By Although there are several professional content creation and productivity displays in the Asus ProArt series, its entry-level versions frequently garner the most attention, and for good reason. The PA278QV and PA279CRV, two previous Asus ProArt screens, provided outstanding color performance at a relatively affordable price. This pattern is maintained with the Asus ProArt PA278CFRV, which lives up to the standards set by earlier models.
Specification and features
The Asus ProArt PA278CFRV is a 27-inch monitor using an In-Plane Switching (IPS) display screen and a resolution of 2560 x 1440. This is common for a monitor used for content production and productivity. However, the monitor’s ability to handle refresh rates up to 100Hz makes the refresh rate stand out. While it is typical among gaming and general-purpose monitors, several competitors’ productivity monitors continue to operate at 60Hz or 75Hz.
- Size of display: 27-inch widescreen 16:9
- Original Resolution: 2560 x 1440
- Type of panel: IPS
- Rate of Refresh: Up to 100 Hz
- VESA MediaSync is an adaptive sync system.
- HDR: Indeed, VESA DisplayHDR 400 Approved Ports: One USB-C with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and 96 watts of power delivery, one HDMI 2.0, one DisplayPort 1.4, and one DisplayPort 1.4-out (for daisy-chain), One USB-C 3x USB-A, 3.2 Gen 1 downstream 3.2 Gen 1 downstream, audio output of 3.5mm
- Mounting VESA: 100×100 mm
- Two 2-watt speakers are used.
- Cost: $379 MSRP
Additionally noteworthy is Asus’ connection. The display is ideal for charging and powering most laptops because it contains a USB-C port with DisplayPort and up to 96 watts of Power Delivery. Additionally, it includes DisplayPort-out, which is useful if your computer only has one video-out port and you intend to use several monitors. Productivity and content creation are the main goals of the Asus ProArt PA278CFRV’s professional design. The panel is covered in charcoal-colored polymers, giving it a modest and understated appearance. In contrast, the stand is finished in a sleek silver.
Asus offers a unique design language for their ProArt monitors, which incorporates a heatsink-like ribbing on the back of the panel, even if the display is restrained. Any new ProArt equipment you currently have on your desk will look great with this new monitor. Asus provides a useful and ergonomic display stand that can be tilted, swiveled, and rotated 90 degrees for portrait viewing. Considering that this monitor is less expensive than comparable models from Dell’s Ultrasharp and BenQ’s photographic monitor lines, these features are nonetheless welcome even though they are typical of office and productivity displays.
The stand is sturdy and compact, taking up little workspace thanks to its flat base. Because of its flat form, you can easily place notebooks or small objects on it. Although there is a 100x100mm VESA mount available, you may choose to use a third-party monitor arm.
HDR image quality
Despite being VESA DisplayHDR 400 certified, the Asus ProArt PA278CFRV performs poorly—or at best—in terms of HDR content, like most mid-range monitors. The contrast ratio of the monitor is partly to blame for this restriction. The monitor cannot make bright items brighter without simultaneously making darker parts of the screen brighter since it lacks an OLED display panel or a Mini-LED backlight. When watching HDR content, this ultimately results in a loss of detail in either the darker regions or the brighter objects.
The brightness is also low. The maximum HDR brightness I could maintain was 329 nits, which is poor for a monitor with VESA DisplayHDR certification. I could not reproduce it, but I do not doubt that in some circumstances the certification testing was able to provide the necessary 400 nits of brightness. In summary, even if the monitor is capable of displaying HDR, it is not a usable HDR monitor. If you want to view or modify HDR content, I would not suggest it.
To be fair, this also applies to other monitors in this price range that focus on productivity and content production. You will have to pay more for a monitor with a Mini-LED or OLED display if you want a wide color gamut, great color accuracy, and good HDR performance.
ASUS ProArt Display 27” 1440P Professional Monitor (PA278CFRV) – IPS, QHD (2560 x 1440)
Performance
The Asus ProArt PA278CFRV’s maximum refresh rate of 100Hz makes me pleased. The majority of monitors in this category stick to 60Hz, however others, like the Dell U2724DE with its 120Hz refresh rate, are designed for creativity and content creation and provide a higher refresh rate. If you want to play PC games, that can be discouraging because it results in less fluid motion clarity.
Additionally, the Asus has VESA MediaSync certification, which I have not seen on any monitor I have evaluated. Monitors that can handle a variable refresh rate but fall short of the 120Hz criterion are eligible for this lower level of adaptive sync certification. As a result, the display worked flawlessly with my AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT and unofficially supports both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync.
Gamers should not be overly thrilled about the monitor’s gaming capabilities, even though its 100Hz refresh rate is a welcome increase. Though they are undoubtedly better than 60, motion fluidity, and clarity are still below what will be offered in 2024. It can be challenging to distinguish fine details, such as lettering, on moving items across the screen, and fast-moving things stay visible but may appear blurry. Therefore, gamers seeking the best motion clarity may want to go elsewhere, even if I commend Asus for providing a faster refresh rate and adaptive sync support—features I think all contemporary monitors should have.
Connectivity and menus
One of the finest reasons to get the Asus ProArt PA278CFRV is probably its extensive connection. One HDMI 2.0 port, one DisplayPort 1.4 port, and one USB-C connector with DisplayPort Alternate Mode are among its video inputs. The monitor’s maximum resolution of 1440p at its maximum refresh rate of 100Hz can be supported by all of these inputs. Although a fourth video input would be good, the monitor makes up for it with DisplayPort-out, which allows you to daisy-chain it to another display. If your computer just has one video output or you wish to clear up the wire mess on your desk, this is a helpful feature.
Asus is uncompromising when it comes to the USB-C port. Most laptops without separate mobile graphics can be fully powered by it because to its compatibility with DisplayPort and up to 96 watts of USB Power Delivery. Additionally, the USB-C connector is connected to an integrated USB hub that has three downstream USB-A ports and one downstream USB-C port. This range of USB connectivity is good for a monitor that costs less than $400. An audio-out 3.5mm jack completes the connectivity choices.
A joystick control on the display’s front bezel allows users to access the monitor’s extensive list of settings. Unusual for a modern monitor, they are flanked by several buttons; most people opt to hide the joystick and buttons. This makes sense for a professional monitor, though, because I imagine that buyers of this display are more interested in customizing the settings to suit their specific requirements than the typical user. DisplayWidget, a Windows and Mac software tool, can also be used to modify the monitor’s settings.
Additionally, there are other possibilities. Gamma, color saturation, color temperature, and preset modes for sRGB, DCI-P3, and AdobeRGB are just a few of the many image quality settings that the monitor provides. Additionally, the monitor has features tailored to visual artists, such as an integrated grid that can be used to check the screen’s image alignment. In this regard, I am not convinced Asus has any advantages over BenQ, and Asus noticeably lacks the useful remote control that certain BenQ monitors come with. The selection of choices is superior to those of the most recent Dell Ultrasharp displays we have seen, though.
Conclusion
Anyone looking to purchase a monitor for work or content creation that has strong color performance and a wide range of connectors at its price point should consider the Asus ProArt PA278CFRV. Although it has several limitations, especially when it comes to contrast, it has a good color gamut and provides a large selection of image quality settings. Another benefit is the USB-C port, which can connect to numerous downstream USB-A connections and delivers up to 96W of power. For those who desire a productivity display that can handle occasional gaming, Asus also offers an improved refresh rate and adaptive sync capability, increasing the monitor’s versatility. Customers who are thinking about the Asus ProArt PA278CFRV may also want to consider the Dell U2724DE, which is a generally better option. However, it costs an additional $100 to $150, so the Asus is still the more affordable option.
