Philips 34B2U5600C Ultrawide Business Monitor Review

The Philips 34B2U5600C is a 34-inch curved ultrawide monitor aimed at professionals seeking immersive productivity. Boasting a crisp WQHD resolution (3440 x 1440) in a 21:9 aspect ratio, it promises ample screen real estate for multitasking and daily work. It features a relatively basic VA panel, but comes with a few tricks, such as Adaptive-Sync for smooth visuals, a versatile USB-C hub with 90W power delivery, and integrated KVM functionality for streamlined control across multiple devices, making it excellent for dynamic workspaces and offices.

Philips also emphasizes ergonomic comfort with this model, providing full adjustability and features like LowBlue Mode and Flicker-free technology to reduce eye strain during long work hours. With built-in speakers and a MultiView function enabling dual-source viewing, the 34B2U5600C aims to be a comprehensive workstation monitor.

While many ultrawide monitors cater to gamers with high refresh rates and vibrant colours, the 34B2U5600C takes a different approach. Its focus lies in enhancing productivity and comfort for professionals. Features like the KVM switch, USB-C connectivity, and ergonomic design prioritise efficient workflows and a comfortable user experience, but importantly it does this at a reduced cost too. However, this emphasis on productivity raises the question: does it make any compromises in terms of visual fidelity and responsiveness? Short answer, yes. A slightly longer answer is yes, because it is limited to a VA panel, with a 4ms response time, and a 100Hz refresh rate, and lacks performance (gamer-focused) features such as overdrive and MPRT, so it is a slower responding panel and is likely unsuitable or fast motion and quick response time uses. Not that any of this should concern those using it for a web browser, MS Office, Zoom meetings and the like.

Philips clearly understands the needs of modern professionals, and it shows in the 34B2U5600C’s design. This isn’t just about cramming pixels onto a screen; it’s about creating a seamless and efficient workspace. Imagine decluttering your desk with a single USB-C connection that handles video, data, and even charges your laptop. Picture effortlessly switching between your work computer and personal laptop with a single click of a button on the integrated KVM switch. Add to that the immersive experience of a curved ultrawide display, and you start to see how the 34B2U5600C elevates the workday.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 34-inch curved VA display, 3440 x 1440 (WQHD) resolution, 21:9 aspect ratio
• Brightness: 300 cd/m²
• Contrast Ratio: 3000:1
• Response Time: 4 ms (Grey to Grey)
• Refresh Rate: 100 Hz
• Viewing Angle: 178°/178°

• Features:

  • Adaptive-Sync technology
  • LowBlue Mode
  • Flicker-free technology
  • Built-in speakers (2x 5W)
  • MultiView (allows dual connect and view)
  • SmartKVM switch
  • PowerSensor (for energy saving)

• Connectivity:

  • USB-C with 90W power delivery
  • HDMI
  • DisplayPort
  • USB Hub
• Ergonomics: Tilt, swivel, and height adjustment
• VESA mount: 100 x 100 mm

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A Closer Look

Philips has gone for one of the most popular monitor formats on the market right now, with a 34-inch ultrawide panel, with a 21:9 aspect ratio. This is matched by a 3440×1440 resolution, meaning you get a decent pixel density relative to the size of the panel, and it’s also got a moderately curved design, so that it feels more natural to view the edges of the panel when you’re sitting front and centre.

Everything is designed to be simple and easy to use, such as the rather basic, but very functional UI controls on the front, which are all clearly labelled, and come with larger buttons to make them easier for anyone in the office to understand.

There’s a Philips logo in the middle, alongside a small light sensor, which can adjust the display’s brightness and efficiency settings on the fly. Dimming the monitor in darker rooms, or brighter during the day, to help balance usability and eyestrain.

The stand is quite tall, with a really nice oval design at the top. Its height is good though, as it allows for a greater range of height adjustment, helping improve the overall ergonomics.

You can easily move the monitor up and down, or rotate it left to right, and tilt it both forwards and backwards to find the best viewing position to suit your needs. However, this monitor doesn’t support a portrait mode, but with a VESA mount on the back, you could easily wall mount it or apply your own monitor arm with those features.

The curved VA panel isn’t anything too crazy, but it does offer decent viewing angles, and colour uniformity, and there’s a good anti-glare coating on there to deal with harsh office lighting.

Around the back, the monitor is aesthetically pleasing, with a muted black back that has some nice lines and ridges, as well as an art-deco-esque design to the stand. If you have an open desk layout, you’ll appreciate that it looks good from both sides.

There’s a built-in USB hub with Type-C, as well as Power Delivery, meaning you can easily hook up your peripherals, laptop or phone, making it handy for those who work in a hot-desking environment.

The USB-C on the side can only do 15W, but there’s a 90W on the back, which is fantastic! There’s also ethernet built-in, so again, just a Type-C from your laptop to the monitor, and you’re hooked up to the internet or LAN, keyboard, mouse, etc, keeping your workspace really simple.

Plus, there are two HDMI and a DisplayPort, so connecting multiple systems isn’t a problem.

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OSD

The OSD is easy to control, there are some simple buttons on the bottom of the panel, allowing you to easily navigate the tabs.

The settings are very simple, power sensor on/off, light sensor on/off, etc.

You can tab through the display inputs, again, very straightforward.

