MMD, the leading technology company and brand license partner for Philips monitors, is announcing a new 21.5" Philips Full HD monitor fully packed with a rich feature set. Including a range of advanced technologies and options, the new Philips 221B8LJEB ensures vivid colors and crisp details to help boost user productivity throughout the workday. And when a larger viewing area is needed, the essential Philips 243S5LJMB monitor combines an efficient 23.6" Full HD display with eco-friendly features.

The perfect workplace starts here
The new Philips 221B8LJEB Full HD monitor includes some of the most valued, leading edge features that are essential to a great and productive workplace. Start with the exclusive SmartImage technology, for instance, that continuously analyses the content displayed on the screen in order to optimize its performance. Depending on the task at hand, the user may choose from several different modes - Office, Photo, Movie, Game, and more - and let SmartImage tune contrast, color saturation and sharpness to provide the best image for the application in use. Moreover, a specially designed Economy mode is available to lower power consumption whilst ensuring that everyday office applications get displayed best.

So "console-optimized monitors" are a thing. Apparently eSports players on consoles can't lug their big TVs around to BYOD events (local LAN parties), and so BenQ has come up with the Zowie RL2755T, which has been certified by Sony as an officially-licensed product for the PlayStation 4. The 27-inch monitor features a TN-film panel, with Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) resolution, 1 ms (GTG) response time, and up to 75 Hz refresh rate.

BenQ makes up for these specs otherwise brushed aside by PC gamers, with a narrow bezel design, low response-time, Black eQualizer (a feature that enhances dark areas of the screen to help you spot enemies), flicker-free brightness adjustments, and dynamic color vibrance that helps you spot distant enemies. The stand offers height and tilt adjustments. Display inputs include two HDMI inputs, and DVI. The company didn't reveal pricing.

ASUS today introduced the VP228QG, an entry-level gaming-grade monitor. This 21.5-inch monitor covers all the essentials for a gaming PC built on a shoestring budget. Its TN-film panel features Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) resolution, but bolstered by 75 Hz refresh-rate, 1 ms (GTG) response time, support for AMD FreeSync technology, and TÜV Rheinland-certified flicker-free LED back-lighting.

Other vital specs include 170°/160° viewing-angles, 250 cd/m² maximum brightness, and dynamic mega-contrast ratio. You get ASUS GamePlus (OSD crosshairs, FPS counter, display alignment), and game genre-specific display presets. Inputs include DisplayPort 1.2a, HDMI 1.4a, and D-Sub. ASUS could price this monitor under the $200-mark.

ASUS introduced the VG258Q, a relatively cost-effective 25-inch gaming-grade monitor. Its Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) resolution is nothing to write home about, but the 144 Hz refresh-rate, 1 ms response time (gray to gray), ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur (TV-type stutter compensation feature), and support for AMD FreeSync technology, and TUV Rheinland-certified flicker-free LED back-lighting, could pique your interest. Other vital specs include a TN-film panel, 400 cd/m² maximum brightness, dynamic mega-contrast ratio, and ASUS GamePlus enhancements, which include presets specific to game genres, OSD crosshair, frame-rate counters, etc. Display inputs include DisplayPort 1.2a (needed for FreeSync), HDMI 1.4, and dual-link DVI-D. The company didn't reveal pricing.

ASUS today rolled out the MG248QE, an entry-level 24-inch gaming monitor. This monitor misses out on the coveted Republic of Gamers (ROG) branding by ASUS, but is still targeted at gamers, albeit on a tight budget, owing to is sub-$300 pricing. Don't stop reading at Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) resolution just yet - you get 144 Hz refresh-rate, 1 ms (GTG) response time, and support for AMD FreeSync. Many of ASUS' GamePlus features are carried over from its ROG monitor lineup, such as GameVisual game genre-specific display presets, OSD crosshairs, timers, frame-rate counters, and monitor-based bezel-compensation adjustments for multi-monitor setups.

Other vital specs of the ASUS MG248QE include a TN-film panel with 16.7 million-colors, 170°/160° (V/H) maximum viewing-angles, LED backlit illuimation with low blue-light, 350 cd/m² maximum brightness, 100000000:1 "ASUS Smart Contrast Ratio," and passive anti-ghosting that takes advantage of the panel's high refresh-rate. Display inputs include HDMI 1.4a, DisplayPort 1.2a, and dual-link DVI. Since this monitor is succeeding the company's VG248QE with a slightly refreshed feature-set (FreeSync and low blue-light), we expect it to sell at a similar price-point $250-$280.

Just in time for Christmas, three popular iiyama models - 24'' ProLite XUB2492HSU, 27'' ProLite B2791HSU and ProLite XUB2792QSU are now available in a stylish white design. Bringing elegance, as well as functionality and productivity to any modern desktop and office space. All three models feature a stylish edge-to-edge design making them perfect for multi-monitor set-ups. They come equipped with height adjustable stands and pivot functionality ensuring the screen position can be easily adjusted for workplace ergonomics. Lastly, iiyama's flicker free panels and blue light reduction function reduces digital eye strain and fatigue for a more comfortable viewing experience.

AOC has introduced a budget monitor to its lineup, which looks slightly outdated when compared to the company's flagship monitors. The G2590VXQ is a 25" display that's being marketed towards a budget-aware audience, who still wants to have some of gaming's recent technologies at their side. The 25" panel features a TN panel with the type's blazing fast 1 ms response times, and a 1080p resolution, the latter of which should allow for multiple graphics cards options for the monitors' prospective buyers. However, AOC is thinking that most budget users that care about gaming will pick up an AMD Radeon graphics card, it seems, due to the inclusion of FreeSync in the spec list of the G2590VXQ - though knowing that FreeSync implementation is free, contrary to G-Sync, might also have something to do with it.

