BenQ 27" QHD Designer Monitor PD2700Q [Review]

I remember the first 27″ monitor I had. It took a good year to get it requisitioned and cost $899. 1024×768 was the highest resolution and it could bake cookies if you laid it flat. Things have changed just a little bit. BenQ has introduced a 27″ monitor for us CAD/CAM folks with 2560×1440 resolution, 1.07B colors and a slew of display setting for a price of $399. And, they just sent one over. Let’s have a look, shall we?

OVERVIEW

BenQ has been making a name for itself with industry specific monitors for CAD/CAM, photography and gaming. The BenQ Designer series includes monitors developed specifically for engineers and designers who spend hours behind the screen. At last count, they had nine different Designer series monitors ranging in size from 24 inches to 32 inches, with features like CAD/CAM (high contrast) display mode, 100% sRGB color, Low Blue Light mode, and flicker reduction. The top of the line monitors comes with higher resolution, more display options, more colors and ports, but this 27″ enters the family with 2560×1440 pixel resolution and a whopping 1.07 Billion colors.

SPECS

Display Area: 23.5 x 13.2in (596.74 x 335.66‎mm)
Display Modes: Darkroom, CAD/CAM, Animation
Display Settings: DualView, ZeroFlicker, Low Blue Light
Ports: DP1.2 / mDP1.2 / HDMI / headphone jack / (2) USB 2.0 (rear)
Viewing Angle: 178/178‎/li>
Resolution: 2560 x 1440 pixels (16:9 QHD 2K)
Panel Type: LCD IPS Technology
Display Colors: 1.07 Billion
Size (full height with base): 21.5 x 25.2 x 9.4in (547.32 x 641.0 x 239.65mm)
Stand Adjustability: 130mm height adjustment and detachable
Wall mount: VESA 100 x 100mm
Weight: 15.2lbs (6.9kg) with stand
Misc: Integrated Speakers (1Wx2)
Price: $399 (Amazon)

HIGHLIGHTS

Colors – This 27″ comes with 10-bit color depth and standard RGB color space (sRGB). It’s crisp, clear, bright and the glare is little to none. Its 1.07 Billion colors (up from 16.7 Million on similar monitors) at 2560 x 1440 is a noticeable improvement over a monitor with 1920 x 1080 max resolution.

Desktop Partitions – Though my 32″ monitor is compatible with BenQ’s Display Pilot software and can use Desktop Partitions, the PD2700Q is the first monitor I’ve seen of it. Installing it gives you a range of options depending on the BenQ monitor. You can set up to four partitions per screen and, in a dual monitor mode (like I’m running), the software allows you to control/partition each screen independently (if the monitor has Desktop Partition capability).

Stand Adjustability – The monitor is extremely easy to switch between vertical and horizontal orientation. One complaint of other BenQ monitors was having the cable attachments on the side. All I/O ports for the PD2700Q are on the bottom which adds to the ease of switching positions. Height adjustment is made for horizontal mode however, with but an inch of adjustment if you set it in a vertical orientation.

CAD/CAM Mode – You’ll see this option on BL and PD series BenQ monitors. It’s the feature that gets BenQ certified and recommended for work with software such as SOLIDWORKS, PTC Creo and CATIA. The setting switches from sRGB mode to CAD/CAM mode with higher contrast that brings out line work and sketches.

Heat output – Even though this is an LED monitor and the heat output is low, there’s noticeably more heat (particularly around the bottom edge) than my larger BenQ 32″ LED monitor.

CONCLUSION

If you’re not quite set up for 4K graphics, don’t require it, or don’t have a GPU that supports it, this monitor comes in at a spot that offers more colors and great display options, like Desktop Partitions and CAD/CAM mode, with a price point that makes it easy to justify.

While this is a great monitor for rich 2K graphics and those who don’t need 4K, it may also be in the price range for companies that need to load up on larger, high definition monitors. However, if you have the budget, I’d absolutely suggest the BenQ 32″ 4K UHD monitor. You can read my review on that monitor here.