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Samsung
One of the best things you can do to upgrade your desktop or laptop setup is buying a new screen, and going for a 4k monitor is probably one of the best options out there. Luckily, there are a lot of options for you to pick from; whether you’re looking for something that’s good for gaming or just something that’s perfect for work, there’s something for you out there. To that end, we’ve done our best to draw on our experience in the technical and e-commerce fields to find you the best 4k monitors in various price ranges and features.
The Best 4K Monitors in 2024
Corsair Xeneon 32UHD144
Best overall 4k monitor
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends / Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
Pros
Cons
Excellent visual performance
Still a bit pricey
Fast response times
Monitor mount is stable but massive
Good ergonomics
You’re probably more familiar with Corsair from the keyboards, mice, and headphones it makes, but the company has also gotten into gaming monitors as well. In fact, the Corsair Xeneon is an excellent overall gaming monitor with a lot going for it under the hood. For example, beyond just the 4k resolution that it can run, it has a 144Hz refresh rate, which isn’t as high as some other monitors, but it’s an excellent amount given that even the RTX 4090 might struggle to do 4k with 144Hz on high graphical settings.
The Xenon also has an IPS panel, which means great viewing angles and solid color reproduction and image fidelity, so you’re going to really enjoy gaming on this. It also comes with DisplayHDR600, which isn’t really comparable to the HDR that you’d find on a TV. As such, don’t expect an equivalent experience, but it’s still a nice little thing to have, especially since it gives you some more options when it comes to brightness. We also appreciate that it covers 100% sRGB and 100% Adobe RGB, so if you do a bit of graphic design or rendering, this is the perfect dual-use monitor.
As for other features, you get a 1ms MPRT response time, which is excellent, especially if you tend to play a lot of FPS or action-packed games where each millisecond counts. It also has AMD FreeSync Premium, which helps with things like ghosting and vertical tears, and it’s supported by N-Vidia now, so even if you have an RTX card, you’ll be fine. We also want to mention that it has surprisingly good ergonomics, something we don’t see with a lot of higher-end gaming monitors, especially the bigger they get in size.
If you want a premium gaming monitor, it’s hard to beat the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8, with potentially only the Samsung Ark being better, although that costs several times the Neo G8. Luckily, the Neo G8 is pretty incredible with its 32-inch curved monitor and a whopping 240Hz refresh rate. While you likely won’t have any GPUs that can really hit that refresh rate with graphics set to the max, it does give you a bit of wiggle room if you want to prioritize refresh rates when playing more action-packed games.
Speaking of action-packed games, the Neo G8 has a 1ms GTG response time, which is very impressive, and will suit those who need that sort of speed. You’ll also be happy to know that it comes with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro to help with screen tearing and ghosting, as well as Quantum HDR2000, which is Samsung’s own HDR+ system. Again, that HDR is not going to be quite the same as you might find on a typical TV, but it does get pretty close and also gives you a typical peak brightness of 1,000 nits, which is a lot.
Another thing worth mentioning is that the Neo G8 comes with Quantum Matrix Technology, which sadly doesn’t mean we can dodge bullets, but it does mean that the screen is lit using mini-LEDs. That means that there’s much finer control over brightness in various zones of the monitor, giving you better contrast than your standard screen, which has fewer LEDs and zones of control. Also, it’s worth mentioning that this is a matte screen, so you won’t have to worry about light reflections and weird glare, assuming you aren’t using very powerful lighting in your room.
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends / Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
Pros
Cons
Full array local dimming
Some locked features
Excellent image fidelity and reproduction
Paying a high cost for the brand name
Looks great
It can be hard for a lot of folks to spend the thousands of dollars that are often required for a top-end gaming PC, so it makes sense to go for a much easier-to-use and budget-friendly console option instead. Luckily, there are some solid gaming monitors, too, like this Sony Inzone M9, and while it does have some features that integrate well with a PlayStation 5, it can still work excellently with an Xbox Series X, so if you have the latter, don’t worry. The only extra thing you get with the PS5 is auto HDR tone mapping and auto genre picture mode, and with the included HDR600 not being like a typical TV HDR, that’s not a big deal.
