WinRAR themed merch is a hilarious nod to the app's unlimited free trial - Related to best, 4060-loaded, hilarious, laptop, $640

Best USB-C monitors 2025: These displays have a hidden talent

USB-C is the one connection to rule them all. Its popularity has made USB-C a common sight on new monitors. A USB-C monitor can act as USB hub, giving you additional ports for connecting various USB devices, but the monitor’s USB-C port can also serve as a video-input alternative to HDMI or DisplayPort; and some USB-C monitors can even charge a connected device while in use.

The details of USB-C can be confusing, however, and pricing for USB-C monitors is often higher than that for monitors that lack the interface. See our buyers’ guide below our recommendations to superior understand the nuances.

Dell Ultrasharp U2724DE – Best USB-C monitor overall Pros Attractive and functional design.

Class-leading Thunderbolt and USB connectivity.

120Hz refresh rate Cons Most competitors offer 4K resolution.

Adaptive Sync has some caveats Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $395 View Deal B & H Photo $[website] View Deal Product Price The Dell U2724DE Ultrasharp has exceptional connectivity that caters to a mix of office productivity, gaming, and multimedia use. It supports Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, USB-A, Ethernet, and video-out. It also provides up to 90 watts of Power Delivery over USB-C for charging a connected laptop or tablet. Dell employs a new type of display panel called IPS Black, which achieves a better contrast than past IPS panels. It enhances the monitor’s depth and immersion which, though not able to conquer OLED or Mini-LED, is better than average for its category. The monitor scores high marks in color accuracy and offers a wide, vibrant color gamut. The most surprising feature is the monitor’s 120Hz refresh rate. Boosting the refresh rate improves motion clarity and fluidity in 3D games. It also makes the Windows desktop feel more responsive. Very few competing USB-C monitors have a 120Hz (or better) refresh rate, and those that do lack the U2724DE’s range of connectivity. Dell makes a couple sacrifices to achieve a refresh rate of 120Hz. It sticks to a modest display resolution of 2560×1440 instead of 4K (3840×2160). HDR is missing, too. Those willing to sacrifice the 120Hz refresh rate for 4K resolution and HDR should consider the U2724DE’s predecessor, the U2723QE. Dell’s U2724DE carries a reasonable MSRP of $[website] which, though not inexpensive, is good value for the monitor’s many features. It’s a great USB-C monitor for work and play. Read our full Dell U2724DE review BenQ GW2786TC – Best budget USB-C monitor Pros Attractive design and ergonomic stand.

Great connectivity including USB-C with Power Delivery.

Includes ambient light sensor, microphone.

Good contrast ratio for the price Cons Only 1080p resolution.

Lacks Adaptive Sync Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $[website] View Deal Product Price The BenQ GW2786TC is one of the best USB-C monitors you can buy for under $200. It offers a 27-inch IPS display with 1080p resolution, a 100Hz refresh rate, and an ergonomic stand with height, tilt, and swivel adjustments. While it’s not the sharpest monitor at this size, it delivers good contrast and a smooth viewing experience for everyday work. It has USB-C with 65W Power Delivery, allowing a single-cable connection for video, power, and data. It also includes DisplayPort-out for daisy-chaining a second monitor, a rare perk in this price range. Built-in speakers, a noise-canceling microphone, and an ambient light sensor add extra convenience for home office use. BenQ markets this monitor as a companion for MacBooks like the MacBook Air, but don’t let that fool you: It works just as well with Windows PCs, Chromebooks, and Linux laptops. The BenQ GW2786TC’s biggest flaw is its lack of adaptive sync, which means gameplay won’t appear as smooth as on some price-competitive alternatives. That aside, the BenQ GW2786TC’s numerous aspects and low price make it one of the best budget-friendly USB-C monitors available. Read our full BenQ GW2786TC review Viewsonic ColorPro VP16 OLED – Best portable USB-C monitor Pros Versatile, useful stands.

Numerous image quality customization options.

Top-tier image quality even at default settings Cons Speakers are included, but weak.

