This might be one of the most unusual monitor release of the year so far – ASUS recently announced a new lineup of monitors that, while mostly unassuming, come with a very unique selling point: air filtration.
The series includes the 23.8-inch VU249HFI-W and 27-inch VU279HFI-W models, both featuring FHD IPS panels with 100Hz refresh rate, while the 34-inch VU34WCIP-W offers a 1500R curved panel with ultrawide QHD resolution and the same 100Hz refresh rate. Each model comes with a built-in air ionizer capable of removing up to 90% of airborne dust within three hours, ASUS claims.
ASUS VU Air Ionizer Series Monitors
Now, don’t think the newfangled abilities of these monitors will be capable of replacing dedicated air purifiers – while it’s got the nano-ion tech to purify the surrounding air from dust and various airborne allergens, it’s only 1 cubic meter we’re talking about here, which barely covers your head in a normal viewing distance. That being said, one benefit here is that you won’t have to replace dust filters, so maintenance should be less of an issue.
As a bonus, the monitor packaging is designed to be repurposed into functional desk accessories, as the 24-inch and 27-inch model’s packaging can be folded into a phone holder, desk organizer, and small laptop stand, while the box of the 34-inch can also be reused as a file holder on top of the aforementioned items. ASUS says these repurposed phone holders and laptop stands in particular are designed to “promote proper posture and reduce neck and back strain.”
At this time, it looks like these monitors are only available in the US market with no mentions of it elsewhere, so it’s unclear if these products may end up launched here in Malaysia. Still, we’re looking at prices of $129.99 (~RM576), $159.99 (~RM710), and $359.99 (~RM1,957) for the 24-inch, 27-inch, and 34-inch models respectively – a bit of premium over a regular equivalent sans air filtration capabilities.
Pokdepinion: On one hand, this is such an odd combination of hardware, but on the other hand, it makes sense?
