The Dell Professional 27 Plus 4K USB-C Hub Monitor ($519.99) is among the first shows we have reviewed to undertake the corporate’s new naming scheme, however the product itself is traditional Dell, with a easy but smooth and extremely purposeful design. As a mid-priced productiveness monitor, the P2725QE combines a high quality high-res display screen housed in a easy cupboard with an ergonomically superior stand and an intensive choice of ports that stay as much as its billing as a USB-C hub monitor. Though it lacks the top-notch colour protection, IPS Black distinction, and some of the ports discovered on the Editors’ Alternative-winning Dell UltraSharp 27 4K USB-C Hub Monitor (U2723QE), it is available in higher than common as a productiveness monitor on all three of these components and is effectively price consideration.
Design: Traditional Dell, Smooth and Minimalist
In Dell’s new naming conference, launched in January, conventional branding equivalent to UltraSharp is gone, changed by a three-tiered system during which Dell Professional—sandwiched between the entry-level Dell {and professional}/creator Dell Professional Max shows—represents productiveness displays and the Plus signifies enhanced capabilities. However whereas Dell’s product names are altering, the P2725QE hews to the form of time-honored options, high quality, and efficiency which have made the corporate’s shows fashionable whereas staying abreast of present tendencies.
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
The P2725QE’s 27-inch (measured diagonally) display screen, bordered on all sides by ultra-thin bezels, has UHD, aka 4K native decision (3,840 by 2,160 pixels) in a 16:9 widescreen facet ratio. The display screen’s pixel density is 163 pixels per inch (ppi), making this show appropriate for video or photograph modifying. The panel makes use of in-plane switching (IPS) know-how, and as is typical of such shows, it affords huge viewing angles: as much as 178 levels for each vertical and horizontal. You’ll be able to take a look at the display screen almost edge-on from the facet or above with out notable degradation in picture high quality.
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
The P2725QE’s all-black body is mounted to a slender silver-colored shaft with a gap close to the underside to comprise cable litter. The bottom, though it has a small footprint, felt sturdy. I’ve discovered to anticipate robust ergonomics on Dell displays, and the P2725QE isn’t any exception. Within the again, it has an array of holes spaced 100mm aside to suit a VESA bracket (not included) for arm or wall mounting. The P2725QE’s body may be raised as much as 5.9 inches; you may tilt the highest of the monitor 5 levels towards or 22 levels away from you, pivot from panorama to portrait mode, and swivel as much as 45 levels in both path.
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
The P2725QE has a stable set of ports for a productiveness monitor. Along with an upstream USB-C port that helps DisplayPort over USB Alternate Mode and as much as 90 watts of energy supply, you may discover a downstream data-only USB-C port and three USB-A downstream ports. The monitor additionally has one HDMI 2.1 port and one DisplayPort 1.4 connector. An RJ-45 Ethernet jack enables you to keep linked when Wi-Fi is spotty or nonexistent, assuming you have obtained a wired community connection close by.
The Dell UltraSharp U2723QE has all of those ports whereas including one other USB-C port, a USB-A port, and a second DisplayPort connector.
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
The downstream USB-C port and one of many USB-A ports are forward-facing, housed in a bay that may be lowered from the underside of the monitor when wanted and retracted when not in use. The opposite ports are on the underside fringe of the P2725QE, and are simple sufficient to entry by swiveling the chassis into portrait mode. Three cables (DisplayPort, USB-C to USB-C, and USB-C to USB-A) are included with the monitor.
The monitor lacks built-in audio system, however you may discover slots for an elective Dell soundbar on the backside.
Testing the Dell P2725QE: Vibrant, Colourful, and Contrasty
We examined the P2725QE’s brightness, distinction ratio, and color-gamut protection utilizing our normal check gear: a Klein K-10A colorimeter, a Murideo Six-G sign generator, and Portrait Displays’ Calman for Enterprise calibration software program.
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Dell charges the P2725QE’s luminance at 350 nits (candelas per sq. meter), and it nearly matched that, tallying 340 nits, on our gear. That is greater than brilliant sufficient for any gaming and enterprise use, together with photograph and video editing. The monitor doesn’t help HDR. I measured its distinction ratio at 1,426:1, a shade off its rated 1,500:1 distinction ratio and wanting IPS Black shows such because the Dell U2723QE however nonetheless a lot greater than most traditional IPS panels. (See how we test monitors.)
(Credit score: Portrait Shows)
In accordance with Dell, the P2725QE covers 99% of the sRGB colour area. In my exams utilizing the default normal mode, it outdid that with 117.3% protection by space. (See the chart above.) Dell doesn’t fee its protection of DCI-P3, a colour area geared to digital video, or Adobe RGB, primarily utilized in making ready pictures and illustrations for print; it lined 86.2% and 81.2% of these areas, respectively.
Spectacular as these outcomes are, the Dell U2723QE edged out the P2725QE in brightness, distinction ratio, and colour protection, based mostly on our testing.
Within the subjective, ad-hoc portion of our testing, we view a choose group of test-standard pictures and video clips. Nonetheless photos appeared sharp, with wealthy colours and a wealth of element, notably darkish areas. Movies additionally appeared nice, with good colours and nice distinction.
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
Verdict: New Branding, Identical Excellent Dell High quality
The Dell P2725QE greater than holds its personal as a primo productiveness monitor, wealthy in ports and ergonomic options and with a high-quality display screen that proved its mettle in each our quantitative and experiential testing.
Nonetheless, it falls a bit wanting the Dell U2723QE in port choice, display screen specs, and efficiency. That venerable mannequin is almost three years outdated and is $100 costlier, however retains its Editors’ Alternative honors. However, the P2725QE could also be a greater (and positively extra economical) choose for customers for whom the additional ports and luxurious picture high quality could also be overkill.
Regardless, it is good to know that whereas Dell’s naming conference has modified, its dedication to product excellence stays unaffected, as mirrored within the P2725QE.
Dell Professional 27 Plus 4K USB-C Hub Monitor (P2725QE)
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The Backside Line
The Dell Professional 27 Plus P2725QE packs within the ports, affords nice ergonomics, and has a display screen with excellent picture high quality, making it an impressive (although not class-leading) productiveness monitor.
About Tony Hoffman
Senior Analyst, {Hardware}
