Alienware 25 320Hz Gaming Monitor Review - Speed For Those With The Need
We are at an interesting point in time when it comes to gaming monitors, and it has been fascinating to see which direction each of the major players has been going with regard to their tech investments. For example, Samsung has been going all in on the ultrawide format, while LG has been putting out some banging all-rounders that suit as many people as possible. But when it comes to Alienware, they have been doing what they have done for decades now, and that is to focus on gamers. I recently reviewed the Alienware 27″ QD-OLED monitor and found it to be one of the best monitors I have ever used, so when I was offered the chance to check out their newest monitor, I leapt at the opportunity.
Enter the Alienware 25 320Hz Gaming Monitor. A 25-inch G-sync and Freesync-certified monitor with a 320Hz refresh rate and 0.5ms response time. If that means nothing to you, don’t fret; it means nothing to most people. But if you find yourself getting excited by those numbers, then you are probably exactly who this monitor is designed for. This monitor lacks some of the bells and whistles of the previous Alienware beast I reviewed, but it has a crowd in mind, and it is going after that crowd with gusto.
This is a monitor that is chasing the esport crowd, the competitive gamers and those who have the need for frame-by-frame perfection and in this arena, the Alienware 25 320Hz Gaming Monitor Review excels. In motion, this monitor is right up there with the best-in-class, if not the best. High-speed, fast-action on-screen movements are as smooth as Barry White’s greatest hits, with no issues to be found. I tested it on a range of games, through a range of systems, and everything looked crisp with no motion-related issues to be found. Being 320Hz, getting the best out of the monitor is hardware-dependent, but even consoles looked great running on this speedy monitor.
The controls on the monitor are once again using the one multi-directional button on the base of the monitor. A system that is great for reducing monitor clutter, but can be a bit fiddly in practice for those of us with fat fingers. I always find it a little too easy to bump the wrong setting or accidentally back out of where I want to be. This is a personal thing, and someone with more dexterity than my gigantic mitts can muster will probably have no issue at all. The software that is installed on your PC, however, has no issues at all. Easy to use and update, simple UI and no unnecessary complications. The monitor itself is nice and sturdy, with a small desk footprint and great cable management. It also comes with all the connectors one could need, barring a 3.5mm audio connection, something to take into account if you plan on using this with a console as well as a PC.
There are a couple of things I didn’t like about the monitor, though I suspect that these are more of a result of my not being the target market more than anything. There is no doubt it isn’t as good-looking a monitor as the QD-OLED. This is not in that class. Considering the price point difference, this makes total sense, but after using a quite high-end monitor for some time now, using the Alienware 25 320Hz felt like a little bit of a step back. Also, being a 1080p monitor adds to that feeling. Once again, I stress, this is a much more reasonably priced monitor when compared to what I am used to, so that absolutely has to be taken into account.
I also feel like the 25-inch size will put a lot of people off. In this day and age, that feels a little on the small side. It has its perks, like the previously mentioned portability, but for an everyday monitor, I think it will be a shade too small for most people, especially if the monitor needs to be used for more than just gaming. This choice of size really tells me that Alienware have fully committed to a specific crowd for this monitor, and while that crowd will find exactly what they need, everyone else may be better off with a different option.
The Alienware 25 320Hz Gaming Monitor is, without doubt, a well-built, well-designed monitor that is aiming at a very specific crowd. If you are an esports or competitive gamer, especially one who needs to lug their own gear around to meet-ups and events, this monitor is going to suit your needs perfectly. As for everyone else, I think there are more suitable options out there for you within the same price range. But there is nothing wrong with that. Alienware have nailed the brief for their target audience and I admire them for that. Horses for courses is a philosophy I strongly agree with and it leds to better devices than something that is trying to be everything for everyone.
