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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If competitive gaming is your priority, the Dell Alienware monitor offers a higher refresh rate and faster response time, providing smoother gameplay. However, if you're focused on productivity tasks and media consumption, the Sony M9 has a higher screen resolution and better image clarity, which will enhance your viewing experience and detail in work. For HDR gaming and media, the Sony M9 is better suited due to superior color accuracy and HDR support, despite a lower refresh rate that may not be as optimal for fast-paced gaming. Both monitors have their strengths, so your decision should align with your primary usage. 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 Sony M9 (IPS FALD)
- Good for casual gaming
- Best in class for productivity
- Good for media consumption
- Very good text clarity
- Very good image clarity
- Good contrast
- Good color volume
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.5
7.3
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
432 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
695 nits
71.9 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
67.7 %
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Sony M9 (IPS FALD) is good for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
8.0
5.7
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
7.1 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
8.0 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
24 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
432 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Sony M9 (IPS FALD) is poor.
Productivity
6.5
9.6
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
163 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Sony M9 (IPS FALD) is best in class for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
6.2
7.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
432 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
695 nits
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Sony M9 (IPS FALD) is good for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$902
$800
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) has a price of $902 and the Sony M9 (IPS FALD) costs $800.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Sony M9 (IPS FALD) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Key similarities
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Sony M9 (IPS FALD) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Sony M9 (IPS FALD) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Sony M9 (IPS FALD) 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 Sony M9 (IPS FALD) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) | Sony M9 (IPS FALD) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$902 | $800 | ||
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 FALD | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 32 | 96 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1088:1 | 1000:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 474 nits | 432 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 788 nits | 695 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | Yes | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 136.9 % | 100 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 7.1 ms | 8 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 240 Hz | 24 - 144 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 8/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 163 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Semi-Gloss | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 1 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 2 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.1 Ports | 0 | 2 | |
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."
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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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