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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize high-end professional work such as HDR video editing, digital photography, and color-critical tasks, the Apple Pro Display XDR excels with superior image clarity, color accuracy, and brightness. It's designed for professionals who require precise colors and consistent image quality. On the other hand, if you're focused on gaming, particularly competitive gaming where fast response times and high refresh rates are crucial, the Dell Alienware AW2721D offers a high refresh rate and variable refresh rate support, making it better suited for smooth gameplay. The Dell is also more versatile for general productivity and casual media consumption at a lower cost. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD)
- Good for casual gaming
- Best in class for productivity
- Very good for media consumption
- Excellent text clarity
- Excellent image clarity
- Good contrast
- Best in class brightness
- Good color volume
Advantages of the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS)
- Very good for competitive gaming
- Very good refresh rate
- Good response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
7.8
6.5
6016 x 3384
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
1000:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
1600 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
1600 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
788 nits
98.7 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
71.9 %
Glossy
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD) is good for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
3.9
8.0
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
20.0 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
7.1 ms
N/A
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 240 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
1600 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD) is poor.
Productivity
9.8
6.5
6016 x 3384
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
216 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Glossy
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD) is best in class for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
8.1
6.2
6016 x 3384
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1000:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
1600 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
1600 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
788 nits
Glossy
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD) is very good for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$4,999
$902
$0
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
The Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD) has a price of $4,999 and the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) costs $902.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD) is not suitable for digital photo editing while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
Yes
No
The Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD) is suitable for HDR video editing and color grading while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD) is suitable for print photo editing while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD) and the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD) | Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$4,999 | $902 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 32" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 6016 x 3384 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS FALD | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 576 | 32 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1000:1 | 1088:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 1600 nits | 474 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 1600 nits | 788 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | Yes | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 94.3 % | 136.9 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 20 ms | 7.1 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | N/A | 20 - 240 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5/10 | 8/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 7.9/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 216 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Glossy | Semi-Gloss | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 9.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 9.5/10 | 7/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 0 | 2 | |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.1 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Micro HDMI Ports | |||
Micro HDMI Ports | 0 | 0 | |
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | |||
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Chris Stobing | February 2020
"Apple's Pro Display XDR provides exceptional color accuracy and build quality at a price that's quite competitive with those of reference-grade pro monitors. It's exquisite enough that swallowing the wildly extravagant cost of its Pro Stand is worth it."
Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Chris Stobing | July 2021
"If cost isn't an issue and you want a gaming monitor that will give your content all-new life for years to come, the Alienware 27 Gaming Monitor defines the upper echelon of what gaming monitors do best today. This display does everything the HP Omen X 27 tried to do, but does it a whole lot better for just a slight bump in price. If you're choosing between the two, the Alienware is the clear winner, and that story repeats itself again and again no matter which 1440p contender we put the Alienware 27 up against."
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec monitors team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest monitor information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
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Monitors evaluated
10,500
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Recommendations made
16,140
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About the monitor team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Monitors Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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