What is the LG 29EA93?
To say the LG 29EA93 is a 29-inch monitor is a little misleading. It measures 29 inches diagonally, but what makes the 29EA93 interesting is this isn’t a standard 16:9/16:10 aspect monitor, but an ‘UltraWide’ 21:9 aspect monitor with an unusual 2,560 x 1,080 resolution. It promises to make films and games more immersive, and improve your productivity, too. But does it?
LG 29EA93: Design and Features
Superficially, the LG 29EA93 is an attractive monitor. Setting aside its odd, slightly squat appearance, the slim, black bezel and curvaceous white plastic rear make the LG 29EA93 look like it earns its sizable £375 price tag. The 'hollow circle' stand looks good, too, and gives you somewhere to put your keys.
LG hasn’t skimped on the connections, either. There are two HDMI ports (one MHL compliant), DisplayPort, PC audio in and out and DVI. There's also two USB ports at the rear that, though not easily accessible, should prove useful for accessories.
Like most monitors, the LG 29EA93 is wall/monitor arm mountable, too. Monitor arms won’t pose any problems, but the slight bulge and the rear-ward facing connections mean it’s not the best option for wall mounting.
The more serious problem, however, is there's no height adjustment. This isn't a problem on many monitors where the natural height is comfortable, but the LG 29EA93's natural height is far too low for most desks.
LG does sell a 29-inch monitor with height adjustment, but it costs over £400. Philips's 21:9 monitor, however, includes height adjustment at more or less the same price as the LG 29EA93, and it uses the exact same LG-manufactured LCD panel.
The LG 29EA93 does have one interesting trick up its sleeve, however, a feature LG calls Dual Link-Up. This lets you connect two separate devices and show both side-by-side at the same time. It's a neat, if non-essential, feature, albeit one that requires one of the devices to connect via DisplayPort.
Another software feature is a useful Screen Split software utility. As the name suggests, it lets you automatically split/arrange windows in a number of different and useful ways. It makes getting the most of the 21:9 aspect a lot easier, though it would be nice if you could switch using keyboard shortcuts rather than right-clicking on the taskbar icon.
LG 29EA93 - Setup
We don't often need to complain about setting up monitors, but the LG 29EA93 is the exception. It's not a deal-breaker, but the stand requires two separate (and rather small) screws that are fiddly to access. You have to hold the monitor in place as you screw them in, too, which is an awkward balancing act.
But the LG 29EA93 redeems itself with its setup menus. They're plentiful and easy to navigate, with RGB controls, three different gamma levels and plenty else besides for you to tweak. They're easiest monitor controls we've used in recent memory.
