For years, my secondary monitor was an afterthought. It was a relic from a previous desktop build, a 22-inch panel with chunky bezels and a washed-out screen that I told myself was “good enough” for displaying Slack messages and reference documents. But slowly, I realized the hidden toll it was taking. My eyes felt strained by the end of the day, colors looked drab and inconsistent next to my main display, and even simple tasks like scrolling through a long document felt sluggish and jarring. It was a constant, low-level source of friction in my workflow. This experience is far from unique; many of us settle for the monitor that came with a PC bundle years ago, not realizing how much a modern, thoughtfully designed display can elevate our daily computing, from productivity to entertainment.
- 【100Hz Refresh Rate】Enjoy smooth and fluid visuals with our monitor's lightning-fast 100Hz refresh rate, reducing lag and motion blur for a more immersive viewing experience
- 【Professional 99% sRGB Color Gamut】Experience vivid and lifelike colors with our monitor's 99% sRGB color gamut, ensuring that images and videos are displayed with accurate and true-to-life...
- 【Versatil Connectivity with Easy Switch】Featuring an Input Hotkey for seamless device switching between work and play with a single click Connect to more. With HDMI * 2 and DisplayPort, you can...
Beyond the Pixels: What to Look for in a Modern Desktop Monitor
A monitor is more than just an item on your desk; it’s the primary window to your digital world. It’s a key solution for enhancing productivity, reducing eye strain, and creating a more immersive entertainment experience. The right monitor can make code more readable, spreadsheets less intimidating, and games more fluid. It transforms a functional setup into a comfortable and efficient workspace. The benefits of a quality display compound over the thousands of hours we spend in front of our screens, making it one of the most impactful upgrades you can make to your computer setup.
The ideal customer for a product like the BenQ GW2490 24″ 100Hz IPS Computer Monitor is someone who needs a versatile, high-value display for a home office, a student dorm, or a multi-monitor setup. This includes programmers, writers, administrative professionals, and casual gamers who want a noticeable upgrade from the standard 60Hz or 75Hz without breaking the bank. However, it might not be the best fit for hardcore competitive gamers who demand 240Hz+ refresh rates and near-instantaneous response times, or professional graphic designers and video editors who require wider color gamuts like Adobe RGB or DCI-P3 coverage. For those users, higher-end, specialized monitors would be a more suitable investment.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: A 24-inch monitor is the sweet spot for 1080p resolution, offering sharp text without needing scaling. Consider your desk depth and whether you plan to use the included stand or a VESA arm. A key advantage of this model is its standard 100x100mm VESA pattern, which provides excellent mounting flexibility for single or dual-arm setups, freeing up valuable desk space.
- Capacity/Performance: Look beyond just resolution. The refresh rate (measured in Hz) determines how smoothly motion appears. A 100Hz rate, like this BenQ offers, is a significant step up from the 60Hz standard, making everything from mouse movement to gaming feel more fluid. Panel type is also critical; an IPS (In-Plane Switching) panel delivers superior color accuracy and wider viewing angles compared to older TN or VA panels.
- Materials & Durability: While many budget monitors use glossy, fingerprint-prone plastics, a quality build emphasizes a sturdy stand and a matte screen finish to reduce glare. Pay attention to design elements like thin bezels, which are crucial for creating a seamless, modern look in multi-monitor configurations. A thoughtful design also includes an internal power supply, eliminating the clumsy external power brick that clutters so many setups.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A good monitor should be simple to set up and adjust. Look for tool-free assembly and intuitive on-screen display (OSD) controls. For long-term care, features like BenQ’s Eye-Care technology, including automatic brightness adjustment and low blue light modes, not only protect your vision but also provide a more comfortable viewing experience day in and day out, requiring less manual fiddling with settings.
Keeping these factors in mind, the BenQ GW2490 24″ 100Hz IPS Computer Monitor stands out in several areas, particularly in its fusion of performance and user-centric features. You can explore its detailed specifications here.
While the BenQ GW2490 24″ 100Hz IPS Computer Monitor is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, especially if you’re considering a more immersive setup, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- CURVED FOR ENHANCED ENGAGEMENT: An immersive viewing experience with a curved monitor that wraps more closely around your field of vision; It creates a wider view, enhancing depth perception and...
- An improved viewing experience: Experience a high 100Hz refresh rate across your work with a TÜV Rheinland 3-star* certified viewing experience coupled with ComfortView Plus.
- REACT IN REAL TIME: 180Hz refresh rate eliminates lag for exhilarating gameplay with ultrasmooth action; 1ms response time (MPRT) provides frames with minimal blur, allowing you to jump on enemies...
Unboxing and First Look: Clean Lines and Thoughtful Design
Pulling the BenQ GW2490 24″ 100Hz IPS Computer Monitor from its admittedly generic, eco-friendly packaging, my first impression was one of understated quality. As one user noted, the box isn’t thrilling, but what’s inside certainly is. The assembly process was a welcome surprise: entirely tool-free. The stand clicks securely into the base, and the entire assembly then slots firmly into the back of the monitor. From sealed box to a fully assembled display on my desk took less than five minutes. What immediately stood out was what was missing—a clunky external power brick. The GW2490 uses a standard power cord that plugs directly into the monitor, a design choice that significantly cleans up cable management and is a huge plus in this price category. The monitor itself feels solid and well-constructed. The thin bezels on three sides give it a modern aesthetic that makes it look fantastic in a dual-monitor setup, a sentiment echoed by many users who purchased two for their workspace. It feels more expensive than it is, a testament to BenQ’s focus on practical, high-impact design features.
