AOC Q2781PQ IPS/QHD Monitor Review

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Conclusion

Most of the monitors we review have some special feature that sets them apart from the competition, and some even create new categories. But most users just want a competent display with good picture quality, decent pixel density, and a low price. The Q2781PQ offers all of that in a 27” IPS screen with appealing styling, solid build quality, and good value. The only thing you should take with a grain of salt is the “bezel-free” claim.

We’re not sure how many users care about the size of a monitor’s bezel, but it seems whenever we review a monitor like this, some readers comment that the panel isn’t truly frameless. Even though AOC uses the term, its website photos clearly show a bezel. At just 8mm however, it is the narrowest one we’ve measured and is discretely hidden behind the anti-glare layer for a minimalist appearance. Coupled with a super-slim panel and a spindly-looking, but solid base, the Q2781PQ should have no trouble fitting in with modern desktops that eschew the clutter of papers and objects. It’s easy to imagine a modern, wireless keyboard and mouse sitting in front of the monitor along with a tiny cube PC or a tower hidden on the floor. I think it looks great with the mini-ITX Thermaltake Core V1 system I just built.

AOC markets the Q2781PQ as part of its style line, but cuts no corners when it comes to performance or accuracy. It will require a bit of effort to extract optimal image quality but it’s acceptable without adjustment. Calibration of the User color temp and a change to gamma is all that’s needed to put it in the realm of professional displays.

Gamers may be shopping elsewhere for higher refresh rates and adaptive-sync, but casual players who don’t want to spend a lot of money, or accept a TN screen, may find what they’re looking for here. Input lag won’t break records at 63ms, but it is lower than nearly all the 60Hz QHD displays in our database.

The panel is the best part of the Q2781PQ. With a high-quality part from LG Display and 2560x1440 resolution, those willing to spend around $350 will be hard-pressed to find a better monitor. What we have here is a product that meets its design goals and delivers exactly what’s promised for a reasonable price. It won’t be a benchmark for future displays, but it will satisfy users who just need a good screen. For its solid performance, styling, and build quality, we’re giving the AOC Q2781PQ our Tom’s Hardware Editor Recommended Award.


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Christian Eberle
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.

7 Comments Comment from the forums
  • SteveRNG
    I get why people call out the monitor makers when they call a monitor bezel-free and it's not. And I get why people who do multiple-monitor gaming would want bezel-free. But until the display actually has NO bezel, does bezel thickness matter at all? It seems that if there is any bezel, it might as well be an inch wide and help prevent backlight bleed.
    Reply
  • dstarr3
    19819450 said:
    I get why people call out the monitor makers when they call a monitor bezel-free and it's not. And I get why people who do multiple-monitor gaming would want bezel-free. But until the display actually has NO bezel, does bezel thickness matter at all? It seems that if there is any bezel, it might as well be an inch wide and help prevent backlight bleed.

    Generally, I agree. There's no functional point if there is more than zero bezel thickness. But I'll admit, a thin bezel does just look better aesthetically. If I had to choose between two monitors that were equal in every way, except one had a thinner bezel, I'd go with the thinner bezel.
    Reply
  • drwho1
    To me not having speakers is a plus since I like to use my own set of speakers... real speakers. Overall I will keep this in mind when ready to upgrade.
    Reply
  • MasterMace
    hoping for an ips 120hz 4k in the 24 and 27 brackets
    Reply
  • 2Be_or_Not2Be
    I personally would rather have downward-facing inputs. It puts less stress on the connector.
    Reply
  • 2Be_or_Not2Be
    19821946 said:
    hoping for an ips 120hz 4k in the 24 and 27 brackets

    Not sure I would want 4K in a 24" monitor. That would make for some really tiny text/icons. I would only go with 4K in 27"/28" and above sizes.
    Reply
  • photonboy
    2BE_OR_NOT2BE,
    I'm not sure I agree that "downward-facing inputs" are better. With this monitor the cables can come from the back of the desk like you would a DVD player. With the downwards style you'd be forced to bend the cable more thus putting MORE stress on the connector not less.

    Personally, I prefer to have a mount that lets you hide and tie off the video cable in the rear, middle area.
    Reply