MSI - MPG 491CQP QD-OLED

Update it was shit and going back. You were right. After having this 49 msi OLED, I couldn’t believe my eyes and how far monitors have come

I got the MSI 491CQP as my first OLED monitor for $749 at Sam's Club about a week ago

I’ve shared my feedback on other posts but will reiterate here given there aren’t many reviews or real world experience users out there to share. For context, I’ve spent the last couple of years on OLED, first the Alienware 3423dw, then the MSI mpg321urx and a Samsung G80sd. I’ve also tried (and returned) the MSI and Samsung 49 inch super ultra wides. I “downgraded” to the g75f 40 and it’s been a pleasant surprise for me. I like it way more than I thought I would and giving up perfect blacks was a lot easier to do. Part of that may be because I don’t play a lot of really dark games, but I think part of it is this monitor has really good contrast. Colors seem great and calibrating with my Calbrite went well. My use case is 80% productivity and 20% gaming, maybe 90/10 or 100/0 on really busy weeks. I can’t understate how much easier it is on my eyes after a 10 or 12 hour day of spreadsheets and legal memos. Not having to set low brightness to avoid burn in helps with that I’m sure. Not having to hide taskbars, keep a bland black background are pluses for general usability/ enjoyment. The 5k2k and 40 inch form factor feels best for productivity, and while the Dell or LG IPS monitors have more productivity features, most of their convenience is covered by my work issued thunderbolt dock. Viewing angles aren’t nearly as good comparing to OLED but in practical use I’ve not had any issues. On occasion at the farthest edge of the screen I can see slight brightness / gamma shift. But otherwise, I sit in front of my monitor and haven’t found it problematic. Overall, seems to strike the right balance of productivity, gaming, and peace of mind for my admittedly very fringe use case/needs. At $676 all in with Samsung EPP through my work, I feel like I get good value out of it. Not worth it at retail or really anything above $850 in my opinion. I know the “OLED or die” crowd will pan it as poor value and for the gaming enthusiasts/ priority buyer, I’m sure it is bad value. But if you fall in a similar use case as me, I’d recommend giving it a shot if you get it on sale, you might be surprised. Worst thing that can happen is you don’t like it and return it.

I got the same one man enjoy! Mine running off of a 9070xt nitro!

Have the same monitor. Its great.

I just bought that MSI refurbished for $650 so if it's really only a few months old for $500 that is a great deal. I'm loving it so I would highly recommend over the Samsung.

I was looking at the Samsungs but read about too many issues and could not find one for the right price anyway. I ended up buying an MSI 491CQP and love it so far. They also have a 240hz model but this one at 144hz was fine for me.

I purchased that MSI about a month ago and love it. There is a newer 240hz version as well but I don't have a 5090 so I'm not worried about it. It is the same panel as the Samsungs (all the 49" OLEDs are) but has more features like the USBC power delivery and KVM. It also has a 3 year burn in warranty.

I was looking at the Samsungs but someone posted this and I jumped on it at the price. So far I'm enjoying it a lot and OLED is a huge upgrade.

I have the MSI model you listed and love it so far. Using it for work and gaming. The burn-in is far less of an issue on the newer panels as they have multiple protections and the MSI also has a 3 year burn in warranty. As long as you are ok making a few adjustments (I made made my taskbar transparent and set it to sleep after 5 minutes ) then you will be fine. There are YouTube videos where they have done long term tests using worst case settings and had minimal burn in.

All the 49" OLED are using the same Samsung panels so it really come down to features and warranty. I was looking at a Samsung but ended up buying the MSi since it has USB-C power delivery, a built in KVM and a 3 year burn in warranty. It's also usually cheaper and does not seem to have the QC issues that a lot of people are reporting on the Samsungs.

Clarity on just about all the 49" OLED will be the same as they are all using the same Samsung panel. I have not had issue on my MSI. I use it for work every day.

MPG 491CQP

I have worked from home on my 491CQP and it has worked well for me but I also use it for gaming a fair bit as well. No burn in issue but an OLED is also not going to benefit much for productivity.

No, I totally agree that burn in is overrated and not an issue. I work on mine almost every day and have had no issue. What im saying is a lot of productivity work won't really benefit from an OLED over a less expensive panel.

True, even just the totally black windows are nice and it's amazing that I can't see any backlight bleeding in the dark. I love the OLED and it has made me not want to use any other monitors now.

You don't need the X for Gsync, I have the 144hz model and I can enable it.

I don't know what OLED you had previously but I had the same issues on a first gen Alienware OLED and also ended up not keeping it. I now have the MSI 49" OLED and have no text issues. All of the 49" OLEDs are Samsung Gen2 with the subpixel updates so they should be similar. I have also worked on this monitor for about a year with no burn in issues. Not trying to change you mind but it may be worth looking at one.

I'm not sure if you are trying to avoid OLED but check out the MSI 491CQP or the 491CQPX. Both have power delivery and KVM. I work on mine and have had no issues with burn in.

I have loved my MSI 491CQP. It's an Samsung panel (all of the 49" OLEDs are) so it will be similar to the G9 but with more features like USB-C power delivery and KVM as well as a better burn in warranty. If you want 240hz there is the 491CQPX but 144hz has been fine for me. No burn in issues after a year and no complaints so far.

Pretty much every 49" other than the Samsung will not have the smart features. My MSI 49" does not.

The big ones hurt

I would not get a 49 again, it is cool sometimes but it is annoying more often than it’s cool

MSI 49” QD-OLED. $799 at sam’s club right now.

https://preview.redd.it/me3fs4cdfdpf1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9830692ef8ef356224607895ed672d469fc3268e this is pretty much the same thing just MSI 49” OLED

Yeah, that was the deciding factor for me. I went into best buy to see it in person and that 49" was just way too short imo.

MSI MPG491CQP range is amazing!