What We Like
- Smooth 100Hz refresh rate provides fluid visuals for work and casual gaming.
- Comprehensive Eye-Care technologies genuinely reduce eye strain.
- Excellent connectivity with 2x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort, and an internal power supply.
- Vibrant IPS panel with 99% sRGB coverage offers great color accuracy for the price.
What We Didn’t Like
- Built-in speakers are weak and only suitable for basic system sounds.
- The stand is limited to tilt-only adjustment, lacking height or swivel.
A Detailed Breakdown of the BenQ GW2490’s Real-World Performance
A monitor’s true worth is revealed not by its spec sheet, but by how it performs day-to-day. After extensive testing with a mix of productivity tasks, media consumption, and casual gaming, we can confidently say the BenQ GW2490 24″ 100Hz IPS Computer Monitor is a remarkable performer that consistently punches above its weight class. It’s a device that doesn’t just show you an image; it actively works to make that viewing experience more comfortable, fluid, and vibrant.
Visual Fidelity: An IPS Panel That Delivers Clarity and Color
The centerpiece of any monitor is its panel, and the 23.8-inch IPS display on the GW2490 is exceptional for its category. The Full HD (1920×1080) resolution is perfectly suited for this screen size, resulting in a pixel density that keeps text sharp and images detailed without requiring any operating system scaling. From the moment we powered it on, we were impressed by the color reproduction. With 99% sRGB gamut coverage, the colors are vibrant and true-to-life, avoiding the oversaturation found on some budget displays and the washed-out look of older TN panels. This was immediately noticeable when editing photos for this review; skin tones looked natural and landscapes were rich and detailed.
The IPS technology provides fantastic 178-degree viewing angles, meaning the colors and contrast remain consistent even when viewing the screen from the side—a critical feature for collaboration or when using it as a secondary monitor angled towards you. We found the matte screen finish does an excellent job of diffusing reflections from overhead lights and windows, a major plus for office environments. While some users noted that the black levels could be deeper and that minor backlight bleed is possible (a common trait of IPS panels in this price range), we found it was only noticeable on a completely black screen in a dark room and was a non-issue during regular use. For everyday tasks, from watching Netflix to browsing the web, the image quality is crisp, clean, and thoroughly enjoyable. As one user aptly put it, the image is “crisp and sharp,” making it look gorgeous even when placed next to a more expensive display.
More Than Just a Number: The 100Hz Refresh Rate in Action
Perhaps the most significant upgrade for anyone coming from a standard 60Hz or 75Hz monitor is the 100Hz refresh rate. This isn’t a feature reserved for gamers; its benefits are immediately apparent in every interaction with your computer. Scrolling through websites and long documents is visibly smoother, with less stutter and blur. Dragging windows across the desktop feels more responsive and fluid. It’s a quality-of-life improvement that, once experienced, is hard to go back from. This enhanced smoothness contributes to a less fatiguing user experience over a long workday.
For casual gaming, 100Hz is a fantastic sweet spot. In titles like Valheim and Skyrim, the higher refresh rate provided a much more immersive and responsive feel compared to a 60Hz panel. Coupled with AMD FreeSync technology, which synchronizes the monitor’s refresh rate with the GPU’s frame output, we experienced tear-free and smooth gameplay. While competitive esports players will still gravitate towards 144Hz or 240Hz monitors for that fractional-second advantage, the BenQ GW2490 24″ 100Hz IPS Computer Monitor is more than capable for a huge library of games and is a perfect match for consoles that can output up to 120Hz (the monitor will run at 100Hz). It delivers a premium, fluid experience without the premium price tag, a point many users made when they noted that “games look amazing on it.”
BenQ’s Secret Sauce: A Deep Dive into Eye-Care Technology
Where BenQ truly distinguishes itself from the competition is its comprehensive suite of Eye-Care technologies. This isn’t just a marketing gimmick; these are tangible features that make a real difference during long hours of use. The star of the show is the Brightness Intelligence Gen2 (B.I. Gen2). A small sensor discreetly housed in the bottom bezel measures your ambient room lighting and on-screen content, automatically and subtly adjusting the display’s brightness and color temperature for the optimal viewing experience. We tested this by working from a sunlit room in the afternoon into a dimly lit evening, and as one user with sensitive eyes praised, “I can play with overhead lights and then completely in the dark and I never have to change the brightness.” The transition is so gradual you don’t notice it, but the result is a screen that is never searingly bright or too dim, significantly reducing eye strain.
