Acer Predator Z35 35-inch Curved G-Sync Monitor Review

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Conclusion

Despite users' pleas for better value in gaming monitors, manufacturers continue to release premium products. While some value-oriented products have come to market, the top-end displays are still updated regularly. Curved displays are the best example of the phenomenon in that their prices have not come down much at all since they first appeared.

We wondered when flat 21:9 screens came out if anyone would notice. We certainly saw their usefulness but weren't sure if they'd catch on. Before we could publish any further analysis, curved monitors jumped into the mix. We enjoyed them right away but many users still questioned why anyone would want one. Obviously people are buying them because companies have not abandoned the category. But the bulk of those sales must be to well-heeled customers because prices have stayed high despite an increasing number of available choices.

The Z35 is clearly intended as a do-it-all gaming display. The 2000R curved panel with its extreme width, 200Hz refresh overclock, G-Sync, ULMB, monolithic build and sci-fi styling scream entertainment. People looking for maximum attention while playing games in public will want one of these for sure.

In our tests we found superb contrast courtesy of an excellent AMVA panel. True, the resolution is low compared to like-priced competition but we still believe the image quality is superior to every other gaming monitor we've reviewed despite a lack of pixel density.

The only spoiler is the Z35's motion processing. The artifacts we observed were minor but when you're paying for things like G-Sync, ULMB and 200Hz, these features should enhance the image beyond what's possible on lesser products. And in fairness, it does achieve superiority over many other screens. But one should be able to engage adaptive refresh and 200Hz and see something special and that isn't quite the case here.

Aside from this flaw, we're impressed with the Predator. It has excellent color, gamma and grayscale accuracy and it's obviously a rugged product what with a metal stand, super-solid upright and substantial chassis. And we like the unique styling; red trim is always a welcome addition and we're glad Acer wasn't afraid to include a lot of it.

As always with products like this, we suggest you try one in person before deciding to buy. The flaws we observed are not necessarily a deal-breaker. When you see its incredibly life-like, almost three-dimensional image, you may be won over.

MORE: Best Computer MonitorsMORE: Display Calibration 101
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Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware, covering Monitors.

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Christian Eberle
Contributing Editor

Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware US. He's a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors. Christian began his obsession with tech when he built his first PC in 1991, a 286 running DOS 3.0 at a blazing 12MHz. In 2006, he undertook training from the Imaging Science Foundation in video calibration and testing and thus started a passion for precise imaging that persists to this day. He is also a professional musician with a degree from the New England Conservatory as a classical bassoonist which he used to good effect as a performer with the West Point Army Band from 1987 to 2013. He enjoys watching movies and listening to high-end audio in his custom-built home theater and can be seen riding trails near his home on a race-ready ICE VTX recumbent trike. Christian enjoys the endless summer in Florida where he lives with his wife and Chihuahua and plays with orchestras around the state.

  • Realist9
    "2560x1080" at 35 " in 2016. That's a joke, right?
    Reply
  • SBMfromLA
    "2560x1080" at 35 " in 2016. That's a joke, right?

    Not really....
    Reply
  • DanT060
    not 4K no
    Reply
  • Realist9
    The only 'gamer' I see buying this monitor is one that wants super mega hecka uber duper high refresh rate for their twitch FPS and doesn't care that the image looks crappy.

    Seriously, why not 1440, at least?
    Reply
  • SBMfromLA
    17582662 said:
    The only 'gamer' I see buying this monitor is one that wants super mega hecka uber duper high refresh rate for their twitch FPS and doesn't care that the image looks crappy.

    Seriously, why not 1440, at least?


    Some people feel a need to have the "latest and greatest"...
    Reply
  • turkey3_scratch
    17582662 said:
    The only 'gamer' I see buying this monitor is one that wants super mega hecka uber duper high refresh rate for their twitch FPS and doesn't care that the image looks crappy.

    Seriously, why not 1440, at least?

    It's a simple answer: CSGO. Competitive players want these high refresh rates.
    Reply
  • envy14tpe
    17582662 said:
    The only 'gamer' I see buying this monitor is one that wants super mega hecka uber duper high refresh rate for their twitch FPS and doesn't care that the image looks crappy.

    Seriously, why not 1440, at least?

    It's a simple answer: CSGO. Competitive players want these high refresh rates.

    Don't forget us BF4 players. We like the high refresh rates too. But for $300-400 less you could get a 1440p IPS panel like the PG279Q that runs up to 165Hz. That's why this bigger screen seems kinda weird given the price. At that price resolution should matter more.
    Reply
  • Jack_565
    "You'll need to use the former for G-Sync and for 200Hz operation, which also requires a GeForce GTX960 BOOST or better"
    Could someone clarify what a 960 BOOST is, a OC'd 960?
    Reply
  • ohim
    The thing with G-Sync is that every gamer in Battlefield 4 forums said that they use their monitors without G-Sync when gaming at 144hz, i asked them why and they all replied that it`s a pointless tech at that fps speed.. so practically you pay for G-sync only on the slower games where you can`t reach to fast fps.
    Reply
  • Max_x2
    Did any of you actually read the article? First paragraph under the specs, right on the first page:

    "Those who have browsed the specs certainly noticed the 2560x1080 pixel resolution. That's something we weren't thrilled to see in the XR3501 either but after testing and playing games on it for a while, the lower pixel density became a non-issue. We continue to maintain that contrast is the most important factor in image quality, not resolution. And the Z35 is no different."
    Reply