The Asus VA27ACFSN was created to address the need for a reasonably-priced business monitor that has docking capabilities. USB-C connectivity used to be locked with higher-tier models, so the cost for those who want to modernize was a bit steeper. Let’s take a closer look to see what kind of performance we can expect from a mixed use variant.
Asus VA27ACFSN Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 100Hz
- Response Time: 5ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1300:1 (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, HDMI 1.4 x 1, USB-C PD90W x 1, USB 3.2 x 3, RJ45 LAN x 1, 3.5mm Audio Jack
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 24.17” x 20.39” x 8.91”
- Weight: 14.99 lbs
Design and Features
The Asus VA27ACFSN is a reasonably-priced and modernized business monitor, so it doesn’t look flashy. The monitor has a matte black finish that doesn’t look cheap like the other options in the market. The screen has a bezel-free design, although it still has a bottom bezel and inner borders like most models.
This model might be bigger than what you have in the office, but it is still within a standard size limit for most desk sizes. The square base takes up less space than what you get with the gaming models, so that’s a huge plus for productivity setups with limited space. The whole thing weighs a hair under fifteen pounds, so its manageable if you need to move it around.
Its build quality is a great as it is on the brand’s premium and top-ranking models. The plastics used are thick and sturdy, and there were no cosmetic defects on any of the parts. The included stand is firm and stable, so there is no need to worry about wobbling or sagging.
The Asus VA27ACFSN has an OSD joystick like the brand’s gaming variants. The gadget is located at the back near the right edge of the display, so it is very easy to use. Other business monitors still use buttons that are less convenient for both basic and complex tweaks.
The included stand offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for your comfort and convenience. It’s easy to get an angle that will suit your sitting position and anthropometrics so you don’t strain your eyes and neck after hours of work. You can use VESA mounts, but that’s not immediately necessary in most circumstances.
However, what stands out the most is the Asus VA27ACFSN’s connectivity layout, which is better equipped than the majority of business monitors out there. It has DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 2.0 for video, but it also has a 90-watt USB-C port with DP Alt mode. You also get three USB 3.2 ports, an RJ45 LAN slot, and a 3.5mm jack for headphones.
It also has a pair of 2-watt speakers to complete its lineup and make it usable for a productivity display. The downside is that they only have 2 watts of power per channel, so they can’t get loud without distortion. The monitor also doesn’t have a mic and webcam, so buying a headset and the former might be a better way to go for video conferencing.
Display and Performance
The Asus VA27ACFSN sports a 27-inch IPS panel with a 2560 x 1440, a 100Hz refresh rate, and a 5ms response time. The backlight has a 350 cd/m2 output, while the contrast is listed at 1300:1, which is more than what a typical IPS panel has. This model doesn’t advertise HDR functionality, but these specs tell us that its going to be great for both work and casual gaming.
27-inch 1440p screens are rapidly becoming the standard for both business and gaming because of the balance it offers. It’s sharper and has more space, but it’s not to the point where it becomes too crisp, like a 4K display. Its also a fact that 1440p monitors are now more affordable, so the excuses of not upgrading to one are swiftly dwindling.
The Asus VA27ACFSN rendered 99% of sRGB and 73% of DCI-P3 for decent saturation in any type of use. The default accuracy had a deltaE average of 1.19, so it was more accurate than most monitors in the same class. Most users won’t need to calibrate it, even if they are doing some basic media creation.
Calibrating the monitor reduced the dE average to 0.77, which is fantastic for a monitor that doesn’t belong in the editing or prosumer category. The downside is that you will need a colorimeter to achieve the same results. The gadget isn’t cheap, so it’s only viable if you use the monitor to make money as a designer or creator.
The Asus VA27ACFSN’s backlight reached 381 cd/m2 at 100%, while its contrast reached 1245:1 at 35% brightness, enabling better black luminance and gradients than other IPS panels. It has advantages, but its not yet at the level of what IPS Black panels can offer.
Panel uniformity for the test sample was its worst aspect since it had a lot of backlight bleeding on its edges. They are highly noticeable in dark and colored scenes, but white backgrounds, like browsers, aren’t as affected. Note that this can vary with every unit due to tolerances, so there are better ones out there.
It’s not the fastest monitor out there, but 100Hz is a big boost for motion clarity and smoothness. You will need a bit of overdrive to reduce persistence, but setting it too high will induce overshoot. It’s not the best for fast-paced games, but it’s certainly better than most business monitors for that type of use.
The Asus VA27ACFSN is capable of Adaptive Sync, so it works with FreeSync and G-Sync compatibility mode via DisplayPort. VRR is essential for heavier games, but you can get away with not having it if you only have casual titles. Its input lag sits at 6ms at 100Hz, making it almost as fast as a 144Hz gaming monitor and more responsive than one that was designed for business use.
Thoughts on the Asus VA27ACFSHN
The Asus VA27ACFSN is a fantastic monitor since it can serve both main purposes that dictate the gear that we buy. Its fast and smooth for most gaming purposes, but its also functional and flexible for business use. Its also well-designed even if its not as flashy as the ProArt and ROG variants.
There isn’t much to complain about, except availability in some major regions. The only major issue we saw was the panel uniformity, but that can change with the luck of the draw, so it’s not a real deal breaker. On the other hand, it’s an excellent buy if your work dictates the need for a functional monitor, but you’d also like to play at a decent rate after the job is done.
Pros:
- Excellent Price
- USB-C with 90 Watts
- Excellent Image Quality
- 100Hz
Cons:
- Limited Availability
- Poor Uniformity
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 has the 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 and create reviews that accentuate the seldom-explained aspects of a PC monitor.
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