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NEC's EA244UHD Offers Incredible Out-Of-Box Performance
In evaluating the EA244UHD, it’s easy to forget about its tremendous pixel density once the color tests begin. Even though we’re not big fans of 24-inch Ultra HD monitors, the accuracy enabled by NEC makes this a compelling choice. We would be willing to live with Windows' less-than-ideal display scaling to have this kind of precision on our desktops.
Of course, that begs the question: what could NEC do with the 32-inch IGZO panel? We’ve tested three products based on that part and we know that the wide-gamut version used in Dell’s UP3214Q is capable of professional-grade performance. Yes, the price is dear. Still, we’re already talking about $1300 for a 24-inch screen. Perhaps NEC will add the jumbo monitor to its PA series.
NEC’s EA line has always been about luxury-grade business-class displays. The EA274WMi proved itself to be a capable screen that came very close to our current 27-inch QHD picks from Planar (PXL2790MW) and HP (E271i). But this new Ultra HD monitor takes EA performance well into the realm of a professional’s tool.
With benchmark-setting accuracy, SpectraView capability and high pixel density, we’re surprised the EA244UHD isn’t part of the PA series. We saw great things from the PA272W and this monitor is even better in some ways.
Its principal competitor is Dell’s UP2414Q. That screen also has a wide-gamut option with software adjustment features and factory-certified calibration. It’s currently selling for under $1000, presenting a solid alternative to the EA244UHD. But if you’re looking for absolute precision without calibration, NEC wins the contest hands-down.
To find fault with it, you really have to nit-pick. Yes the price is high. But unless you’re willing to settle for one of the new 28-inch TN-based screens, a 4K display is going to necessitate a generous budget. Priced against monitors of similar accuracy, it’s a wash. The NEC PA272W or HP Z27x cost as much or more, and they top out at 2560x1440 pixels. If you want the maximum possible pixel density from a desktop monitor, it’s either the EA244UHD or Dell’s UP2414Q.
If you take away one point from our considerable suite of benchmarks, it should be that we didn’t have to change a single image parameter to ace almost every metric. We would like to see a bit more contrast, and the gamma wasn’t perfect. However, in the color and grayscale tests, we found a new definition of accuracy. We know that only a small percentage of users have the means or desire to calibrate their displays. That’s why we measure un-calibrated performance. The EA244UHD beats the calibrated results of nearly every display we’ve ever tested.
For its incredible out-of-box performance and stunning image quality, we’re giving the NEC EA244UHD Tom's Hardware's coveted Elite award.
