Acer's 32-inch 4K display is on sale for $189, offering a 37% discount on this VA screen, perfect for the back-to-school season and basic gaming.
The Acer EK321QK 32-inch 4K monitor is currently available at B&H Photo for just $189.99, a significant reduction from its original price of $299.99. This budget-friendly monitor offers a 4K resolution, a 32-inch screen, and a VA panel, making it an attractive option for those seeking high-resolution display without breaking the bank.
Advantages of the Acer EK321QK
The Acer EK321QK offers an excellent price-to-performance ratio, with a price tag of under $200. It delivers 4K resolution at a very low cost, making it significantly cheaper than many 1080p or 1440p monitors. The VA panel provides deep blacks and high contrast, which is beneficial for media consumption and general productivity tasks. The large, sharp display of 3840 x 2160 pixels on a 32-inch screen offers ample workspace and detail. The monitor also features thin bezels, which supports multi-monitor setups with minimal gap between screens. Additionally, it supports HDR10, adding enhanced color and brightness features, though limited by panel brightness.
Disadvantages of the Acer EK321QK
The Acer EK321QK has a 60Hz refresh rate, which may not be ideal for fast-paced gaming compared to monitors with 120Hz or 144Hz refresh rates. The VA panel also has slower response times and more motion blur than IPS or OLED displays, leading to ghosting in fast movements. The monitor's brightness is limited to 250 nits, resulting in less vivid HDR performance and poorer visibility in bright rooms. The monitor does not feature OLED advantages, such as perfect blacks, better color accuracy, and faster response times, which come at a much higher price.
Comparison to IPS or OLED Displays
| Feature | Acer EK321QK (VA) | IPS Panels | OLED Panels | |------------------|----------------------------------|---------------------------------|----------------------------------| | Contrast Ratio | High (deep blacks) | Moderate | Perfect blacks | | Color Accuracy | Good for price, but less precise | Better color accuracy | Superior color and contrast | | Response Time | Moderate (4 ms GtG), some blur | Faster, less motion blur | Very fast, near-instantaneous | | Brightness | 250 nits (limiting HDR) | Typically higher (300-400 nits) | Variable, often high or configurable | | Refresh Rate | 60Hz | Often 60-144Hz | Usually 60Hz or 120Hz | | Price | Very low (~$189) | Moderate to high | High-end |
Performance vs. Other Monitors in its Price Range
At about $189, the Acer EK321QK outperforms or matches many competitors by offering 4K resolution at a size and price where most monitors stick to 1080p or 1440p. Its VA panel provides better contrast than similarly priced IPS monitors, which may have inferior black levels. The trade-offs are noticeable refresh rate and brightness, but these are reasonable given the budget segment.
In summary, the Acer EK321QK is a fantastic value for productivity users or casual gamers who want 4K at a low price and can tolerate 60Hz and some VA limitations. Compared to IPS or OLED, it sacrifices refresh rate, brightness, and color accuracy but gains better contrast at a fraction of the cost. It stands out in its price range mainly for the 32-inch 4K screen area it offers.
This deal is available on the monitor's product page at B&H Photo. The Acer EK321QK monitor features HDMI and DisplayPort connectivity with AMD FreeSync support. The monitor uses a VA panel.
- The Acer EK321QK is a budget-friendly monitor, offering an impressive 4K resolution and deep blacks due to its VA panel, making it a great choice for those seeking high-resolution displays at an affordable price point.
- When compared to its competitors in the same price range, the Acer EK321QK offers better performance, thanks to its 4K resolution display on a 32-inch screen, surpassing or matching other monitors that typically stick to 1080p or 1440p.