What everybody gets to enjoy is the excellent 27-inch panel with an impressive 144Hz refresh rate, which not all games can manage, but if you play some of the more intense e-sports type games, you could hit that with some settings tweaks. It also means you can still hook it up to a high or mid-range gaming PC if you have one, so it’s quite a versatile monitor for what you get, and the fact that it comes with Nvidia G-SYNC will be good news for Nvidia fans. The Inzone M9 can also manage a 1ms GtG response time, so it’s also pretty good for high-speed play where every frame counts.
Another great feature is the Full Array Local Dimming, and while it’s not quite the same as mini-LEDs, it’s still nice to see, especially for those who plan to use the HDR that the monitor offers. Also, just to quickly touch on the aesthetics, you’ll notice that the stand and overall monitor pairs nicely with the PS5, so that’s an extra thing to consider if you want to have both together. The bezels are also tiny, which contributes to the overall great looks; plus, you have less unsightly plastic bars to look at around your screen.
You’d be surprised at how good budget 4k gaming monitors can be, and if you don’t need the fastest response times possible or passable HDR, then you can save yourself a lot of money by going for something like the GIGABYTE M28U. This 28-inch monitor comes with the ever-so-slower 2ms MPRT that’s still excellent, given the associated price tag on it. The refresh rate is also pretty good at 144Hz refresh rate, giving you the perfect balance between performance and cost; plus, again, even most high-end GPUs will struggle with 4k at higher refresh rates.
Just because it’s budget-oriented doesn’t mean it’s missing more high-end features like AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, which it also comes with. It does have a slightly lower peak brightness than we’d like at 300nits, although that’s not a problem if you don’t game with bright lights in the background. Also, it has HDR400, but we wouldn’t rely on it as a form of HDR given that this is a lower-end monitor HDR, which isn’t equivalent to a standard TV’s HDR. That said, it does cover 94% of the DCI-P3 gamut, so it’s not a bad option for graphical editing and rending work if you’re going to do that.
We’ll also mention that it has an anti-glare coating, although the issue with brightness likely means you won’t be running bright lights anyway. As for the IPS panel, it gives you great viewing angles, so it’s a solid option if you plan to regularly game with others sitting side-by-side. It’s also worth noting that this monitor comes with a KVM switch, which means you can switch between a desktop and a console very easily without having to move over the mouse and keyboard every time.
Another solid option if you aren’t looking for anything that can do gaming is the Dell S2722QC, an excellent 4k monitor for work purposes. For example, the IPS screen has great viewing angles, and it even manages to cover 99% of the sRGB gamut, making it a solid option for video editing or graphical design and rendering. Probably one of the best work-related features, though, is the 65-watt power delivery, which helps reduce cable clutter and means you can power some devices without having to run extra power cables, which we like a lot.
It has a good peak brightness of 350nits that could be a bit higher, but it isn’t a dealbreaker, all things considered. Interestingly enough, it has AMD FreeSync, so it’s still good for gaming if you want it for that purpose, and even the 60Hz base refresh rate is good for the consoles since so many games tend to be locked at 60Hz at 4k anyway. Also, you might be happy to know that it comes with its own speakers, so if you don’t want to spring for your own headphones or a small soundbar, then you don’t have to.
Ergonomics are also really good for such a budget-friendly screen, and it has Vesa mounts, so you can always mount it to a different stand or to the wall if you’d rather go that route. Otherwise, there’s not much to say; it’s a great screen, and while it would have been nice if it was a big bigger, overall, it’s hard to beat in terms of cost vs performance.
When going for 4k resolutions, you can have some pretty massive screens, even up to 32 inches or bigger, and that’s not because those sizes are better. On a smaller screen, 4k resolutions aren’t really noticeable because of pixel density and how much resolution our own eyes can see. That means that a 24-inch 4k screen would just be paying a ton of money for something you won’t really notice. As such, the smallest screen we’d use at this resolution is 27 inches, with larger being preferable, although that does tend to cost a considerable amount.
Another thing to consider is the type of panel that the monitor is using because it can have an effect on things like image fidelity and color reproduction. In the past, TN panels used to be the most common, but in the last two to three years, IPS and VA panels have taken over, and for good reason. IPS panels have better color reproduction and image fidelity, as well as relatively good viewing angles, but that does come at the cost of generally slower refresh rates. VA panels, on the other hand, tend to have much higher refresh rates but not as good color reproduction and image fidelity.
