First, just to be clear, this review is for the 32", 2180p (4K) model. Reviews on this page can be for different sizes -- and within that -- different resolutions of monitors.
Setup out of the box is pretty straight-forward. This model comes with three video cables: an HDMI cable, a DP cable, and (I think) a mini-DP cable. Additionally, it comes with a power cable and a standard 3.5mm sound cable.
There are two additional pieces to the monitor: a rather heavy stand base and a VESA-compatible mount that connects the two. I was pretty surprised by the heavy weight of the base, though it also quickly allayed my fears that the monitor might be top-heavy. The mount was also easy to attach to the base and the monitor.
The base has a turntable underneath that is not overtly conspicuous, and if I hadn't accidentally put my hand on it during the mounting process I might not have realized it was there. The turntable makes it much easier to turn the monitor when necessary, though it's so heavy that it really isn't that easy to move. I think it's there just to make turning a little easier. I like it.
The stand is height adjustable, going almost all the way down to the desk and stretching a solid 8" or so higher than that. I find the tilt to be on the generous side and should be enough for most any seating situation. As mentioned earlier, technically it swivels, though it isn't designed to and I wouldn't recommend getting a monitor this size if that is a function you need. This stand does not pivot [portrait-to-landscape] (most don't).
The footprint of the base is larger than I expected, larger than average, but it's sturdy. Expect to need about 7-8" of clearance from wall to monitor face. This can be alleviated by using you own VESA mount-and-stand that you already know has less need of room.
The speakers are quite adequate for any necessary sound, but I use headphones almost always. If you're looking for nice sound, you should be investing in quality external speakers or headphones anyway.
As for the monitor itself, I have been very pleased that it has had no dead pixels show up in the last 10 days or so since I purchased it. The video is clear and beautiful, and though I have no need to check the color for balance, I don't see any reason to adjust it.
The advertised 4ms response time looks to be true, and casual gamers will be pleased with how games look on this monitor. If you really need to adjust the settings, the buttons are adequately confusing (which seems to be the norm du jour on technology these days) and you'll duly get used to them with some trial and error.
This should go without saying, but I see a lot of reviews on various monitors that address this, so I will. For a 4k resolution model (3840 x 2160), you need to have a motherboard and a graphics card in your computer plus a cable from such card that can handle a resolution this high. I had no issues with the DP cable as the computer booted with the connection from a Radeon RX 580 straight to the monitor as if it had always been there.
If your graphics card is not rated for 2160 vertical resolution, then this monitor (or any 2160p monitor) is not for you. A 1440p connection will look very jagged on here, and 1080p monitors are so cheap now that you might as well opt for one of those instead.
While we're in the Goes-Without-Saying category let me just add that a high resolution like this will make most text look smaller. There are ways to make text appear bigger in most apps and it usually doesn't take much to do it. Also I sometimes read about a few people who complain that they have to turn their heads to look at different places on the monitor. Yes, that's normal. It's a very nice problem to have.
What you get in return is finer pixelation that makes the picture look very sharp and pleasing and the space to have multiple windows open in each corner that look "normal size". The primary purpose for my purchase is for the real estate that this 32" monitor provides for my composition work. It is the equivalent of having four up-to-date 16", 1080p monitors, and it's really nice. I can have the four corners filled by a spreadsheet, a word processor document, a sheet music file, and browser window... all at the same time. Again, not just a nice property of this monitor, but of any 32" monitor at 2180p.
With that, this AOC is a good monitor that is not cheaply made while still at a good price point for its specs and quite deserving of its five stars.
| Standing screen display size | 31.5 Inches |
|---|---|
| Screen Resolution | 3840x2160 |
| Max Screen Resolution | 3840 x 2160 Pixels |
| Number of USB 2.0 Ports | 2 |
| Number of USB 3.0 Ports | 2 |
