BenQ DesignVue PD3220U

Made for Mac, nearly perfect for PC

- JEREMY LAIRD

SHOP CAREFULLY and you can pick up a 4K monitor for under $200; $300 will bag you a 32-inch 4K monitor with a decent VA panel. Which begs the question: Why would you unload nearly $1,200 on this?

It has a 31.5-inch (read 32-inch) panel, 4K resolution, and tops out at 60Hz. So far, so samey compared to that $300 option. However, the DesignVue PD3220U ups the ante with IPS rather than VA panel tech. That implies better color accuracy, viewing angles, and response, but inferior contrast compared to a VA panel.

Problem is, $600 will buy you a 4K 32-incher with an IPS panel. As it happens, BenQ itself will sell you such a screen. So, what justifies the 100 percent price premium? It’s not high refresh, that’s for sure, what with the PD3220U pegged at 60Hz. Nor is gaming generally the remit here, even though this monitor will turn its hand to more frivolous pursuits if you have the requisite beefy GPU to drive it.