If you prioritize competitive gaming due to a very high refresh rate and lower total response time, the Dell Alienware monitor works well, but isn't strong for HDR gaming and media. Alternatively, the Innocn monitor excels in productivity, HDR video editing and media consumption with better color and HDR performance, but isn't ideal for competitive gaming due to a lower refresh rate and response time. Consider the Dell for fluid gaming experiences and the Innocn for vibrant visuals in creative tasks and media viewing. The Dell is pricier, so choose the Innocn for a balance of quality and value. 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
Advantages of the Innocn 27M2U (IPS MiniLED)
Good for casual gaming
Best in class for productivity
Very good for media consumption
Very good text clarity
Very good image clarity
Good contrast
Best in class brightness
Very good color volume
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.5/10
7.9/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1000 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1000 nits
71.9 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
99.0 %
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Innocn 27M2U (IPS MiniLED) is good for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
8.0/10
5.1/10
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
7.1 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
8.0 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
N/A
No
STROBING / BFI
No
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1000 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Innocn 27M2U (IPS MiniLED) is poor.
Productivity
6.5/10
9.8/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
163 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Innocn 27M2U (IPS MiniLED) is best in class for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
6.2/10
8.9/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1000 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1000 nits
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Innocn 27M2U (IPS MiniLED) is very good for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$902
$425
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) has a price of $902 and the Innocn 27M2U (IPS MiniLED) costs $425.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Innocn 27M2U (IPS MiniLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing while the Innocn 27M2U (IPS MiniLED) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading while the Innocn 27M2U (IPS MiniLED) is suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the Innocn 27M2U (IPS MiniLED) is suitable for print photo editing.
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How the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and the Innocn 27M2U (IPS MiniLED) compare to other monitors
"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."
"The Innocn 27MU2 screen isn’t built to Apple standards, but it’s robust enough for desktop use and surprisingly lightweight, considering its image quality. The stand is rock steady and adjustable, plus the screen can be wall mounted. There are plenty of input options plus the ability to display two sources on screen at the same time."
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.