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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize excellent text and image clarity for productivity or digital photo editing, the Apple Studio Display might be worth the investment; however, it's not ideal for gaming due to its poor refresh rate and lack of variable refresh rate support. On the other hand, the Dell Alienware monitor is significantly less expensive and better suited for gaming with a fair refresh rate and variable refresh rate support, along with a wider screen which is great for immersive gaming and multitasking. The Dell's performance for media consumption is fair, but it may not match the Apple's display clarity. 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 AW3821DW (IPS)
- Good response time
Key differences
Productivity
9.5
6.6
5120 x 2880
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
218 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
111 PPI
No
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Apple Studio Display (IPS) is best in class for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
7.0
6.2
5120 x 2880
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
1052:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
584 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Apple Studio Display (IPS) is good for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$1,599
$749
$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 AW3821DW (IPS) costs $749.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.1
6.0
5120 x 2880
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
1052:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
584 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
N/A
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
95.6 %
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Apple Studio Display (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
Competitive Gaming
5.0
4.5
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
20.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
10.8 ms
N/A
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
584 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
The Apple Studio Display (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (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 AW3821DW (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 AW3821DW (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Studio Display (IPS) | Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,599 | $749 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 38" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 5120 x 2880 | 3840 x 1600 | |
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 | 883:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 584 nits | 495 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | N/A | 660 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 % | 133 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 20.4 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 | 218 PPI | 111 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Glossy | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 10/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 10/10 | 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
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."
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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.
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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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