The Iiyama Prolite XB2779QQS aims to stun the professional audience with its impressive 5K resolution and advanced features. 5K displays aren’t as standard as your typical gaming or photo editing monitor, making them even more sought after by users who want something similar to Retina displays. The Iiyama Prolite XB2779QQS looks very promising, but what kind of system is required to maximize this beast?
Iiyama Prolite XB2779QQS Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 5120 x 2880 5K UHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Response Time: 4ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 440 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: Yes 2 x 2 Watts
- Stand: Height –Yes (5 Inches)
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes 100 x 100
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 2, HDMI 2.0 x 3, USB 3.0 x 6, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions with Stand(WxHxD): 25.59” x 22.2” x 9.1”
- Weight: 18.08lbs
Design and Features
The Iiyama Prolite XB2779QQS adopts a somewhat dated aesthetic due to the almost an inch thick bezels which surrounds the screen. Although on a positive note, the silver finish coupled with the reasonable proportions of the monitor reminds us of Apple Thunderbolt displays which had an almost similar appearance minus the wide borders on the later models.
The Iiyama Prolite XB2779QQS come with a wide array of functional features as expected from a premium professional monitor. This monitor comes with a fully removable stand that includes tilt, swivel, and height adjustment for ergonomics. If for some reason you prefer an aftermarket option, you can remove the stand and attach the display to a VESA mount with a 100 x 100 pattern.
What’s unique about the Iiyama Prolite XB2779QQS is its connectivity features that include a highly-sought after standard. The layout at the rear panel contains two DisplayPort 1.4 slots which fully support 5K at 60Hz plus three HDMI 2.0 connectors that can only run at 4K 60Hz. This allows users to utilize the XB2779QQS for a professional PC and plus 4K gaming consoles.
This model would have been perfect as an external or secondary display for 5K iMacs and MacBook Pros, but there is no USB-C option as of the moment. However, we do know that the next generation of Thunderbolt 3 controllers nicknamed Titan Ridge can support DisplayPort 1.4 standards. Maybe the next generation of products might be able to maximize this device’s resolution.
Aside from missing a USB-C interface, the Iiyama Prolite XB2779QQS also doesn’t come with USB Type A slots for accessories. Iiyama is known as a value monitor company, so maybe this is one sacrifice the brand had to make to meet a price point. Finally, there is a pair of 2-Watt speakers for listening convenience, but we can surely say that they won’t be as good as the 16-Watt Harman Kardon set on the Dell UP2715K.
Display and Performance
The Iiyama Prolite XB2779QQS sports a 27-inch IPS panel with a jaw-dropping 5120 x 2880 resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, and 4ms response time. A maximum brightness of 440cd/m2 which allows a more refined brightness adjustment is also specified, along with a 1000:1 contrast ratio. The pixel density in monitors like this creates a level of sharpness and clarity we can compare to Apple’s Retina displays which are excellent for viewing photos or graphics.
Another unique feature of the Iiyama Prolite XB2779QQS is the screen’s edge to edge glass which adds a glossy finish. This treatment is now rare in the market, but purists still swear by it for its lower interference with color fidelity. Just make sure that you place the monitor away from light sources such as windows and lamps.
One perplexing specification we noticed from the Iiyama Prolite XB2779QQS’s site page is the IPS panel’s 6-bit plus FRC specification which can produce 16.7 million colors. Monitors of this caliber typically include 10-bit interfaces so that we can expect lesser gamut coverage from this model. If you are looking to purchase this device, it might be worth it to include a colorimeter in your shopping cart.
Even if the Iiyama Prolite XB2779QQS isn’t a gaming monitor, it does include FreeSync with a 48Hz to 60Hz functional range. This add-on is essential if you plan to game with this monitor since its 5K resolution will make even the cream of the crop GPUs bleed. We hope the monitor comes with a boost mode to lower input lag and help it reach its maximum 4ms response time for a snappy and enjoyable experience.
Thoughts on the Iiyama Prolite XB2779QQS
The Iiyama Prolite XB2779QQS and its performance value per dollar and excellent features make it one of, if not the most, attractive 5K monitor to date. The DisplayPort 1.4 connectivity eliminates the issues and inconvenience of using dual DP 1.2 and MST modes to run 5K which makes it easier to set this monitor up. The full glass treatment is also a good reason to purchase this device if you dislike the grainy touch of matte coatings.
If you are interested in the Iiyama Prolite XB2779QQS, it is now available in Europe for around €800. US residents might have to wait since the only option available now is to ship it directly from Japan for double the price. For the latest updates, keep checking this article to find out about pricing and availability.