Fewer extras than the competition, but excellent high-resolution images out of the box

An in depth look at the Professional range 27", high resolution monitor from Asus. The PLS panel, LED backlighting and decent specs make this an interesting choice. How does it perform in our tests?

Great range of connections and stand adjustments (including all cables provided; Very good pixel response times; Very good contrast ratio; the best we've seen from a PLS panel so far

Useless dynamic contrast ratio in practice; PWM used for backlight dimming; Not great default setup; and no sRGB emulation

A growing number of graphics professionals, gamers, and all-around power users are turning to WQHD (Wide Quad High-Definition) monitors as cost-conscious alternatives to , and is all too happy to oblige.

Initially, an unedited version of this review was posted on Hardware Canucks. The article has since been updated. We apologize for any misunderstanding this may have caused. ASUS has never been one to shy away from pushing the envelope when it comes to development of their monitors.

Unlike the gorgeous Samsung Series 9 S27B970D , another 27-inch PLS monitor, the PB278Q is fairly plain looking. The 27-inch panel resides in a 2.8-inch thick matte black cabinet with relatively thin (0.75-inch) bezels and a thin, barely noticeable strip of glossy black trim around the edge.

Great color quality; Lots of video ports; Ergonomic stand; Wide viewing angles

A bit pricey; No auto-pivot function; No USB ports

The Asus PB278Q 27-inch HD monitor utilizes the relatively new PLS panel technology which results in excellent color quality and wide viewing angles. While it is quite pricy and has no automatic pivot function, it's still a decent monitor that provides a good quality image.

Many video inputs; Wide viewing angles; Very good image quality

Expensive; No automatic screen rotation

ASUS PB278Q

Monitor choice is thankfully a lot easier in recent times. Even a cheap TN panel will be reasonable quality.

In the world of extreme-definition monitors, the Asus PB278Q almost perfectly hits a happy medium between features and value. I reviewed the HP ZR2740w earlier in 2012, and while that monitor offered great performance at a reasonable price, aside from brightness, customization features were nowhere to be found.

Well-priced and powerful, the Asus PB278Q is the best entry point for those seeking an extreme-definition monitor at a not-so-extreme price.

The Asus PB278Q offers a sharp extreme-definition screen; rich color; accurate presets; and useful ergonomic options at a good price.

The monitor lacks USB inputs and its swivel mechanism is poorly implemented.

This 27in monitor is blessed with a range of connectors – supporting 2560 x 1440 resolution via HDMI, DisplayPort or Dual-link DVI inputs, along with 1920 x 1080 via a D-sub input. The monitor also features two built-in 3-watt speakers, along with 3.5mm audio line-in and line-out.

Good price; lots of inputs

Contrast could be better