That said, IPS panels tend to be favored by most manufacturers, so we focused more on those, especially as some brands have managed to push refresh rates.
Refresh rate
As mentioned above, refresh rates have steadily risen in the past few years, and if you’re going for a PC gaming setup, we won’t go below the 144Hz refresh rate. If you’re gaming on a console or just doing something for work, then 60 is actually not that bad, especially since most console games tend to be capped at 60. On the other hand, if you play a lot of competitive games, then going for something even higher than 144Hz, such as 240Hz, is something you should aim for. Whatever the need, we’ve included a bit of everything so you can pick a monitor that works best for your needs.
Added features
Some other things to consider are the inclusion of things like V-Sync tech like G-sync or AMD FreeSync, which can help avoid things like screen tearing or ghosting, and that can apply to non-gaming applications as well. Another thing to think about is how bright you want your screen to be since some brightness levels might not work for your setup, especially if you use a lot of bright lights in the same room as your monitor. On a related note, some monitors have a matte or anti-glare covering that’s worth considering if you do have a lot of lights or are near a window.
This article is managed and created separately from the Digital Trends Editorial team.
The federal government is ordering the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform, but stopped short of ordering people to stay off the app.
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced the government’s “wind up” demand Wednesday, saying it is meant to address “risks” related to ByteDance Ltd.’s establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc.
“The decision was based on the information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners,” he said in a statement.
The announcement added that the government is not blocking Canadians’ access to the TikTok application or their ability to create content.
However, it urged people to “adopt good cybersecurity practices and assess the possible risks of using social media platforms and applications, including how their information is likely to be protected, managed, used and shared by foreign actors, as well as to be aware of which country’s laws apply.”
Champagne’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment seeking details about what evidence led to the government’s dissolution demand, how long ByteDance has to comply and why the app is not being banned.
A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that the shutdown of its Canadian offices will mean the loss of hundreds of well-paying local jobs.
“We will challenge this order in court,” the spokesperson said.
“The TikTok platform will remain available for creators to find an audience, explore new interests and for businesses to thrive.”
The federal Liberals ordered a national security review of TikTok in September 2023, but it was not public knowledge until The Canadian Press reported in March that it was investigating the company.
At the time, it said the review was based on the expansion of a business, which it said constituted the establishment of a new Canadian entity. It declined to provide any further details about what expansion it was reviewing.
A government database showed a notification of new business from TikTok in June 2023. It said Network Sense Ventures Ltd. in Toronto and Vancouver would engage in “marketing, advertising, and content/creator development activities in relation to the use of the TikTok app in Canada.”
Even before the review, ByteDance and TikTok were lightning rod for privacy and safety concerns because Chinese national security laws compel organizations in the country to assist with intelligence gathering.
Such concerns led the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a bill in March designed to ban TikTok unless its China-based owner sells its stake in the business.
Champagne’s office has maintained Canada’s review was not related to the U.S. bill, which has yet to pass.
Canada’s review was carried out through the Investment Canada Act, which allows the government to investigate any foreign investment with potential to might harm national security.
While cabinet can make investors sell parts of the business or shares, Champagne has said the act doesn’t allow him to disclose details of the review.
Wednesday’s dissolution order was made in accordance with the act.
The federal government banned TikTok from its mobile devices in February 2023 following the launch of an investigation into the company by federal and provincial privacy commissioners.
— With files from Anja Karadeglija in Ottawa
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2024.
LONDON (AP) — Most people have accumulated a pile of data — selfies, emails, videos and more — on their social media and digital accounts over their lifetimes. What happens to it when we die?
It’s wise to draft a will spelling out who inherits your physical assets after you’re gone, but don’t forget to take care of your digital estate too. Friends and family might treasure files and posts you’ve left behind, but they could get lost in digital purgatory after you pass away unless you take some simple steps.
Here’s how you can prepare your digital life for your survivors:
Apple
The iPhone maker lets you nominate a “ legacy contact ” who can access your Apple account’s data after you die. The company says it’s a secure way to give trusted people access to photos, files and messages. To set it up you’ll need an Apple device with a fairly recent operating system — iPhones and iPads need iOS or iPadOS 15.2 and MacBooks needs macOS Monterey 12.1.
