BenQ RD280UG evaluate: One of the best monitor for coding will get an improve

Greatest Costs At present: BenQ RD280UG

The BenQ RD280UG is a monitor designed from scratch for coding. In fact, nearly any show can be utilized for coding—however the BenQ RD280UG goes a lot additional than most. It has a singular 3:2 side ratio, an ambient mild sensor that may mechanically modify show brightness, and an ultra-high decision superior to a typical 4K monitor. All of this makes for an impressive coding show.

Learn on to study extra, then see our roundup of the most effective screens for comparability.

BenQ RD280UG specs and options

It’s arduous to overlook the BenQ RD280UG’s headline function. The 28.2-inch show, which has a 3:2 side ratio, is immediately set other than most screens. It’s a pointy show, too, with a local decision of 3840×2560. That’s the next pixel depend than a 27-inch 4K monitor, however as a result of BenQ RD280UG’s bigger bodily show measurement, the pixel density is nearly similar.

• Show measurement: 28.2-inch 3:2 side ratio
• Native decision: 3840×2560
• Panel sort: IPS-LCD with LED edge lit backlight
• Refresh fee: 120Hz
• Adaptive sync: VRR
• HDR: Sure, VESA DisplayHDR 400 Licensed
• Ports: 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB-C with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and 90 watts USB Energy Supply, 1x USB-C downstream with DisplayPort MST and as much as 15 watts of Energy Supply, 2x USB-A downstream, 1 USB-C downstream with 7.5 watts of Energy Supply, 1x USB-B upstream
• Audio: Sure, 2x 3-watt audio system
• Additional options: Moonhalo ambient mild, KVM swap, ambient mild sensor
• Worth: $759.99 MSRP

The BenQ RD280UG makes a number of enhancements over its predecessor, the BenQ RD280U. The refresh fee has elevated from 60Hz to 120Hz and VRR is now supported, although BenQ stops wanting assist for any specific commonplace (equivalent to AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync). The brand new mannequin additionally lists barely extra highly effective audio system, as much as 3 watts from 2W earlier than, replaces one USB-A downstream port with USB-C, and lists a greater distinction ratio of 2000:1, up from 1200:1.

BenQ RD280UG design

The BenQ RD280UG’s design is dominated by its extremely uncommon 3:2 side ratio. Whereas there are actually a pair different 3:2 screens accessible, it stays extraordinarily uncommon. The side ratio leads to a show that’s nearly precisely as vast as a 27-inch widescreen monitor, but almost as tall as a 32-inch widescreen monitor.

Due to that, the RD280UG’s 3:2 side ratio can present a tad greater than two further inches of vertical show house (in comparison with a 27-inch widescreen). That is helpful not just for coding but additionally for writing or modifying all kinds of paperwork. Put merely, you possibly can see extra on the show without delay. The show’s measurement can be an ideal match for viewing two vertical home windows side-by-side.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

The three:2 show is housed in a sturdy chassis with a definite ridged design on the rear of the monitor. It units the monitor other than different manufacturers, but nonetheless appears to be like skilled. That is additionally the place you’ll discover the MoonHalo, an ambient mild that may create a nice glow across the show in a brilliant surroundings. Whereas the MoonHalo is supposed to scale back eye pressure, I prefer it for a extra primary purpose: It simply appears to be like good. The ambient glow solid by the MoonHalo is nice and brilliant sufficient to be a genuinely helpful mild supply in a dimly lit room.

BenQ mounts the monitor to a hefty stand with a flat base that doesn’t trigger an excessive amount of disruption in your desk. The stand can modify for peak, tilt, and swivel. It may possibly additionally pivot, which is an improve from the BenQ RD280U. A 100x100mm VESA mount is used, so the monitor could be hooked up to third-party monitor arms and stands.

BenQ RD280UG connectivity

Round again the BenQ RD280UG offers three video inputs: one HDMI, one DisplayPort, and one USB-C with DisplayPort. The USB-C port additionally offers as much as 90 watts of Energy Supply for powering a related laptop computer or pill.

The monitor additionally has a USB-C downstream port with 15 watts of Energy Supply and DisplayPort multi-stream transport. This function permits you to join a second show to the BenQ RD280UG and “daisy-chain” the video sign to it. That’s helpful when you have a laptop computer with only one video output, or if you wish to cut back cable litter in your desk.

