Philips 346B1C 34" Ultrawide QHD Curved Monitor

I bought this because of the built in KVM switch (and built in speakers) to connect both a laptop and PC. I was able to get rid of the separate KVM switch and speakers I was using and clear my desk of cables and boxes. I particularly wanted the option of manual buttons in addition to auto sensing.

I also purchased a USB-C Thunderbolt 4 cable to go from the Laptop to the Monitor to get full functionality through just the one cable. The supplied USB-C cable does not provide full functionality.

So, mission achieved - the Thunderbolt 4 cable from the Laptop to the monitor provides power, Ethernet, video, audio, keyboard, mouse, and webcam...view more I bought this because of the built in KVM switch (and built in speakers) to connect both a laptop and PC. I was able to get rid of the separate KVM switch and speakers I was using and clear my desk of cables and boxes. I particularly wanted the option of manual buttons in addition to auto sensing.

I also purchased a USB-C Thunderbolt 4 cable to go from the Laptop to the Monitor to get full functionality through just the one cable. The supplied USB-C cable does not provide full functionality.

So, mission achieved - the Thunderbolt 4 cable from the Laptop to the monitor provides power, Ethernet, video, audio, keyboard, mouse, and webcam. The PC connects with a USB-up cable (supplied) and a video cable. I also like that the monitor is height adjustable and has a swivel base.

I purchased this Philips 346B1C 34" Ultrawide for two key reason, 1) USB-C charging and video 2) Built-in KVM Switch. The idea is to be able to connect a laptop and PC, along with a single keyboard & mouse connection dongle. I should have taken more notice of the reviews on the Philips website. Whilst some seem to get it all to work, others like me were a total disaster. The USB-C charging and video is flaky mainly due to the KVM switch which just doesn't seem to know what its doing most of the time. Couldn't get the keyword/mouse dongle to work by plugging into the screen USB which is what you are suppose to do. Not a major as I just flick...view more I purchased this Philips 346B1C 34" Ultrawide for two key reason, 1) USB-C charging and video 2) Built-in KVM Switch. The idea is to be able to connect a laptop and PC, along with a single keyboard & mouse connection dongle. I should have taken more notice of the reviews on the Philips website. Whilst some seem to get it all to work, others like me were a total disaster. The USB-C charging and video is flaky mainly due to the KVM switch which just doesn't seem to know what its doing most of the time. Couldn't get the keyword/mouse dongle to work by plugging into the screen USB which is what you are suppose to do. Not a major as I just flick it in and out from my laptop to PC. But the fact is it didn't work. Tried swapping out the USB-C cables worked for a while then resort to failure again. Finally had a guts full.
Fortunately PB Tech were great, well at least the Head Office and Glenfield branch (my original system purchase was Albany, waste of time). A staff member from Glenfield, Tommy Liu help sort all the issue. Today I know have a Dell S3423DWC 34" Ultrawide. Straight out of the box and 10 minutes later working exactly how I wanted all along. Thanks Tommy for sorting this out.

Background:
- Previously had a 2K monitor from Phillips and do lots of spreadsheeting and querying of databases.
- I bought the 34" to improve productivity.

Set-up:
- Lenovo Thinkpad Laptop -> Lenovo Thinkpad USB-C Dock -> Phillips Monitor via Displayport

Experience:
- 34" makes a huge difference in terms of productivity vs. the 27"
- More than bright enough for productivity
- Resolution is just right - no need to fiddle around with windows scaling. Sharp enough for reading and good enough for watch the youtube and movies.

Things to consider:
- Are OK with a curved screen? The experience between viewing in the showroom ...view more Background:
- Previously had a 2K monitor from Phillips and do lots of spreadsheeting and querying of databases.
- I bought the 34" to improve productivity.

Set-up:
- Lenovo Thinkpad Laptop -> Lenovo Thinkpad USB-C Dock -> Phillips Monitor via Displayport

Experience:
- 34" makes a huge difference in terms of productivity vs. the 27"
- More than bright enough for productivity
- Resolution is just right - no need to fiddle around with windows scaling. Sharp enough for reading and good enough for watch the youtube and movies.

