BenQ MA320U evaluate: reasonably priced and versatile 32-inch, 4K show

BenQ’s 27-inch MA270U (reviewed individually) supplies a really reasonably priced different to Apple’s costly Studio Show, however its sub-$500 price ticket does contain some compromises. On this evaluate we’re wanting on the 32-inch MA320U is barely dearer, at $599.99/£549.99, however in addition to offering a bigger display it additionally addresses a few of the weaknesses of its 27-inch stablemate and produces a brighter show with bolder, crisper colours. Only for the document, although, we should always level out that the display really measures 31.5 inches when measured diagonally.

Unsurprisingly, the fundamental design of the 2 MA-Collection screens may be very related, with a silver and black case that’s principally made out of plastic. It might’t match the slimline magnificence or the sturdy aluminium building of Apple’s shows, however it does present options which can be lacking from its dearer Apple rivals. Most notably, the stand supplied with the MA320U lets you regulate the peak of the display at no further price – whereas Apple costs an additional $400/£400 to supply that possibility with its Studio Show. Going one step additional, the MA320U also can rotate via 90-degrees into the upright (portrait) place, which may be helpful for graphics or photo-editing work.

BenQ pays good consideration to smaller particulars too, together with a cable holder that clips onto the stand and helps to maintain your cables somewhat tidier – which is especially useful in the event you’re utilizing the show with each a desktop Mac and a MacBook laptop computer, or maybe a Home windows PC. There’s additionally a rubber pad on the bottom of the stand the place you may relaxation your MacBook, or smaller objects resembling a set of AirPods (though it’s a disgrace that the pad doesn’t present Qi wi-fi charging as properly).

Tucked across the again of the display you’ll discover two HDMI ports for video enter, two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and a headphone socket that’s situated on the underside fringe of the display for simple entry. There are not any DisplayPort connectors, however one of many USB-C ports helps DisplayPort for video enter when related to a Thunderbolt port in your Mac. That USB-C port additionally supplies as much as 90W charging for a MacBook laptop computer, which was tremendous for charging my 14-inch MacBook Professional, though 16-inch fashions want extra energy so that you’ll most likely nonetheless want to make use of the exterior energy provide offered together with your MacBook.

The second USB-C port on the show supplies 15W energy for charging smaller units, whereas the 2 USB-A ports present 7.5W. And, in case your Mac is related to the show through USB-C – reasonably than HDMI – then you too can use the USB-C connection to switch knowledge as properly, permitting you to attach units resembling an exterior solid-state drive to the show, or a keyboard and mouse. That makes it straightforward to attach all of your peripherals and different units to the show, in an effort to simply decide up your MacBook and take it with you if you depart, whereas all of your peripherals stay plugged into the show and able to use if you return.

The MA320U does have a small set of built-in audio system, however they’re pretty weak so you could wish to use that audio connector to plug in some headphones for listening to music, video or taking part in video games. I used to be additionally happy to search out that I might use the USB ports on the show to supply audio enter for my trusty little BeoPlay speaker as properly.

The MA320U definitely scores properly for its connectivity options, however picture high quality is simply as vital, and it does enhance on BenQ’s inexpensive 27-inch mannequin. The show’s decision continues to be 4K (3840×2160), however in addition to offering a bigger display than the MA270U, the MA320U additionally improves stronger picture high quality too, stepping as much as 550 nits brightness (600 nits with HDR) that sits properly alongside the show of my MacBook Professional. Distinction is sharper than the MA270U as properly, and the MA320U contains an ‘M-E book’ mode that’s designed to match the colors of a MacBook show. It additionally helps 99% of the sRGB color customary, and 97% of the DCI-P3 customary for video-editing, so it will possibly definitely be used for fundamental graphics, images and video work, though skilled and artistic customers would possibly want a show that gives much more exact color controls.

However, for basic use at dwelling or in an workplace, the MA320U supplies a vivid and daring show that may be a worthy companion for the built-in show on my MacBook Professional. BenQ additionally supplies an app referred to as Show Pilot that runs on Macs and Home windows PCs. The Show Pilot app supplies a pull-down menu that sits within the Mac’s essential menu bar, and lets you shortly regulate settings resembling the color profile, or turning HDR on or off. Admittedly, the app is somewhat fiddly to make use of, and does assume reasonably plenty of technical information, particularly on the subject of selecting color profiles and HDR settings, however it can nonetheless turn out to be useful for individuals who have to do some photograph or video-editing infrequently.

Must you purchase the BenQ MA320U

The MA320U may be very a lot supposed as a general-purpose show to be used at dwelling or in an workplace, and it could not meet the wants of inventive {and professional} customers. However, at lower than half the value of Apple’s Studio Show, it does present a lovely and versatile 4K show, and can significantly enchantment to MacBook homeowners who want an reasonably priced exterior show for his or her laptop computer.

See how the BenQ MA320U compares to different audio system we’ve examined in our spherical up of the Finest Mac screens and shows we’ve examined.