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If you’re shopping in the bread-and-butter category of 27-inch 16:9 flat panel gaming monitors, there are just a few choices to make. OLED or LCD? For the smoothest performance and best image, OLED all day. Then it’s resolution, QHD or 4K? QHD is the most common pick, and there are lots of good options for around $600. But if you have enough graphics power, 4K in the 27-inch size offers incredible pixel density and the sharpest image outside an 8K display. The Acer Predator X27 X1 isn’t budget-priced, but it is a good value relative to the competition. It’s also a welcome addition to a thinly populated genre.
The X27 X1 delivers super low input lag and the fastest panel response I’ve yet measured from an OLED display. That translates to blur free operation down to 144fps and addictive gameplay with instant action from any control input. This is a player’s display for sure and it’s suited for anyone, novice to pro.
The picture is incredibly sharp and colorful as well. Though there are a few QD-OLEDs with more color volume, the X27 X1 is visibly more saturated than a non-QD screen. This is a technology that has become a must-have for any premium gaming monitor. My only complaint is that I had to compromise accuracy during calibration. It’s decent out of the box, but could use some help in grayscale. But getting that right means a slightly lighter gamma. I also wished for automatic switching to HDR mode.
Minor flaws aside, the Acer Predator X27 X1 has the image and gameplay to be a great display. And it’s priced attractively. If you’ve been considering a 27-inch OLED display, and you have a fast video card, definitely check it out.
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