While 21:9 is now common in wide monitors, Philips takes things further with its new Philips 499P9H, a 32:9 SuperWide curved LCD display with 5120 x 1440 resolution and an attractive price.

Announced last year but only this first quarter available in Europe, the Philips 499P9H  will be one of the monitors Philips (or MMD) will take to the Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2019, the largest exhibition for AV and systems integration professionals in the world. The event takes place from 5 until 8 February 2019 at the Amsterdam RAI Exhibition and Convention Centre, in the Netherlands.

The Philips 499P9H  will probably be one of the highlights of the show, and not just at Philips’ booth. In fact, the expansive 32:9 SuperWide screen and ultra-high resolution, is bound to attract attention. It’s like having two 27″ 16:9 Quad HD displays placed side-by-side. Philips is not alone here, as other brands, from Samsung (C49RG9) to  Dell (U4919DW) or LG ( 49WL95), have offered similar solutions. Size, though is not the only thing the monitor offers. It’s the suggested price that makes the 499P9H interesting if you’re after a big working area. In fact, with a price of £990 that translates into $1130, the new 32:9 indicates a downward tendency in terms of price, something consumers always appreciate.

KVM switch included

The size and price are not the only reasons the new monitor may appeal to users. The feature set is also appealing, and Philips states that the monitor offers an engaging visual experience, with high-performance image quality making it stand out from the crowd. The Dual Quad HD (5120 x 1440) resolution means higher pixel density and greater detail, while VESA-certified HDR 400 technology provides “dazzling colours, inky shadows, and sparkling whites, bringing images to life and ensuring optimal depth and nuance”. For an almost-complete field view, Philips’ VA LED display relies, says the company, “on an advanced vertical alignment technology that delivers high static contrast ratios, resulting in crisp images from any viewing angle. CAD and graphic designers, architects, engineers, photographers, and all other professionals who require pixel-perfect precision and colour accuracy will be well served by this monitor.”

The 1800r curved display that, adds Philips, “mirrors the natural shape of the eye and subtly wraps around the user, minimising distractions while maximising comfort”, offer a wall to wall workspace. This one monitor solution to substitute multi-screen set-ups also comes with a built-in MultiClient Integrated KVM switch that works with the Multi-View function to allow users to manage two separate devices at the same time with a single keyboard and mouse, saving even more time and space.

VESA mount available

The Philips 499P9H features a built-in USB 3.1 type-C docking station with power delivery that plays a key role in boosting productivity for professionals on the go and transforms the monitor in a power hub. With high-speed USB 3.1 technology, data transfer is faster, and the reversible USB-C connector allows for easy, one-cable docking. Peripherals as well as notebooks may be plugged directly into the monitor to transfer files, watch videos, and more. And to complete the docking experience, a secure wired connection can be provided to notebooks without any separate cable thanks to the monitor’s built-in RJ45 port. For further convenience and security, the monitor includes a handy pop-up webcam equipped with Windows Hello facial recognition, which can be discretely and securely tucked away when not in use. And because user comfort is always a priority, the Philips 499P9H monitor offers users a multitude of visualisation solutions including Flicker-Free technology and LowBlue Mode, as well as effective ergonomic features such as a height-adjustable stand with swivel and tilt functions and a VESA mount.

With a refresh rate of 60 Hz FreeSync that is, no doubt, not enough for what many users would like to use this panel for, the Philips 499P9H is adequate for its intended use. The presence of Adaptive-Sync technology does provide some support for those who may want to use the monitor for gaming, but that’s not what the Philips 499PH was designed for, and it would move the price to a new level.