Review: Asus PQ321Q 4K Monitor

Conclusion

Our foray into the world of 4K consumer monitors begins with the Asus PQ321Q. Based on an also-available design from Sharp and featuring the same IGZO panel, the 31.5in screen runs at a native 3,840x2,160 resolution - or 4x1080p - at 60Hz.

Solid build quality is allied to an impressively-uniform output whose only weakness is an out-of-the-box configuration that makes blue and reds slightly more washed-out than on other quality screens. Once setup to your liking, however, the image is crisp and vibrant across the entire screen.

4K's sheer pixel-count and density requires operating system and application support for effective DPI scaling. Run with Windows 8.1, which features DPI enhancements, the Asus PQ321Q's 2D quality is simply excellent - the surfeit of pixels combine to offer text and imagery that's better than we've seen on any monitor thus far.

We're adamant that 4K is the future of high-end TVs and computer monitors. Asus' 31.5in PQ321Q offers us a glimpse at what's possible in the PC space, but as with any new technology, software and content - specifically OSes, videos, websites and applications - need to be optimised for it.

Gaming, too, oozes detail, and the resolution is such that there's no need to use antialiasing in most games, but even without AA used, the 8.3MP native setting requires beefy graphics cards for acceptable performance.

It's typical for cutting-edge technology to arrive with hefty price premiums. The PQ321Q is currently on pre-order for £3,000, so only the truly deep-pocketed enthusiast need apply. For almost everyone else, we'd steer them in the direction of high-quality 27in, 2,560x1,440 screens that are currently available for under £500.

Bottom line: offering jaw-dropping resolution in a tidy, well-built package, the Asus PQ321Q is a harbinger of screens to come.

Super-high-resolution display
Excellent gaming experience
Bright, crisp, uniform display

Price, inevitably
Software and content needs to catch up

HEXUS Awards

Asus PQ321Q

HEXUS Where2Buy

TBC.

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