The AOC Q2781PS Announced: ‘Frameless’ Rose Gold 27″ QHD with Swarovski Crystals

AOC this week introduced two new 27” displays with thin bezels, a fancy asymmetric stand, an IPS panel and QHD resolution (2560×1440). The more expensive of the two monitors comes with a rose gold base as well as a rear embedded with Swarovski crystals.

When it comes to stylish computer hardware in general and displays in particular, it is not always easy to get something that is both aesthetically attractive and technologically advanced. High-quality backlighting requires space, and full-size connectors make devices thicker too, so sleek designs usually have certain compromises. AOC attempted to combine style and technology in its Q2781-series monitors, if having crystals on your monitor is your thing. The displays are based on AH-IPS panels featuring a 2560×1440 resolution suitable up to 350 nits brightness, a 1000:1 contrast ratio, 178°/178° viewing angles, a 5 ms response time and a 60 Hz refresh rate. The manufacturer claims that the Q2718PQ and the Q2718PS displays can reproduce 16.77 million colors, and also claims “full sRGB” (but we would cautiously call it 99%).  

The monitors have very thin bezels on all four sides and have asymmetric L-shaped stands as shown in the picture above. The AOC Q2781PQ has a silver stand and a regular black back panel. The AOC Q2781PS comes with a rose gold base, whereas its back panel is decorated with Swarovski crystals. The tilt of both displays can be adjusted, but the height is fixed.

Gallery: AOC Q2718PQ Display

As for connectivity, the AOC Q2781-series displays have a DisplayPort, an HDMI header, a D-Sub input as well as a 3.5-mm headphone output. Keep in mind that D-Sub does not support HDCP and certain content may not playback when using such connectors. AOC mentioned that the Q2781-series monitors also feature the company’s Clear Vision video engine to upscale SD content to HD quality.

The AOC Q2781PQ is available now at Amazon.com for $349.99, which is below the MSRP of $499. The rose gold version with the Swarovski ‘bling’ (Ian’s edit: each to their own) will be available in the coming months for $599.

Related Reading:

• AOC P2779VC: 27” PLS Display with Qi Wireless Charging Base for $199
• AOC Announces the AGON AG352UCG 21:9 Curved Display: 35″, 3440×1440, 100Hz with G-Sync
• Nixeus NX-VUE27P Pro WQHD (2560×1440) Monitor Launched
• BenQ PD2710QC Announced: 27″ 2560×1440 with Integrated USB Type-C Dock

AOC Announces the AGON AG352UCG 21:9 Curved Display: 35″, 3440×1440, 100Hz with G-Sync

Last week AOC introduced its new high-end curved gaming display, the AGON AG352UCG. The new 35” monitor boasts a considerably higher resolution than AOC’s other large curved gaming display. The 3440×1440 resolution, size, curvature, a 100 Hz refresh rate and G-Sync support make the AG352UCG one of four curved displays with such combination of features. The other AGON AG352QCX 21:9 panel is a 2560×1080 resolution, but with a 200 Hz refresh rate.

The AOC AGON AG352UCG uses a 35” MVA panel with a 3440×1440 resolution, a 21:9 aspect ratio and a native 100 Hz refresh rate (which means that actual panel response times are perfectly aligned with its high refresh rate). We presume the panel is made by AUO (AU Optronics), which reportedly started volume production of such panels in September, 2016. General specifications  of the monitor are similar to many other gaming displays: 300 nits brightness, 2000:1 contrast ratio, 178°/178° viewing angles, 16.7 million colors, a 4 ms response time (grey-to-grey) and so on.

When it comes to connectivity, the AGON AG352UCG has a DisplayPort input and an HDMI input. To take advantage of NVIDIA’s G-Sync as well as the high refresh rate, the DP connector has to be used. The monitor is also equipped with a dual-port USB 3.0 Type-A hub and two integrated speakers.

As for visual aesthetics, the curved AOC AGON has a rather aggressive yet minimalistic design that emphasizes its gaming nature through a combination of sharp lines and colors. To add further atmosphere, the AG352UCG has six large LEDs with adjustable colors (red, green, blue) located on the back and on the bottom edge of the display.

