Artist Review: BenQ SW2700PT Monitor (99% Adobe RGB)

Here's a review that I should have written a long time ago. I've been using the BenQ SW2700PT for more than a year now and recently I've moved it to my new apartment, fixed on the shading hood and finally decided I should write this review.

After years of using Dell monitors, I've switched to using a BenQ SW2700PT.

My previous monitor was the Dell U2711, a fantastic monitor that lasted me years before it started giving me problems. The monitor had to warm up 20-30 minutes before I could see anything. Anyway, the screen was turning yellow so it was time to upgrade.

My choices were the Dell UP2716D and Dell UP3216Q (S$2179) and the BenQ SW2700PT. I wanted a monitor with excellent colour reproduction. All three monitors support 99% Adobe RGB. While I would love to have a 4K monitor, the Dell UP3216Q was too expensive for me, at almost twice the price of the UP2716D (S$1088) and BenQ (S$988).

So it came down to the BenQ SW2700PT and Dell UP2716D. In the end I chose the BenQ because, here in Singapore, it's cheaper compared to the Dell, and secondly it has a multi-card slot on the side in addition to the USB ports. Other goodies include the shading hood and a wired remote to control the settings. Ultimately, it really came down to the price. The specs are almost similar but the BenQ is S$100 cheaper.

Who am I and my needs

The work I do mostly are video and photo editing. I don't do graphic design at home so I don't need to calibrate this screen for print. But due to my job and work, I've always preferred a colour accurate monitor. 100% sRGB screens are good but 100% Adobe RGB screens are better, even if they are significantly more expensive.

BenQ SW2700PT specifications

What the monitor comes with

• Monitor and stand
• Calibration Report
• Shading Hood
• OSD Controller‎
• DVI-DL cable
• miniDP to DP cable
• USB 3.0 cable
• Power cable

Build quality and design

Build quality is excellent. The design, well, is functional. It supports full adjustability for height, tilt and swivel. You can VESA mount it if you want.

The screen supports 2560 x 1440 resolution. Images are sharp but I do notice the pixelation now that I've see 4K screens. The BenQ's resolution is more than satisfactory to me. User interface are large and easy to see. It's a comfortable resolution to work with. Having said that, if I have the budget, I would definitely get a 4K 32-inch screen in the future.

The screen's surface is matte with anti-glare. You can see some of the anti glare at work.

The buttons are at the bottom right, facing down. The power indicator light is also at the bottom. The power indicator light also faces down so there's nothing to distract you from the front.

Connectivity

• 1 x DisplayPort
• 1 x HDMI (MHL)
• 2 x USB3 at the side
• 1 x multi-card slot at the side

That's the stand and the wired remote. The remote does exactly the same things as the on screen menus, but it's easier to navigate the menu with the remote. There are also shortcuts to get into sRGB, Adobe RGB and grayscale mode.

On screen menu can be accessed from the buttons at the bottom right.

I like this stand. There's a handle at the top that makes carrying this monitor easy. You can also run cables through that hole to keep the cables from appearing beneath and this really helps at reducing cable mess.

On the side of the stand are height measurement and a marker that you can move to remember your preferred height. It can be useful when you need to adjust the height at times and want to return to the most optimal height.

The hood

At my previous home, I did not use the shading hood because the monitor was quite far from the window. At my new place, my table is just beside the window and having the shading hood is absolutely necessary. I could close my curtains but I don't close them all the time.

The shading hood does a decent job at blocking out unwanted light and glare from the sunlight.

At the top of the hood is a hole that is covered and can be opened to let in a colour calibrator.

The insides of the hood is lined with black velvet that does an excellent job at sucking in light. It's as black as it can be without reflecting anything.

Performance

Colour reproduction is fantastic.

I measured 98% Adobe RGB with my Spyder5Pro.

Having Adobe RGB support only matters to people who need to compare screen proofs to printed proofs. Graphic designers or professional video editors would appreciate such a screen. For me, I just like a screen with excellent colours. Otherwise, I would probably have bought the Dell UP2716D.

All the good things when it comes to colour reproduction that I've said in my Dell UP2716D review applies here. The quality of the BenQ matches the Dell.

sRGB is at 100% and NTSC at 92%.

Conclusion

I've been using this screen for more than a year now and I'm extremely satisfied. If I can go back in time to buy a 27-inch monitor again, it will still be this BenQ.

The BenQ SW2700PT is still currently being sold and widely available. Prices seem to be the same now compared to one year ago. Since then, they have released another new monitor which is the BenQ SW271 27-inch 4K monitor. As mentioned earlier, if I get a 4K monitor, it will be at least 32-inches. Having large user interface elements to look at really relieves the strain from the eyes.

Availability

Check out more reviews of the BenQ SW2700PT on Amazon:
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