The BenQ MA270S 27-inch 5K monitor is priced $600 less than Apple’s entry-level Studio Display.
After being announced without pricing and availability details last month, BenQ has now released full specifications for its new 27-inch 5K display, intended for Mac users. The MA270S features the same size and 5,120 x 2,880 resolution as Apple’s Studio Display and Studio Display XDR, which were announced by Apple yesterday, along with a Nano Gloss surface for enhanced viewing angles.
The BenQ MA270S, available through BenQ’s online store and retailers like Amazon this month, costs $999, making it $600 less expensive than Apple’s $1,599 Studio Display. However, it has fewer features than Apple’s latest monitor. The MA270S covers 99 percent of the P3 color gamut but offers 500 nits of brightness compared to the Studio Display’s 600 nits.
Also, the MA270S lacks a webcam, and its dual 3-watt speakers can’t match the Studio Display’s six-speaker sound system. It uses Thunderbolt 4 instead of Thunderbolt 5, supporting daisy-chaining multiple screens. Connectivity options include two HDMI and multiple USB-A and USB-C ports to connect and charge multiple devices, even when the display is off.
The MA270S design complements Apple’s hardware aesthetics and includes Mac-specific features. Volume and brightness can be controlled via Apple keyboards or MacBooks, and its brightness can sync with macOS’s automatic adjustments.
While we haven’t directly compared the BenQ MA270S with Apple’s new Studio Display, the MA270S may serve as a cost-effective alternative without compromising image quality for those willing to forgo some features.