Asus's Affordable OLED Monitor Brings HDR to Creative Pros
Asus's new ProArt 27 QD-OLED monitor is priced at $699, making high-dynamic-range video editing accessible to creators who previously couldn't afford OLED displays. It offers solid HDR performance, a 120-Hz refresh rate, and a versatile port selection, though its SDR brightness is modest and it has some quirks with macOS. The monitor competes mainly with Dell's larger 32-inch QD-OLED model, but Asus's 27-inch size is sharper and takes up less desk space.
The PA279CDV's connectivity is tailored for workstation use, featuring two rear USB-C ports with distinct roles: one delivers 96 watts of power for laptop charging, while the other supports a KVM switch for controlling two computers from a single setup. Additional ports include HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, a DisplayPort Out for daisy-chaining, two USB-A ports, and a headphone jack, with down-firing connections aiding cable management.
Its stand offers five inches of height adjustment, swivel, tilt, and portrait rotation, while the flat base minimizes desk footprint. Front-panel controls combine five labeled buttons with a joystick for menu navigation. The monitor's main rival is Dell's 31.6-inch QD-OLED model, though Asus's 27-inch panel delivers sharper pixel density and occupies less space.
This monitor could broaden access to professional-grade display technology, potentially enabling freelance editors, small studios, and hobbyist creators to produce HDR content previously requiring far costlier equipment. Wider OLED adoption in the productivity segment may also pressure competitors to lower prices and accelerate feature parity across brands. However, its modest SDR brightness and macOS compatibility quirks could create friction for some users, meaning the practical impact may depend on how well buyers match the display to their specific workflow needs.