For iPhones, go to settings, tap Sign-in & Security and then Legacy Contact. You can name one or more people, and they don’t need an Apple ID or device.
You’ll have to share an access key with your contact. It can be a digital version sent electronically, or you can print a copy or save it as a screenshot or PDF.
Take note that there are some types of files you won’t be able to pass on — including digital rights-protected music, movies and passwords stored in Apple’s password manager. Legacy contacts can only access a deceased user’s account for three years before Apple deletes the account.
Google
Google takes a different approach with its Inactive Account Manager, which allows you to share your data with someone if it notices that you’ve stopped using your account.
When setting it up, you need to decide how long Google should wait — from three to 18 months — before considering your account inactive. Once that time is up, Google can notify up to 10 people.
You can write a message informing them you’ve stopped using the account, and, optionally, include a link to download your data. You can choose what types of data they can access — including emails, photos, calendar entries and YouTube videos.
There’s also an option to automatically delete your account after three months of inactivity, so your contacts will have to download any data before that deadline.
Facebook and Instagram
Some social media platforms can preserve accounts for people who have died so that friends and family can honor their memories.
When users of Facebook or Instagram die, parent company Meta says it can memorialize the account if it gets a “valid request” from a friend or family member. Requests can be submitted through an online form.
The social media company strongly recommends Facebook users add a legacy contact to look after their memorial accounts. Legacy contacts can do things like respond to new friend requests and update pinned posts, but they can’t read private messages or remove or alter previous posts. You can only choose one person, who also has to have a Facebook account.
You can also ask Facebook or Instagram to delete a deceased user’s account if you’re a close family member or an executor. You’ll need to send in documents like a death certificate.
TikTok
The video-sharing platform says that if a user has died, people can submit a request to memorialize the account through the settings menu. Go to the Report a Problem section, then Account and profile, then Manage account, where you can report a deceased user.
Once an account has been memorialized, it will be labeled “Remembering.” No one will be able to log into the account, which prevents anyone from editing the profile or using the account to post new content or send messages.
X
It’s not possible to nominate a legacy contact on Elon Musk’s social media site. But family members or an authorized person can submit a request to deactivate a deceased user’s account.
Passwords
Besides the major online services, you’ll probably have dozens if not hundreds of other digital accounts that your survivors might need to access. You could just write all your login credentials down in a notebook and put it somewhere safe. But making a physical copy presents its own vulnerabilities. What if you lose track of it? What if someone finds it?
Instead, consider a password manager that has an emergency access feature. Password managers are digital vaults that you can use to store all your credentials. Some, like Keeper,Bitwarden and NordPass, allow users to nominate one or more trusted contacts who can access their keys in case of an emergency such as a death.
But there are a few catches: Those contacts also need to use the same password manager and you might have to pay for the service.
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LONDON (AP) — Britain’s competition watchdog said Thursday it’s opening a formal investigation into Google’s partnership with artificial intelligence startup Anthropic.
The Competition and Markets Authority said it has “sufficient information” to launch an initial probe after it sought input earlier this year on whether the deal would stifle competition.
The CMA has until Dec. 19 to decide whether to approve the deal or escalate its investigation.
“Google is committed to building the most open and innovative AI ecosystem in the world,” the company said. “Anthropic is free to use multiple cloud providers and does, and we don’t demand exclusive tech rights.”
San Francisco-based Anthropic was founded in 2021 by siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei, who previously worked at ChatGPT maker OpenAI. The company has focused on increasing the safety and reliability of AI models. Google reportedly agreed last year to make a multibillion-dollar investment in Anthropic, which has a popular chatbot named Claude.
Anthropic said it’s cooperating with the regulator and will provide “the complete picture about Google’s investment and our commercial collaboration.”
“We are an independent company and none of our strategic partnerships or investor relationships diminish the independence of our corporate governance or our freedom to partner with others,” it said in a statement.
The U.K. regulator has been scrutinizing a raft of AI deals as investment money floods into the industry to capitalize on the artificial intelligence boom. Last month it cleared Anthropic’s $4 billion deal with Amazon and it has also signed off on Microsoft’s deals with two other AI startups, Inflection and Mistral.
