The BenQ DesignVue PD2706UA offers accurate colors and superb functionality at midrange pricing without compromising quality. We can also call it an ergo-monitor since it drops the typical monitor stand in favor of a VESA arm that clamps to your desk. Let’s take a closer look to see if it should be your next workstation upgrade.
BenQ DesignVue PD2706UA Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160 4K UHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Response Time: 5ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1200:1
- Brightness: 400 cd/m²
- Speakers: Yes (2 x 2.5 Watts)
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 1, USB 3.1 x 4, USB-C PD90W x 1, USB-C Downstream x 1, 3.5mm Audio Jack x 1
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 24.17 x 21.76-27.67”x 18.23
- Weight: 20.1 lbs
Design and Features
The BenQ DesignVue PD2706UA sports an all-business attire that looks simple yet sophisticated. Its matte black finish won’t clash with themed gaming setups or premium workstations while being very easy to maintain. The display is bezel-free on three sides, but it still has inner borders, even if they are barely noticeable.
Describing this monitor using its dimensions is tricky since it needs twice the depth and height of a regular variant when fully extended. However, you must remember that it floats above your desk since it only uses a C-clamp. It’s a bit heavy at 20.1 pounds, so you ensure your desk surface is durable enough for it.
Its build quality is fantastic and comparable with the brand’s best offerings, such as the nearly identical PD2725U. Every bit and piece feels like they were made with precision, so there are no signs of weakness or cosmetic defects. The ergonomic stand is firm and stable, but that’s also reliant on the type of desk you have, plus the thickness and durability of its surface.
The BenQ DesignVue PD2706UA has an OSD joystick, but it also has a new version of the company’s Hotkey Puck. It’s also programmable, so you can easily access important settings like brightness without having to go through submenus. This is the best version of their puck so far since it’s easier to use and much more intuitive.
The BenQ DesignVue PD2706UA doesn’t have a typical stand composed of a base and an upright. It has an ergonomic arm that gives you significantly more flexibility without the space consumption of a standard base. This makes it a better choice for those who need a multi-monitor setup for improved productivity.
The PD2706UA’s connectivity layout is much better than most monitors in the same price range. It has DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0, but it also has a 90-watt USB-C slot for laptops like MacBooks. You also get four USB 3.2 ports and a second USB-C port for data downstream, plus a 3.5mm jack for headphones.
The BenQ DesignVue PD2706UA has a pair of 2.5-watt speakers which are clear but incapable of entertainment-grade bass response. That’s understandable since they are tiny, but at least they are good enough for basic tasks like conference calls.
Display and Performance
The BenQ DesignVue PD2706UA offers a 27-inch IPS panel with a 3840 x 2160 resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, and a 5ms response time. The backlight has a 400 cd/m2 peak, while the contrast is listed at 1000:1, like most IPS monitors. This model is VESA DisplayHDR 400-certified, but we all know how limited that is due to the lack of local dimming.
4K at this size looks extra sharp, so it is perfect for imaging and less ideal for browsing or office work if you don’t like to use scaling. Numbers and letters look quite small if your scale is at 100%, so it’s possible to strain your eyes after some hours of use. We recommend going with a larger screen if this bothers you, but it is not a deal breaker since there are ways around it.
The BenQ DesignVue PD2706UA covers 100% sRGB and 96% of the DCI-P3 gamut for stunning colors in any application. Its default accuracy has a deltaE average of 1.43, so it is already accurate out of the box. It is ready for use right away, although meticulous designers and editors might want a better score or setting.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to a fantastic 0.73, making it comparable with the brand’s best imaging models. The downside is that you will need a colorimeter to get comparable results since copying settings cannot guarantee it. It’s a must-have anyway if you are working with color-critical work, but it’s impractical for gaming and other computing purposes.
Its backlight reached 391 cd/m2 at 100%, and it peaked at 471 cd/m2 when its HDR mode was active. Its contrast reached 1103:1 at 35% brightness, so it’s a bit better when it comes to black luminance. However, it is not capable of deep dark scenes and true HDR performance simply because it doesn’t have a comprehensive local dimming feature.
Panel uniformity for the test sample did not have any major issues like backlight leaks. There was some variance in the backlight’s spread, but it was only noticeable when the screen was blank or if it was showing dark scenes. Note that this can change between every monitor made due to tolerances, so there are worse units out there.
Pixel response time isn’t a key aspect of this monitor since it was not designed for gaming and is limited to 60Hz. However, it is not as prone to blurring and persistence as VA panels, so it’s still capable of decent motion clarity. The monitor also has an overdrive feature to help with this, but setting it to its maximum doesn’t help since it will add overshoot.
The BenQ DesignVue PD2706UA, like most BenQ prosumer models, is not compatible with FreeSync or G-Sync. VRR would come in handy for a 4K monitor, but its lack of it is excusable since it’s not made for gaming. Input lag sits at 9ms at 60Hz, so users will not feel or see any delays while using it.
Thoughts on the BenQ DesignVue PD2706UA
The BenQ DesignVue PD2706UA is an excellent choice if you want a functional monitor that’s capable of excellent image quality. Its design is a must-have for neat freaks simply because it saves so much space while offering more flexibility. It’s also ideal for a host of modern workstations, but its best characteristic is its very reasonable price.
The only downside of going with this model is its lack of gaming features, but that’s not even a true deal-breaker since BenQ has specific products for that. Its HDR feature is also useless since it is very limited, so users will often leave it unutilized. But overall, it is an excellent choice if you are building a powerful workstation, especially since it’s priced to compete.
Pros:
- Excellent Color Quality
- Functional Ergonomic Design
- 90-Watt USB-C
- Great Price
Cons:
- Limited HDR
- No VRR
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