The high pixel density of a 27-inch QHD monitor is fast becoming the desktop standard for power users. But prices are stalled in the $600 to $800 range. Today we check out NEC’s entry, the EA274WMi. Our hands-on review reveals what you get for your money.
Over the past 14 months or so, we’ve reviewed 11 different QHD displays at 2560x1440. In that time, more consistent contrast performance, greater image accuracy, selectable color gamuts, and factory calibration have all become more prevalent. But one trend we haven't seen yet is lower price points. Unless you opt for a Korean gray-market screen, you’re still looking at an outlay of at least $600. And if you need capabilities like an Adobe RGB gamut or pinpoint accuracy, expect to write an even larger check.
Because of the standstill in LCD panel prices (across the board, really; cheaper displays aren't going down either), QHD remains more of a resolution for professionals and power users rather than mainstream gamers. Cost isn't the only obstacle, either. There still aren't any high-res monitors suitable for the latest fast-paced titles. Unless you mod the control board, you’re stuck with 60 Hz and enough input lag to make quick-reacting enthusiasts cringe as their TN-wielding opponents deliver the kill shot.
For business and graphics users, however, QHD is now a must-have. The 27-inch size is a price and performance sweet spot when you’re talking about high pixel density. The last few 2560x1440 screens I reviewed set new benchmarks for clarity; so much so, in fact, that DPI scaling is no longer necessary to see small text. And when we get an old-school FHD monitor in for review, Windows suddenly looks like a large-font children’s book. I find myself reaching for the scroll bars much more often as a result. Trust me, once you acclimate to QHD, it’s really hard to go back!

Our subject today is NEC’s EA274WMi. Looking at the company's description and specs, we can see this display isn’t aimed at graphics pros or photographers. Rather, NEC is catering to the “high-performance enterprise user.” There’s no factory calibration or wide-gamut option. Nor is there 12- or 14-bit color output. What you do get is a well-engineered monitor built to a high standard and packed with features that are appropriate to a productivity-oriented desktop.
| Brand | NEC |
|---|---|
| Model | EA274WMi |
| MSRP | $800 |
| Panel Type | AH-IPS |
| Backlight | W-LED, edge array |
| Screen Size | 27-inch |
| Max Resolution | 2560x1440 |
| Max Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Native Color Depth | 8-bit |
| Native Gamut | sRGB |
| Response Time (GTG) | 6 ms |
| Brightness | 350 cd/m2 |
| Speakers | 2 x 1 W |
| VGA | 1 |
| DVI | 1 |
| DisplayPort v1.2 | 1 |
| HDMI 1.4 | 1 |
| Audio In | 1 |
| Headphone | 1 |
| USB | v3.0: 1 up, 2 down v2.0: 2 down |
| Media card reader | - |
| Panel Dimensions W x H x D w/base | 25.2 x 16.5-21.6 x 9.1 in 639 x 418-548 x 230 mm |
| Panel Thickness | 2.6 in / 67 mm |
| Weight | 19.2 lbs / 8.7 kg |
| Warranty | Three years |
NEC differentiates the EA274WMi from its other QHD offerings in a few different ways. First is the price. At $800, this is the least-expensive high-res model in the line. Second, the next-up PA272W includes the wider Adobe RGB gamut, a 14-bit internal LUT, and software calibration options. Look for that screen in an upcoming review.
The EA274WMi is lit by a white LED edge array like the majority of IPS monitors on the market. NEC specs this panel as IPS versus AH-IPS for its higher-priced screens, but a check of the panel part database tells us the EA274WMi is AH-IPS as well. The core is made by LG, features a native sRGB gamut, and 8-bit color depth for both the input and output signals.
We talked about bit depth recently in ViewSonic VP2772 27-Inch QHD Professional Monitor Review. While a 10- or 12-bit panel is a normal complement for a pro photographer’s workstation, you also need a full 10-bit signal path to take advantage of it. NEC's monitor is spec’d just fine for any task you might need it for.
What you’re really paying for here is rugged build quality and energy-saving features. NEC takes those characteristics very seriously by including controls to automatically lower brightness and even shut down the screen when you leave your desk. Admittedly, there's a bit of fun in using the carbon footprint and energy cost indicators on the EA274WMi, sort of like watching the charging gauges on a Prius. Let’s take a closer look.
- NEC EA274WMi: A High-Performance 27" Monitor
- Packaging, Physical Layout, And Accessories
- OSD Setup And Calibration Of The NEC EA274WMi
- Measurement And Calibration Methodology: How We Test
- Results: Brightness And Contrast
- Results: Grayscale Tracking And Gamma Response
- Results: Color Gamut And Performance
- Results: Viewing Angles And Uniformity
- Results: Pixel Response And Input Lag
- NEC EA274WMi: Some Unique Features
I'm sure this monitor is slight better, but come on NEC, $800 is ridiculous.
Even more ridiculous is this quote from the review:
"At $800, this is the least-expensive high-res model in the line. "
haha!
The Korean 2560x1440's are in the $300 - $400 price range.
Who the hell is pricing these things?
Untrue Overlord warranties their OC model and is the only OEM making IPS panels specifically for gamers. Why Tom's doesn't have one of the Tempests to review I still don't understand. Oh wait - that's right - it's pay to review on this site! DOH!
I got my 30" 16:10 2560x1600 LCDs like three years ago for $980-ish.
