If you’re a work from home warrior or an avid gamer, chances are you’ll love a wider screen monitor than the standard fare. It used to be that 34″ wide monitors were pretty much gaming only territory, but with more and more people working from home (or needing more screen real estate), they’re becoming a more and more common sight around the place; I’ve seen them in our office, in other people’s homes and even in commercial/industrial settings where I mightn’t otherwise have expected to.
With this in mind, let’s talk about Alienware’s 34 Ultra-Wide QD-OLED monitor which has been attached to my desk for the last little while.
It’s an ultra-wide 34-inch monitor featuring QD-OLED display technology, delivering 3440 x 1440 resolution in a 1800R curved display (it wraps around you subtly). With a screen refresh rate of up to 240Hz and a 0.03ms response time, this thing is definitely tuned for high performance gaming, but it’s adept at other less exciting tasks too.
Considering you can get this bad boy for around the $1499 mark from Dell’s website (or some retailers), that’s quite a decent price for a lot of display, so what do you get?
What’s in the Box
Like most modern monitors, the Alienware AW3425DW comes with everything you need to get started. Inside the box, you’ll find both HDMI and DisplayPort cables, the monitor itself with its stand pre-attached, and of course, a power cable.
Assembly is simple—just screw the stand into the base and slot it into the back of the display. It’s quick and intuitive.
While there’s no specific VESA mount included, most VESA arms or mounts should come with adapters or fittings that are compatible. Mine did, and it worked without any issues.
Design, Specs & Features
The AW3425DW adopts Alienware’s updated AW30 design language, giving the monitor a futuristic aesthetic with fresh iconography. The design is inobtrusive and minimalist – equally happy on the built-in stand or on a standard VESA mount.
The 1800R curve is subtle—perfect for those new to curved displays. If you’re coming from a monitor with a deeper curve, you might find it a bit tame, but it still provides a more immersive experience than a flat panel. For productivity work, the gentler curve is actually an advantage, making the monitor easier on the eyes over long sessions.
A joystick under the panel controls the on-screen display (OSD). It’s sensitive at first, but easy to master with a little time. The OSD itself includes the usual settings: brightness, contrast, input selection, AlienFX lighting, shortcut customization, and PIP/PBP modes.
Ports & Connectivity
On the rear of the monitor is a recessed port hub that keeps cables tidy and easy to route through the stand—typical of Alienware’s recent designs. It’s VESA mount-friendly, so you won’t run into clearance issues.
Connectivity includes:
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1x DisplayPort 1.4 (HDCP 1.4 & 2.3)
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2x HDMI 2.1 ports (HDCP 1.4 & 2.3, FRL, HDR, VRR)
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1x USB 5Gbps Type-B upstream
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1x USB 5Gbps Type-A downstream
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1x USB-C 5Gbps downstream (with 15W charging)
Display Quality & Performance
The ultrawide 3440×1440 resolution hits a sweet spot for gaming. 4K (or higher) support will likely require a fancy HDMI cable or DisplayPort, so it’s worth checking if your hardware can actually support it before taking the plunge. Outside of gaming, 4K resolution mightn’t be all that necessary or useful, and you’ll need a fairly powerful PC to take full advantage.
OLED continues to prove its worth in gaming. Colours are rich, contrast is deep, and blacks are truly black. While it’s not the brightest display I’ve tested, it’s more than sufficient for both gaming and productivity—even in a bright room. Unless you crave ultra-high brightness, this monitor won’t disappoint.
The AW3425DW supports a wide viewing angle of 178°, and although the curved screen is best viewed head-on, it holds up well off-axis. The OLED panel offers excellent sharpness and impressive coverage of the DCI-P3 color space (99.3%, verified in my testing). Text clarity is also strong, making it a solid productivity display.
Daily Use: Gaming & Productivity
Ultrawide displays like this are fantastic for immersion. Games that support the format feel expansive and cinematic. The slight curve adds to the immersion without distorting the image, and most modern games now support ultrawide resolutions—though there are still occasional outliers.
For productivity, the monitor really shines. The ability to line up multiple windows side by side without overlap is a game changer for multitasking. Whether you’re editing, coding, or just juggling emails and spreadsheets, the space is extremely useful.
Final Thoughts: Should You Buy It?
The Alienware AW3425DW strikes an excellent balance between premium performance and affordability. With its 240Hz refresh rate, 2K ultrawide resolution, OLED brilliance, and thoughtful design, it’s ideal for gamers who want a high-end experience without stepping into ultra-premium price territory.
Yes, you can find monitors with deeper curves, higher refresh rates, or even 4K resolution, but this model offers a smart compromise across the board. For $1499 RRP, it delivers great value compared to similarly specced OLED gaming monitors.
Whether you’re a gamer who dabbles in productivity or vice versa, the AW3425DW is a versatile, high-performing display that won’t disappoint.
Highly recommended.
