The Dell P2721Q is a well-designed 4K monitor that’s ideal for mixed-use thanks to its specs and vivid screen. It’s designed to be an all-in-one display for a multitude of devices such as a PC and your MacBook Pro from work. Let’s see what the Dell P2721Q can offer and if its performance can justify its high price point.
Dell P2721Q 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: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 350 cd/m²
- Speakers: Yes (2 x 3 Watts)
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 1, USB-C PD65W x 1, USB 3.2 x 2, 2 x USB 2.0 x1, 3.5mm Jack x1
- Dimensions with Stand (WxHxD): 24.1” x 21.1” x 7.3″
- Weight: 15.96 lbs
Design and Features
The Dell P2721Q looks like any modern business monitor from the brand so it looks clean and sophisticated. It has a matte black and silver combination which will not clash with premium workstations as Macs or gaming builds. The display is bezel-free on three sides so the screen looks bigger and without distractions.
the brand made the monitor sleeker and more streamlined, so its dimensions have become smaller compared to its predecessors. It only needs 7.3 inches of depth from your desk so it won’t conflict with your other peripherals or displays. It weighs a little under 16 pounds so it’s not too heavy to carry around in case you want to rearrange your workstation.
Its build quality is excellent just like most of the brand’s popular offerings, including the flagship models. The plastic panels are thick and sturdy, plus there are no signs of weaknesses or cosmetic defects on the monitor when it was unboxed and assembled. The included stand is firm and stable, so the screen won’t sag or shake while you are working or playing.
The Dell P2721Q has an OSD joystick for easy and quicker access to the monitor’s menus and features. It’s located at the back of the cabinet near the right side edge so it’s accessible without leaning in too much. You also have Dell’s Display Manager feature which gives you convenient access to the monitor’s features via its user-friendly interface.
The stand included with the package offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for your convenience. It is easy to get a comfortable viewing angle without having to worry about flimsiness while you are using the display. You can use VESA mounts, but it’s an extra expense that is only necessary for select circumstances.
The Dell P2721Q’s pride is its connectivity layout which includes a slot each for DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 2.0, and USB-C. The latter supports DP Alt Mode and provides up to 65 Watts of power for modern laptops and mobile devices. You also get two USB 3.2 high-speed ports, but the USB-C slot needs to be connected to the PC for data upstreaming.
What’s disappointing about this model is its lack of built-in speakers which should be included at this price point. The monitor is designed to work with Dell’s proprietary slim soundbar which costs another $60 or so. That’s not entirely bad since users will have desktop speakers or headsets anyway, but we always dislike it when brands hide features behind a paywall.
Display and Performance
The Dell P2721Q sports a 27-inch IPS panel with a 3840 x 2160 resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, and a 5ms response time. The backlight has a 350 cd/m2 output while the contrast listed at 1000:1 like most IPS panels. This model doesn’t advertise features associated with entertainment such as HDR, but it instead beams about image quality and efficiency.
4K monitors are popular due to their sharpness and the massive desktop space they offer versus the more common 1080p variants. It’s great for images, movies, and gaming, but we know some users struggle with reading text since they appear considerably smaller in 4K. You can use scaling, but that is also the reason why a 32-inch variant is preferable since enlarging the text won’t be as necessary.
The Dell P2721Q renders 99% sRGB and 78% DCI-P3 for decent vibrancy in games, movies, and general imaging. Its default deltaE average is quite impressive since it was only at 0.79, which is rare for a mixed-use display. Users will be happy with this monitor’s accuracy out of the box so only a few tweaks are necessary before using it.
Calibrating it reduced the deltaE average to 0.39 which is even better, although the improvements will barely be noticeable by the naked eye. You also need a colorimeter to get a result like this, and those aren’t cheap. We can only recommend it if you are into editing to maintain the best possible setting for your work.
Its backlight reached 337 cd/m2 at 100%, so it has plenty of brightness to fight off glare during daytime use. Its contrast isn’t impressive at 1009:1 at 60% brightness since it means that the screen can’t produce deep blacks. This is a known limitation of IPS technology, and only VA or OLED panels are better in this regard.
The sample’s panel uniformity was great overall since there were no considerable light leaks on the screen’s edge. There is some slight variance in the backlight’s spread, but it was only noticeable when the screen was measured with a colorimeter. Note that this can change between every monitor made due to tolerances, so there are worse units out there.
The Dell P2721Q’s pixel response time isn’t the fastest, but you also have to remember that it wasn’t designed for gaming. It is limited to 60Hz and it has to make do with a basic overdrive feature, unlike other gaming variants. You need to set that to its Faster level to keep smudging and persistence at bay, but that usually isn’t an issue for casual gaming.
This model doesn’t have FreeSync so naturally, G-Sync Compatibility mode is also out of the question. It’s understandable since gaming is considered a sideline for the monitor, but VRR would be most useful for playing in 4K. Input lag sits at 10ms at 60Hz, so it is still responsive and fast enough to enjoy games without sluggishness or delays.
Thoughts on the Dell P2721Q
The Dell P2721Q is a superb choice if you want a 4K IPS monitor for professional, business, or general home use. it’s an accurate and efficient screen that works great in varying applications, including professional work such as editing and content creation. We like its design and its inclusion of USB-C connectivity, but 65 Watts is limited nowadays since it’s not always sufficient for high-spec laptops.
However, the bigger downside for this monitor is its very high price, especially now that the 4K category is very competitive. Newer variants like the Dell S2722QC are more affordable even if the specifications are almost identical, although the P2721Q is much more accurate by default. It’s a good buy if you want solid performance, but it is not the most practical choice now.
Pros:
- Superb Accuracy
- Robust and Attractive Design
- Bright and Vibrant
Cons:
- Expensive for a 4K Monitor
- USB-C Limited to 65 Watts
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 junior high. 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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