Beyond the automatic brightness, the monitor includes Low Blue Light Plus technology. Unlike older low blue light modes that cast a heavy, distracting yellow tint over the entire screen, this advanced version filters out only the most harmful high-energy blue-violet light while maintaining color accuracy. The result is protected eyes without a compromised visual experience. Rounding out the suite is Flicker-Free technology, which eliminates the invisible screen flickering that is a major cause of eye fatigue and headaches. For those who spend their days staring at text, the specialized modes are a revelation. Coding Mode enhances the color and contrast of text against dark backgrounds, making syntax pop. The ePaper Mode simulates an e-reader with a monochrome, low-contrast display that is remarkably comfortable for long reading sessions. These thoughtful features transform the monitor from a simple display into a genuine productivity and wellness tool. For anyone whose job involves long hours at the computer, the value of these Eye-Care technologies cannot be overstated.
What Other Users Are Saying
Across the board, user feedback for the BenQ GW2490 24″ 100Hz IPS Computer Monitor is overwhelmingly positive, with most people citing its incredible value for money. Many buyers, like one who was upgrading from old Dell monitors, were initially drawn in by the price but were “so glad” they chose this model, praising its crisp, sharp image and modern design. A common theme is its excellence as a secondary or primary monitor in a multi-display setup. One reviewer noted, “It doesn’t look bad next to an expensive screen,” highlighting its thin bezels and quality IPS panel.
The ease of setup is another frequently mentioned benefit. One user stated, “It was very easy to setup and you do not need any tools to set this up.” The inclusion of an internal power supply and a full suite of ports (2 HDMI, 1 DisplayPort) is a practical advantage that many have pointed out as a differentiator from other budget options that often skimp on these features.
However, the feedback isn’t without criticism. The most common complaint is the quality of the built-in speakers, which are widely considered to be weak and tinny—sufficient for system notifications but not for media. There were also isolated reports of quality control issues. One user received a unit with loose cables causing the screen to go out, while another experienced a panel failure after 21 days. While these appear to be outliers given the volume of positive reviews, they are important to acknowledge as potential risks with any electronics purchase.
How the BenQ GW2490 Stacks Up Against the Competition
The monitor market is crowded, but the BenQ GW2490 24″ 100Hz IPS Computer Monitor carves out a compelling niche. To understand its place, it’s helpful to compare it against other popular options that serve different needs and budgets.
1. InnoView 15.6″ FHD Portable Monitor
The InnoView Portable Monitor serves a completely different purpose. It’s designed for mobility, providing a second screen for your laptop, tablet, or even game console while on the go. While it shares the 1080p resolution, its smaller 15.6-inch screen and focus on a lightweight, slim profile make it a companion device rather than a primary desktop display. If your work requires you to be mobile and you need extra screen real estate in different locations, the InnoView is the clear choice. However, for a stationary home office or gaming setup, the BenQ GW2490 offers a larger screen, a higher refresh rate, and superior eye-care features for greater comfort during long sessions.
2. ASUS VG34VQL1B 34 Inch WQHD 165Hz Curved Gaming Monitor
The ASUS TUF Gaming monitor represents a significant step up into the world of immersive, high-performance gaming. Its massive 34-inch ultrawide curved panel, higher WQHD resolution (3440×1440), and blazing-fast 165Hz refresh rate are aimed squarely at serious gamers who want a panoramic, cinematic experience. It offers superior motion clarity, more detailed visuals, and features like DisplayHDR 400. This performance comes at a much higher price point. The BenQ GW2490 is the pragmatic choice for budget-conscious users and productivity, while the ASUS is an enthusiast-grade gaming monitor for those who prioritize immersion and competitive performance above all else.
3. msi MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2 27-inch QHD Gaming Monitor
The MSI MAG monitor sits at the cutting edge of display technology. Its QD-OLED panel delivers perfect black levels, infinite contrast, and an almost instantaneous 0.03ms response time, making it a dream for competitive FPS players and HDR content enthusiasts. The 27-inch QHD (2560×1440) resolution and 240Hz refresh rate are specs built for top-tier performance. This is a premium product with a price tag to match. The choice here is clear: if you are a competitive gamer or a tech enthusiast who demands the absolute best in image quality and motion clarity and has the budget for it, the MSI QD-OLED is phenomenal. For everyone else, the BenQ GW2490 provides a well-rounded, comfortable, and highly capable experience for a fraction of the cost.
The Final Verdict: Is the BenQ GW2490 the Right Monitor For You?
After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion is clear: the BenQ GW2490 24″ 100Hz IPS Computer Monitor is a triumph of value and thoughtful engineering. It masterfully blends modern performance features like a fluid 100Hz refresh rate and a color-accurate IPS panel with a suite of genuinely useful Eye-Care technologies that other brands often neglect in this price range. It’s a monitor that feels designed for the way people actually work and play today—with multiple devices, for long hours, and with an expectation of quality without an exorbitant price tag.
We wholeheartedly recommend it to students, home office professionals, coders, and casual gamers looking for a significant upgrade that will enhance both their productivity and their comfort. While its speakers are forgettable and the stand lacks advanced ergonomics, these are minor trade-offs for a display that gets all the important things right. It is, without a doubt, one of the best all-around monitors you can buy in its class. If you’ve decided the BenQ GW2490 24″ 100Hz IPS Computer Monitor is the right fit, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API