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The BenQ PD3420Q is an ultrawide 34-inch 2K monitor with a built-in KVM switching functionality, a Mac-specific shade accuracy mode, and dynamic PiP settings.
Apple has set a excessive bar for shows, making pairing a MacBook Professional with a monitor fairly troublesome. Fortunately, whenever you remove displays with out Mac-specific options, it could actually make the selection simpler.
The BenQ PD3420Q is an ultrawide monitor constructed with Apple customers in thoughts. Its expansive 2K show can join over USB-C and reproduce colours much like a Mac, due to P3 and HDR help. It even has a Mac-specific shade setting.
The 21:9 show ratio additionally allows a novel set of options associated to picture-in-picture modes. This monitor permits customers to unify their workflows throughout units in a single product with no need difficult KVM setups or extra displays.
This monitor takes an excessive amount of setup, however as soon as all the things is up and working, it could actually work wonders inside Apple’s {hardware} ecosystem. We have examined the monitor in varied setups and can cowl how every work beneath.
BenQ 34-inch ultrawide 2K monitor options and design
The BenQ PD3420Q is a 34-inch monitor at 3440 pixels by 1440 pixels with 350 nits of brightness. It helps the P3 shade gamut and is rated at HDR10, VESA DisplayHDR 400.
Attributable to its wider-than-normal facet ratio, it helps picture-by-picture modes with one enter utilizing a 16:9 format and one other in 5:9. It is not potential to pick out a 16:9 setting from the monitor except it’s in PBP mode, so some inputs will stretch to suit the 21:9 facet ratio.
HDR could be enabled, nevertheless it could possibly be of a better high quality. Photographs have a tendency to look darker when HDR is on, and the mode solely works in single enter mode. We used the monitor with HDR turned off.
The HotKey Puck G2 will get its personal USB-B port, plus there are two HDMI 2.0 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4 port, a 65W USB-C DisplayPort alt port, and a USB-B upstream with two USB-A ports. The monitor additionally has a USB-A port, USB-C port, and headphone jack on the aspect for simple accent connection.
The rear has an influence button, a joystick button for menu motion and choice, and two buttons for enter management and shade mode switching.
The included HotKey Puck G2 makes controlling the monitor’s menus a breeze. After all the things was up and working, we configured the knob to manage quantity.
Utilizing the BenQ 34-inch ultrawide 2K monitor
The ultrawide facet ratio within the BenQ PD3420Q monitor permits customers to arrange two inputs side-by-side. One takes up the standard 16:9 house, and one other makes use of a 5:9 house. There may be additionally a picture-in-picture mode.
The important thing to mastering the BenQ PD3420Q is knowing which of your units can adapt to facet ratios. When you plan on utilizing the picture-by-picture mode, then a Mac or PC would greatest match within the 5:9 aspect — since they’d have essentially the most management over their output.
A two-device setup
We tried picture-by-picture with a 14-inch MacBook Professional set within the 5:9 house and an iPad Professional set within the 16:9 house. The MacBook was linked through USB-C for its DisplayPort alt enter, and the iPad was linked to HDMI through a dock.
This setup took excellent benefit of Apple’s Common Management characteristic. After putting the iPad monitor by the MacBook monitor in settings, the cursor would transfer between the 2 shows as in the event that they have been the identical pc.
This setup alone bought us on the BenQ monitor, although it has its ache factors. Getting the MacBook to behave in a 5:9 facet ratio took a couple of minutes of toggling show settings and switching inputs, however finally it labored positive.
The MacBook Professional had just one viable decision choice — 880 x 1440. It causes some icons to look small, and textual content truncates in some titles, however all the things labored as anticipated.
We consider this setup is right for somebody who needs to work from an iPad however wants entry to some issues on macOS.
After all, this setup may work for having a Mac and PC linked on this manner, and the HotKey Puck G2 acts as a KVM swap for equipment linked via the show.
We additionally examined the monitor with an Apple TV 4K and a MacBook to strive the PiP mode. The BenQ monitor supplies loads of choices for customers to create their excellent setup.
Monitor settings
The BenQ PD3420Q has 11 shade presets and a user-customizable one. These could be switched simply utilizing the HotKey Puck G2 or buttons on the rear of the monitor.
Presets embrace DCI-P3, Show P3, HDR, sRGB, REC. 709, CAD/CAM, Animation, Low Blue-Gentle, Darkroom, M-book, and DICOM. The M-book setting is supposed to calibrate the show intently to Apple’s, and it was our go-to choice.
You possibly can’t allow HDR with picture-by-picture mode in use. HDR solely works in full-screen mode, and even then is not preferable. Colours can seem washed out relying on the content material being seen.
The monitor has built-in audio system, however like most displays, we do not suggest utilizing them. You will desire a devoted set of audio system or headphones.
DisplayPilot software program
One saving grace of the BenQ monitor is its potential to make use of DisplayPilot. Relatively than take care of awkward show menus, customers can modify settings from this utility when a Mac or PC is linked to the monitor.
It presents all the fundamental controls for establishing picture-by-picture or choosing shade modes. Customers may configure totally different shade modes to robotically be in use when choose functions are within the foreground.
There are even choices for arranging home windows in numerous patterns utilizing desktop partitions. As soon as a partition is about, apps dragged to that partition will robotically resize to suit that house.
A multifunctional Mac monitor
When you’re available in the market for a top quality monitor that does not break the financial institution, then the BenQ PD3420Q is a wonderful choice. It’s particularly helpful for people who need to use a number of merchandise hooked up to the identical monitor.
The chances for mixtures are limitless — run an iPad and Mac, PS5 and PC, or throw in an Apple TV too. The totally different show and structure choices give customers loads of management.
Setup can take some trial and error, and the audio system do not sound nice, however these are the one complaints we are able to make a few monitor at this worth.
When you’re in search of a monitor that might solely be used with a single product, the BenQ PD3420Q nonetheless works, however concentrate on some limitations. For instance, an Apple TV 4K will stretch to suit the 21:9 facet ratio if utilized in full-screen mode, and there’s no technique to repair this with out activating picture-by-picture.
We extremely suggest this product for anybody seeking to improve their Common Management enjoyable and use an iPad and a Mac in tandem. Nonetheless, bear in mind that the iPad is not going to show accurately within the 5:9 portion of the show, and solely M-series iPads have exterior show help.
BenQ PD3420Q Professionals
- A monitor with all kinds of settings that may be a fraction of the price of Apple’s Studio Show
- Devoted Mac setting for excellent shade accuracy
- HotKey Puck G2 makes navigating the monitor settings straightforward
- Image-by-picture is nice, particularly for Common Management
- Minimal bezels, adjustable top, and first rate cable administration
BenQ PD3420Q Cons
- Setup can take time to determine
- HDR could as properly not be there
- Audio system are weak however higher than nothing
- 2K decision not fairly as much as Apple’s Retina requirements
Score: 4 out of 5
Whereas it has now come to an in depth, we have actually loved our time with the BenQ PD3420Q. It is a wonderful monitor that may fulfill many use circumstances.
When you’re in search of Retina-rated decision, you may must double this monitor’s worth. The image-by-picture setting that retains a 16:9 facet ratio for one of many home windows is our favourite characteristic.
The place to purchase the BenQ PD3420Q
Clients can buy the BenQ PD3420Q on the BenQ web site for $799.99. It’s also listed on Amazon for $799.99 with Amazon Prime free delivery, and is bought at Greatest Purchase.
Overview