Acer S273HL 27in MONITOR
For most PC tasks, a screen around 23in is sensible. But if you want bigger visuals, stepping up to 27in is now possible.
It’s not just the large screen that captures the attention – the Acer has a rather distinctive look, with an L-shaped base that keeps the screen stable while consuming very little desk space. Loudspeakers are built into the base, nicely recessed, and the two-tone colour scheme gives it a sleek, business-like look.
There’s no pivot function, but the screen can be tilted. One VGA and a pair of HDMI ports are built into the back, although the lack of DVI is disappointing in an upmarket screen.
Controls take the form of tabs built into the base. They aren’t the most interesting we’ve seen, but work well, with a menu system that allows for quick adjustment.
The main problem is the Auto button. Frequently needed to jump out of menus, it’s hidden beneath the screen and you have to crane your head in order to locate it.
The menus themselves are full of features. Acer eColour Management options let you quickly adjust the colour palette for different purposes, although you can’t access these from a dedicated button. The software disc is better than most, with an in-depth interface that uses a series of test images and applications to help you find the best settings.
The Acer’s 1920×1080 resolution would be fine on a 21.5in screen, but it feels rather restrictive at this size. The coarse 0.3mm pixel pitch hints that pixels on this panel are a little chunkier than they could be. For everyday PC use, this screen feels slightly uncomfortable. But for gaming and films, it has potential.
The contrast ratio can be bumped up to 12,000,000:1, we’re told, using Adaptive Contrast Management. It works quite well to give images some extra vibrancy.
Image quality is adequate, but inconsistent. Nor does the Acer have the purest colour palette. Partly this is due to the limitations of its budget twisted-nematic technology. It’s disappointing to see a £400 monitor with so-so technology at its heart.
A decent performer visually, the Acer doesn’t have that extra quality you expect from a screen this price.
Verdict
The 27in Acer is a little too much quantity and perhaps not enough quality. But it is aimed more at game-players and TV/film watchers than general-purpose PC users.
Specification
27in flat-panel monitor: 1920×1080 maximum resolution; 0.3mm pixel pitch; ans response rate (gree-to-grey): 1.0001contrast ratio (12000,000:1 with ACA1), 170/160 degree viewing angle: 300cd/ma brightness: VGA: D’Sub: 1-1DMI. 3-year warranty: 645x190x469mm: 5.84
Price £400
For most PC tasks, a screen around 23in is sensible. But if you want bigger visuals, stepping up to 27in is now possible.
It’s not just the large screen that captures the attention – the Acer has a rather distinctive look, with an L-shaped base that keeps the screen stable while consuming very little desk space. Loudspeakers are built into the base, nicely recessed, and the two-tone colour scheme gives it a sleek, business-like look.
There’s no pivot function, but the screen can be tilted. One VGA and a pair of HDMI ports are built into the back, although the lack of DVI is disappointing in an upmarket screen.
Controls take the form of tabs built into the base. They aren’t the most interesting we’ve seen, but work well, with a menu system that allows for quick adjustment.
The main problem is the Auto button. Frequently needed to jump out of menus, it’s hidden beneath the screen and you have to crane your head in order to locate it.
The menus themselves are full of features. Acer eColour Management options let you quickly adjust the colour palette for different purposes, although you can’t access these from a dedicated button. The software disc is better than most, with an in-depth interface that uses a series of test images and applications to help you find the best settings.
The Acer’s 1920×1080 resolution would be fine on a 21.5in screen, but it feels rather restrictive at this size. The coarse 0.3mm pixel pitch hints that pixels on this panel are a little chunkier than they could be. For everyday PC use, this screen feels slightly uncomfortable. But for gaming and films, it has potential.
The contrast ratio can be bumped up to 12,000,000:1, we’re told, using Adaptive Contrast Management. It works quite well to give images some extra vibrancy.
Image quality is adequate, but inconsistent. Nor does the Acer have the purest colour palette. Partly this is due to the limitations of its budget twisted-nematic technology. It’s disappointing to see a £400 monitor with so-so technology at its heart.
A decent performer visually, the Acer doesn’t have that extra quality you expect from a screen this price.
Verdict
The 27in Acer is a little too much quantity and perhaps not enough quality. But it is aimed more at game-players and TV/film watchers than general-purpose PC users.
Specification
27in flat-panel monitor: 1920×1080 maximum resolution; 0.3mm pixel pitch; ans response rate (gree-to-grey): 1.0001contrast ratio (12000,000:1 with ACA1), 170/160 degree viewing angle: 300cd/ma brightness: VGA: D’Sub: 1-1DMI. 3-year warranty: 645x190x469mm: 5.84
Price £400