Let me know when 1440p hits 25% share of the market. At that point MAYBE you can claim it's the standard. I expect an email in 3-4yrs...ROFL.
http://store.steampowered.com/hwsurvey/
scroll down to primary monitor resolution. .93%...
Note 1080p=32.91%
Ideally for it to be standard it has to be the highest percent right? 1080p. GET IT?
Yes I want us to get to higher res monitors being standard ASAP (with GPU's that can actually push this res without the need for 2+ cards), but reality is that day hasn't arrived so quit saying this BS.
Also understand that .93% is the penetration of gamers. I'm guessing it is far less if you include the non-gamers who mostly have no need to splurge on an $400-800 monitor to view the web or email and anything under $490 or so I wouldn't touch at 27in/1440p, and not at all without Gsync. I wouldn't buy a monitor without that (put the purchase off) unless mine DIED today forcing me to upgrade. The cheapest NAME you'd recognize on newegg is asus at $490.
Untrue Overlord warranties their OC model and is the only OEM making IPS panels specifically for gamers. Why Tom's doesn't have one of the Tempests to review I still don't understand. Oh wait - that's right - it's pay to review on this site! DOH!
This is absolutely not true. Our editorial and advertising departments are purposely kept very separate. In fact, I couldn't even tell you if there are display vendors advertising on the site. We review monitors because they're an important part of the computing experience.
If you or another representative of Tempest would like to submit a display for review, please contact us! Alternatively, we can reach out to you, also
That said, I am considering sticking with 60HZ and moving to a Korean 30" 2560x1600 panel. I've gamed at 60HZ for a long time and am used to it, but I'd really like to have more screen real estate. If someone comes out with a 30" panel that supports 120HZ for something REASONABLE then I'd be interested, but I'm not dropping as much as an entire computer on a display.
Get what you pay for, all these noobs with their 1080p displays are so limiting themselves.Ive been gaming on 30 inches for over 3 years now that I paid $1200 for. Been worth every cent to have much more real estate over the 120hz option. 4K is my next purchase when they come down to $1500 or less.
I will email Overlord to tell them so since I have been supporting them since they started! Fan boy? You betcha!
That said, I am considering sticking with 60HZ and moving to a Korean 30" 2560x1600 panel. I've gamed at 60HZ for a long time and am used to it, but I'd really like to have more screen real estate. If someone comes out with a 30" panel that supports 120HZ for something REASONABLE then I'd be interested, but I'm not dropping as much as an entire computer on a display.
I will email Overlord to tell them so since I have been supporting them since they started! Fan boy? You betcha!
You voted my post down for stating the obvious truth and proving it? What for? I'm already above 1080p, but as stated it's the most common used res NOT 1440p. So what is your problem with the post? Same question for the other two that voted down the truth. Some people. I even stated I want us to move on...LOL. You don't like steam surveys or something? Hate for me?...Whatever...
I will email Overlord to tell them so since I have been supporting them since they started! Fan boy? You betcha!
You voted my post down for stating the obvious truth and proving it? What for? I'm already above 1080p, but as stated it's the most common used res NOT 1440p. So what is your problem with the post? Same question for the other two that voted down the truth. Some people. I even stated I want us to move on...LOL. You don't like steam surveys or something? Hate for me?...Whatever...
I'll answer your question with a question - why in the hell do you care that your post got voted down by me and 2 others? Do you need confirmation on all your posts of your ability to pull some stats and say something on a forum?
Ok then - great job! Atta Boy!
I didn't like the tone of your post it came off arrogant and at the same time needy to show how "in the know" you think you are.
Funny, I didn't know I was supposed to provide a justification for not liking someone's post, but there you go.
I will email Overlord to tell them so since I have been supporting them since they started! Fan boy? You betcha!
You voted my post down for stating the obvious truth and proving it? What for? I'm already above 1080p, but as stated it's the most common used res NOT 1440p. So what is your problem with the post? Same question for the other two that voted down the truth. Some people. I even stated I want us to move on...LOL. You don't like steam surveys or something? Hate for me?...Whatever...
I'll answer your question with a question - why in the hell do you care that your post got voted down by me and 2 others? Do you need confirmation on all your posts of your ability to pull some stats and say something on a forum?
Ok then - great job! Atta Boy!
I didn't like the tone of your post it came off arrogant and at the same time needy to show how "in the know" you think you are.
Funny, I didn't know I was supposed to provide a justification for not liking someone's post, but there you go.
OH, you're the PC police. We have enough of that junk already. Judge the data, not the person. So the priorities for you when judging a post isn't about the post at all...ROFL. I'm arrogant, needy and my TONE sucks...As long as the data is good who cares...
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Graham%27s_Hierarchy_of_Disagreement.svg
Congratulations. You made it to the 3rd level. Responding to the tone of my post...LOL. But that is still completely failing with your "vote". That's OK...I only care about the data anyway, which isn't changing. Come back when you've got something to say about the data instead of me
"criticizes the tone of the writing without addressing the substance of the argument." ....Yep. Actually I think you may have done the bottom 3.
Why do you care how I sound? Ah...Not here for the data? Just here to judge people's tone, attack their character etc.
The answer to your ?: I comment to find out if someone can argue with the data (for stock purposes mostly, I want MORE data if I can get it, no matter how their TONE is - they might save me money etc). If nobody can tear it down or show better data points, I'm probably on the right track