FreeSync range should cover the 35 Hz - 75 Hz spectrum, and the monitor itself isn't too bad aestheticwise, with its 3-side frameless design and simple, yet attractive stand. That gaudy red line under the monitor likely will lead users to a "love it or hate it" scenario, but considering the target market, red is all the rage. The monitor is priced relatively high (notice the relatively there), at £159 (roughly $212). For these features, I'd prefer to see a $130 price-tag.

ASUS today rolled out the Republic of Gamers (ROG) Swift PG27VQ curved gaming monitor. This 27-inch monitor with an 1800R curved TN-film panel, offers a native resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels. Bolstering its gaming credentials are a high refresh-rate of 165 Hz, response time as low as 1 ms (GTG), and support for NVIDIA G-SYNC technology. If the 16.8 million colors put out from the display panel itself aren't "RGB lit" enough for you, the monitor features RGB LED elements illuminating a motif behind the panel, and below the monitor stand's pivot; which can be controlled using ASUS Aura Sync RGB software.

Besides putting up a show, the RGB LED elements can be made to work as ambient lighting, which adapts to the display. The GamePlus technology lets you draw OSD crosshairs and frame-rate counter; and GameVisual, which are display presets for various genres of games (FPS, RTS, RPG, etc.). Other key panel specifications include 400 cd/m² maximum brightness, 170°/160° viewing angles, and dynamic mega-contrast ratio. Display inputs include DisplayPort 1.2 (needed for G-SYNC), and HDMI 1.4 (lower than standard refresh rate). The stand offers basic tilt adjustments. The company didn't reveal pricing.

AOC has come forward to announce that they'll be shipping gaming monitors under their AGON³ gaming brand that boast of 0.5 ms (yup, you read that right) response time come 2018. The new monitors, based on an AUO TN panel, will come in curved 27", offer 2560 x 1440 resolution at a 144 Hz refresh rate, and will be available with either G-Sync or FreeSync 2 support. Users of AMD-enabled FreeSync 2 will be left happier than their NVIDIA counterparts: AOC's FreeSync 2 monitor will not only support HDR and a wider color gamut, but will also retail for €100 less (€599) than its non HDR-enabled NVIDIA counterpart (€699). Granted, AMD's HDR requirements are much lower than NVIDIA's 1000cd/m² minimum luminance for HDR - which means this AU Optronics panel, with its 400cd/m² peak luminance, makes the cut for AMD's HDR standards. Remember - not all HDR is equal.

Asked about AOC's new panels, AOC's Afonso Clemente said that "We were talking with AUO and they have a new panel (...) Up until now curved monitors were either IPS or VA, which is ok, but the response time was not so great. There's always some ghosting, some blurring. But now there are curved panels from AU Optronics that allow 0.5 ms response time."

ASUS rolled out the VP28UQG, a 28-inch gaming-grade monitor with 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels) native resolution. Adding to its gaming credentials are 1 ms (GTG) response time, support for AMD FreeSync adaptive v-sync technology, and ASUS GamePlus, a collection of gamer-friendly features such as OSD crosshairs, frame-rate counter, and game genre-specific display presets. The monitor also features TÜV Rheinland Certification for flicker-free brightness control, and blue-light reduction.

The VP28UQG features a TN-film display panel with 170°/160° (H/V) viewing angles, 3840 x 2160 pixels native resolution, 1 ms response time (GTG), 10-bit (1.07 billion colors) palette, 300 cd/m² maximum brightness, and 1000:1 static contrast-ratio with dynamic mega-contrast ratio. Display inputs include one DisplayPort 1.2a, and two HDMI 2.0 connectors. The monitor features an audio DAC that puts out audio from the HDMI/DP input (your graphics card) to a 3.5 mm analog headphones jack. The company didn't reveal pricing.

MSI unveiled some of its first gaming monitors, under the MSI OPTIX brand. These include two models, the 27-inch OPTIX G27C, and the 24-inch OPTIX G24C. Both models feature Samsung-made TN-film display panels with 1800R curvature, Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) resolution, 144 Hz refresh-rate, 4 ms (GTG) response time, 178°/178° viewing-angles, and support for AMD FreeSync technology. Display inputs on both include DisplayPort 1.2a, HDMI 1.4a, and DVI. The 24-incher features a simpler design with a stand that allows basic height adjustment, while the 27-incher allows tilt adjustments. The company didn't reveal pricing.

Update: It would seem reservations regarding the monitor's conservative resolution were right in the money. New details have come to light in that this monitor from AOC apparently supports two display modes: a 1440p, 144 Hz presentation, favoring resolution and graphics quality, or the aforementioned 1080p 240 Hz. This is interesting, offering a solution for gamers who play both competitive shooters and eye-candy-filled games, opting for blazing fast refresh rates or a higher resolution. It remains to be seen whether graphics quality takes a bigger hit than is solely limited to the decreased resolution: using a monitor ona non-native resolution decreases graphical quality, sometimes noticeably so. Still, this is a flexible solution, and I wouldn't be surprised to see users choosing this solution exactly because of the two different modes of operation.

AOC has added a new monitor to its line-up, which seems to be especially geared towards competitive gamers in twitch-shooters. Its astonishing 240 Hz refresh rate, 1 ms response time, and G-SYNC support are its greatest selling points, I would wager, though I bid you good luck in running most modern games at such frame-rates. To achieve this kind of screen refresh rates, AOC had to compromise in other areas, though: the AG251FG's 1080p resolution seems somewhat limited, as does the usage of a TN panel.