MSI Summit MS321UP 4K Monitor Review

The MSI Summit MS321UP may be a business screen, but its box is still quite attractively presented, because this is more of a designer's panel than for spreadsheets and word processing.

Inside can be found DisplayPort, HDMI, USB C and USB Type B upstream cables. There's also wiring for connecting analog audio. We didn't find a power cable in our box, but this was probably missing from a previous reviewer. There is no separate power brick and the cable required is the standard “kettle” variety.

Despite the business focus of this screen, MSI has still delivered some style, if not any “bling”. The general theme is black but with copper logo motifs and an attractive pillar for a stand. You might be primarily working on this screen, but it doesn't need to feel like drudgery.

Adjustment options are comprehensive, with the ability to swivel 35 degrees left and right. The screen can be raised or lowered by 100mm, which is a little less than some, but you get a pretty standard tilt facility of 5 degrees forward or 20 degrees backward.

The MS321UP also comes with a hood, which attaches magnetically. If you're a graphics professional, this will enable you to work without any interfering glare from external light sources.

The majority of the screen's ports are at the back, facing downwards. These include two HDMI connections. Although these only support the 2.0b standard, higher levels are only necessary for higher refresh rates, which this screen doesn't offer anyway. Similarly, the single DisplayPort is only of the 1.2 variety, but that's fine for driving a 4K screen at 60Hz. The Type C connection also supports this resolution and refresh. Next along is the Type B USB upstream port, plus a single Type A USB  3.2 Gen 1 downstream port, and finally a combo audio minijack for microphone and headphones.

That's not the only place where this screen offers ports, however. On the left-hand side can be found two more Type A USB 3.2 Gen 1 downstream ports, plus minijacks for headphones and a microphone. Above these is an SD card reader, which explains why there are only three USB downstream connections – the fourth is being used for the memory slot. It's great to have this easily accessible on the side, and again cements this screen's focus on design. It will be easy to take the card out of your camera or camcorder to download your media files.

Aside from an LED-lit power button on the bottom of the bezel near the right-hand corner, all monitor controls are performed with a joystick on the rear, which MSI calls the Navi Key. However, there is another button on the left under the bezel for activating MSI's Productivity Intelligence app, which is software that will pop up on your desktop and talks to the screen via the USB upstream connection.

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