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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If cost is a significant factor for you and you're looking for a larger, sharper display, the Asus VG28UQL1A with its 4K resolution might be appealing, especially for productivity tasks and media consumption. However, the Dell Alienware AW2721D has a higher refresh rate, which is beneficial for competitive gaming, and it offers better overall image quality, which could enhance your experience in both gaming and media viewing. The Dell model also has better brightness and color performance, which might be valued if you're into digital photo editing. Remember, while the Asus is more budget-friendly, the Dell provides superior performance in high-speed gaming and color-intensive tasks. 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 VG28UQL1A (IPS)
- Good for casual gaming
- Very good for productivity
- Good for media consumption
- Best in class response time
Advantages of the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS)
- Very good for competitive gaming
- Very good refresh rate
- Good brightness
Key differences
Casual Gaming
7.2
6.5
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
1000:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
350 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
350 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
788 nits
90.0 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
71.9 %
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) is good for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
6.1
8.0
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
1.0 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
7.1 ms
48 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 240 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
350 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) is only fair.
Productivity
8.8
6.5
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
157 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) is very good for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
7.0
6.2
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1000:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
350 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
350 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
788 nits
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) is good for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$611
$902
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) has a price of $611 and the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) costs $902.
Digital Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
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How the Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) and the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) | Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$611 | $902 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 28" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 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 | 1000:1 | 1088:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 350 nits | 474 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 350 nits | 788 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 82 % | 136.9 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 1 ms | 7.1 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 48 - 144 Hz | 20 - 240 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 6.6/10 | 8/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 9.6/10 | 7.9/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 157 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Semi-Gloss | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 1 | 2 | |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.1 Ports | 1 | 0 | |
Micro HDMI Ports | |||
Micro HDMI Ports | 0 | 0 | |
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | |||
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS)
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Dig into reviews and images
PC World
Matthew Smith | March 2022
"The Asus TUF Gaming VG28UQL1A is, in many ways, a great 4K gaming monitor. It has a sharp, accurate image with good contrast and excellent motion clarity. Luminance uniformity is its only weakness. The monitor’s $799 MSRP is relatively affordable for a 4K HDMI 2.1 monitor, as well."
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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Monitors evaluated
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Recommendations made
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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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