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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 12, 2024·
If you value exceptional contrast and vibrant colors for HDR gaming and media consumption, the Asus PG27AQDM with its OLED panel is an excellent choice, but it offers lower brightness which might not suffice in very bright environments. On the other hand, the Dell Alienware AW2721D has an IPS panel that provides a good balance for a variety of uses including competitive gaming thanks to its superior response time, and it's more suitable for tasks that require color accuracy, such as digital photo editing. Both monitors support high refresh rates for smooth gameplay, but for office work or tasks requiring high brightness and sharp text, the Asus might not be as suitable as the Dell. 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 Asus PG27AQDM (W-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Good for media consumption
- Best in class contrast
- Excellent response time
Advantages of the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS)
- Good text clarity
- Good brightness
Key differences
Casual Gaming
9.5
6.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
162 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
963 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
788 nits
97.2 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
71.9 %
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Asus PG27AQDM (W-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
8.6
8.0
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
1.8 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
7.1 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 240 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
162 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
The Asus PG27AQDM (W-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are both very good for competitive gaming, though the Asus PG27AQDM (W-OLED) is somewhat better.
Productivity
5.8
6.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair for productivity, while the Asus PG27AQDM (W-OLED) is poor.
Media Consumption
7.5
6.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
162 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
963 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
788 nits
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Asus PG27AQDM (W-OLED) is good for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The Asus PG27AQDM (W-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Key similarities
Cost
$899
$902
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Asus PG27AQDM (W-OLED) has a price of $899 and the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) costs $902.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Asus PG27AQDM (W-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Asus PG27AQDM (W-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Asus PG27AQDM (W-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Asus PG27AQDM (W-OLED) and the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Asus PG27AQDM (W-OLED) | Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$899 | $902 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | OLED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | W-OLED | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | N/A | 32 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | Inf:1 | 1088:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 162 nits | 474 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 963 nits | 788 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | Yes | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 100 % | 136.9 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 1.8 ms | 7.1 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 240 Hz | 20 - 240 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 9.1/10 | 7.9/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 111 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Semi-Gloss | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.7/10 | 7/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 7/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 2 | 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
Asus PG27AQDM (W-OLED)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | April 2023
"It’s hard to find any fault with the Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDM. Yes it’s expensive, but it’s incredibly good. With a stunning image and next-level video performance, it’s one of the very best gaming monitors I’ve ever reviewed."
Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS)
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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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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.
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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