BenQ PD3225U Review: Bigger than a Studio Display for Less

When it comes to choosing the right monitor for your Mac, the options can be overwhelming. However, the BenQ PD3225U stands out as a productivity powerhouse, offering a massive 31.5-inch display with features tailored for professionals. Let’s dive into what makes this BenQ product a fantastic choice for designers, desktop publishers, and multimedia editors.

BenQ Design and Build Quality

The BenQ PD3225U boasts a sleek design with a minimalist aesthetic that complements any professional workspace. Measuring 31.5 inches diagonally, this monitor provides ample screen real estate while maintaining a relatively compact footprint thanks to its slim bezels. The sturdy stand offers adjustable height, tilt, and swivel options, ensuring ergonomic comfort for long work sessions.

Also Read: BenQ Zowie EC2-CW Review – Best Wireless Mouse for Gamers

BenQ Display Specifications

The PD3225U features a 31.5-inch IPS panel with a 4K resolution of 3840 by 2160 pixels. This ensures sharp and detailed visuals, perfect for tasks requiring high precision. With a peak brightness of 400 nits and HDR support, the display handles a variety of lighting conditions well, maintaining clarity and vibrancy. However, it’s capped at a 60Hz refresh rate, which is sufficient for most professional work but might be a limitation for high-end gaming.

BenQ Colour Accuracy and Modes

One of the standout features of the PD3225U is its exceptional colour accuracy. It covers 99% of the Rec.709 and sRGB colour spaces and 98% of DCI-P3, making it suitable for colour-critical tasks. The monitor includes several colour modes, such as M-Book mode, which minimises the optical differences between the PD3225U and MacBook displays, ensuring a seamless dual-monitor setup. Other modes like DCI-P3, sRGB, Darkroom, and Office cater to specific professional needs, enhancing workflow efficiency.

BenQ Connectivity Options

The PD3225U shines in its connectivity options. It includes:

• Two Thunderbolt 3 ports: Provide 85 watts of charging power and serve as a docking station.
• One USB-C port: Located on the side for easy access.
• Three USB-A ports: For connecting peripherals.
• One USB-B port
• Two HDMI 2.0 ports: For additional video input options.
• One DisplayPort 1.4
• 3.5mm audio jack: Convenient for headphones or external speakers.

BenQ Docking Station Capabilities

Thanks to its Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, the PD3225U doubles as a highly functional docking station. It offers 85 watts of power delivery, enough to charge a MacBook Pro, and supports daisy-chaining, allowing you to connect additional monitors or peripherals. This versatility makes it an ideal hub for a clutter-free workspace.

Ease of Use

BenQ has thoughtfully designed the BenQ PD3225U with user convenience in mind. The ports are strategically placed, with frequently used ports on the side for quick access. The integrated KVM switch is another highlight, enabling users to control two computers with a single set of peripherals, which is perfect for multitasking environments.

BenQ Audio and Additional Features

The monitor includes a pair of 2-watt speakers, which are adequate for basic audio needs but might not impress audiophiles. Unfortunately, it lacks a built-in webcam, so users requiring video conferencing capabilities will need to invest in an external webcam.

BenQ Image Quality

The Benq PD3225U delivers impressive image quality with a peak brightness of 400 nits and a contrast ratio of 2,000:1. The anti-glare coating ensures minimal reflections, providing a clear view even in brightly lit environments. The screen’s uniform illumination and absence of halos or other display issues further enhance the viewing experience.

BenQ Performance in Professional Settings

This monitor excels in professional settings, particularly for design, desktop publishing, and photo and video editing. The large screen size and high resolution allow for detailed work, while the various colour modes ensure accurate colour representation. The PD3225U’s M-Book mode is particularly beneficial for Mac users, providing a consistent colour experience across different devices.

BenQ Software Integration

BenQ’s Display Pilot 2 software is a significant addition, offering intuitive control over the monitor’s settings directly from the Mac’s menu bar. Features like iKeyboard Control enable easy brightness adjustment using standard Mac keys, enhancing user convenience. The software also facilitates quick switching between colour modes, desktop partitioning, and picture-in-picture functionality, streamlining workflow.

BenQ User Experience

In everyday use, the Benq PD3225U proves to be highly practical and user-friendly. Its extensive connectivity options, high-quality display, and ergonomic design make it a versatile tool for various professional tasks. Mac users, in particular, will appreciate the seamless integration and colour consistency offered by the M-Book mode.

BenQ Comparison with Competitors

When compared to competitors like the Apple Studio Display, the BenQ PD3225U offers a larger screen at a lower price point. While the Studio Display boasts a higher 5K resolution, the BenQ PD3225U’s 4K resolution is more than sufficient for most professional tasks. Additionally, the BenQ PD3225U’s Thunderbolt connectivity and docking station capabilities provide added value, making it a strong contender in its category.

Benq PD3225U: Pros Cons

Pros

• Very large screen
• Colorfast and bright
• Thunderbolt connection

Cons

• Only 60Hz
• Rather meagre speakers
• No webcam

The BenQ PD3225U offers high display quality and many practical functions. It’s ideal for design, desktop publishing, and photo and video editing. Thanks to the Thunderbolt connection, it is also an excellent Mac docking station.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the BenQ PD3225U is a formidable monitor that delivers on both quality and functionality. Its large, bright display, excellent colour accuracy, and extensive connectivity options make it an ideal choice for professionals in design, publishing, and multimedia editing. Despite a few minor drawbacks, such as the 60Hz refresh rate and lack of a built-in webcam, the PD3225U offers tremendous value and performance for its price.

Source

FAQs ON BenQ PD3225U

Read More