LGs New Smart Monitor Is A Workfromhome TV

32 inch LG 4K Smart Monitor with ergonomic stand.

If you're working from home and don't have the energy (or space) to binge-watch on the couch, LG's new 4K display can do double duty. The $499 LG Smart Monitor (32SQ780S) (via HomeKit News ) has a 31.5-inch display, a built-in USB-C hub that provides power and ports for your work laptop, and a height-adjustable ergo stand. A desktop mount that looks bigger than LG's sleek DualUp monitor.

The LG Smart Monitor is just like a TV, with a proprietary Bluetooth Magic Remote (sold separately, unfortunately) and runs WebOS like LG Smart TVs, and also supports Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit. It's similar to the Standby Me Touch concept LG introduced at CES, with built-in streaming, but higher resolution, no touch functionality, and no wheeled floor stand.

You can install streaming apps like Netflix, and the Web OS Store has a GeForce Now app so it should support cloud gaming, but there's no official Xbox Game Pass app or office productivity apps like the Samsung M8 Smart Monitor. Samsung has also recently introduced a number of other gaming center displays, from the giant 55-inch Odyssey Tark to reasonably sized displays.

Compared to this LG monitor, the Samsung M8 has a 32-inch diagonal, an adjustable standard, built-in speakers, and the same refresh rate (60Hz and 65Hz for LG) and resolution, although it doesn't have the LG screen size. "HDR. But Samsung includes a TV-like remote control on the controller.

The LG has two HDMI ports (one eARC/ARC), 65W USB-C for laptops, three USB 2.0 ports for storage, and built-in Ethernet. There's no high-speed USB 3.0 port or built-in camera, though you can plug them in yourself. You can also rotate the monitor vertically if you want, but note that the stand requires a table to place it on and doesn't have the usual desktop option.

It's not the most featureless smart TV/monitor hybrid, but at $499 it might fit your budget better than the $699 Samsung M8. The only problem is that you can't buy it yet: LG doesn't list the monitor anywhere, and Amazon doesn't list the monitors in stock. The Verge has reached out to LG for more information on availability, but we haven't heard back yet.