Comprehensive Assessment of Acer ConceptD CP1 CP1271
At first glance, the state of the Acer ConceptD monitor might seem unclear, but not everything is bleak: factory calibration, robust design, ergonomic features tailored for work rather than entertainment. However, upon closer inspection, the display configuration may pose some challenges for a device geared towards office tasks.
For various reasons, there are IPS monitors with higher Hz, but with standard color gamut, no HDR support, and even full HD resolution, and it's 27 inches! Simultaneously, the FHD monitor still targets the professional segment, even without some bells and whistles. Let's delve into this review of Acer ConceptD CP1 CP1271 to understand why such a monitor might be necessary.
Technical Specifications of Acer ConceptD CP1 CP1271:
- Screen: 27-inch IPS Panel
- Resolution: Full HD (1920 × 1080)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Max Refresh Rate: 165 Hz
- Response Time: 2 ms (GtG method)
- Color Gamut: Approx. 90% DCI-P3
- Brightness: 250 cd/m²
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
- Viewing Angle: 178° horizontal and vertical
- Ports: 2 x HDMI (2.0), 1 x DisplayPort 1.2, 4 x USB 3.1 (hub), 1 x USB 3.1 Type-B input, audio output (3.5mm)
- Stand: Removable, adjustable height and tilt, portrait orientation function
- Audio: Two integrated 2W speakers
Design
ConceptD CP1271 - Unlike gaming models, the mid-range model in the ConceptD monitor series features a minimalist design but doesn't look ordinary either. Thin bezels on three sides align with the exclusive Zero Frame concept. They don't distract when working. And they barely cut into the image when configuring multiple monitors, if you add an extra monitor beside.
The sturdy aluminum base with a wood-like base helps enhance the device's integration. Adjustable for height, tilt, and swivel. If the workspace isn't configured, you can mount the monitor on a VESA 100×100mm wall mount. The back cover is made of matte plastic, dust-resistant and printable. Control buttons are also placed there: a traditional control button and a row of vertical buttons.
The connectivity suite is standard, but it's sufficient for everyday situations. With the presence of a pair of HDMI, a DisplayPort, four USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A, and a headphone minijack. But the trendy USB Type-C port is still not provided. A pair of integrated 2-watt speakers won't replace a surround sound system but will meet simple requirements.
Display
The screen boasts a 27-inch IPS Tilt panel. Setting it apart from classic solutions is its shorter response time: almost like 2 milliseconds for GtG. Additionally, the screen covers approximately 90% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and is factory calibrated. Color accuracy is declared as Delta E <2. The backlight of the panel is uniform across different brightness values, with no noticeable flickering.
But the resolution raises questions: 1920 × 1080 pixels at such a diagonal may not be the best choice for work or gaming. However, there's a scenario where larger pixels would be a plus: running AutoCAD and similar software. And the brightness is also 250 cd/m², far from the top figure by professional segment standards. Of course, HDR support is only on paper. In reality, to execute the technology significantly, you'd need a backlight twice as bright.
There are no complaints about viewing angles: 178 degrees, standard for IPS panels, suffice with ample range on both axes. The stand allows you to tilt, swivel, and adjust the screen within a 120 mm range, not to mention portrait orientation. The latter option is simply irreplaceable in some cases or when handling related content. Refresh rate is quite decent: 144 Hz in normal mode and when overclocked - up to 165 Hz.
The FHD monitor differs from standard office models not only in design and extended color range. There's an important feature for a designer - support for 3D LUT tables. As a bonus, an exclusive Color Calibrator app is included, allowing you to create custom profiles for different tasks. Adjusting brightness and color temperature takes a few seconds and you'll have to fine-tune once with the initial settings. This is particularly useful if there are multiple users and each has a different monitor usage scenario.
Eye protection function is also equally important for prolonged work. The ConceptD CP1271 has some of them at once. Flicker-free technology tackles one of the main issues of LCD monitors - backlight flickering. Traditional matrices use PWM to maintain a certain brightness level. Simply put, LED lights turn on and off very quickly, contributing to user fatigue. To reduce eye strain, the manufacturer has employed continuously lit backlight. Thus, uniform brightness can be achieved at any brightness level, helping to eliminate early eye fatigue.
In my turn, BlueLightShield technology filters out the most eye-straining part of the light spectrum - blue light.
It's manually activated through the screen options, but it causes color distortion. When printing documents, preset settings can also be enabled for the entire day. But when launching graphic editing software, you may temporarily disable the filter. The glare-reducing Comfyview coating adds to the list of useful features.
Conclusion
The screen turns out to be unclear. In our approach to evaluating the Acer ConceptD CP1 CP1271, the most controversial design decision is the use of an FHD panel in a 27-inch device. There are also questions about insufficient brightness. Although the color gamut is wider than office options, it still lags behind professional computer monitors for HDR content work.
On the other hand, the FHD screen attracts the combination of price and features. It was sold for $299.99. ConceptD CP1271 is mainly suitable for CAD users with complex design layouts.