The USB-C port extends USB connectivity to 2 USB-A ports and one USB-C port. These ports may also be pushed by a USB-B upstream connection. This makes the RD280UG a reasonably helpful USB hub, although it lacks some extra extravagant options that may be discovered on some rivals. The Dell U3225QE, for instance, has 2.5Gbps Ethernet.

KVM swap performance is included, too. Which means you possibly can join a number of units and use the monitor to change between which has entry to the monitor’s USB ports. It’s a great way to shortly swap between two related PCs, although additionally included by a lot of the BenQ RD280UG’s rivals.

BenQ RD280UG menus and options

The BenQ RD280UG has a number of further options aimed toward programmers.

My favourite is the ambient mild sensor. An ambient mild sensor can mechanically modify the brightness of a show all through the day to maintain the brightness at a snug degree. That’s helpful, as manually adjusting brightness is annoying and simple to overlook. Most screens within the BenQ RD280UG’s value vary don’t have this function, although a number of do, together with some Dell Ultrasharp, Asus ProArt, and BenQ P-Sequence shows.

BenQ doubles down on consolation with a number of show modes, equivalent to E-Paper and a Coding Darkish Theme, which drastically change the picture presentation. These modes usually are not technically “correct” however may ease eye pressure on account of diminished brightness and enhanced distinction. Take into account, nonetheless, that the usefulness of those options can fluctuate from individual to individual.

The BenQ RD280UG additionally has a “Perform Bar” on the entrance of the show. It is a touch-sensitive management that can be utilized to shortly have interaction or change monitor settings. The thought is that coders could need to continuously transfer from a coding-specific picture high quality mode to a different, extra typical mode. I might have most well-liked a distant or bodily button for this, however the Perform Bar is healthier than nothing.

The monitor’s settings can in any other case be modified in one in every of two methods. You need to use a joystick behind the decrease bezel to manage the on-screen menus or use BenQ’s DisplayPilot software program. The DisplayPilot software program helps Home windows, Mac, and Linux, which is notable. Most rivals don’t assist Linux.

Whichever technique you select, you’ll discover a whole lot of choices. The monitor has many colour modes and gamma modes that concentrate on exact gamma values. It additionally has colour temperature adjustment, however these changes don’t goal exact values. The monitor offers many choices for controlling particular options, such because the MoonHalo, ambient mild sensor, and performance bar. On the entire, I believe the BenQ RD280UG offers vary of options and choices for the worth.

BenQ RD280UG audio

The BenQ RD280UG features a pair of 3-watt audio system. Based on the specification sheet, these are an improve over the RD280U, which used 2-watt audio system. And lots of related screens lack audio system in any respect. Nonetheless, the RD280UG’s audio isn’t nice, missing quantity and depth. The audio system are okay for listening to a podcast however that’s about it.

BenQ RD280UG SDR picture high quality

I believe it’s honest to say the BenQ RD280UG’s picture high quality shouldn’t be necessary to the monitor’s core use case. Coding doesn’t require a excessive distinction ratio or, normally, a large colour gamut. The BenQ RD280UG’s picture high quality displays this, although it’s nonetheless respectable.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

I measured a most sustained SDR brightness of 340 nits. That could be a small improve from the older RD280U, which hit about 325 nits.

Because the graph exhibits, most competing screens could be brighter, and a few are considerably brighter. Nevertheless, the RD280UG is brilliant sufficient to be snug in most inside rooms. It’s additionally clearly skewed in the direction of use in dim rooms, as lots of the monitor’s options are designed to make it snug when considered in such a room. So, whereas the RD280UG shouldn’t be that brilliant, it’s brilliant sufficient, and I can’t say it’s an issue for the way the monitor is supposed for use.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

The BenQ RD280UG guarantees improved distinction over its predecessor, and it delivers. I measured a distinction ratio of 1980:1, which is a major enchancment over the prior monitor’s distinction ratio of 1310:1.

It additionally compares properly to related screens, a lot of which have a distinction ratio round 1000:1 to 1500:1.

In observe, this implies the BenQ RD280UG has a fairly deep, wealthy, and immersive look. Nevertheless, some backlight glow will nonetheless be seen when viewing darkish pictures in a really darkish room.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Subsequent up is colour gamut, which is the vary of colours the monitor can show. Right here, we see a weak point of the BenQ RD280UG, and an space the place the BenQ RD280UG doesn’t carry out in addition to its predecessor. The brand new RD280UG was in a position to show 88 % of DCI-P3 and 82 % of AdobeRGB, whereas the outdated mannequin displayed 93 % and 87 %, respectively.

