Alienware 34 QD-OLED review: The final frontier

Where they’re lacking, though, is image quality. VA panels, single-zone backlighting, and lackluster HDR — it’s all taken a backseat to performance. But with the Alienware 34 QD-OLED (AW3423DW), it’s time to play some catch up.

The Alienware 34 QD-OLED translates the latest and greatest display tech in a way that easily makes it the best-looking gaming monitor I’ve seen. We’ve reached the final frontier.

Specs

	Alienware 34 QD-OLED (AW3423DW)
Screen size	34 inches 21:9
Panel type	QD-OLED
Resolution	3440 x 1440
Peak brightness	1000 nits (HDR)
HDR	DisplayHDR 400 True Black
Response time	0.1ms GtG
Refresh rate	175Hz
Curve	1800R
Speakers	No speakers
Inputs	2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4
USB ports	3x USB 3.2
Adjustments	110mm height, 26 degrees tilt, 30 degrees swivel
Dimensions (HxWxD)	14.3 x 32 x 12 inches
Weight	15.3 pounds
List price	$1,399

Design

The design of the Alienware 34 QD-OLED doesn’t deviate too far from the company’s current lineup of gaming monitors. The stark white color blends nicely with the tints of blue light, while the name is carved against the back in a style that resembles racing stripes. It won’t fit into an office environment, but it’s a clean, minimalist design. For the gamer, though, it’s a bold and unique look that feels modern without being bland. Alienware nailed the balance, and it’s an aesthetic Samsung has tried (and failed) to emulate with its gaming monitors, such as the Odyssey Neo G9.

This 34-inch Alienware model moves around a few elements compared to, let’s say, the 38-inch model. The light-up Alienware head on the back has moved from the left side to the right. Meanwhile, the light ring has jumped from the back of the stand to the back of the monitor itself.

The overall vibe of Alienware’s branding, though, remains intact.

Putting the display together is as simple as could be. The stand plugs into the base with a single thumb screw, while the screen locks into the stand with a satisfying click. The monitor even comes with a VESA mountable backplate if you want to attach it to a wall.

Once the three elements are attached, you can access height adjustment, tilt, and swivel — everything you need to get a comfortable fit for your desk and chair. Rotation is the only thing you’re missing, but you’ll have to spring for the Samsung Ark monitor for that.

The monitor weighs 15.3 pounds, which is two pounds lighter than the 38-inch model. And overall, it feels like a more manageable size. It’s fairly easy to move and adjust, and it doesn’t dominate your desk like other monitors. There will always be people who love the grandeur of a 38-inch or even 49-inch ultra-wide monitor, but the 34-inch size will fit the average desk much better.

Lastly, it has a 1800R curve, which isn’t quite as extreme as monitors like the Odyssey Neo G9 or BenQ Mobiuz EX3410R. Those monitors offer a slightly more immersive curve, but again, that means the Alienware 34 doesn’t take up quite as much space on your desk.

Controls and menu

Unlike other Alienware displays, this model includes just a single, five-axis joystick to control the OSD (on-screen display). Most buttons and controls are located on the right side, but with an ultrawide screen, the center is more convenient. The power button, meanwhile, is located on the far right under the screen.

The problem with only having a joystick instead of buttons? It takes a couple of clicks more than I’d prefer to get to brightness or volume controls. It’s not horrendous, but it can be frustrating at times.

A couple clicks in, you’ll find the six preset modes offered in the menu: Standard, Creator, FPS, MOBA/RTS, RPG, and Sports. You also get two gaming customizable presets. I tried out FPS mode, which desaturates the colors and gives the image a warm, orange tone. The MOBA/RTS mode takes it to the opposite extreme, oversaturating the colors. Both of these were far too extreme for my tastes. The Standard preset has a balanced look, while RPG gives slightly more saturated colors without overdoing it.

The Creator mode has two options, as well: sRGB and DCI-P3. In my testing, the Standard preset had better colors than either of these modes, though. You can also tweak colors in either the RGB or CMYK color system — all within in the menu.

The Alienware 34 also includes Dark Stabilizer, which lowers the contrast to avoid crushing blacks and dark grays.