The On-Screen Display of the LG 34UM95 is controlled using a push-button joystick on the bottom of the display. The OSD itself takes up the full right-third of the display and cannot be moved. This likely isn’t an issue for most people, but if you prefer it to be on a different side or to be semi-transparent you cannot adjust it.

WIth the larger size of the 34UM95 you can better take advantage of the Split-Screen feature. The 1720x1440 resolution will hold 90% of a 1080p image on half of the display (with black borders on the top and bottom). For those who want to watch TV or a movie or play video games on half the display while using the rest for work (or other information), it is very possible to do so. However, in practice this isn’t as flexible as it could be. Video cards do not detect a proper 1720x1440 mode to use for split screen use. Even if you select something close to a 6:5 ratio, like the 4:3 1600x1200 resolution, it only uses up a small section of the screen. So while the feature works, it likely works best using both HDMI inputs, not with an HDMI input and the DisplayPort input.

The included stand with the 34UM95 is clean and sleek but lacks adjustments. You have tilt adjustments available but no height, pivot, or swivel. There are integrated mounting screws for a 100mm VESA mount if you need more flexibility. This is an improvement over the smaller LG 21:9 monitor that lacked mounting holes for a more flexible stand.

As I mentioned in the Thunderbolt discussion there are USB ports on the rear of the 34UM95. There are two USB 2.0 ports and a single USB 3.0 port with a USB 3.0 Type B connector. Why they are not all USB 3.0 I am unsure, but most people don’t have a current need for multiple USB 3.0 connections. That is certain to change in the future so only having one might be a drawback. There is a headphone jack on the rear as well.

During multiple weeks of use, the 34UM95 and it’s wider aspect ratio grew on me. While I have liked the 21:9 monitors in the past for gaming, I usually felt a single 27” display wound up being better for a general purpose display. The extra vertical resolution is far more important than the extra bit of width that those displays offer. With the 34UM95 it now offers that same vertical resolution, but with far more horizontal space for running two applications side-by-side.

As someone that is used to dual display configurations, I find myself working just fine with the single 34UM95. Keeping a web browser up on one side while I work on the other side of the display works well. On a 27” display you often run into the issue where running an application full screen is too wide to be useful, and half the screen can be too narrow. The 34UM95 does a good job of splitting the difference. Running on half the screen with a web browser, word processor, or other application is a very good size. Very few things feel crowded when shrunk down to fit. And if you need to use the full screen, say with a very large spreadsheet, then you easily can.

Having a single monitor that can function as a dual display replacement is useful. If desk space is low, or you have a laptop with a single video output, running dual 27” monitors may not be an option. In this case the LG 34UM95 proves to be very useful. I have been using as a single display and have not felt the need to hook another one up. The largest downside has been games that don’t support 21:9 aspect ratios and have pillarboxing on the sides.

Of course, it also would be good if the display can out-perform a pair of 27” monitors on the bench test. The smaller 21:9 displays have done well so far, but things might change once the vertical size is the same as a 27” display.

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  • Sm0kes - Wednesday, June 18, 2014 - link

    Thanks for the review. I've had this on pre-order for a couple of weeks. For someone with both a Mini-ITX gaming PC and a Macbook Air, the inclusion of both DP/HDMI and Thunderbolt is a nice touch.

    Like many, I've been considering the jump to 4K, but it still feel like there's too many compromises given the price. The Asus ROG 27' 1440p display is interesting (despite the TN), but I'm tired of waiting.
  • Azurael - Wednesday, June 18, 2014 - link

    It's a shame it doesn't support running at 1/2 its native resolution when pretending to be two monitors. I frequently watch full screen video in one of my monitors whilst working on the other, which doesn't really work the same on one wide monitor, else it'd be perfect. Oh well, I'm sure somebody will release something that meets my needs eventually. I just hope it happens before much more of the backlight on one of my 2405fpws turns yellow...
  • Gast - Wednesday, June 18, 2014 - link

    Can we get a good picture with this display on a desk with a keyboard & mouse so we can get a good feel for the size? And maybe one with a standard 24" and/or 20" display for comparison?
  • cheinonen - Wednesday, June 18, 2014 - link

    I can try to place it next to a standard 20" 4:3 display and a 27" 16:9 display today or tomorrow. I'll use my wife's desktop since no one needs to see the mess that is my workspace.
  • crazysurfanz - Wednesday, June 18, 2014 - link

    there is such a picture (your first request at least) on the forum thread at ars that mackjam linked earlier: http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?f=19&am...
  • Mark_gb - Wednesday, June 18, 2014 - link

    Just over a month ago, I purchased a 29" AOC ultra-wide 21:9 format monitor. AOC 2963Pm. I've been using monitors on computers since they were experimental (and they were TV's at first). Thats going back to the 1970's. This is my first Ultra-Wide. You will not get me to ever buy another "normal" monitor again. If I had known this one was coming out, I might have waited for it. I have no use for thunderbolt ports and those are expensive add-ons, so they must be going after the Apple market more with this monitor.

    In any case, when I need another monitor, I will be looking for the largest affordable ultra-wide monitor that I can get.

    And please dont call these a niche product. You should hear the oooohs and aaaahs I get when people see my screen. The more that people see these,, the more they will sell. I believe that eventually, most monitors will be ultra-wide.

    Just use one. Then you will know.
  • madmilk - Wednesday, June 18, 2014 - link

    So what benefit does your 29" 2560x1080 21:9 monitor have over a 32" 2560x1600 16:10?
  • fokka - Wednesday, June 18, 2014 - link

    @anandtech: not wanting to step on anyone's toes, but i think the product pictures could use a bit more polish. better lighting could go a long way in this regard. kthxbye!
  • crazysurfanz - Wednesday, June 18, 2014 - link

    I have to politely agree with you on that one, they are not great.
  • cheinonen - Thursday, June 19, 2014 - link

    I wish I had the space for a better picture setup, but I really do not right now. Finding the space to photograph a small device (smartphone, tablet) isn't too hard, but for a 34" monitor it is a challenge.

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