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

Philips BDM4037UW Goes on Sale: 40 Inch 4K Curved Display for $800

TPV Technology, the company that produces monitors under the Philips brand, this week began to sell one of the world’s first curved displays with a 4K resolution that was formally introduced at IFA last September. The BDM4037UW monitor was designed primarily for consumers seeking for UHD experience on the PC, which is why the screen is not too expensive when its dimensions, curvature and resolution are considered. Nonetheless, PBP and PiP capabilities of the display make it useful for various control room applications as well.

Curved and UHD monitors are gaining traction these days because prices of models featuring good panels with decent brightness, contrast ratio and viewing angles have become more palatable in the recent quarters. However, the popularization of curved and UHD displays have been two isolated trends so far. The majority of curved monitors are ultra-wide and feature approximately 21:9 (2.33:1) aspect ratio because manufacturers want users to have a more immersive experience. By contrast, flat 4K UHD displays feature an aspect ratio of 16:9. So far, no company has introduced a curved 4K computer monitor because its curvature would hardly bring a lot of advantages for 27” – 32” panels (typical for computer screens). Meanwhile, Philips decided to offer a curved UHD display that is large enough for curvature to make sense.

The Philips BDM4037UW display is based on a 40” VA panel with a 3840×2160 resolution, 300 nits brightness, 3000R curvature, a 4000:1 contrast ratio, a 60 Hz refresh rate and a 4 ms response time. The manufacturer claims that the monitor can reproduce 1.07 billion colors (listed online as ‘dithered 10-bit’, but doesn’t clarify native support) and is rated to support 85% of the NTSC color gamut. Technically speaking, 85% of the NTSC color space is wider than 100% of the sRGB color space, but what we do not know is whether the latter is officially rated out-of-the-box (and it seems odd not to confirm sRGB coverage). 

While the BDM4037UW is primarily aimed at consumers, one of its key selling points (apart from dimensions, resolution, and curvature) is support for Philips’ MultiView PBP (picture-by-picture) technology for up to four devices as well as PiP (picture-in-picture) for up to two devices that will be useful in various control or trade rooms where one of such displays can replace four monitors with a lower resolution. To enable PBP and PiP features, the BDM4037UW is equipped with two DisplayPort 1.2, one HDMI 1.4, one HDMI 2.0 and one D-Sub input. In addition, the monitor has a quad-port USB 3.0 hub with one header supporting fast charging. As for audio, the display is equipped with two 5 W stereo speakers.

At present, the Philips BDM4037UW monitor is available in Europe. The display costs £589 in the U.K. and €749 in Eurozone. Meanwhile, it is unknown when TPV plans to start selling the BDM7037UW monitor in the U.S. as well as its pricing.

Gallery: Philips BDM4037UW Goes on Sale: 40 Inch 4K Curved Display for $800

Related Reading:

• Philips Begins to Sell 43” 4K IPS BDM4350UC Display for $799
• ASUS Announces Designo Curve MX38VQ: 37.5 Inch Curved Display with Qi Charging
• HP Announces Omen X 35-Inch Curved Display for Gamers
• AOC Launches the AG352QCX: 35-Inch 200 Hz 2560×1080 Curved Display with Adaptive-Sync
• LG 38UC99 Announced: 37.5-Inch Curved 21:9 Display with 3840×1600 Resolution

Sources: Hexus, XGN

ASUS Announces Designo Curve MX38VQ: 37.5 Inch Curved Display with Qi Charging

ASUS has introduced its largest Designo Curve display to date that weds style with a sophisticated feature set. The new MX38VQ uses a UWQHD-class (3840×1600) IPS panel and is equipped with a Qi wireless charging pad, as well as a Harman/Kardon-designed audio sub-system. The product will hit the market in the second half of this year and its price will not be very high for its size and features.

ASUS introduced its first Designo-series display eight or nine years ago in an attempt to address customers looking for an elegant design as well as premium specifications. Today, the lineup includes ten 23” to 34” monitors with eye-catching aesthetics that use high-resolution IPS panels and built-in audio co-designed with brands like Bang & Olufsen or Harman/Kardon. The Designo Curve is a relatively new addition to the Designo family as the first monitor in the sub-series was announced in mid-2016. At CES, ASUS introduced the second curved Designo display that will also be the largest monitor in the company’s stylish lineup and among the largest ultra-wide displays on the market in general.

The ASUS Designo Curve MX38VQ is based on a 37.5” IPS panel with a 3840×1600 resolution, a 24:10 aspect ratio and 2300R curvature. The rather distinctive specs of the panel may point to the fact that it was sourced from LG and we already know what it is capable of. The resolution of the display is well suited for displaying UHD content filmed in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 or 2.40:1 (a lot of movies are shot in such aspect ratios). Like the smaller curved Designo model, the MX38VQ uses a stereo audio sub-system co-designed with Harman/Kardon that features two 8 W speakers and software enhancements. As for connectivity, the new monitor has DisplayPort and HDMI inputs, just like many contemporary products.

One of the main selling points of the new Designo Curve MX38VQ display is a 5W/1A Qi wireless charging pad in the base. So far, only AOC and Samsung have released monitors with Qi charging commercially (the Designo Curve MX34VQ announced last year is still not available) and there are no large high-end displays with this feature on the market right now. Meanwhile, there are tens of smartphones and tablets with integrated Qi wireless charging (including those from ASUS itself, but also from Samsung, Google, HP, Microsoft and other) and there are accessories that enable the tech on devices without integrated support (e.g., on Apple iPhone 6S).

ASUS plans to start selling the Designo Curve MX38VQ in Q3 2017 for $1099, which is considerably lower compared to the current price of the LG38UC99 (~$1600) that allegedly uses the same panel. The monitor is already listed on the company’s global website, which may indicate that the product will be available rather earlier than later.

Related Reading:

• ASUS Demonstrates ROG Swift PG27UQ: 4K, 144 Hz, HDR, DCI-P3 and G-Sync
• ASUS ProArt PA32U Display: 4K, 1000 Nits Brightness, 95% DCI-P3, 85% Rec. 2020
• ASUS VA326H and VA326N-W: 31.5-Inch Curved 144 Hz FHD Displays for $399
• ASUS Starts to Ship Its First Curved Ultra-Wide Display: ROG Swift PG348Q