No HDR Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $[website] View Deal Product Price The Viewsonic VP16-OLED is a remarkable portable OLED monitor that brings together top-notch image quality, USB-C connectivity, and an innovative stand design. The monitor’s [website] 1080p OLED panel delivers exceptional color accuracy, gamut, and contrast. It surpasses many full-sized OLED monitors and nearly all portable monitors. This makes it a great choice for productivity, though it also looks excellent when viewing movies or playing games. The VP16-OLED’s stand can be used as a kickstand or expanded to hold the monitor upright, making it ideal for professionals who want to maximize their workspace or need improved ergonomics. The stand includes two USB-C ports, both of which can provide power and video input to the monitor, and a micro-HDMI port for compatibility with non-USB-C devices. The monitor includes all the necessary cables as well as a USB-C power brick. There is a drawback: the cost. The Viewsonic VP16-OLED’s MSRP of $[website] is expensive for a portable monitor. However, if you place a high value on image quality and want the best monitor for your portable office, the Viewsonic VP16-OLED is an excellent choice. Read our full Viewsonic ColorPro VP16-OLED review LG DualUp 28MQ780-B – Best USB-C monitor for productivity Pros Unique aspect ratio is useful for photo, video editing.

Vivid, accurate color Cons Difficult to fit in a small home office.

USB-C port offers limited downstream connectivity.

Can lack immersion in some content Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $[website] View Deal LG $[website] View Deal Product Price The LG DualUp 28MQ780-B is a USB-C monitor with a unique 16:18 aspect ratio that’s almost exactly square. It can rotate into a 18:16 aspect ratio if you’d prefer. The monitor is much taller than most monitors and, as a result, has an adjustable stand that clamps to the rear of your desk instead of a normal desktop stand. The monitor’s odd form factor is ideal for viewing large, complex documents and can be useful for editing portrait or square photos. It’s also well suited for use as a second monitor alongside a large 32-inch display. The DualUp 28MQ780-B has a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and 90 watts of Power Delivery, so it can charge a connected laptop or tablet. The USB-C port can extend connectivity to two additional USB-A ports. Unfortunately, the monitor lacks ethernet or video-out, so some owners may need an additional adapter. What about image quality? It’s great. The monitor has great color accuracy, a wide color gamut, and respectable sharpness thanks to its resolution of 2560×2880. Just be warned: The odd aspect ratio makes it a strange fit for gaming and movies. This is a monitor built for work, not play. Read our full LG DualUp 28MQ780-B review Philips Evnia 8000 – Best super-ultrawide USB-C monitor Pros Excellent SDR image quality.

Beautiful design Cons Ergonomic stand is deep, wide, and requires assembly.

Default color temperature, gamut slightly off target.

HDR performance could be better Best Prices Today: Retailer Price B & H Photo $[website] View Deal Product Price The Philips Evnia 8000 takes the crown as the ultimate big-screen, super-ultrawide monitor. This 49-inch QD-OLED monitor combines top-notch design and extensive connectivity with impressive image quality. Philips nails the design with the Evnia 8000. The sleek white-and-silver aesthetic and geometric rear panel stand out in any setup. Although the ergonomic stand requires more desk space than some might prefer, it offers height, tilt, and swivel adjustments. The enjoyable 30-watt speaker system delivers clear, loud audio, and the ultra-bright Ambiglow lighting system provides customizable RGB LED backlighting. Connectivity is a perk. It features multiple HDMI [website] ports, DisplayPort [website], and a USB-C port with 90W Power Delivery, catering to a wide range of devices from gaming PCs to work laptops. The monitor also includes a USB hub with four USB-A ports and an additional USB-C port, making it easy to connect peripherals like keyboards, mice, and webcams. Image quality doesn’t disappoint. The display has 5120×1440 resolution and a 240Hz refresh rate for vibrant visuals and smooth, responsive motion. The monitor also excels in contrast and color accuracy. The Philips Evnia 8000 is priced at an intimidating $1,350, but it’s not a bad value for what it offers. Its size, connectivity, and image quality make for an impressive yet versatile display. Read our full Philips Evnia 8000 review.

HP Omen Transcend 32: It’ss pricey even for a 32-inch 4K OLED monitor, but makes up for that with great USB-C connectivity and top-tier SDR image quality.

Acer Predator X32 X3: The Acer Predator X32 X3 is a more affordable 4K OLED monitor that packs a nice bonus: USB-C with 90 watts of Power Delivery.

