John Chad, Bachelor Degree in Computer Science & Computer Engineering.
Russel Collins
When you’re shopping for new computer parts or components it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all of the different options available. There are so many brands out there that make computers, televisions, phones, one of the big ones that I’m sure most people know about is MSI… But what should you look at when buying your next TV or monitor? Which ones are worth considering? And which ones are just going to waste space in your home? Is MSI even a good brand? We’ll answer those questions and more in this article.
What is MSI?
The MSI group produces a range of consumer electronics including gaming accessories, laptops, phone cases, headphones, speakers, displays, and even smartwatches. They also own several companies under their umbrella, such as PULSAR, AORUS, TANGO Gaming Accessories, and BOLT Display Technology. You can see that MSI covers quite an extensive area of technology. This massive breadth means that each piece of equipment produced must be tested rigorously before being released into the wild.
But while MSI tries its best to ensure every product meets high standards, things aren’t always perfect. In fact, sometimes they fall short entirely. For example, back in 2004, it was sued because certain models of Monoprice monitors were found to have faulty screens. These monitors would cause burn-ins on images viewed over long periods of time, reducing the lifespan of the monitor significantly. Fortunately, they quickly responded to the lawsuit and offered replacements for anyone whose device had been damaged. However, despite this incident, the damage done was still significant. MSI eventually settled the case out of court, paying $2 million in damages.
Another issue came up in 2018, when reports emerged showing that some graphics cards manufactured by them could potentially fry your system. Users reported overheating issues after running games using graphically intensive titles. While they did release updates to address the issue, the situation wasn’t resolved completely until October 2019, when it was announced they’d replace any defective units sold between January 1st, 2017, and July 31st, 2018.
These incidents show that MSI isn’t infallible. Sometimes, they don’t live up to expectations. That doesn’t mean they never succeed though! On the contrary, it continues to produce solid hardware year after year. Many people around the globe love their various MSI products, including their popular monitors.
Although they had their issues, any company this size that produces so many different products will eventually end up with some faulty components, what matters is the overall quality of their products and honestly, MSI is one of the best brands you can buy components from, including monitors.
Now let’s talk about what made them stand apart from competitors during the first decade of its existence.
What sets their monitors apart from others?
What makes MSI monitors unique?
One thing everyone knows about the MSI brand is that they tend to use bright colors. Everything from their logo to their branding looks vibrant and eye-catching. When most consumers think “computer,” thoughts immediately go towards something sleek and modern-looking. MSI understands this concept well, and uses bold colors to draw attention to their products.
This strategy works very well because it helps set it apart from competitors. Even better, it allows them to develop specific themes for their products. For instance, MSI has branded itself as the “unreliable PC” company due to its history with faulty monitors. As a result, their marketing team designs monitors based upon this idea. One of their most famous line of gaming monitors are called ROG G703CGs.
Other than color schemes, their monitors come equipped with extra features that help differentiate them from other brands. One feature that stands above everything else is the fast refresh rate. Most monitors today support 120Hz/144Hz/240Hz natively, allowing gamers to experience smoother gameplay that results in less motion sickness. Other useful additions include low blue light filters, anti-reflective lenses, and built-in webcam cameras. All of these features improve the user experience overall, making MSI monitors invaluable for both casual and professional users alike.
Another important part is the fact that due to all the issues they had with monitors about 10 years back, they rigorously test all their products before launching them onto the market, as such, you know for sure that when you buy a monitor from them it’s top-notch.
Of course, MSI monitors aren’t the only pieces of merchandise that bear the MSI name. How do their other products compare to their flagship series? To learn more about MSI’s capabilities outside of monitors, check some of our other articles!
MSI vs. other display manufacturers
As discussed earlier, MSI is known worldwide for producing colorful yet affordable monitors. Another aspect that separates them from competitors is price. Not too long ago, their high-end monitors cost upwards of $1,000 per unit, leaving plenty of room for improvement. Nowadays, however, it now offers competitive prices for its top series of monitors, oftentimes even cheaper than its competitors.
Overall, MSI remains a strong competitor among major brands. Its consistent output proves that the company puts a lot of thought into designing new products and improving existing lines. Whether you purchase from them directly or shop elsewhere, MSI ensures their customers receive high-quality gear that performs admirably regardless of where you bought it from originally.
With all the information above, now you know whether MSI deserves recognition as a reputable brand. Hopefully, you won’t run into any problems with your purchases in the future.