The key selling point of the AGON AG352UCG is the combination of its features: the resolution (3440×1440), size (35”), curvature (2000R), a native 100 Hz refresh rate and using NVIDIA’s G-Sync variable refresh tech make up for a very interesting gaming display. At present, only three monitors can offer a similar set of technologies: the ASUS ROG Swift PG348Q, the Acer Predator X34 (this one uses an IPS panel with 60 Hz, but it is overclockable to 100 Hz) as well as the upcoming HP Omen X 35”. By launching the AGON AG352UCG, AOC contends for the highest end of the gaming monitor market and that is clearly an important milestone for the company.

AOC has not formally announced the AGON AG352UCG in the U.S. yet, so we do not know its ETA and MSRP. Meanwhile, Hexus reports that the display will land in the U.K. this March for the price of £799 (that’s including 20% sales tax). Therefore expect the AG352UCG to cost around $1000 in the U.S. when it becomes available this spring. Considering the combination of its features (size, resolution, curvature, G-Sync support) and only three direct competitors that retail for $1100-$1300 today, it looks like AOC’s AG352UCG might be priced rather competitively.

Gallery: AOC Announces AGON AG352UCG Curved Display: 35 Inch, 3440×1440, 100 Hz, G-Sync

Related Reading:

• AOC Launches the AG352QCX: 35-Inch 200 Hz 2560×1080 Curved Display with Adaptive-Sync
• AOC P2779VC: 27” PLS Display with Qi Wireless Charging Base for $199
• Philips BDM4037UW Goes on Sale: 40 Inch 4K Curved Display for $800
• ASUS Announces Designo Curve MX38VQ: 37.5 Inch Curved Display with Qi Charging
• HP Announces Omen X 35-Inch Curved Display for Gamers

BenQ PD2710QC Announced: 27″ 2560×1440 with Integrated USB Type-C Dock

Last week BenQ introduced its new display with QHD resolution that has an integrated USB 3.0 Type-C dock. Aside from the dock, the 27” monitor’s big selling point is support for 100% sRGB. This goes in tandem with additional modes specifically aimed at CAD/CAM, Animation and Darkroom environments. The new display is among the first monitors with a USB-C connector as well as docking capabilities.

The manufacturer does not disclose too many details about the unit, but given that the monitor belongs to the PD-series from BenQ for designers and engineers, it is logical to expect it to use an IPS or a VA panel with 178° viewing angles and a 60 Hz refresh rate. Meanwhile, covering 100% sRGB should suggest that the display supports 1.07 billion colors (8-bit + FRC), which is enough for typical office and web design workloads. To further appeal to the target audience, the monitor features CAD/CAM, Animation, and Darkroom modes calibrated for particular types of applications, but BenQ does not disclose how this affects color accuracy.

The integrated USB-C docking station uses the same cable as the display, and BenQ’s press release states that the dock is designed to charge a laptop or a mobile device up to 61W (that is compatible with DisplayPort alternate mode for USB-C) as well as expand its I/O capabilities over USB 3.0. This includes, ‘multiple audio, video, network, USB ports and integrated speakers’. At present, the list of devices supporting DP alt mode for USB-C includes the Apple MacBook, the Dell XPS 12/13/15, the HP Elite X2 1012, the HP EliteBook Folio G1, the Microsoft Lumia 950/950 XL, the LG G5, the HTC 10 M10h and so on. In addition to the USB-C input, the display is also equipped with DisplayPort and HDMI input connectors.

BenQ did not announce exact pricing or availability timeframe for its PD2710QC. Currently BenQ sells the PD2700Q display for $359, which is not too much for a 27” QHD IPS monitor. While a USB-C hub is clearly a premium feature, it remains to be seen how much more BenQ will charge for it.

Related Reading:

• BenQ Launches the SW320: a 4K Display with HDR for Professionals
• EIZO Launches FlexScan EV2780: 27” 2560×1440 Display with USB Type-C Connector
• LG Announces 32UD99: 4K IPS Display with 95% DCI-P3, HDR and USB-C
• Lenovo Launches New ThinkPad Accessories: Docking And Displays
• Plextor Launches EX1 USB-C External SSD: Up to 550 MBps, 512 GB and LDPC