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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If image clarity, color accuracy, and high dynamic range matter greatly to you, especially for tasks like HDR video editing or color-critical work, the Apple Pro Display XDR will serve you exceptionally well, but at a premium cost. For a more versatile monitor that balances gaming, productivity, and media consumption without breaking the bank, the Dell Alienware is a solid choice. However, it's important to note that the Dell won't match the Apple display's superior color and brightness performance, which are crucial for professional-grade creative work. If you're a competitive gamer, the quicker response time and variable refresh rate of the Alienware will be more beneficial, whereas the Pro Display XDR doesn't cater much to gaming needs. 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 AW3821DW (IPS)
- Good response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
7.8
6.0
6016 x 3384
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
1000:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
1600 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
1600 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
98.7 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
95.6 %
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD) is good for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
3.9
4.5
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
20.0 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
10.8 ms
N/A
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
1600 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
9.8
6.6
6016 x 3384
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
216 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
111 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD) is best in class for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
8.1
6.2
6016 x 3384
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
1000:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
1600 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
1600 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD) is very good for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$4,999
$749
$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 AW3821DW (IPS) costs $749.
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 AW3821DW (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 AW3821DW (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 AW3821DW (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 AW3821DW (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD) and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD) | Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$4,999 | $749 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 32" | 38" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 6016 x 3384 | 3840 x 1600 | |
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 | 883:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 1600 nits | 495 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 1600 nits | 660 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 % | 133 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 20 ms | 10.8 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | N/A | 20 - 144 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 216 PPI | 111 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Glossy | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 9.5/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 9.5/10 | 7.2/10 | |
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 AW3821DW (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | April 2021
"The Alienware AW3821DW isn’t perfect, but right now, it’s the best value in 38-inch ultrawide gaming monitors. It delivers a solid gaming experience with a bright and saturated image that’s color-accurate. With premium styling and build quality, it’s sure to satisfy gamers looking for a jumbo display."
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
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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.
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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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