels) that gives it the much-needed extra pixels in height for proper multitasking. Such models often come with a hefty price tag, but with MSI, that’s not such a bad thing. The reason for the bill: no USB-C connectivity.

Lots of plastic, little flexibility

The design of our black test model of the MSI Pro MP341CQW is factual across the board. There is also a white version for those who want a lighter version on their desk. Both the end of the foot at the top and the holder are made of plastic.

I have no idea why MSI would want three different plastic surfaces in one foot. The standard paintwork on the front is fine, half of the glossy plastic can be removed in our opinion as it looks cheap. The rib texture in the back part can still charm us.

The congregation does not inspire confidence in us. The holder snaps into place with a brutal sound. We immediately thought the screen was broken. Fortunately, that turned out not to be the case. After recovering from the shock, we were able to attach the monitor with four screws.

The foot is not very flexible. You can tilt the MSI Pro MP341CQW up to twenty degrees, that’s all. The lack of a rotating stand is annoying, but the fact that the monitor is not height-adjustable is a major drawback. We can always expect something like this within a business range in this price segment. If you value ergonomics, you can use your own foot or mount via the VESA 100 mount on the back.

No USB-C, annoying operation

In terms of connection options, the range is limited: 2x HDMI (2.0b), 1x DisplayPort (1.2), 1x Kensington Lock and a jack for connecting speakers or headphones. There is no USB-C, which is a shame. Anyone who sets up a flex desk today always chooses a USB-C monitor. Anyone who works at home would also like to have such a monitor if their laptop supports it.

The only downside is that such a USB-C monitor always costs more compared to a model without a universal connector. We can find models online with USB-C and similar specs for the same price as the MSI Pro MP341CQW, but image quality is a big unknown. This model has that mustache, more on that in a moment.

We’ll come back to the physical properties of the monitor in a moment. In theory, the easiest way to adjust is to use a joystick on the back or below to intuitively scroll through the menus. MSI does not offer such a handy joystick. With the MSI Pro MP341CQW you have to be content with five buttons on the back right. Also, they’re deep in and we have to press three of the five buttons pretty hard before they respond. Often you don’t have to adjust a lot on such a monitor, but if you do, it’s pure frustration. Only after a few minutes of practice do we succeed to some extent. That might be a small detail, but it’s definitely annoying.

Outstanding image quality

The most important thing about a monitor is that the image attracts something. Luckily, that’s the biggest advantage of the MSI Pro MP341CQW. In the default setting, the image is very well adjusted when delivered. It just isn’t good enough for creative professionals in our tests, but the quality is excellent for everyday use. We measure a white balance DeltaE of four and a color balance of 3.2. Any value below two is near perfect and barely perceptible to the human eye.

Always use the default Warm white balance setting at 6991 Kelvin as this will perform best. Ignore “normal” or “cold” as both are set far too cold at 7,906 and 10,338 Kelvin respectively. An ideal neutral setting requires a color temperature of 6,500 K Kelvin.

After a few more adjustments, we even achieve a white balance of three, while the color balance remains almost identical at 3.1. This shows that the panel in this monitor is very good. We measure a contrast of 3576:1 with an sRGB color space of 131.6 percent, both excellent values. Only the maximum brightness is more “standard” at 266 cd/m². This is sufficient in a well-lit office environment, but if you sit with your back to the window in a lot of sunshine, you are better off going for a model that goes in the direction of 400 cd/m².

The screen resolution of 3,440 x 1,440 pixels makes working a real pleasure. Whether you’re a fan of the curve is personal. It’s not necessary for us, but it doesn’t hurt either. What we like is the VA panel’s 100Hz refresh rate: not suitable for gaming, that’s not what this screen is designed for, but everything looks much smoother. There’s a reason smartphones today almost all have 90Hz or 120Hz displays: a smoother experience is a better experience.

Diploma

The MSI Pro MP341CQW (329 euros excl. VAT) wasn’t convincing at first, but convinced us with its outstanding image quality. It’s a shame the monitor doesn’t support USB-C and the screen isn’t height-adjustable, but that means you’ve had the biggest downsides.

Above all, remember that you need to be persistent with the installation (and any configurations). Only when the monitor is there will you enjoy it. The MSI Pro MP341CQW isn’t perfect, but if you want good image quality at a competitive price, don’t hesitate.

Warranty: MSI offers a two-year standard warranty (carry-in) against functional defects. There is a specific pixel policy that you can make warranty claims against. You are only entitled to a repair or an exchange if there are three clear “fixed” pixels or more. In the case of dark pixels, this only applies from five pixels upwards.