LG L1734S-BN 17" Black

The LG L1734S-BN is a 17-inch 4:3 LCD from a bygone era. It has a 75Hz refresh rate and VGA input, which makes it useful for legacy setups and server racks. But the 1280 x 1024 resolution, VGA-only connectivity, and 5th percentile display quality make it a poor choice for modern daily use. Only buy it if you need a cheap square screen and can find it for under USD 100.

The spec sheet says 75Hz and 5ms response time. For a monitor from this era, that's actually not terrible. The 75Hz refresh rate is a small step above the standard 60Hz, which means slightly smoother scrolling and cursor movement. But don't confuse this with a gaming panel. The 5ms response time is fine for office work and basic video, but modern gaming monitors are down in the 1ms range with much higher refresh rates. Our performance score lands in the 40th percentile, which is about average for its class, but that class is pretty old.

The 700:1 contrast ratio and 300 nits brightness are the real story here. 300 nits is bright enough for a well-lit office, but it won't fight off direct sunlight. The 700:1 contrast is mediocre by today's standards, where even budget panels push past 1000:1. Colors will look a bit washed out, and blacks will lean gray. The display quality overall sits in the 5th percentile, which is one of the worst we've seen. That's not a typo. If you're doing anything with photos, video, or even just watching Netflix on your lunch break, this panel will disappoint.

Stacking this against the ASUS ROG Strix XG27JCG or the Dell Alienware AW2724DM is almost unfair. Those are modern 27-inch gaming monitors with high refresh rates, excellent color, and multiple inputs. The LG L1734S-BN doesn't compete with them in any meaningful way. It's like comparing a flip phone to a smartphone. The Acer Nitro XV272U and HP OMEN 27qs G2 are similarly in a different league entirely.

The Gigabyte G34WQC2 is an ultrawide, which is the exact opposite of this 4:3 panel. Where the LG gives you vertical space in a compact footprint, the Gigabyte gives you horizontal immersion. The only real reason to pick the LG over any of these is if you specifically need a 4:3 aspect ratio or VGA input. That's it. For everyone else, any of those competitors will be a better experience, even if they cost more upfront. The value proposition of the LG is purely about cheap, functional, square-screen computing.

Pricing is all over the place. In the US, listings range from USD 85 to USD 420 across two sellers. That's a USD 335 spread for what is essentially the same used monitor. The lower end of that range is the only price that makes any sense. At USD 85, you're getting a functional square monitor for less than a tank of gas. At USD 420, you're getting robbed, plain and simple. You could buy a brand new 24-inch IPS panel with better color, better resolution, and actual modern ports for less than that.

There's also a single listing in Mexico at MXN 12,529, which is a completely different market and not directly comparable to the US prices. But the takeaway is the same: this monitor only makes sense as a cheap used purchase. If you're paying more than USD 100 for it, you're overpaying for nostalgia or convenience. The Newegg listing notes it's in "Used - Good" condition with fast shipping, which is fine, but don't let the "top-rated customer service" line distract you from the fact that this is old hardware.

The LG L1734S-BN is a blast from the past, a 17-inch 4:3 LCD that feels like it wandered out of a 2007 office supply closet. It runs a 1280 x 1024 SXGA resolution, which was the sweet spot for productivity before widescreen took over everything. If you're staring at spreadsheets, legacy point-of-sale software, or just want a second screen that doesn't eat your desk, this thing still has a pulse.

Who's this for? Honestly, it's for people with very specific needs. Maybe you're running old industrial equipment that only outputs VGA. Maybe you need a cheap monitor for a server rack or a test bench. Or maybe you just miss square screens and don't care about modern niceties. At 3,493 grams, it's also not exactly a featherweight, but it's built like a tank from an era when monitors were expected to survive a decade.

The interesting part is that LG still has these floating around as used units. Our database puts its compactness in the 80th percentile, which makes sense, a 17-inch 4:3 panel has a tiny footprint compared to today's 27-inch monsters. But almost everything else about it lands in the bottom half of the charts. It's a niche tool, not a daily driver for most people.

Anyone doing creative work should run the other way. The color accuracy and contrast are simply not up to the task of photo editing, video work, or even casual content consumption. The entertainment score of 16.7 out of 100 tells you everything you need to know. Watching a movie on this panel will feel like watching it through a dirty window.

Gamers should also skip it. The 75Hz refresh rate is a tease, but the low resolution, VGA-only input, and mediocre response time mean you'll be at a disadvantage in any modern game. And if you're just looking for a general-purpose monitor for a home office, you can find used 22 or 24-inch widescreen monitors with HDMI for not much more money. The only people who should buy this are those with a specific legacy need, like old industrial equipment or a VGA-only server setup.

If you need a cheap, compact monitor for a server rack, a legacy point-of-sale system, or a test bench where VGA is the only option, the LG L1734S-BN does the job. The 75Hz refresh rate is a nice touch, and the VESA mount means you can tuck it out of the way. At the low end of the used market, around USD 85, it's a reasonable purchase for those specific scenarios.

For everyone else, skip it. The 1280 x 1024 resolution is cramped for modern web browsing and document work. The VGA-only input means you'll need adapters for most modern computers. And the display quality is genuinely poor by today's standards. You'd be better off spending a bit more on a used 22 or 24-inch widescreen monitor with HDMI. The only people who should seriously consider this are those with a very specific legacy need, and even then, only at the lowest price point.