Dell Alienware AW2723DF 280Hz WQHD IPS with DisplayHDR 600
As an Amazon Associate and Newegg Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases made using the “Buy” button at the bottom of this post. Where possible, you'll be redirected to your nearest store. Further information on supporting our work.27″ WQHD (1440p) models with 240Hz+ refresh rates are attractive for mixed used, including some competitive gaming. The Dell Alienware AW2723DF offers this via a 280Hz WQHD IPS panel. The monitor has the usual ‘sci-fi’ aesthetics associated with the series, with the ‘Lunar Light’ colour scheme used in this case. This includes a silverish white upper surface for the stand base, sides and rear of the stand neck. Contrasting dark matte plastics are also used. The monitor has slender bezels at all sides, with slim panel border flush with the rest of the screen and thin hard plastic outer part. The OSD (On Screen Display) is controlled by a joystick beneath the central area of the bottom bezel, whilst a dedicated power button is located towards the right side. This faces downwards and is surrounded by a customisable ‘AlienFX’ RGB LED lighting ring.
A 27″ IPS-type panel is employed with 2560 x 1440 (WQHD or 1440p) resolution and support for a 280Hz refresh rate via factory OC. Adaptive-Sync also features, including Nvidia ‘G-SYNC Compatible’ and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro with 48 – 280Hz VRR range plus LFC. The monitor is also AdaptiveSync Display certified. A matte anti-glare screen surface is employed, whilst 1000:1 static contrast, 178°/178° viewing angles and 10-bit (8-bit + FRC) colour is specified. A flicker-fee WLED backlight provides a 450 cd/m² (600 cd/m² HDR peak) typical maximum luminance and 95% DCI-P3 colour gamut. ‘ComfortView Plus’ is included, with the peak of blue light shifted to less energetic wavelengths to potentially aid viewing comfort (TÜV Rheinland certified hardware solution). An sRGB emulation setting is also included via the ‘Creator Mode’ preset. The monitor is VESA DisplayHDR 600 certified, allowing it to put its fairly generous gamut and 10-bit colour support to good use with decent pulses of brightness and a degree of local dimming. We’d expect 32 edge-lit zones at most.
A 1ms grey to grey response time is specified, which as usual you should pay little attention to. The monitor includes 2 further ‘AlienFX’ lighting zones at the rear – an ‘Alien Head’ logo plus ’27’ to denote the screen size. The screen attaches centrally via a quick-release mechanism, with the stand offering full ergonomic flexibility including 110mm (4.33 inches) height adjustment and pivot into portrait. Removing the stand reveals provision for 100 x 100mm VESA mounting. A retractable headphone hanger is included at the left side, as viewed from the front. The ports face downwards and include; AC power input (internal power converter), 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (plus Type-B upstream), 2 HDMI 2.0 ports, DP 1.4 (with DSC) and a 3.5mm audio output. 2 further USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack face downwards at the bottom of the screen, to the left of the OSD joystick (viewed from the front) for easy access. 2-device PiP and PbP is also supported.
Further details can be found on the manufacturer’s website. The monitor is listed for ~$630 USD.