High refresh rate monitors are being raved about online at the moment, and are the latest must-have items in the world of gaming. This entry-level model from Asus may not have ultra-HD resolution, but with a sky-high refresh rate of 144Hz (way above the usual 60 or 75Hz), the ASUS VG248QE is the perfect initiation into high refresh rate screens.
Most manufacturers have seemingly turned their backs on 3D tech in favor of 4K displays, which, for the most part, is a good thing. But it is great to see LG pushing ahead with this VG range…
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Why?
Ask a group of gamers what the most important stat is for monitors, and more often than not, the reply will be the refresh rate. So it’s not surprising that the much higher refresh rate that 3D screens need has led to some great steps forward in gaming monitor technology!
With fast-paced games like FortNight, Call of Duty, Battlefield, GTA V, and Forza racing dominating the market, the elevated refresh rate produces silky-smooth results users crave. And the updated TN screen that the ASUS VG248QE uses has amazing color reproduction.
So, let’s dive in and see what all the fuss is about!
Design And Build
The first thing that we noticed about the design was the nifty, rotating, small footprint stand. Finding a stand that not only allows for height, pivot, and viewing angle adjustments, but one that easily swivels is a rare thing in this class of monitors – great stuff to begin with!
The VG248QE bezels are maybe a little wider and thicker than some of the other contenders on the market, but nothing out of control here. And in matte black, with a smattering of logos and button labels, they look great. The buttons are tucked under the lower right-hand corner (when facing the monitor), and all the usual suspects – power, volume, source, etc. – are present.
But, Hold On Just One Second…
The buttons also function as hotkeys, with a range of gamer-friendly functions. The GamePlus settings not only adds a game timer to the screen but also an aiming scope, which makes zeroing on targets that much easier!
At the back of the unit, we find all the input/output jacks. The full range of HDMI, DisplayPort, and dual-link DVI ports are on display – as are both the AUX input and headphone jack. All these are tucked away beautifully, with downward-facing entry ports. Missing on this model is any USB ports, but to be honest, we didn’t miss them.
2-watt Speakers?
For sound, ASUS have included a pair of 2-watt speakers. They do an OK job, but are definitely on the tinny side. We reckon the guys over at ASUS are betting that most users of this screen will already have a set of decent quality speakers ready to plug in. And we think they would be correct with that thought.
If, however, you are not one of them, then check out our reviews of the Best Computer Speakers on the market.
‘Splendid’ in Every Way…
Continuing with their trend of including “Splendid Technology” over the past few years – which is just some marketing mumbo jumbo for what most other brands just call picture presets – albeit they are high quality presets and we used all of them at different times.
The six presets included are Scenery, Standard, Theater, Game, sRGB, and Night View. We found scenery the best out of the box option for gaming. There are also the traditional contrast, brightness, color saturation, skin, and color temperature adjustments available.
What’s in the box?
Included is not just the usual power cable, user manual, installation CD, and warranty info (a very generous three years here) but also the addition of a dual-link DVI cable and an audio cable.
Features
Going back to the overall design, and as far as ergonomics go, the ASUS VG248QE offers more maneuverability and is easier to adjust than almost any other screen we have reviewed. For movement, ASUS have gone with four inches of height, 15 degrees of tilt, 90 degrees of swivel, and portrait mode rotation.
The ‘lazy susan’ style stand was amazingly useful, and the upright part of the stand has a cable management clip – a clever little inclusion. The build quality is truly top tier here, with sturdy materials going into the finished product.
The fully updated, all-new TN panel is the true star here, though. The 24 inch, Full-Hd 1920 x 1080p might not be 4K, but that’s not the important stat here.
OK, So What Is?
Well, the refresh and response rate. And, with class-leading stats in both categories, the VG248QE is a tasty option. The refresh rate is a crazy 144Hz, and with a 1-millisecond pixel response time (yeah – 1 ms!), the gaming experience is nothing short of legendary.
Motion blur is completely removed, leaving a buttery smooth end result. Color accuracy is also up there with the best in class – red and blue perform solidly, with green slightly over-saturating but nowhere near the point of tinting.
In the standard DisplayMate 64-Step Grayscale test, almost every single shade of gray was reproduced, with a very small amount of fading at both the lighter and darker ends of the scale.
All of this combines to present the user with a top of the range gaming and viewing experience. While playing Forza Horizon 4, the total lack of lag and motion blur, even at the fastest sections of the game, made for an almost transformative gaming experience.
Pros And Cons Of ASUS VG248QE Gaming Monitor
Pros
- 144 Hz refresh rate.
- 1-millisecond response time.
- Great ergonomics.
- High color accuracy.
- VESA compatible.
Cons
- No USB ports.
- 3D gear needs to be purchased separately.
Looking For More Ways To Get The Most From Your Gaming?
If so, check out our Best Gaming Desks review and our Best Budget Gaming Chairs under 200 reviews.
ASUS VG248QE Gaming Monitor Review – The Wrap-up
So in the end, we think there is just one important question you should ask yourself.
Do You Prefer:
- A higher resolution option, or
- A better performing but lower resolution panel?
If like us, you went for the second option, then there is no better screen on the market for you right now. The ASUS VG248QE offers the best in class refresh rate and response time, and a great Full-HD panel with fantastic color accuracy. With the smoothest motion handling and reduced image smearing, there’s really not much more to ask for.
Okay. We have firmly established that the ASUS VG248QE gaming monitor is one of the best choices currently at your disposal, but we have missed one important detail…
Deals!
The deals available on this awesome screen have never been better! With the recent shift away from Full-HD to the preferred 4K, prices on 1080p screens have dropped considerably, so there has never been a better time to check this monitor out!
Happy gaming.
