Display Testing and Conclusion
Uncalibrated results show colors slightly outside the sRGB range, but very close. Subjectively the panel did look very good out of the box, but I wanted to see if there was room for improvement for any color accurate work. I used the relatively affordable Datacolor Spyder4Pro colorimeter (superseded by the Spyder5Pro), which would add $149 to the cost of this monitor. So is the calibrated result worth the added investment?
I first calibrated the PB258Q at the 120 cd/m2 brightness recommended for the measured ambient light in my room. However as this brightness level only requires a 20% backlight setting overall grayscale accuracy wasn't as high as I would have liked. Post calibration the color had a more natural balance with a slightly warmer tone (the calibration target was 5800K) and better black levels.
I re-ran the calibration at 50% backlight level (224 cd/m2), and the results up to 50% backlight were very good. The calibrated result wasn't too bright at this higher level, so I left it at this higher setting against the recommendation of the Datacolor software.
The 99% sRGB result from the Spyder4Pro comes as close to confirming the advertised 100% spec as I would have expected from this mid-range consumer colorimeter.
Finally, here's a look at the measured brightness and contrast at various backlight levels. The contrast numbers might seem low, but these are typical of IPS without any kind of dynamic contrast control enabled.
Viewing angles were excellent from the IPS panel in the PB258Q, as was backlight uniformity.
No, this isn't a blank photo. Just extremely good black levels
If you look closely there is a slight bleed at the top of the display, but overall very good black levels (I had to boost the brightness quite a bit to make it visible in the photo). I've used far more expensive IPS panels with far higher black levels and noticable edge/corner bleed, and this impressed me with its lack of clouding and very minor bleed.
Frameless?
While a striking design, the PB258Q does have a bezel hiding under the matte finish screen. The panel is recessed slightly (around 1/4") which is immediately visible with the display powered up.
I didn't mind this, since the "frameless" design wasn't the reason I selected this monitor anyway. Just be aware that there really is a bezel, even if it is invisible with the power off.
Conclusion
Advertised as a frameless monitor, the design of the PB258Q is actually more impressive-looking when the display is off. The LCD panel actually resides about 1/4” inside the edges, making the "frameless" style vanish when it's powered up. But it’s the quality of the IPS display that really makes this monitor stand out. A 2560×1440 IPS display with accurate color and a fully adjustable stand, readily available for under $400, creates a compelling option in a crowded display market.
The compact 25-inch size is unusual for a WQHD display, and coupled with the extremely narrow bezels (frameless or not) this won’t take up much space on a desk. An added benefit of the smaller size is that text looks particularly crisp, making this great for productivity, and the matte finish screen and flicker-free backlight allows for longer sessions without eye strain (and there are several low blue light modes as well).
I can easily forgive the variance in grayscale accuracy based on backlight level as we are still talking about a $377 monitor, and the performance and overall build quality make it seem like a much more expensive part. It’s been my daily driver since day one and overall I highly recommend the PB258Q.
Yup, that’s a frame I see.
Yup, that’s a frame I see.
Yeah, completely disappointed
Yeah, completely disappointed to not see Asus called out on this. that is definitely not frameless as people would think when you said that to them – which is weasely anyway; they’re trying to sidestep the connotation of “bezel-free” in a very technical way.
There is no such thing as a
There is no such thing as a truly “frameless” display. It’s a marketing term. This one is as frameless as any.
Awww, it does have a bezel, I
Awww, it does have a bezel, I got so excited. Mostly I blame Josh for that 🙁
I also blame Josh. For most
I also blame Josh. For most things.
what no VRR?
what no VRR?
Amazing one for this price
Amazing one for this price point.
It’s funny (but also sad) to
It’s funny (but also sad) to see technology standards drop over time. 600-1800:1 contrast/0.03 minimum black level with unrealistically low brightness is now considered “extremely good black levels”, when even a 15 year old CRT will put out much better numbers.
Regardless of what card you
Regardless of what card you use, you could have easily adjusted your picture and made it frameless. I have the issue with my htpc system. I adjust the overscan (I think that’s the setting, been a while since i had to use it) and my fancy near frameless TV (LG LM7600) looks as it should.
Not sure if you are trolling
Not sure if you are trolling or just plain dumb.
DrDieLess: I believe what the
DrDieLess: I believe what the review is stating is that the display actually stops .25″ from the edge of the housing, which accounts for the gap. Overscan can’t help. It’s just dead plastic in there.
You’re right. The panel has
You're right. The panel has an internal frame that is simply covered by the plastic screen overlay, probably blacked out around the edge from the other side (I'm guessing since I don't feel adventurous enough to open it up). It's about the same as my Samsung TV, which has a visible bezel that's about a 0.25" width.
just curious as to the
just curious as to the refresh rate on this monitor, didnt see anything about that in the article. or maybe i missed it, just curious though.
Oh yeah, sorry. This is just
Oh yeah, sorry. This is just a standard 60 Hz display. No variable refresh either. There is adjustable pixel overdrive for faster response time, but otherwise a pretty basic IPS monitor.
do you happen to know of some
do you happen to know of some other options for 2560×1440 resolution with a size of under 27 inches?
well there is this
well there is this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009728 pretty damn similar only its 260 usd.
yep. did some digging, theres
yep. did some digging, theres a dell thats 24″ 1440p P2416D and 25″ 1440p U2515H, and also this samsung thats 23.6 inches but has a resolution of 3840×2160 http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/monitors/LU24E590DS/ZA
There’s another Samsung 24″
There’s another Samsung 24″ 4K model as well: http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-23-5-3840-2160-1000/dp/B010MZV484
Looks like the same panel and electronics but with a better stand (height, tilt, swivel, and pivot).