SmartImage doesn’t seem to do much, Adaptive Sync you likely just want to leave turned on, but it’s off by default, and brightness, contrast and sharpness are all pretty self-explanatory.

There are some built-in speakers, they’re OK for general system noises or light media consumption.

There’s an adjustable Colour Temperature, sRGB mode, and User modes, but largely, anything but the stock 6500K mode seemed a bit worse to me, the stock settings are just fine.

There are also USB control settings, that allow you to change the data rates, standby modes, and KVM functions.

Only a small detail, but I like that you can adjust the power LED brightness, little details add up.

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Performance

Most office monitors top out at around 250 cd/m2 brightness, which is more often than not, plenty for just about all office spaces. However, the 34B2U5600C can push a little higher to 300 cd/m2 brightness, helping it deal with very bright spaces while still delivering a vibrant image from the panel. The colours look decent right out of the box, but at the same time, this isn’t a pro-colour display. However, it can deliver 120% of sRGB, and has good colour accuracy, but those wanting it for editing work would likely want something higher up the range, such as the Philips 27B1U7903 or the 25M2N3200W which have a much more extended colour range.

However, for day-to-day use in the home, office, or even the home office, that’s what the strengths of the 34B2U5600C really stand out. With such a large panel, you have prime real estate to easily put two windows side by side, saving you the added clutter and cables of having two monitors, while also not having to deal with the bezels between them. It’s just a nice and simple “get a bigger screen” solution to your productivity problems.

The monitor size also lends well to three windows on screen at a time, without having to compromise on zoom/scaling to accommodate them. This means I can watch a movie or some YouTube on the left side of the screen, have my work in the middle, and something to read on the right. Obviously, you can chop and change, but having media, work and data sources on one screen is beneficial to both my work and rampant procrastination; proven by the fact I’ve largely been watching the Ali G movie throughout the testing process.

For movies, the colours are vibrant and plenty bright, albeit the motion handling isn’t fantastic, but at 100Hz, frame pacing for movies isn’t going to sit quite right anyway as it’s not a multiple of 24Hz, but you can easily set that to a custom refresh rate to solve that.

Black levels are reasonable, no better or worse than you would expect from an edge-lit VA panel really, but if you’re used to a mini-LED or OLED panel, then it’s a far cry from those technologies, but again that’s reflected in the overall price of this monitor.

I did try some gaming on it, and well, it’s OK at best. It’s not what it was designed for, and 100Hz with 4ms response time on VA panel just doesn’t quite cut it for me in 2024. There’s a little bit of blur, and the monitor would really have benefitted from an Overdrive mode on this panel, but again, it’s not a gaming monitor, so does it really need it?

There’s a little bit of dark-level smear, the ball is moving in the direction of the arrow, so dark objects moving faster on bright backgrounds tend to have a purple tail. Again, this is a common trait of these panels and has been seen for many years, but if you’re just starting at your weekly sales reports and watching cat videos on reddit, you’re not likely to notice.

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How Much Does it Cost?

This being a business monitor, you’re unlikely to find it at your typical PC gaming store, but it is available for £439.99 at Stone Group here or £434.00 at SmartTeck here. That’s a very reasonable price, and whilst this monitor did have some obvious cost-saving measures in terms of features, I think it’s fair to say that this is strongly reflected in the very low overall price. This is a very big monitor for not a lot of money, and the added productivity features such as the USB-C, Power Delivery and KVM functions make it ideal for a hot-desking workspace, allowing a single Type-C to the monitor to get you up and running with internet, peripherals and more.

Considering the Dell S3422DW offers a similar 34″ curved 100Hz panel for around the same price (£429.99), the Philips monitor looks like a better value option, since the Dell lacks the KVM, Type-C, PowerDelivery, and other key features.

Conclusion

The Philips 34B2U5600C is a compelling choice for professionals seeking a big panel for productivity and while the panel is feature-rich, the rest of the monitor has enough bells and whistles to make it very appealing without breaking the bank. Its 34-inch curved display provides ample screen real estate for efficient multitasking, while the integrated KVM switch and versatile USB-C hub streamline connectivity and device management. While the VA panel may not satisfy the most discerning colour enthusiasts or gamers seeking top-tier responsiveness, it delivers respectable image quality and smooth visuals for everyday productivity tasks and media consumption.

Comfort

Philips has clearly prioritised practicality and ergonomic comfort with this model. Features like the easily adjustable stand, which has a large range of movement up and down, and good rotation left and right, which works well with the excellent viewing angles for the panel. There is also a LowBlue Mode, and Flicker-free technology, a light sensor, and a 100Hz refresh rate, which all contribute to a comfortable viewing experience during long work hours. The inclusion of built-in speakers and MultiView functionality further enhances its versatility for your workspace too.

Added Value

Ultimately, the 34B2U5600C strikes a commendable balance between features, performance, and affordability. It’s a strong contender for professionals who prioritise productivity and value a clutter-free workspace, especially those who can leverage the benefits of its USB-C connectivity and KVM switch. While it may not be the perfect choice for colour-critical work or fast-paced gaming, its strengths are clear for productivity on a tighter budget.

Should I Buy One?

There’s not a lot of competition for this part of the market. Offerings a similar panel and technologies to some rival products, but has big advantages by adding RJ45, KVM, PowerDelivery, and Type-C inputs for the same price, making this a compelling option for anyone looking to build out their office space for improved productivity on a tighter budget.