If image clarity and digital photo editing are top priorities, the Apple Studio Display may justify its higher cost with superior text quality and color accuracy. However, if cost is a concern and you are looking for a more balanced monitor that can handle productivity tasks, casual gaming, and some media consumption with decent quality, the Dell S2722QC offers a range of features including variable refresh rate support at a significantly lower price. The Dell also has a matte screen which is less reflective, compared to the glossy screen of the Apple display, which can be distracting in well-lit environments. If HDR gaming and media consumption is a priority, though, both monitors might not be the best fit given their lower brightness and HDR 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
Good brightness
Advantages of the Dell S2722QC (IPS)
The Dell S2722QC (IPS) has no clear advantages over the Apple Studio Display (IPS).
Key differences
Productivity
9.5/10
7.9/10
5120 x 2880
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
218 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
164 PPI
No
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Apple Studio Display (IPS) is best in class for productivity, while the Dell S2722QC (IPS) is good.
Cost
$1,599
$400
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Apple Studio Display (IPS) has a price of $1,599 and the Dell S2722QC (IPS) costs $400.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.1/10
5.9/10
5120 x 2880
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1052:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1304:1
584 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
382 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
402 nits
N/A
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
82.9 %
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 S2722QC (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
5.0/10
4.9/10
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
20.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
14.4 ms
N/A
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 60 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
584 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
382 nits
The Apple Studio Display (IPS) and Dell S2722QC (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming.
Media Consumption
7.0/10
6.8/10
5120 x 2880
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
1052:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1304:1
584 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
382 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
402 nits
Glossy
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple Studio Display (IPS) to be good for media consumption, while the Dell S2722QC (IPS) is only fair.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and Dell S2722QC (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and Dell S2722QC (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and Dell S2722QC (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and Dell S2722QC (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 S2722QC (IPS) compare to other monitors
"The Dell S2722QC offers 4K, USB-C, HDR, and integrated speakers for a uniquely affordable price, but makes some image quality sacrifices to hit its low cost. It’s a good everyday productivity monitor that you should buy for its features, not its performance."
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
210
Monitors evaluated
10,500
Monitors stats compiled
15
Proprietary Monitors ratings developed
116,900
Recommendations made
17,535
Consumer hours saved
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.