Asus ProArt 27 QD-OLED Review
· motorcycles
HDR for All (Almost): The Asus ProArt 27 QD-OLED’s Bittersweet Reality
The latest crop of high-end monitors promises to deliver HDR that matches its TV counterpart in vividness and immersion, at a fraction of the cost. Asus’ entry into this market with their ProArt 27 QD-OLED brings proper HDR-capable video editing to creators who couldn’t previously afford an OLED display.
The monitor’s design is sleek and thin, with a stand offering plenty of adjustability, including swiveling, tilting, and rotating into portrait mode. However, beneath this attractive exterior lies some compromises – most notably in the area of brightness. The PA279CDV delivers solid HDR performance for its price but struggles to produce strong SDR content.
In my testing, the monitor maxed out at 240 nits in SDR mode, which may not be enough for users who spend most of their time working with standard dynamic range. This limitation is particularly notable considering the PA279CDV’s inability to compete with its main competitor, the Dell 32 Plus QD-OLED, which boasts a larger screen size but lacks the sharpness of Asus’ offering.
The monitor’s controls are straightforward, with five buttons and a joystick providing quick access to switching inputs or changing brightness. However, navigating the menu itself can be complex, with numerous features to dig through, including color modes and picture-quality tweaks. Asus’ Display Widget app helps alleviate some of this complexity, but I still found myself getting lost in the sea of options.
The inclusion of speakers on the PA279CDV is a welcome feature for those who want a monitor that can double as an entertainment system. However, their performance leaves much to be desired – it’s clear that Asus prioritized the display over audio quality.
In terms of HDR performance, the PA279CDV delivers strong results in both 1% and 4% windows. While these results aren’t quite as stunning as those from higher-end monitors like the Apple Studio Display XDR (which costs a staggering $3,000), they still demonstrate a significant improvement over dimmer displays.
The Asus ProArt 27 QD-OLED represents a step forward for creators who want to work with HDR content without breaking the bank. However, its compromises in brightness and SDR performance make me wonder if it’s truly worth the investment of $699. As we move forward into an era of increasingly affordable high-end monitors, manufacturers are struggling to balance price with performance.
The ongoing struggle between price and performance is a dilemma that will only continue to intensify as more manufacturers enter this market. The future of high-end monitors looks brighter than ever – but it’s still far from perfect.
Reader Views
- SPSage P. · moto journalist
What's striking about this review is how Asus has opted for a more nuanced approach with their QD-OLED technology - rather than blasting users with eye-searing brightness levels, they've chosen to focus on refined color accuracy and rich contrast. While this may not sit well with creatives who demand the highest SDR brightness, it's a deliberate trade-off that pays dividends in terms of color depth and overall image quality. The real question is: will professionals be willing to accept some brightness compromise for the sake of improved color fidelity?
- HRHank R. · MSF instructor
While the Asus ProArt 27 QD-OLED's HDR capabilities are undeniably impressive, its limitations in SDR mode may be a deal-breaker for some users. However, it's essential to consider the intended target audience - professionals who prioritize color accuracy and don't often work with SDR content. For these creators, the PA279CDV's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, making it a worthwhile investment despite its brightness limitations.
- TGThe Garage Desk · editorial
One potential blind spot in this review is the lack of discussion on color accuracy and gamut support. While the ProArt 27 QD-OLED may boast high brightness levels in HDR mode, its performance in standard color spaces like Adobe RGB or DCI-P3 is equally important for professional creatives. Without more robust color management features, this monitor might not be as versatile a solution as initially suggested.