Planar sent over its newest QHD screen, the 27" PXL2790MW. This is the sharpest display we’ve ever seen, and one of the most accurate. With high-end styling and a 2560x1440 native resolution, it introduces a sense of luxury to the business class.
When we review business-class monitors at Tom’s Hardware, it's understood that they're probably not an enthusiast's first choice for a high-performance rig. But the reality is that monitors branded as gaming products aren't much different than less heavily marketed models. In fact, we really only see high refresh rates as the differentiator creating a specific enthusiast focus. All other performance factors start on the same plane, regardless of whether a monitor is aimed at business users or entertainment seekers.
To that end, we always try to look for aspects of performance that appeal to our audience of enthusiasts. And the tests we perform are all centered on one thing: image quality. We’ve established that the best-looking displays will have a wide dynamic range, accurate color, correct grayscale, and a flat-tracking gamma of 2.2. We also look at response time and input lag, as well as screen uniformity and viewing angles. But there’s one component we haven’t addressed before now, and that's clarity. The main reason, of course, is that we didn't have a scientific and repeatable way to measure it. Clarity is largely a matter of opinion, and that is something we try to avoid when we make our recommendations.

That changed when we received Planar’s PXL2790MW. Often times, we run our benchmark suite before viewing actual content. The test patterns we use lack too much detail to adequately differentiate the clarity of various displays. When we received this display, however, we were so taken by its styling that we put it on a desktop right away and were immediately struck by its razor-sharp image.
You've seen Tom's Hardware review a good number of QHD screens this year, and you already know that it's our new standard for desktop displays. The extra screen real estate afforded by a pixel density of nearly 109 ppi makes most tasks much easier. But we've also noted that most monitors need some form of scaling to make text easier to read. Windows 7 does a very poor job of this. Even though fonts are enlarged, character edges get so distorted that the experience is akin to looking through smudged spectacles. Finally, we resorted to using the scaling built into most applications, which almost always offers better performance. With the new PXL2790MW, we quickly discovered there was no need for scaling in any program. The image is so clear that even the smallest text is fully legible.
We had an educational conversation with one of Planar’s product managers about the PXL2790MW. He spoke to us about the company's research, which of course indicated that most computer users want a high level of luxury and quality in a display. Once someone works with a large, high-pixel density monitor, they don’t want to go back to a lower-res 21-inch screen. We've been saying that for years!
While QHD screens are becoming more common, their prices still tend to hover above $600, with gray-market Korean monitors being the exception. We tested Auria's EQ276W and found it to be a decent-performing display. But if you want high-end build quality and reliable factory support, you have to look at more mainstream brands.
| Brand | Planar |
|---|---|
| Model | PXL2790MW |
| MSRP | $700 |
| Panel Type | AH-IPS |
| Backlight | W-LED |
| Screen Size | 27" |
| Max Resolution | 2560x1440 |
| Max Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Response Time (GTG) | 6.5 ms |
| Brightness | 440 cd/m2 |
| Speakers | 2 x 2 W |
| VGA | 1 |
| DVI | 1 |
| DisplayPort | 1 |
| HDMI | 1 |
| Headphone | 1 |
| USB | - |
| Dimensions w/base W x H x D | 25.6 x 18.7 x 7.9 in 650 x 475 x 201 mm |
| Panel Thickness | 1.7 in / 45 mm |
| Warranty | Three years |
Planar’s New Technology
How does Planar achieve such a sharp image? There’s nothing in the company's specs able to answer this, except maybe the high brightness. But that’s not it. The company did something unique with this new screen called layer-bonding; and it’s something we’ve never seen before.
Although Planar is using an LG AH-IPS panel in the PXL2790MW, the way it’s integrated with the front protective layer is unique. In most displays, there is a small air gap between this layer and the LCD panel. Planar is bonding them together, eliminating the gap. The result is significantly greater clarity. And this isn't a gimmick; we noticed it as soon as we turned the monitor on. Not only is it exceptionally bright, but the sharpness of even the tiniest text is greater than displays with a typical anti-glare screen coating.
- Planar PXL2790MW: Clarity, Performance, And Accuracy In QHD
- Packaging, Physical Layout, And Accessories
- OSD Setup And Calibration
- Measurement And Calibration Methodology: How We Test
- Results: Brightness And Contrast
- Results: Grayscale Tracking And Gamma Response
- Results: Color Gamut And Performance
- Results: Viewing Angle And Uniformity
- Results: Pixel Response And Input Lag
- Planar's PXL2790MW Gets Top Marks For Clarity And Performance
What do you seriously think that another 27" 2560x1440 60Hz monitor that is already in class with a dozen other models identical to it, deserves an award?
