Justin and I are always on the hunt for tech gadgets that take our desk setups just that step further; we’ve played with monitor arms, desk shelves, audiophile-esque audio setups and more. So our ears perked up when we got the chance to look at the Quntis ScreenLinear Glow Curved Monitor Light Bar. DRN isn’t new to monitor light bars, and neither are Quntis; how does the ScreenLinear Glow hold up?
Unboxing the Quntis ScreenLinear Glow: A Plug-and-Play Experience
The unboxing experience keeps things simple: inside the box, you’ll find the light bar itself, a remote control puck (batteries included!), a 90° USB-C to USB-A cable, and the user manual.
First impressions of the ScreenLinear Glow? It’s about as plug-and-play as it gets. No assembly is needed, and the light bar is simply powered via USB cable; I just have it plugged into one of the spare ports on the back of my PC. There’s also no fiddling with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to use the remote control 2.4GHz puck, which, as someone who uses several ‘smart’ lighting devices, was certainly a refreshing experience! Slap it on top of your monitor, plug it in and you’re off to the races.
Why the ScreenLinear Glow is a Desk Setup Game-Changer
Monitor light bars are one of the best additions you can make to a desk setup, and the ScreenLinear Glow is no exception. If you’re often using your computer at night, monitor light bars help to reduce eye stress, both when looking at the screen and when tinkering with stuff on your desk. Although I already have a desk lamp and under-desk lighting, the ScreenLinear Glow has been a serious game-changer in terms of overall comfort whilst sitting at my desk. Those gaming sessions sometimes do go late into the night…
As for the unit itself, the ScreenLinear Glow is well built and maintains a sleek aesthetic. Once properly seated on the monitor, it stays firmly in place and doesn’t wobble around. No obnoxious blinking lights or bright blue indicators, either; it stays out of your way for the most part. The brightness, colour temperature (3000K-6500K) and automatic light sensor can be adjusted via touch controls on the light bar itself or by using the wireless puck. Having this flexibility is a nice touch if you prefer not reaching over to the light bar itself. And, unlike other Quntis light bar products DRN has reviewed (and Justin’s personal one), the puck is touch-sensitive enough that you don’t have to press twice to use it. A single light tap and the puck won’t kick up any fuss.
I expect the puck to go several months without needing a battery change.
The automatic light sensor sitting atop the light bar is a neat feature, too; it was most handy when the day transitioned from sunset till nightfall, as you won’t have to manually adjust the light bar’s brightness step by step.
Fitting the ScreenLinear Glow to the various 27”-34” monitors I had on hand was easy. The nifty 3-level clamp works well and should accommodate most monitors, regardless of shape or thickness. Do keep in mind the curvature of the ScreenLinear Glow is non-adjustable – Quntis recommend using the light bar with 24”-49” 1000R monitors, but I personally wouldn’t use this light bar for any monitors past 32” due to its (relatively short) 45cm length.
Potential Drawbacks: Curvature and Feature Limits
Though the experience with the ScreenLinear Glow has been smooth sailing for the most part, there are a few gripes I have:
- The remote control puck’s touch surface scratches quite easily; you’ll want to keep it tucked away on your desk and avoid using it with dirty hands.
- The curve is non-adjustable; fortunately, the ScreenLinear Glow can accommodate 1000R curves, which is as aggressive as curved monitors get, but something to note given other Quntis light bars have this functionality.
- There isn’t any RGB functionality or overhead lighting, features found on some of Quntis’ other equally priced light bar models. The ScreenLinear Glow is quite a barebones light bar by comparison.
- The remote control puck’s rear cover to replace the batteries is a bit finicky to remove – you have to twist the bottom in a certain manner which can be a bit tricky.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the ScreenLinear Glow?
The ScreenLinear Glow has been a real pleasure to use and will become a mainstay in my desk setup; it isn’t without its quirks, though. The ScreenLinear Glow is best for those looking for a no-nonsense monitor light bar, and whose monitors are smaller than 32”. Those with a tighter, cozier desk setup will find the ScreenLinear Glow bright enough. I would however recommend looking at some of Quntis’ other monitor light bar models, with most being more capable (i.e. brighter, RGB lighting, overhead lighting, radar sensor, etc.) than the ScreenLinear Glow at the same price. When on sale, the ScreenLinear Glow is still good value and should be on the shortlist for anyone seeking to improve their desk setups.
The Quntis ScreenLinear Glow Curved Monitor Light Bar is currently available on Amazon for A$76.03 (upon applying the 20% coupon code, valid at time of publishing – RRP is A$95.04).
Alternatively, it can be purchased from the official website for A$109.19 (upon applying the discount code, valid at time of publishing – RRP is A$131).
We would like to thank Quntis for providing this unit for review.
