If you prioritize impressive contrast and deep blacks for HDR gaming and media, along with a wider color gamut for photo editing, the Acer X27U might justify its higher price. However, its overall brightness and productivity performance are not as strong. On the other hand, the Dell Alienware AW2721D offers solid performance for both competitive gaming, with a fast response time, and productivity tasks, but lacks the OLED's superior color range and contrast, making it less suitable for high-end photo editing and HDR content. If cost savings are important and your usage leans towards gaming and general use, the Dell might suit you well. 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 Acer X27U (W-OLED)
Best in class for casual gaming
Good for media consumption
Best in class contrast
Best in class response time
Advantages of the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS)
Good text clarity
Good brightness
Key differences
Casual Gaming
9.5/10
6.5/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
211 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
603 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
788 nits
95.5 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
71.9 %
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Acer X27U (W-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
8.8/10
8.0/10
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
1.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
7.1 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 240 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
211 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
The Acer X27U (W-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are both very good for competitive gaming, though the Acer X27U (W-OLED) is somewhat better.
Productivity
5.8/10
6.5/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair for productivity, while the Acer X27U (W-OLED) is poor.
Media Consumption
7.5/10
6.2/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
211 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
603 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
788 nits
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Acer X27U (W-OLED) is good for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$1,000
$902
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Acer X27U (W-OLED) has a price of $1,000 and the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) costs $902.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The Acer X27U (W-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Key similarities
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Acer X27U (W-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Acer X27U (W-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Acer X27U (W-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Acer X27U (W-OLED) and the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) 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."
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.