Asus ProArt Display 5KT: A great 5K monitor that delivers sharp-sharp 5K resolution, professional-grade color performance, and outstanding value, as well as USB-C with 96 watts of power delivery and the connectivity options of a well-rounded hub.

Acer Predator X34: It’s another in a spate of OLED monitors with a 240Hz refresh rate, but with the added distinction of boasting a curved screen for immersive gameplay. Of course, it also aspects USB-C with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and 90 watts of USB Power Delivery and a collection of USB-A and -C ports for connecting peripherals.

Alienware AW2725QF: While it doesn’t feature USB-C among its three video imputs, it can act as a USB hub, with its upstream USB-B [website] port and four downstream ports: three USB-A ports plus one USB-C port.

Gigabyte Aorus F032U2 and Gigabyte Auros FO27Q3: Both of these QD-OLED panels show their gaming chops with high refresh rates and Adaptive Sync support, as well as four video inputs apiece including USB-C, and they also each toss in a couple downstream USB-A ports to power peripherals.

Many attributes desirable in a USB-C monitor are the same as on any other display. A sharp, vivid, bright, and contrast-rich screen is best. However, shoppers who want to buy a USB-C monitor should keep an eye on details only relevant to USB-C.

Remember, too, that a USB-C display can be used in two contexts. First, you can connect your USB-C monitor to a desktop PC or laptop via a USB-C cable, and use it like a traditional USB-C hub via the USB-C cable’s 20Gbps interface. That’s pretty straightforward.

Second, you can also use the USB-C cable as a replacement for a display cable like HDMI or DisplayPort, especially for newer laptops that might eliminate an HDMI or DisplayPort port.

Further reading: For even more monitor recommendations, check out our roundups of the best monitors and the best monitors for a home office.

It’s here that USB-C monitors can get tricky. The traditional rule of thumb is that a USB-C port can support a 4K display at 30Hz resolution. DisplayPort Alternate Mode (see below) increases that to 4K60, which is much easier on the eyes. Newer laptops use DisplayPort [website], which combines a high-bit-rate mode (HBR3) with a DSC compression mode that should allow for 4K60 video alongside the ability to use USB [website] storage devices.

Be aware, however, that the USB-C cable’s 20Gbps throughput may not allow for video to be passed to premium displays like the NZXT Canvas S27Q at its full 1440p, 165Hz refresh rate. Those specifications probably assume that you’re using a dedicated video port like DisplayPort, instead, as well as its separate video cable. You can certainly connect the display to your laptop using both a video cable and the USB-C cable simultaneously, however.

If your laptop uses either Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 — all of which use a 40Gbps data connection and a USB-C port on your laptop — you should probably have no issues connecting your laptop to the monitor at the full refresh rate using a Thunderbolt cable. Just consult your laptop’s specifications and/or manual to make sure.

USB-C Power Delivery provides power over a USB-C cable. It’s not part of the core USB-C specification, so devices with USB-C (including monitors) don’t always support it. Power Delivery can pack up to 240 watts, but most USB-C monitors provide just 65 to 90 watts. It’s a perfect fit for those who own a thin-and-light laptop, 2-in-1, or tablet.

Power Delivery is inadequate for some devices, such as gaming laptops, which consume more power than current USB-C monitors can provide. These laptops may still charge when left at idle but will charge slowly (or even discharge the battery) when in use.

Wired ethernet is a desirable feature in a USB-C monitor. Many modern laptops lack a physical Ethernet port, so its inclusion on a monitor is convenient. It can improve the speed and reliability of a connected device’s internet connection.

While useful, this is an expensive feature available only on premium models. The Dell U3223QE is the only USB-C monitor on this list with ethernet support.

DisplayPort Alternate Mode is a feature available to USB-C that handles video as if the USB-C cable was a DisplayPort cable. It supports all the functions you’d expect from DisplayPort including high refresh rates and adaptive sync.

A monitor without this feature won’t accept video over USB-C, meaning you’ll have to connect both USB-C and a separate video input. All the monitors on this list support DisplayPort Alternate Mode.

PC World’s monitor guides are the result of independent tests by PC World staff members and freelance technology journalists.

