KBeat
**Please see update at bottom for revised purchasing advice.** This is a solid upgrade to the insanely popular Dell Ultra HD 4k Monitor P2715Q 27-Inch Screen LED-Lit Monitor UHD monitor from the last generation. That one was hands down the best of the blossoming midrange UHD/4K pack and a no brainer pick. Dell sold them by the ton for a reason. This generation, its not so simple. From a pure panel performance standpoint, I think the LG Electronics 27UD68P-B 27" Screen LED-Lit Monitor is the better choice, especially if youre a gamer as it has FreeSync. For many, thats the midrange UHD Id recommend. However, there are advantages to the Dell that ultimately pushed me in that direction (I still use the beloved P2715Q as well). 1. The Dell has 4 USB ports, including 2 fast charging ports for charging iPhones/iPads etc. The LG has NO USB ports. This is a drag as USB ports are very limited on most laptops and who wants to have to have an extra hub on the desk. 2. The Dell stand is much more flexible, even allowing for vertical orientation which is great when doing page layout work, especially posters. 3. The Dell has a slightly higher contrast ratio which is great for editing. Well, at least on paper it does. Ive yet to do my own calibration, so well see. What about HDR? "Dell HDR" is NOT a reason to get this monitor over the LG. Its HDR-lite at best and while it adds a bit of extra pop to a HDR enabled PS4 game, its a long way from the true HDR10 standard. Heck, the monitor brightness is only rated at 350 cd/m² and the HDR standard requires at least 1000. Dell is doing a software HDR emulation which is a very noticeable leap from the real deal. File it under "nice to have, but ultimately forgettable". Besides, you have to connect via HDMI 2.0 to use it and my MacBook Pro with HDMI 1.4b requires the use of the Mini Display Port connection for 60Hz at UHD/4K. If this is an important feature for you, be sure your PC has HDMI 2.0 port(s). Overall, if youre in the market for a midrange UHD/4K display, your best bet is either this one or the LG 27UD68P-B. If the features I listed above are important to you, go with the Dell. Its got excellent image quality at a nice price. If you want the best panel possible in this price range, and do a lot of gaming, go with the LG. Either way youll have a very nice monitor. UPDATE: So, I had a chance finally to run calibration using an i1 Display Pro. Im sorry, but this monitor is a let down in image quality compared to the venerable P2715Q. Im really disappointed. First the good, it does indeed have a 1300:1 contrast ratio. Im measuring it at around 1275:1 which is close enough to call this a pass. Now for the bad. Dell promises the display is calibrated from the factory with a Delta E of ≤ 2. That would be great as far as color accuracy goes if it were true. However, after several calibration attempts (native white, D65, 80/120/native luminance, etc.) the best Delta I can achieve is an average of 3.63 with a max of the lowest 90% of 9.12!! Thats terrible. By comparison, my P2715Q measures an average Delta E of 1.85 with a max of the lowest 90% of 2.10. If this if foreign language to you its simply a measure of how close the display comes to matching a set of color swatches. The lower the number, the better. The P2715Q is truly remarkable for a display in its price range. Worse is that this isnt a theoretical issue. The greens are particularly bad, and no amount of calibration will get them to look just right. The display wont match the calibrated retina MBP display right next to it, while the P2715Q matches it dead on. My advice? If color accuracy is important to you, grab the P2715Q while you still can. Its cheaper, is much more accurate, has the same resolution, and save the faux HDR and bezel-less frame, is greatly superior to the newer U2718Q.