Monoprice is now selling 1440p monitors with LED-backlit IPS displays for $390. They are proving a hot item though as they are already back-ordered to March 2nd!
Last year, many enthusiasts and tech writers learned of high resolution monitors with IPS displays available from Korea for a relative pittance compared to the usual $700+ price tag placed on IPS monitors sold in the US. The Korean panels were manufactured by LG and were panels that did not quite make the cut to be used in Apple’s Cinema displays. Instead of letting the panels go to waste, various Korean companies used the still-high quality panels in their own rebranded monitors. Crossover, Achieva, and Yamakasi (and others) all produce IPS monitors with 2560 x 1440 resolution and LED backlighting. The panels are still of good quality and while the monitors generally lack on screen controls and scaling hardware (and analog inputs), the price more than makes up for those shortcomings.
In order to get the cheap monitors though enthusiasts have traditionally had to turn to ebay and deal with third parties in Korea who purchase the monitors there and ship them to the US. Some US companies have since started offering cheap 1440p rebranded monitors of their own, but ebay remained the cheapest way to grab a Korean monitor.
It seems that Monoprice is looking to change that by introducing a new high resolution monitor of its own with the 27” IPS LED CrystalPro. It offers a LED-backlit IPS display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 for $390.60. It has a 6ms response time and 178-degree viewing angle (horizontal and vertical). The monitor supports dual link DVI inputs and uses an external AC power supply. The CrystalPro montior reportedly uses 65W while in use and 1W in standby mode. Further, the 1440p monitor comes with a VESA mount and included table stand that can tilt.
The real value here comes from the fact that it is sold by a US retailer and ships within the US. It comes with a 1 year limited warranty and 30 day money back guarantee. Monoprice will replace your monitor if it has more than 5 dead pixels–a policy that is not spectacular (though all monitor manufactures have similar policies) but within reason considering the price. Monoprice has stated that it is using the same LG panels as the Achieva Shimian and other popular Korean imports.
Unfortunately, the Monoprice CrystalPro is currently on back order, and new units are not expected to be available until at least March 2, 2013. However, if you have been wary about ordering one off of ebay and are currently using a 1080p TN panel the Monoprice offering might just be worth the wait!
Interested in 1440p IPS monitors? Check out our full review of the Achieva Shimian monitor at PC Perspective.
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Please please please do a
Please please please do a review!!!!!!!
I am sure they will get one
I am sure they will get one in and see how it compares to the other 27inch they got, but as story said its on back order til march.
Microcenter has already had
Microcenter has already had these Korean panels for almost a year… the Auria EQ276W for $400.
And at Microcenter I was told they would exchange it for even a single dead pixel (though mine had zero dead/stuck pixels so I didn’t need to put that to the test).
But Microcenter only sells
But Microcenter only sells them in the store, or at least they were initially. If you don’t live near one, you can’t order online.
Yeah, it really sucks not
Yeah, it really sucks not living by a Microcenter :((
Hmmm… I didn’t realize you
Hmmm… I didn’t realize you couldn’t order from their online store if you don’t live near one. Thought you could order from their online store anywhere in the US.
Edit, nope, I haven’t tried
Edit, nope, I haven’t tried putting it in a cart (no money for that right now), but it is on their website now. Wasn’t when they first started carrying it.
http://www.microcenter.com/product/384780/EQ276W_27_IPS_LED_Monitor
Amazon also has one called the Nixeus that’s been as low as $400 in the past, but it’s pushing $600 right now. Dynamic pricing, sigh…
neat 🙂
neat 🙂
I am curious to find out what
I am curious to find out what blog system you happen to be utilizing?
I’m having some minor security issues with my latest site and I’d like to find something
more safeguarded. Do you have any solutions?
Have a look at my weblog … http://www.tools4all.co.za
The Yamakasi Catleap (one of
The Yamakasi Catleap (one of the Korean Brands) http://120hz.net/content.php
had a model ( known as “2B” or “OC Edition”) that was overclockable to 120Hz. Imagine 2560 x 1440 at not 60Hz but 120Hz!
About a year ago they were selling for about the same base price (shipping, import fees, etc. made them a bit more expensive). There are some available, but for a “pixel perfect” version you will pay over $800.
It is nice to see a high res monitor alternative with a more reasonable price tag… now will it OC?
Yeah, prices have been jacked
Yeah, prices have been jacked up considerably.
Really annoying.
No it will not OC—- The
No it will not OC—- The only 27″ IPS For now there is only two 27″ monitors that OC to 120HZ and they are the http://www.overlordcomputer.com/
http://120hz.net/forum.php
These are the only two monitors companys that have OC monitors 2560/1440 up to 120HZ
well starting to get
well starting to get there,
the price delta is not as bad since the price jump on ebay, but the feature set is still not there since it is the same as the Korean fleet.
all you are paying for now is convenience = as for the 2b or OC edition- a bit of hype right now- which is why the prices for those jumped so far.
Just picked up a 27″ IPS 2560
Just picked up a 27″ IPS 2560 x 1440 Pixel Perfect monitor and have it running at over 110hz. Cost me $529 from Overlord Computers and they are a US company.
I thought about going with
I thought about going with one of the Ebay ones a couple months back when my old monitor died. I ended up just getting an Asus 23″ IPS monitor from Newegg though for about $200 less. I just couldn’t justify all that extra money for an extra four inches. That and knowing my frame rates would take a pretty big hit too. I’m thinking one of these 27″ monitors will make a nice upgrade in a couple years when there are video cards at a reasonable price that can run games at a reasonable fps on them.
They are late to the game –
They are late to the game – Overlord has this thing and price point well covered.
They look interesting but it
They look interesting but it seems all of the models except the OC SKU are out of stock 🙁
Is this panel HDCP compliant?
Is this panel HDCP compliant?