The AOC Q27B3MA is an attractive solution for users who want to build a business or a work-from-home setup while spending less in 2024. It’s a QHD VA monitor with strong contrast, so it’s also good for some entertainment purposes. Let’s take a closer look at the AOC Q27B3 to know if it’s a good buy or if you should spend more to get great quality.
AOC Q27B3MA Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment (VA)
- Refresh Rate: 75Hz
- Response Time: 4 ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 250 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 2 Watts)
- Stand: Height – No
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – No
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, HDMI 1.4 x 1, VGA x 1, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions with Stand(WxHxD): 24.17” x 18.11” x 9.04”
- Weight 8.42 lbs
Design and Features
The AOC Q27B3MA is a simple business monitor so it looks simple and clean, unlike its AGON counterparts. The device has a matte black finish which has always been timeless and resistant to dirt and grime. It has a three-sided bezel-free design, but it still has inner borders like most modern monitors.
It’s larger than most office monitors, but the dimensions are mild compared to what we’ve seen on some gaming variants. The monitor is two feet wide, but it only needs 9 inches of depth from your desk. It is also lightweight at 8.42 pounds, so it can be moved around easily.
Build quality for this monitor isn’t the best based on what we’ve encountered from other AOC business monitors. It’s plasticky, but at least it didn’t have cosmetic defects when it was unboxed. The included stand is a bit wobbly, but that only happens if you nudge it accidentally.
But what’s most annoying about the AOC Q27B3MA is its OSD buttons at the bottom bezel. The keys are cut out of the shell, so they are a bit harder to press than your standard switches. However, this is a budget model, so it’s not that big of a deal if you consider your savings.
The stand included with this model only offers tilt, so it’s a bit limiting if you want to position your display at an unconventional angle. It could have at least included height adjustments since that is the most important ergonomic out of all. You can use VESA mounts, but having to buy one will offset the savings you get with this budget model.
Its connectivity layout is equally simplified, so it only has the basics it needs for operation. It has a slot each for DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 1.4, plus a 3.5mm jack for headphones. It also has built-in speakers, but it only has 2 watts of power per channel, so it won’t perform great for entertainment purposes.
Display and Performance
The AOC Q27B3MA offers a 27-inch VA panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 75Hz refresh rate, and a 5ms response time. The backlight has a 250 cd/m2 output, while the contrast is listed at 3000:1, like most VA panels. This model doesn’t have special features like HDR, but that’s expected from the budget model.
1440p is a better pick for business use since it offers more space and it looks sharper. However, visibility and legibility don’t diminish as it does with 4K, which at times is too sharp for users who do not have 20-20 vision. It’s an excellent balance that will help boost productivity without sacrificing eye comfort and safety.
The AOC Q27B3MA covers 100% sRGB and 90% DCI-P3 for vibrant images in every type of use. Its default accuracy is decent since the deltaE average is only at 2.15. The screen looks decently balanced by default, so no calibration is necessary.
Using a colorimeter on it improved the dE average to 1.43, but that’s not a considerable jump. Buying the gadget for this monitor isn’t necessary and practical since the improvements are small and negligible. You are better off spending your money on a better monitor if color accuracy is a priority.
The AOC Q27B3MA’s backlight reached 261 cd/m2 at 100%, which is decent for most office environments. Its contrast reached 3251:1 at 80% brightness, so the screen is capable of excellent black luminance. Some black crush can happen in dark scenes, but they are more convincing if you watch movies or play games.
Panel uniformity for the test sample did not have any major issues like backlight leaks or clouding. There were some variances in the backlight’s spread, but they are not disturbing unless you actively look for issues in dark scenes. Note that this can vary with every monitor made due to tolerances, so there are worse units out there.
The biggest weakness of this monitor is its slow pixel response time. Some smudges and trails can show up in fast-paced scenes, and the monitor’s overdrive wasn’t effective at removing them. It’s a natural weakness of the panel tech, but it’s mostly detrimental to gaming and not to productivity.
The AOC Q27B3MA is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync if you force it via the Nvidia Control Panel. It is nice to have VRR for those who want to play games on the side. Input lag sits at 9ms at 75Hz, so there is no need to worry about it feeling sluggish while using it.
Thoughts on the AOC Q27B3MA
The AOC Q27B3MA is a decent choice if you need a cheap business monitor with an extended resolution. Its VA panel has a healthy contrast ratio and color performance that punches above its price point. It lacks special features, but it has all it needs to be functional for daily use.
The biggest weakness of this monitor is its slow pixel response time, although that’s mostly just an issue for gamers. It also lacks creature comforts such as ergonomics, unlike so many of AOC’s value-oriented models. It’s a decent pick, but its IPS alternative is a better alternative.
Pros:
- Very Low Price
- Excellent Colors and Contrast
- Adaptive Sync Compatible
Cons:
- Tilt Limited Stand
- Slow Pixel Response Time
About the Author: 
Paolo has been a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since junior high. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations; he believes that every citizen’s right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear to create reviews that accentuate the seldom explained aspects of a PC monitor.
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