Things to consider:
- Are OK with a curved screen? The experience between viewing in the showroom vs. using at home might make you second guess you choice.
- Is your table big enough in terms of distance. My table is 75cm deep and I have it partially hanging off the desk (the stand is sturdy and well weighted so no threat of it falling off)

Downsides
- Fiddling with the monitor settings can be really annoying, menus go quite deep to change simple things like brightness
- Auto-brightness a tad too bright for my liking
- You will definitely need something better for audio

Overall, great for productivity, good picture and good solid build quality.

The monitor is fantastic, colour accuracy seems very good too. I'm not using for gaming so didn't bother trying 100Hz and using the monitor with a MacBook Pro via the provided USB C cable. The monitor works well with a Mac. A tad bit disappointed that it got two dead pixels before it reached two weeks. Cannot get a replacement because PB Tech doesn't have any stock. It's good that the monitor comes with a 3-year warranty. Will get this sorted once the whole COVID situation settles down. The monitor is fantastic, colour accuracy seems very good too. I'm not using for gaming so didn't bother trying 100Hz and using the monitor with a MacBook Pro via the provided USB C cable. The monitor works well with a Mac. A tad bit disappointed that it got two dead pixels before it reached two weeks. Cannot get a replacement because PB Tech doesn't have any stock. It's good that the monitor comes with a 3-year warranty. Will get this sorted once the whole COVID situation settles down.

This monitor is a great size for working from four windows in each corner without feeling like you want to resize the window. The monitor has good function to maneouvre to a preferred viewing height and tilt. It doesn't reflect window light from behind. The screen can be seen when wearing polarised glasses. It has a reasonable built in speaker. Low blue light. My eyes are happy. This monitor is a great size for working from four windows in each corner without feeling like you want to resize the window. The monitor has good function to maneouvre to a preferred viewing height and tilt. It doesn't reflect window light from behind. The screen can be seen when wearing polarised glasses. It has a reasonable built in speaker. Low blue light. My eyes are happy.

Easy to install and easy to use. A great buy, better than 2 monitors.the screen is bright and very comfirtable fornthe eyes. Easy to install and easy to use. A great buy, better than 2 monitors.the screen is bright and very comfirtable fornthe eyes.

I have a small desk at home and putting two monitors on it uses a lot of space.

With this ultra wide monitor on a stand, I have a lot of room, and I find it better to use that the two monitors I use at work. I have a small desk at home and putting two monitors on it uses a lot of space.

With this ultra wide monitor on a stand, I have a lot of room, and I find it better to use that the two monitors I use at work.

Connects up well and its excellent quality. The KVM reallly needs one unit on a single USB-C and the other on the USB plus display port / HDMI. Connects up well and its excellent quality. The KVM reallly needs one unit on a single USB-C and the other on the USB plus display port / HDMI.

This is a pretty good monitor. I love the aspect and the size. Biggest issue is the lack of clarity. Text and lines aren't very crisp relative to other monitors I've used.

Using as a single-cable USBC setup for my MacBook Pro. Works very well. This is a pretty good monitor. I love the aspect and the size. Biggest issue is the lack of clarity. Text and lines aren't very crisp relative to other monitors I've used.

Using as a single-cable USBC setup for my MacBook Pro. Works very well.

Switched to using this from having 2 monitors and it's a serious game changer. Makes multi-tasking that much easier and way easier to compare things side by side etc. Love it. Switched to using this from having 2 monitors and it's a serious game changer. Makes multi-tasking that much easier and way easier to compare things side by side etc. Love it.

Plenty of screen real estate and very handy KVM switch set up for using multiple laptops. You do need a large desk or mount onto the wall (which I have done). Build quality is solid. The only niggle is the screen is a bit washed out compared to IPS panels. Not a big deal and works well for my home office setup. Plenty of screen real estate and very handy KVM switch set up for using multiple laptops. You do need a large desk or mount onto the wall (which I have done). Build quality is solid. The only niggle is the screen is a bit washed out compared to IPS panels. Not a big deal and works well for my home office setup.

Really good mix of features for productivty as well as gaming. USB C connection from my laptop for power and video is amazing.
Great minimalistic design. Really good mix of features for productivty as well as gaming. USB C connection from my laptop for power and video is amazing.
Great minimalistic design.