MSI Pro MP243W 24-inch monitor
professionals and cons
- Extremely reasonably priced
- Light-weight, plug-and-play
- Skinny bezels, compact body
- 144Hz, adaptive-sync
- Visible high quality for on a regular basis use
- 300 nits of brightness
- Constructed-in audio system are an afterthought
extra shopping for selections
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As high-end screens attain for the celebs with QD-OLED know-how and 1,040Hz refresh rates, merchandise on the alternative finish of the spectrum can provide higher baseline worth for lower than 100 bucks.
Working example: MSI’s Pro MP243W, a 24-inch monitor for simply $84. Finances screens in 2026 look a complete lot higher than they did a couple of years in the past, and after going hands-on with this one, I discovered it to be an excellent worth for college kids, youngsters, and budget-conscious customers who use their computer systems for on a regular basis duties.
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That mentioned, there are definitely trade-offs with lower-end screens, they usually will not come as a shock: much less flexibility, much less connectivity, and, most significantly, a much less vibrant picture. With the proper expectations, nevertheless, a lower-end show could be a sensible purchase as a substitute of dropping lots of on one thing that is overkill.
Specs and construct
Bodily, the Professional MP243W has a minimal footprint and is relatively light-weight at 6.8 kilos. The bezels are skinny on all 4 sides, and the white plastic would not precisely scream premium, nevertheless it’s impartial and appears positive on a desktop.
Sadly, it solely is available in mentioned white colorway, which is perhaps extra of a deal-breaker than the technical specs for some. The monitor’s base is simply shy of 9 inches on the widest half, and the notch affords a handy place to prop up your telephone, a contact that teenagers will recognize.
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It encompasses a 23.8-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) matte LCD show with a 144Hz refresh fee and built-in audio system. It is nothing fancy, nevertheless it will get the job executed. The quick refresh makes issues look easy, nevertheless it lacks the superior viewing angles of higher-end screens. That is the primary large trade-off.
Sitting straight in entrance of the monitor will give the most effective viewing expertise, as transferring from one aspect to the opposite will dim and obfuscate the alternative nook. Excessive-end screens are superb at projecting an evenly illuminated, vibrant picture throughout your complete display screen, irrespective of the angle you are viewing from. Not the case, right here.
The matte show is reflective if not positioned nicely.
Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET
The matte floor can also be susceptible to reflections when mild comes from a single supply, comparable to a vibrant window in entrance of the monitor. This, with the utmost 300 nits, means it is not the brightest monitor in the marketplace; the second large trade-off. For that cause, I would suggest inserting the monitor dealing with away from a window or mild supply.
On the again, the show has a single HDMI port, a DisplayPort 1.2a port, a headphone jack, and a Kensington lock slot. It additionally options built-in audio system, however they’re low-quality, and I would solely suggest utilizing them when you have no different possibility.
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The display screen itself can rotate as much as 20 levels, however can’t be raised or lowered. On the again of the proper aspect is the monitor’s navigation button, which brings up the onboard menu for visible settings and a spread of presets.
Who’s it for?
I just lately examined Apple’s new MacBook Neo, a $599 model of the MacBook with sensible trade-offs, and was so impressed by it that I purchased one for my mother. It is good for what she makes use of it for: checking e-mail, informal net looking, and iPhone integrations like FaceTime and Messages. The one factor she would not like, nevertheless, is that the display screen is a tad too small.
My imaginative and prescient: pair it with MSI’s Professional MP243W. This 24-inch monitor could possibly be a terrific companion for the Neo, doubling the Neo’s small 13-inch display screen for lower than $100 and making a dual-screen house workstation within the course of.
The 300 nits of brightness and FHD decision display screen would not precisely look higher than the Neo’s Liquid Retina show, however it’s greater, and affords a second show — one thing the Neo handles effortlessly. You will want a USB-C-to-HDMI adapter to do that. I like to recommend this Anker model for $16.
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In fact, you do not want a MacBook Neo particularly to have an reasonably priced workstation — any laptop computer will do; I simply point out this use case because it correlated with my latest expertise.
As talked about earlier than, one other potential use case for a monitor like that is for youths or teenagers. It is light-weight and reasonably priced sufficient to be moved round, and in case you improve sooner or later, it may make for an excellent hand-me-down if there are a number of youngsters who need their very own workstation.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
MSI’s Pro MP243W is a stable 24-inch funds monitor that will get the job executed for $84 — a worth you’ll be able to’t argue with. It would not compete with high-end OLED shows, however that is not the purpose. It will serve nicely for youths, teenagers, seniors, or as a secondary machine in a visitor room or secondary workplace. I simply suggest inserting it away from vibrant mild sources, and remember that chances are you’ll want a monitor stand.