This isn’t a significant problem, because the BenQ RD280UG’s colour gamut remains to be sufficient that it seems vivid at a look. Nevertheless, when in comparison with higher screens, it appears to be like much less saturated and alluring. You received’t discover it when coding or working with paperwork, however it may be noticeable in photographs and movies.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Colour accuracy can be so-so, because the RD280UG has a mean colour error that’s greater than many aggressive screens—significantly these from Dell. The typical colour error is expressed throughout many colours, somewhat than any single colour. The RD280UG shouldn’t be meant to be a monitor for artistic professionals, and for the worth, wouldn’t be decide for that use.

The RD280UG’s colour temperature got here in at 6700K, barely off our goal of 6500K. Which means the picture is a bit cooler than perfect, and it’s a noticeable distinction, however not punch-you-in-the-face apparent. Gamma, in the meantime, was good with an on-target gamma curve of two.2. The monitor offers a variety of gamma presets in case you’re feeling the necessity to change to a different gamma setting. Collectively, these outcomes contribute to a well-balanced presentation of the RD280UG’s picture.

Sharpness is a perk. The RD280UG offers 3840×2560 decision, which is the next whole pixel depend than a 4K widescreen monitor. Nevertheless, as a result of the monitor can be bodily bigger, this nonetheless works out to a pixel density of about 164 pixels per inch. Most 27-inch 4K screens have the same pixel density. Nonetheless, this is a wonderful degree of sharpness for a pc monitor. Small textual content appears to be like crisp and detailed, which is necessary, since coders typically view small textual content.

The RD280UG’s total picture high quality shouldn’t be distinctive however appears well-suited for the monitor’s meant objective. Programmers care most of all about sharpness when viewing small fonts and a well-balanced, fairly correct picture. The RD280UG offers that.

BenQ RD280UG HDR picture high quality

The BenQ RD280UG is able to HDR and is VESA DisplayHDR 400 licensed, however I wouldn’t suggest it for viewing HDR. The monitor lacks the brightness and distinction to really do HDR justice and usually received’t look a lot better than SDR—simply completely different. On prime of that, the monitor lacks the kind of HDR brightness and picture adjustment options that you simply’ll discover on a high-end gaming and leisure monitor, such because the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQWP-W.

BenQ RD280UG movement efficiency

BenQ’s RD280UG can attain a refresh fee as much as 120Hz. That’s an enchancment over the RD280U, which might solely obtain 60Hz. It additionally permits the BenQ to meet up with current Dell Ultrasharp and Asus ProArt screens, a lot of which obtain a refresh fee of no less than 120Hz.

Whether or not the 120Hz refresh fee is satisfactory will rely in your expectations. The quickest screens can now hit refresh charges as much as 1,000Hz, and 240Hz screens are extraordinarily frequent, so 120Hz is a good distance from leading edge. Nevertheless, many screens meant particularly for coding or productiveness are nonetheless caught at 60Hz, and enhancing the RD280UG’s refresh fee to 120Hz delivers a giant enchancment.

Refresh fee is usually considered a function for PC gaming however, on this context, it offers higher textual content readability when scrolling by way of code, in addition to a extra responsive really feel when navigating a desktop, apps, or an built-in improvement surroundings.

The monitor additionally helps variable refresh charges. It doesn’t state official assist for VESA AdaptiveSync, AMD FreeSync, or Nvidia G-Sync. Nevertheless, in my testing, AMD FreeSync did perform with the RD280UG.

Must you purchase the BenQ RD280UG?

The BenQ RD280UG is likely one of the most uncommon screens in the marketplace proper now, but in some ways, it makes good sense.

It’s designed for coding and, to that finish, it offers extra display screen actual property, an ultra-sharp picture, and a number of modes and options designed to both cut back eye pressure or make working in a darkish room extra gratifying. The BenQ RD280UG additionally offers necessary upgrades from its predecessor, the RD280U, together with a leap from a 60Hz to 120Hz refresh fee.

The RD280UG’s retail value of $759.99 is dear, and since you possibly can code properly sufficient on nearly any show, it received’t make sense for everybody. Nevertheless, when you have robust opinions on how a show you utilize for coding ought to perform and look, the RD280UG might be perfect for you.