Design and Ergonomics

From the front, the Gigabyte M32U looks mostly unassuming. The 31.5" panel is surrounded by thin bezels measuring 8 millimeters on the sides and top and 20 millimeters at the bottom. The bottom bezel has a centrally positioned Gigabyte logo and front-facing white LED on the right side. The LED can of course be turned off should you find it annoying.


The M-shaped base has a metal core covered in plastic. I'd be happier if its design were simpler, but in terms of functionality, there's no room for complaints as it properly supports the panel, successfully preventing excessive wobble. The width of the base is 49 centimeters, and the depth is around 35 centimeters, so make sure there's enough room on your table because this isn't what I would call a small footprint.


The stand is also made out of a combination of metal and plastic. A fairly large hole on its bottom third can be used for cable management. Depending on the height you adjust the screen to, the cables won't necessarily be hidden from sight, but they will remain neatly routed. This hole can be used for all four video cables, as well as the USB upstream cable and cables of any peripherals connected directly to the monitor.


The screen of the Gigabyte M32U can be tilted (-5 to +20°). While doable with one hand, using both hands is recommended due to the sheer size of the panel.


The screen can also be swiveled by 30° in both directions. The swivel mechanism is perhaps a tad too rigid; while you're swiveling it, I'd recommend holding the base of the monitor with the other hand to prevent it from moving around with the screen.


Also adjustable is the height of the panel. In the top position, the distance from the table to the bottom edge of the screen is 17 centimeters, dropping down to 4 centimeters after pushing the screen as low as it will go. That gives the monitor a total height-adjustment range of 13 centimeters.


The screen cannot be pivoted in either direction, which I've found somewhat surprising. If you want to use it in portrait mode, you can always take off the supplied stand and slap on a standard VESA 100x100 table or wall mount.