For productivity workflows with word documents or web browsing, the brightness will only be an issue if you’re sitting in an extremely bright room with glare from the sun for example.

The monitor’s USB-C port delivers 90W which is powerful enough to charge Windows laptops and MacBooks. The USB-C port can also transfer data, audio, and video - as well as power - from a single cable. The monitor’s front is very clean and doesn’t have any excess branding. For me, that is a huge benefit, because I like seeing my images, rather than a brand at the bottom. Speaking of looking, the monitor bezzles are thinner than on other monitors, which makes the experience more immersive than ever. It really feels almost like looking into a curved monitor.

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It ships pre-calibrated, and if you're familiar with BenQ, you will know that they take it very seriously. The major selling point of BenQ is colour accuracy, which means that you can take the monitor out of the box and get perfect colours right away. It even ships with a calibration chart. Of course, it is advised to use a calibrator from time to time, such as the SpyderX. A calibrated monitor goes a long way in helping you see the true colours. Let’s talk about performance, as this will be the deciding factor for people. As well-designed as the monitor is, there are certain things about performance that throw people off. Before we talk about what it can’t do, let's talk about what it can, though. The color profiles have been calibrated to your specific panel, which means you may not need to buy an expensive monitor calibrator. Although if you’re a photo or video professional you’ll likely already have this. Color accuracy on the BenQ PD3205U is exceptional. You’ll get 99% of both the sRGB and Rec.709 colorspaces. As a daily-use monitor, this screen is brilliant. We could fit so much in and there was plenty of room to move things around. The aforementioned KVM switch helped us stay hyper-productive and tidy at our desks. Once we set up the KVM to three different computers, we could switch between all machines with a button, moving over the keyboard and mouse, any connected storage, and any other device plugged in. We even chose to program the dial to scroll between color profiles.

You’ll get a USB-C connection with 90 watts of power delivery so that your laptop can be attached directly to the monitor to charge, output a video signal, and gain access to any accessories attached to the monitor. This mainly depends on your budget. However, the image on a a 32 inch 4K monitor looks less crisp than it does on a 27 inch monitor, simply because the pixel density is less. How bright does the PD3205U get?We can talk about fancy KVM switches and USB-C connectivity all day, but what about the actual panel? You know, the thing you’re actually staring at all day? Rec.709 is traditionally the more popular and industry standard color settings to work in, although, DCI-P3 is starting to become more common, so this monitor is not a good choice if you’re working in the P3 color space.

In terms of reproducible colours, the panel delivers 95% of the sRGB colour space and its video equivalent, Rec.709, which is the standard for colour reproduction on transmissive displays, including tablets and smartphones. For video-makers, the PD3205U also handles HDR content via HDR10 support, but unlike the PD3220U, it doesn’t support DCI-P3 which is a cinematographic colour space with a wider gamut. There are also dedicated display modes for CAD/CAM and animation. When I switched from editing on a 15” MacBook to a proper monitor, I was over the moon. The colours looked better, the screen was bigger, and I finally could build a proper workstation. As of now, I work off a laptop connected to a monitor. Hopefully, that will change as I look to buy a used M1 Mac Mini. Nonetheless, if you want to get yourself a good present that will make a noticeable change in your workflow, get a monitor.The monitor can be used for 4K60FPS gaming with high-end graphics cards. It has a relatively fast response time of 5ms and also supports AMD FreeSync to reduce screen tearing and stutter. What are the key differences between the PD3205U and PD3220U models? Subjectively, the PD3205U’s colour fidelity is exceptional with nicely smooth gradations, a wide dynamic range and beautifully crisp fine detailing or text. The average screen brightness could, however, be a little on the low side for anybody working in an area that has a lot of natural light. While it’s more of a no-frills model compared to the likes of the PD3220U, it still has everything most pros working in both stills and video will need, including the conveniences of the hotkey controller and the multi-function USB-C in/out port. Additionally, it’s well built and smartly styled, so it looks right at home in the décor-conscious office or studio. If, for one reason or another, you’re having to watch your expenditure on new imaging hardware more closely, then the PD3205U monitor is certainly a sound choice economically, but it’s also hard to beat for its performance and practicality. It’s mainly aimed towards creative professionals or those looking for a well-rounded monitor for general workflow and enhanced productivity. Can I use the BenQ PD3205U as a gaming monitor? Overall, I am happy with how the monitor is designed and how it looks, as well as the number of ports. This is above and beyond for a monitor priced to be affordable. Performance