As for those overlord monitors, I wasn't impressed by them, mostly because I had it sitting next to a lightboost 2 120hz TN panel. Yes, the overclocked IPS panel has better colour (though that's largely negated by using it on minimal brightness in a dark room, like we've already been talking about), and it's certainly pretty and gives a lot of screen real estate... but it can't compare to a real 120Hz monitor, especially not one with a strobing backlight.
Now this sort of monitor clarity plus an OS that supports decent enlarged fonts would be really nice. Apps that scale well over a range of sizes would be even nicer. A 1000 pixel wide frame may be good for some people no matter how small it is; others of us would like at least a certain number of inches. Support all of us.
(Yes, I know that this isn't the monitor's fault. It's a poor convention in many parts of the software industry.)
QHD is not ready for gaming prime time yet, sorry folks.
Cheers!
As for those overlord monitors, I wasn't impressed by them, mostly because I had it sitting next to a lightboost 2 120hz TN panel. Yes, the overclocked IPS panel has better colour (though that's largely negated by using it on minimal brightness in a dark room, like we've already been talking about), and it's certainly pretty and gives a lot of screen real estate... but it can't compare to a real 120Hz monitor, especially not one with a strobing backlight.
When you say a real 120Hz - I don't get that. I have both 248s and Tempests and I prefer the Tempest all day every day. Monitors are clearly very subjective. Some people complain about strobing, PWm, etc. but it doesn't affect me at all. I prefer an IPS panel over a TN panel. The Tempest is a real 120hz monitor once OC'd so your comment makes little sense to me. Gaming on an IPS 1440 is much preferred and the added Hz makes the overlord the best gaming display for me.
QHD is not ready for gaming prime time yet, sorry folks.
Cheers!
Herpa Durp? QHD has been ready for "gaming prime time" for years now. Fortunately, panels are coming down in price and adoption is increasing as a result.
Your argument would be totally valid for 4K displays right now...excessively expensive, complicated input requirements, killer HW requirements. Very much a niche market.
1440p is **like** totally the new 1080p. Psshhya
It's not a real 120hz display i.e. designed for it. It has significantly more latency, and serious issues with motion blur... where a monitor designed for high refresh rates has virtually no input lag, and (if using lightboost technology set up to strobe), zero motion blur. An overclocked ips panel is still better than a non-overclocked ips panel, but I'll take a TN panel any day. The very high end TN panels look nearly as good as lower-end IPS panels, yet perform way better... and IPS panels don't handle being set to low brightness very well. I agree that IPS is superior for certain things; most notably tasks that require color accuracy. But for a gaming setup, I disagree. (Though a 1440p monitor, you're right, is a wonderful thing.)
That... is absolutely not true. Have you set your monitor up with lightboost, if you aren't using it? Have you gone into windows and your video drivers and told them to run the monitor at 120hz? Most of the time, when people say they can't see the difference between 120hz and 60hz, it's because they didn't set it up and never actually saw 120hz.
If you have it set up right, there is a VERY noticeable difference between 120hz and 60hz. Yes, 1440p is nice too, but you can't just say that one is worthless and the other isn't; I personally bought and returned a VERY nice iiyama recently, because even though it was basically the best on the market, there were notable issues with it while gaming - if there were a 1440p TN panel that didn't have all the issues that IPS panels have (yes, I know TN panels have issues of their own, but those are unimportant for gaming), then I would buy it on day one, and use it for MMOs and, say, racing games, for which a 120Hz monitor isn't as helpful, but which you still want a decent response and minimal ghosting.
For me, this is just another overpriced piece of equipment. Next.
Your argument would be totally valid for 4K displays right now...excessively expensive, complicated input requirements, killer HW requirements. Very much a niche market.
1440p is **like** totally the new 1080p. Psshhya
Well, I know there have been QHD monitors for quite some time, but they're still expensive as hell and don't offer a better "gaming experience" IMO to justify them over FHD@120/144Hz. Until QHD comes in 120/144 Hz, they won't be on my "must have" list at all. Specially with the crappy as hell colors.
Cheers!
Happy Thanks Giving!