We test each monitor with a Datacolor Spyder X2 Ultra color calibration tool. This tool can measure a monitor’s brightness, contrast, color gamut, color accuracy, uniformity, gamma, color temperature, and other crucial aspects of display quality. Using a tool that measures objective quality helps us objectively compare dozens of monitors.

Our tests of USB-C monitors also consider the range of USB-C connectivity and capabilities available. We prefer to see a USB-C monitor with a complete range of physical connectivity including ethernet and at least 90 watts of Power Delivery, but these desirable capabilities are balanced against the monitor’s price.

Learn more in our article “How we test monitors at PCWorld.”.

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Get Acer’s RTX 4060-loaded gaming laptop for $640

Old Faithful is going off again. Acer’s Nitro V is consistently one of the best-selling gaming laptops out there, because it offers some solid specs that can often be found well below the $1,000 mark. Today you can get it with a 13th-gen Core i7 processor, an RTX 4060 graphics card, and 16GB of RAM for just $[website] on eBay.

That’s a pretty fantastic price for a mid-range gaming laptop, even if it is a refurbished model. (It comes with a two-year warranty from Allstate.) Other highlights include a 512GB SSD, a [website] screen with a zippy 144Hz refresh rate, and a backlit keyboard. Those specs should be more than enough to play the latest games, though graphically intense titles (like the recent Indiana Jones and the Great Circle) might need some lower graphics settings.

The Nitro V makes a pretty decent media or school machine on a budget too, thanks to a generous selection ports. On the left side you get USB-C, double USB-A, plus full-sized Ethernet and HDMI. On the right is a single USB-A port and headphone jack. It’s a bit of a pluggable at [website] pounds ([website] kilograms), and don’t expect that 57 watt-hour battery to last long with those high-powered parts.

Acer’s official store on eBay is selling the laptop for $800 refurbished, but eBay’s 20 percent off coupon (PREZ20) brings it down to $[website] That coupon is good until February 17th. But if you’re not quite ready to buy, don’t worry, this laptop goes on sale at similar prices constantly.

Get an Acer RTX 4060 gaming laptop for $640.

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WinRAR themed merch is a hilarious nod to the app's unlimited free trial

What just happened? Rarlab, the organization behind the famed WinRAR file compression software, has teamed up with French clothing brand Tern to release a WinRAR-themed bag designed to resemble the app's iconic logo, which depicts three stacked books in magenta, green, and blue.

The WinRAR X account introduced the new merch with a hilarious post that acknowledged how most people never pay to use the software despite it being a product costing $29 per license. "What improved way to support the software you've NEVER paid for than by buying a WinRAR bag?" the post asks.

WinRAR offers a 40-day free trial before becoming paid software, but the developers do not strictly enforce the limited trial period, allowing people to access it indefinitely without paying. The unpaid version of WinRAR offers full functionality and unrestricted access even after the end of the trial period, so most people simply close the pop-up nag at every startup and take advantage of what is effectively an unlimited trial period.

What superior way to support the software you've NEVER paid for than by buying a WinRAR bag? Do it! We dare y'all! [website] – WinRAR (@WinRAR_RARLAB) February 8, 2025.

The WinRAR-themed bag is made of vegan leather and has an adjustable clip-on strap that allows it to be slung across the shoulder. It has a single, rigid compartment, like a loot box, and uses a magnetic closure system. It measures [website] x 14cm x 7cm, and is priced at €115 (around $119). The corporation plans to start shipping in April.

To showcase the spaciousness of the new bag, the team at Tern shoved as many as 805 Yu-Gi-Oh single-sleeved cards inside, and Rarlab has since confirmed that it can accommodate three cans of Diet Coke. It doesn't offer much space if storage capacity is your primary concern, but it's certainly good enough to hold the essentials, like your phone, keys, and maybe even a purse or wallet.

The quirky new bag is not the first piece of licensed WinRAR merch to be sold on the official Tern website. The two companies have an existing partnership to market a series of WinRAR-themed clothing and accessories, including jackets, hoodies, pants, t-shirts, and caps. Prices start at €48 (around $50) for the graphic tees and go up to a cool €225 (around $233) for the varsity jacket.

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