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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
The Apple Studio Display is a high-resolution monitor suited for digital photo editing and productivity with excellent text quality and image clarity, which makes it great for professionals in graphic design or video editing. However, it's not ideal for gaming due to a poor refresh rate and lack of variable refresh rate support, affecting fast-paced gameplay. Conversely, the Dell Alienware AW2721D has a very good refresh rate, a variable refresh rate for smooth gaming, and a decent color gamut for some creative work but isn't as sharp for productivity tasks as the Apple monitor. If gaming, particularly competitive gaming, is a priority and budget is a concern, the Dell monitor could be a better fit. If you prioritize professional creative work and can justify a higher price, the Apple Studio Display might be the preferable choice despite its less impressive gaming performance. 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 Studio Display (IPS)
- Best in class for productivity
- Good for media consumption
- Best in class text clarity
- Best in class image clarity
Advantages of the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS)
- Very good for competitive gaming
- Very good refresh rate
- Good response time
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
5.0
8.0
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
20.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
7.1 ms
N/A
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 240 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
584 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Apple Studio Display (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
9.5
6.5
5120 x 2880
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
218 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
No
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Glossy
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Apple Studio Display (IPS) is best in class for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
7.0
6.2
5120 x 2880
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1052:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
584 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
788 nits
Glossy
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Apple Studio Display (IPS) is good for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$1,599
$902
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Apple Studio Display (IPS) has a price of $1,599 and the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) costs $902.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.1
6.5
5120 x 2880
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
1052:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
584 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
788 nits
N/A
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
71.9 %
Glossy
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Apple Studio Display (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Studio Display (IPS) | Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,599 | $902 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 5120 x 2880 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | N/A | 32 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1052:1 | 1088:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 584 nits | 474 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | N/A | 788 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 99.1 % | 136.9 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 20.4 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 | 218 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Glossy | Semi-Gloss | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 10/10 | 7/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 10/10 | 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
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."
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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.
By the numbers
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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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