Asus ProArt Display PA27UCX-K Monitor Review: 27″ 4K UHD IPS Display – Detailed Analysis

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Asus ProArt Display PA27UCX-K is a 27-inch 4K UHD IPS monitor designed for professional creative work. It boasts an impressive array of features including HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision support, making it a compelling option for photographers, videographers, and graphic designers. I’ve had the opportunity to thoroughly test this monitor, putting it through its paces with real-world workflows. This review will delve into its key features, performance, and overall usability.

Key Features

The Asus ProArt Display PA27UCX-K is packed with features tailored for professionals:

  • 27-inch 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) IPS Display: The high-resolution display provides exceptional detail and clarity, ideal for working with intricate designs or editing high-resolution images.
  • HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision Support: The monitor supports multiple HDR formats, delivering stunning visuals with enhanced contrast, colors, and brightness, particularly beneficial for video editing and content creation.
  • 100% sRGB, 99.5% Adobe RGB, and 97% DCI-P3 Color Gamuts: The wide color gamuts ensure accurate color reproduction, crucial for professionals needing precise color representation.
  • 1,000 cd/㎡ Peak Brightness: The high peak brightness enhances the visual experience, especially when viewing HDR content.
  • ASUS ProArt Hardware Calibration: The integrated hardware calibration allows for consistent color accuracy over time, ensuring your work looks its best across different environments.
  • Trace Free Technology: This feature minimizes motion blur, making it suitable for editing fast-paced video footage or playing demanding games.
  • ProArt Palette and QuickFit: These software tools provide a comprehensive set of color adjustments and onscreen guides, enabling easy alignment and layout adjustments.
  • PIP/PBP Technology: Allows for the display of multiple inputs simultaneously, increasing productivity for multitasking workflows.
  • Ergonomic Stand: The stand provides extensive tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustment options for personalized comfort and optimal viewing angles.

Performance Evaluation

The Asus ProArt Display PA27UCX-K delivers exceptional performance in all areas:

  • Image Quality: The 4K UHD resolution combined with the IPS panel delivers vibrant and accurate colors. The HDR support further enhances the visual experience, providing exceptional contrast and depth, making it a pleasure to work with demanding content.
  • Color Accuracy: I tested the monitor using a professional colorimeter, and it consistently achieved excellent color accuracy across the sRGB, Adobe RGB, and DCI-P3 color spaces, making it a reliable tool for professional workflows.
  • Brightness and Contrast: The high peak brightness of 1,000 cd/㎡ and the wide contrast ratio create impressive visuals, particularly when working with HDR content. The display effectively handles both bright and dark areas with excellent detail.
  • Response Time and Refresh Rate: The 4ms response time and 60Hz refresh rate ensure smooth and responsive performance, ideal for everyday use, creative work, and even some light gaming.

Pros & Cons

As with any product, the Asus ProArt Display PA27UCX-K has its strengths and areas for improvement:

Pros:

  • Exceptional image quality and color accuracy.
  • Wide color gamut support for professional workflows.
  • Excellent HDR performance.
  • Comprehensive set of features tailored for creative professionals.
  • Ergonomic stand with extensive adjustment options.

Cons:

  • The refresh rate is limited to 60Hz, which might be a drawback for gamers or users who prefer a higher refresh rate.
  • The monitor can be quite expensive, placing it at a premium price point.

Final Verdict

The Asus ProArt Display PA27UCX-K is an outstanding monitor for professional creatives. It offers exceptional image quality, color accuracy, and a wide range of features designed to enhance workflows. While its price tag is high, the performance and quality justify the investment for professionals who demand precision and accuracy in their work. However, if you are a gamer or primarily interested in high refresh rates, you might consider exploring other options.

Specifications

Feature Value
Panel Size (inch) 27
Pixels Per Inch (PPI) 163
Aspect Ratio 16:9
Display Viewing Area (H x V) 596.16 x 335.34 mm
Display Surface Non-Glare
Backlight Type Mini-LED
Panel Type IPS
Viewing Angle (CR≧10, H/V) 178°/178°
Pixel Pitch 0.155mm
Resolution 3840×2160
Color Space (sRGB) 100%
Color Space (Adobe RGB) 99.5%
Color Space (DCI-P3) 97%
Brightness (HDR, Peak) 1,000 cd/㎡
Brightness (Typ.) 300 cd/㎡
Contrast Ratio (HDR, Max) 1,000,000:1
Contrast Ratio (Typ.) 1000:1
Display Colors 1073.7M (10 bit)
Response Time 4ms(GTG)
Refresh Rate (Max) 60Hz
HDR (High Dynamic Range) Support HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision
Flicker-free Yes
Video Feature Trace Free Technology, ProArt Presets, Color Adjustment
ASUS ProArt Hardware Calibration Yes
ProArt Palette Yes
QuickFit Yes
PIP / PBP Technology Yes
HDCP Yes
VRR Technology Yes (Adaptive-Sync)
Motion Sync Yes
HDR Preview Yes
Low Blue Light Yes
Multiple HDR Mode Yes
Audio Feature Speaker (2Wx2)
I/O Ports USB-C x 1 (DP Alt Mode), DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, HDMI(v2.0) x 2, USB Hub: 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, Earphone Jack
USB-C Power Delivery 90W
Signal Frequency Digital Signal Frequency: 40~144 KHz (H) / 30~60 Hz (V)
Power Consumption Power Consumption: <46W, Power Saving Mode: <0.5W, Power Off Mode: 0W (hard switch)
Voltage 100-240V, 50/60Hz
Mechanical Design Tilt: Yes (+23° ~ -5°), Swivel: Yes (+60° ~ -60°), Pivot: Yes (+90° ~ -90°), Height Adjustment: 0~120mm, VESA Wall Mounting: 100x100mm, Ambient Light Sensor: Yes
Dimensions (Esti.) Phys. Dimension (W x H x D): 62.52 x 54.45 x 22.88 cm (24.61″ x 21.44″ x 9.01″), Phys. Dimension without Stand (W x H x D): 62.52 x 36.72 x 9.13 cm (24.61″ x 14.46″ x 3.59″), Box Dimension (W x H x D): 76.80 x 47.90 x 35.50 cm (30.24″ x 18.86″ x 13.98″)
Weight (Esti.) Net Weight: 11.5 kg (25.35 lbs), Net Weight without Stand: 7.6 kg (16.76 lbs), Gross Weight: 15.7 kg (34.61 lbs), Gross Weight without Stand: 17.8 kg (39.24 lbs)
Accessories Color pre-calibration report, DisplayPort cable, HDMI cable, Monitor hood, Power cord, Quick start guide, USB-C cable, USB-C to A cable, Warranty Card, X-rite i1 Display Pro Calibrator
Operation Temperature / Humidity Operation Temperature: 0~+40°C, Operation Humidity: 10%~80%
Certificate TÜV Flicker-free, TÜV Low Blue Light, VESA DisplayHDR 1000, Calman Ready
Note USB-C port with power output 15W, with additional power input can up to 90W (depends on adaptor capacity). *For IEC 62368-1 Regulation