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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 12, 2024·
If image clarity, text quality, and higher resolution are crucial for your professional work, like digital photo editing, the premium-priced Apple Studio Display is an excellent choice despite its higher cost. However, if you're looking for a cost-effective option for casual gaming, day-to-day productivity, and general media consumption, the Dell S2721DS offers a solid experience at a budget-friendly price. Neither monitor is particularly suited for competitive gaming due to their lower refresh rates and slower response times. For HDR gaming and video editing, both monitors may not be the best fit as they lack the necessary HDR peak brightness and features. 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
- Good brightness
Advantages of the Dell S2721DS (IPS)
- The Dell S2721DS (IPS) has no clear advantages over the Apple Studio Display (IPS).
Key differences
Productivity
9.5
5.9
5120 x 2880
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
218 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
No
ADJUSTABLE STAND
No
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Apple Studio Display (IPS) is best in class for productivity, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Media Consumption
7.0
5.9
5120 x 2880
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1052:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1015:1
584 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
334 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Apple Studio Display (IPS) is good for media consumption, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$1,599
$309
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Apple Studio Display (IPS) has a price of $1,599 and the Dell S2721DS (IPS) costs $309.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Apple Studio Display (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.1
5.8
5120 x 2880
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
75Hz
1052:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1015:1
584 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
334 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
N/A
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
N/A
Glossy
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple Studio Display (IPS) to be only fair for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
5.0
5.0
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
75Hz
20.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
17.4 ms
N/A
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 75 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
584 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
334 nits
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) and Apple Studio Display (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and the Dell S2721DS (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Studio Display (IPS) | Dell S2721DS (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,599 | $309 | ||
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 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 75Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1052:1 | 1015:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 584 nits | 334 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 % | 98.6 % | |
Suitable for Digital Photo Editing | |||
Suitable for Digital Photo Editing | Yes | No | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 20.4 ms | 17.4 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | N/A | 48 - 75 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 218 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Glossy | Matte | |
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 | 1 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
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 | 1 | |
Shopping
Dell S2721DS (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tech Radar
Ural Garrett | November 2021
"General users or casual PC gamers in need of a solid and affordable QHD monitor with a few extras may walk away satisfied with the Dell S2721D."
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.
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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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