The Asus PB277Q is an affordable solution for productivity or casual gaming with its 27-inch QHD screen with a 75Hz refresh rate. The PB series of monitors are pre-calibrated for good color accuracy, but this model is still based on TN technology which isn’t the most popular in that regard. However, the Asus PB277Q makes up for this disadvantage with a drastically lowered price, so let’s check and see what it can do.
Asus PB277Q Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: Twisted Nematic (TN)
- Refresh Rate: 75 Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 350 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 2 Watts)
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes 100 x 100
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, HDMI 1.4 x 1, DVI-DL x 1, D-Sub x 1, 3.5mm Jack (In/Out) x 2
- Dimensions with Stand (WxHxD): 24.61” x 16.85” x 8.58”
- Weight 16.09 lbs
Design and Features
The Asus PB277Q sports a minimalist design that doesn’t depart from many of the brand’s offerings, including its gaming models. The cabinet has a matte black finish that is durable and dust or smudge resistant, so keeping that all-new look is easy. The display isn’t bezel-free, but the borders are minimal and almost unnoticeable against the large display.
This model has a 27-inch form factor, so it will be larger than most displays you are used to in your workplace or office. Thankfully, the device isn’t as intrusive when it comes to depth since the base isn’t unnecessarily large. Its also not the heaviest monitor in its size category, so moving it around shouldn’t be too difficult.
Asus monitors are built like tanks, and the PB277Q isn’t an exception since it features the same level of quality as its premium counterparts. The materials feel solid and sturdy, while the fit and finish of every part of the monitor are perfectly executed. There is no wobble from the device and you need not worry about anything plastic snapping or cracking if you try to adjust the display.
We like the Asus PB277Q’s control layout which involves a few hotkeys and an OSD joystick which makes it easier to take advantage of its features. The monitor includes several SplendidPlus filters and other useful features such as QuickFit and PBP, so having a convenient way to select them is a must. Its also worth noting that the PB277Q is one of the brand’s oldest models, so this is a huge upside for the product.
The included stand with the Asus PB277Q features a complete range of adjustments to ensure that you can get a comfortable view angle. You can tilt, swivel, pivot, and adjust the height of the display, but be wary of the panel’s limited view angles. You can also swap this part out with a VESA mount, but we only think its necessary if you have multiple screens or if saving space is a necessity.
The connectivity layout on the Asus PB277Q is a bit dated, but it still includes the most widely used video inputs you will need. You will find a DisplayPort 1.2 slot and an HDMI 1.4 connector as primaries along with a DVI-DL and a VGA slot for older devices. There is also a pair of 3.5mm jacks for audio input and output, but there are no USB receptacles which would be useful for peripherals.
The Asus PB277Q also has built-in speakers, but they do not have the necessary refinement for gaming or entertainment use. However, they can get loud enough for conference calls which makes them invaluable for work from home use. The pair is also good enough for a little background music which will be helpful while you are crunching numbers or tasks.
Display and Performance
The Asus PB277Q sports a 27-inch TN panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, 75Hz refresh rate, and 1ms response time. The backlight goes up to 350 cd/m2 which is plenty, while contrast sits at a typical 1000:1 like most TN and IPS variants. TN monitors have limited viewing angles and vibrancy, but they have the fastest pixel response time among the three popular types.
1440p in a 27-inch screen is perfect for all sorts of use, whether if its for gaming or productivity. The resolution gives you around 60% more space to work with, while it makes graphics and visuals sharper and more detailed. Its also a fact that you don’t need to use scaling with this combination since tiny letters or walls of text from documents or browsers are still visible and comfortable to look at.
The Asus PB277Q covers 99% of the sRGB gamut which is great for everyday use, although it doesn’t support the wider color standards such as Adobe RGB. Accuracy out of the box doesn’t need tinkering since the DeltaE average sits at an excellent 1.52. Color temperature slightly exceeds the 6500K point so the screen appears cooler, but it’s not an issue that will bug you during use.
You can tweak the Asus PB277Q further to get a fantastic deltaE average of only 0.71 with a slightly warmer color tone. The TN panel may have some disadvantages against IPS variants, but there won’t be many that can match these sets of scores. You also don’t need a colorimeter to achieve these settings which is a huge advantage if you are on a budget.
The main weakness of the Asus PB277Q is its contrast ratio which barely breached 800:1 at 50% brightness settings. The backlight misses its spec slightly since it maxes out at 330 cd/m2, but that’s plenty even if your room is well lit. Dark scenes look grayish and there is some noticeable washing out of the colors, making this model less ideal for editing and watching movies.
Panel uniformity could use some improvements due to noticeable clouding when an all-black image is displayed. Games and movies with nighttime settings will reveal this flaw, but it’s not a big issue for colored or white backgrounds. Take note that this aspect varies between every unit, so it is possible to get a better one in this regard.
The Asus PB277Q has a decent pixel response time that is only held back by its limited refresh rate. There is no sluggishness on the panel’s part, so most of the blurs you will see are natural. The monitor has a Trace Free overdrive setting to help with this further, but we recommend staying at the 60 setting to avoid overshoot.
The Asus PB277Q doesn’t have FreeSync or G-Sync compatibility which would come in handy for graphics-heavy games. Running games at 75Hz with a 1440p resolution shouldn’t be too much of a concern for mid to top-end cards, but there will still be some frame drops in some instances. Input lag sits at 9ms, so there is no need to worry about delays while working or enjoying your favorite game.
Thoughts on the Asus PB277Q
The Asus PB277Q is a great option for daily use whether if its for work at home use or casual gaming. The TN screen does have technological disadvantages, but this model is tuned to maximize its potential when it comes to image quality. We also have a soft spot for Asus’ functional designs which are often ergonomic and durable.
However, you do have to live with poor contrast with the Asus PB277Q which results in dismal black luminance and some uniformity issues. This flaw makes the monitor less ideal for entertainment purposes, but we think office work and browsing won’t be affected. The Asus PB277Q has a few chips on its shoulder, but it’s hard to argue with a QHD monitor that sits close to the $250 price mark.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Excellent Factory Calibration
- Responds Well to Manual Calibration
- Fast Pixel Response Time
- Low Input Lag
Cons:
- Low Contrast
- Poor Black Uniformity
- No USB Slots
- Limited Viewing Angles and Vibrancy
About the Author:
Paolo is a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since his junior high years. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations and he believes that it’s 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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