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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize competitive gaming and want a faster refresh rate, the Alienware monitor is a better fit; its higher refresh rate and lower response time will provide smoother gameplay. However, if your focus is on productivity or digital photo editing with high-resolution images, the S2722QC with its higher screen resolution and very good color accuracy might be more suitable, plus it's more affordable. Neither monitor is ideal for HDR gaming or media consumption, so if that is a priority, you might want to look at different options. The Alienware's price reflects its gaming pedigree, while the S2722QC offers solid performance for everyday tasks and creative work without stretching your budget as much. 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 Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS)
- Very good for competitive gaming
- Very good refresh rate
- Good brightness
- Good response time
Advantages of the Dell S2722QC (IPS)
- Good for productivity
- Very good text clarity
- Very good image clarity
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.5
5.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1304:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
382 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
402 nits
71.9 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
82.9 %
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair for casual gaming, while the Dell S2722QC (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
8.0
4.9
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
7.1 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
14.4 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 60 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
382 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Dell S2722QC (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
6.5
7.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
164 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2722QC (IPS) is good for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
6.2
6.8
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1304:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
382 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
402 nits
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2722QC (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption, though the Dell S2722QC (IPS) is somewhat better.
Cost
$902
$400
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) has a price of $902 and the Dell S2722QC (IPS) costs $400.
Key similarities
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Dell S2722QC (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Dell S2722QC (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Dell S2722QC (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Dell S2722QC (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and the Dell S2722QC (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) | Dell S2722QC (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$902 | $400 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 32 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1088:1 | 1304:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 474 nits | 382 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 788 nits | 402 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 136.9 % | 100 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 7.1 ms | 14.4 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 240 Hz | 40 - 60 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 8/10 | 5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7.9/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 164 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Semi-Gloss | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7/10 | 8.1/10 | |
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
Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS)
See more
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."
Dell S2722QC (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PC World
Matthew Smith | March 2022
"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."
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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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