More details here from an Australian store: https://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=32978
omg, i’m in love, i so really
omg, i’m in love, i so really want that shit!!!!
Your display testing results
Your display testing results are woefully inadequate. Why would your target white point be 5800k? 6500k is the industry standard… You show the grayscale dE’s from HCFR but don’t show the results for RGBYCM 0% – 100% color saturation, color checker patterns, Luminance, or Gamma measurements. Just because a display can do close to 100% of the sRBG gamut doesn’t mean that it accurately can display color and none of the data that’s provided shows this.
Ditch the Spyder, they’re known for not being accurate. A better investment is the X-Rite i1Display Pro. Also don’t trust the manufacturer’s automatic software calibration, use ArgyllCMS. It’s freeware and can tighten up the display better than the manufacturer’s easy button software and has more control for changing the Gamma curve/correction.
Please take this as constructive criticism, I see this sort of incomplete display tests on most reviews of PC based displays. Take a look at Tom’s Hardware and how they do the display testing, they use different software (CalMAN) but they provide more data though not quite as much as I’d like. BTW this is the first time I’ve seen this site for reviews so sorry if this has been mentioned before.
Target white point was based
Target white point was based on Datacolor software recommendation. Based on the parameters of the review (i.e. consumer colorimeter, consumer software) clearly your needs will not be met reading this article. It sounds like you are looking for a review with more professional instrumentation/measurements.
Sorry if I came off like a
Sorry if I came off like a jerk, my point is you have a tool that most other places that review displays don’t have and you’re in a unique position of being able to provide data other places don’t/can’t provide and you’re only showing a tiny bit of that data that makes up the whole of if the display is accurate/quality. The measurement reports I mentioned only takes an additional minute or two to perform in HCFR since it can be automated and they provide much more in depth objective data regarding accuracy than anything the Datacolor software will show. I’m not even interested in this display, I saw it mentioned on [H]ardOCP and was curious as to what a “frameless” display looked like and was intrigued you had a Display testing section. I’m not a professional, I’m just an enthusiast that’s learned about color calibration in the last 2 and half years and I keep stumbling across display reviews that leave out gobs of information regarding the accuracy but yet claim the display is accurate. If you’re interested in learning more about using your Spyder with HCFR and ArgyllCMS for providing more comprehensive data for your display reviews just reply and I’ll email you through the email in your profile, if not sorry I bothered you and carry on. 🙂
25″ 2560×1440 is really nice.
25″ 2560×1440 is really nice. I just wish this was offered in vrr or gsync.
last night i found
last night i found http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/monitors/LU24E590DS/ZA
it supports amd freesync supposedly, not exactly the same, but very intriguing
Hmm… 4K at just under 24″
Hmm… 4K at just under 24″ would be interesting. I know alot of people like 4K at 27″+ because it provides more detail (PPI) on a big surface area, but 23.6″ is a more traditional size monitor. I wonder how 4K would benefit these smaller sizes. Also, that price is outstanding for any 4K monitor!
Sebastian, you need to make Ryan send you one of these! And send me one while he’s at it. Haha.
Samsung have a 32″ version as
Samsung have a 32″ version as well, though of course it’s not exactly cheap.
And a 28″ version, but that’s a TN panel. A good TN panel (I’m using the previous model right now) but not as good as IPS/PLS. But I picked it up for A$499 (about US$360) so I’m not complaining.
I send Ryan 20 to 30 email
I send Ryan 20 to 30 email requests a day for free 4k monitors. He has stopped responding.
same as every other no bezel
same as every other no bezel display, they just removed the plastic and extended the screen, but the lcd is no larger, still has the same large black border around the actual display area.
Sweet monitor, and I am glad
Sweet monitor, and I am glad they are reviewing things that are more on the people who are budget consious and are looking for a good 1440p panel without the big price tag.
Can you please review the Acer G257HU?
It is $250 on Amazon and it is what I am considering buying since it seems to be the best sub >$250 monitor that I can find.
This monitor looks to be much better, but is it $100 better?
It’s “frameless” enough for
It’s “frameless” enough for me ! My next gaming monitor.
Amazon reviews are excellent as well.
Hmm. I have the MG279Q and
Hmm. I have the MG279Q and can’t see having a 1440p monitor smaller than that.
The frame-less marketing ploy irks me quite a bit. cell phones are theoretically frame-less these days…No reason why they can’t actually do it on a monitor.
With that said price for what you get seems pretty decent but you are paying for the word “frameless”
Should be a Silver Award IMO.
Yeah, because you own this
Yeah, because you own this monitor, right? So you know what grade it deserves.
I hate people who post stuff like this.
i hope this guy sebastian
i hope this guy sebastian keeps review anything. he can review at all.. all gimmie!
Here I thought this was a
Here I thought this was a true edge to edge display. I am not surprised they are cheating at this price point. The resolution is great for the price, and the features/ports are numerous.
This is going to be a great monitor for anyone who looked at the Catleap and said “I wish this had like, ports and options and metal and it fit on my desk and stuff”. The name of the review should be “Catleap’s little brother packs ports and features into a size sane for normal desks”.
What were your settings after
What were your settings after calibration? I don’t have a Spyder yet and I’m looking for some decent settings.
Hello
i’m looking to for a
Hello
i’m looking to for a calibration profile.
can you share your setting pleasE ?
thanks