MSI Pro MP341CQW review: Nice picture, competitive price, but no USB-C

Anyone looking for an ultrawide HD monitor will do well with the MSI Pro MP341CQW, although the device does have its drawbacks.

Which screen ratio do you prefer: 16:9 or 21:9? Opinions differ in the office, but the undersigned like to put aside other arguments by saying that you can’t multitask adequately without a 21:9 screen. This “super-fast” model gives you enough workspace when you place two windows next to each other. Do you not share this opinion? Feel free to read another article on ITdaily, this template won’t convince you either.

The MSI Pro MP341CQW (€329 excl. VAT) is a 34-inch HD display (3440 x 1440 pixels) that gives it the much-needed extra pixels in height to multitask properly. Such models often go hand in hand with a high price, but with MSI it’s not so bad. Bill baby: No USB-C connection.

Lots of plastic, little flexibility

The design of our black test sample of the MSI Pro MP341CQW is business-like all the way around. There is also a white version for those who want a lighter version on their desks. Both the foot end at the top and the stand are made of plastic.

Why would MSI want three different plastic footpegs, no idea. The standard finish on the front is fine, and the glossy plastic can be removed halfway in our opinion because it feels cheap. The ribbed structure at the back can still charm us.

Assembly does not inspire confidence. The stand snaps into place with a brutal sound. Right away we thought the screen was broken. Fortunately, this turned out not to be the case. Once we recovered from the shock, we were able to secure the screen with four screws.

The foot is not very flexible. You can tilt the MSI Pro MP341CQW up to twenty degrees, that’s it. There’s no really annoying swivel base, but the fact that the screen isn’t height-adjustable is a major drawback. Within the business group, in this price segment, we can always expect something like this. Those who find ergonomics important can use their foot or bracket via the VESA 100 mount in the back.

No USB-C, troublesome operation

In terms of connectivity, the offering is limited: 2x HDMI (2.0b), 1x DisplayPort (1.2), 1x Kensington lock and a jack connection for connecting speakers or headphones. You don’t get USB-C, which is a shame. Anyone setting up a flexible office today will almost always choose a USB-C monitor. Those who work at home would also like to have such a screen if their laptop supports it.

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

We’ll get back to the physical characteristics of the screen in a moment. In theory, the easiest way to adjust is by using the joystick on the back or on the bottom to intuitively navigate through the menus. MSI doesn’t provide such a handy joystick. With the MSI Pro MP341CQW you have to do with the five buttons on the right back. Plus, they’re far away and we have to hard press three of the five buttons before they respond. It’s not often that you have to set much on such a screen, but when you do, the frustration is pure here. Only after a few minutes of training do we succeed a little. This may be a minor detail, but it sure is annoying.

Excellent image quality

The most important thing about the screen is that the image pulls something. Fortunately, this is the MSI Pro MP341CQW’s biggest asset. The image adjusts very well in its default setting right out of the box. It’s not good enough for creative professionals in our tests, but the quality is excellent for everyday use. We measure a DeltaE white balance of four and a color balance of 3.2. Any value less than two is close to perfect and is barely distinguishable by the human eye.

Always use the default white balance setting of “warm,” at 6991K, as it performs best. Ignore ‘normal’ or ‘cold’, as both are set to a very low temperature of 7906 and 10338 K, respectively. The ideal neutral setting requires a color temperature of 6500K.

After a few more tweaks, we even achieve a white balance of three, and the color balance remains nearly identical at 3.1. This indicates that the panel on this screen is very good. We measure a contrast ratio of 3,576:1 with an sRGB color gamut of 131.6 percent, both of which are excellent values. Only the maximum brightness is “standard” with 266 cd / m². This is enough in a well-lit office environment, but if you sit with your back to a window with plenty of sunlight, it’s best to choose a model that goes around 400 cd / m².

The screen resolution of 3440 x 1440 pixels is a real pleasure to work with. Whether you are a fan of the Curve is a personal matter. It is not necessary for us, but it does not hurt either. What we like is the VA panel’s 100Hz refresh rate: not for gaming, that’s not what this monitor is for, but everything looks smoother. There’s a reason almost all smartphones today have 90Hz or 120Hz screens: a smoother experience is a better experience.

Conclusion

The MSI Pro MP341CQW (€329 excl. VAT) wasn’t convincing at first, but its excellent picture quality caught our attention. It’s unfortunate that the screen doesn’t support USB-C and that the screen height isn’t adjustable, but that means you have the most significant downsides.

Above all, remember that you must persevere with the installation (and any configuration). You will enjoy it once the screen is there. The MSI Pro MP341CQW isn’t perfect, but if you want decent image quality at a competitive price, don’t hesitate.

Warranty: MSI offers a standard 2-year warranty (mobile) for functional defects. There is a specific pixel policy under which you can claim the warranty. You are only entitled to repair or replacement of up to three clear “fixed” pixels. With dark pixels, this only applies by five pixels.