14 DAY TRIAL // Much like EIZO did not long ago, when it released the 27-Inch Flagship ColorEdge monitors, Acer has formally launched a monitor best suited for people other than normal consumers.
We use “normal consumers” to describe every owner of a standard PC, who doesn't need monitors that are overly responsive or that feature a resolution any better than 1920 x 1080 pixels. After all, Full HD is enough for any films and games.
The newest monitor from Acer doesn't suit all other types of buyers though. Granted, it probably would serve well enough for hardcore gamers, but its feature set is more geared towards digital entertainment and office work.
For one, the native resolution of WQHD (2560 x 1440 pixels) is very good for Excel spreadsheets, and viewing the entire pages of online retailers without scrolling, vertically or sideways.
Secondly, the 16:9 aspect ratio, although known as “cinematic,” will make it easy to display windows side by side, improving productivity. The resolution helps here as well.
The 16.7 million colors would, perhaps, make the panel qualify for gaming and video playback, but the former use doesn't mesh with the response time of 6ms.
Sure, it's decent, but “normal” LCDs have a 5ms RT, and high-end gaming panels have down to 1ms, good in FPS shooters and such.
The 100,000,000:1 maximum contrast ratio is considerable though, perhaps too considerable for a professional display, but then again this is a flagship LCD.
That said, the Acer Adaptive Contrast Management (ACM) can analyze scenes and adjust image brightness and clarity frame by frame, while enhancing gradation.
So we suppose that, even if the Acer K272HUL is not, technically, aimed at film playback, it will do splendidly there regardless.
That said, the monitor features Acer ComfyView (reflects less ambient light), up to 178 degrees viewing angles horizontally and vertically, can be mounted on a wall (VESA stands supported) and features a stand with 5 – 25-degree tilting.
Also, PiP is supported, Picture-in-Picture, meaning you can display a spreadsheet on the panel and, on a second, smaller screen, show content from a second source, like a videoconference. You could videochat with a co-worker while finishing a project, for example, all on the same screen.
Finally, video is received through DisplayPort, DVI, and two HDMI ports, so you can attach multiple desktops, laptops, and even gaming consoles at once.
Acer K272HUL has a price of $449.99 / €325.34 and should be up for sale online already, with a 3-year warranty. Acer believes it can replace multi-monitor setups, but we're not sure that 27 inches are a large enough screen size to truly apply such praise to any display.