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Conclusion
Over the past five years, we’ve reviewed nearly two dozen AOC monitors; and every one has sported a high level of style with a nod towards beauty. By partnering with Studio F.A. Porsche, the company has upped the aesthetic even further. While we realize it comes down to personal preference, we think the PDS271 is one of the nicest looking displays available right now.
Unfortunately, there are two flaws here that we hope will be rectified soon. The first, obviously, is resolution. We acknowledge that 1920x1080 is still the dominant standard on the desktop, both at work and at home. But with the inevitable evolution of performance and the continued downward spiral of prices, there is no reason we can’t up this standard to a more palatable 2560x1440, especially considering the 27” form factor.
Granted, smaller screens are just fine at FHD’s lower dot count. We think the pixel density sweet spot is around 100ppi, 92 at the lowest. A 27”, QHD panel offers 109ppi while an FHD monitor delivers 92ppi at 24” and 100ppi at 22”. So complaints about resolution become more relevant once you reach the 27” size of the PDS271. And in fairness, there is a 24” version of this display (the PDS241).
We would also be remiss if we didn’t point out the 6-bit+FRC color depth of this panel. There is no good reason for this unless gaming performance is a design goal. Then, the added speed and response make a reduction in bit-depth worthwhile. But any panel intended for general use should be 8-bits native.
Those issues aside, the PDS271 is a very nice monitor. The DCI-P3 native color gamut is a pleasant surprise, although we wish there were an sRGB option in the OSD. The menu is designed to be simple and uncluttered and that is certainly the case here. But two gamut options and a set of RGB sliders would be a welcome addition that would make this display far more competitive.
Who will the PDS271 appeal to? Users looking to make an aesthetic statement in their workspace, for sure. Feature-wise, it’s a little short of the mark, but styling is far ahead of the norm. And measured performance is on par with most other business-class screens. We’ve reviewed many elegant monitors but this one is a cut above. And most of your co-workers will likely envy you before you even turn it on.
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