AOC unveils 27-inch Quad HD Ultra Slim Frameless IPS Monitor (Q2781PQ)
4K and 5K displays are all the rage nowadays, but as far as I am concerned, they aren't always worth the money. With the exception of macOS, these expensive high-resolution displays don't perform well with scaling on Windows 10 and Linux. With that said, 1080p is too low in 2017. It is for this reason that I tend to prefer 2560 x 1440 resolution -- it is usable on Windows, Fedora, and macOS without breaking the bank. The sweet spot.
Today, AOC unveils a new monitor with that resolution. This company is known for budget offerings, but its newest model aims more for elegance. The 27-inch Q2781PQ is what the company calls "frameless," which is really just marketing-speak for very thin bezels on all four sides.
"AOC's Q2781PQ sports an ultra slim design and asymmetric stand, along with QHD resolution (2560 x 1440) a 50,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and a new 4-sided 'frameless' AH-IPS panel. It features a modern AH-IPS panel that allows for wide viewing angles of 178-degrees, ensuring brilliant colors and Clear Vision, the image performance engine that can upscale Standard Definition (SD) sources to High Definition (HD) for sharper, more vivid viewing. The display also features Full sRGB color for the best color uniformity from any perspective. With excellent picture quality and features such as Flicker-FREE technology, the monitor meets the needs of style conscious home users and professionals alike," says AOC.
The monitor-maker further says, "Q2781PQ comes with an upgraded design and improved image quality that is certain to impress design-conscious users of all types. Alongside its ultra slim appearance and stylish asymmetric stand, the display comes in a new 4-sided 'frameless' design with minimal black borders around the screen. The stand is also compact and saves space on the desk. Inside its elegant design, the display boasts the latest technology providing you with a first-class viewing experience. It features a modern AH-IPS panel that allows for wide viewing angles of 178-degrees, ensuring brilliant colors with Full sRGB consistency and best color uniformity from any perspective. The AOC Q2781PQ comes with QHD resolution (2560 x 1440 pixels) and over 3.6 million pixels."
AOC shares the specifications below.
| Panel | AH-IPS |
| Viewable Image | 27" Diagonal |
| Resolution | 2560x1440@60Hz |
| Response Time | 5ms |
| Color Depth | 16.7M |
| Contrast Ration | 50M:1 (dynamic) |
| Viewing Angle | Horizontal: 178 Degrees (CR>10)Vertical: 178 Degrees (CR>10 |
| Connections | 1xVGA, 1xDP, 2xHDMI |
For an extra $100, AOC also sells a special edition of the monitor. Called "Q2781PS," it features a rose gold color and the rear will be adorned with Swarovski crystals. While I wouldn't spend the extra coin for a gaudy appearance, some consumers may want it. It will be available at an undisclosed future date.
If you are interested in buying the standard Q2781PQ monitor, it can be had from Amazon here. While the MSRP is $499, the price is already at a lower $349, making it a much more reasonable purchase.