BenQ MA270S overview: Studio Show specs for an entire lot much less

Finest Costs As we speak: MA270S

BenQ has been doing an ideal job with its shows geared in direction of Mac customers. I’ve reviewed the MA270U and the MA270UP and suggest them. However these 27-inch shows do have one particular function that could be a no-go for some prospects: They’re 4K shows, not 5K just like the Apple Studio Show. Most individuals can be high quality with 4K, however for others, that’s a deal breaker.

Excellent news: BenQ now has a 5K providing, the brand new MA270S. It mainly seems to be the identical because the others, besides it’s now a direct competitor to the high-resolution Studio Show. Extra excellent news: the MA270S lives as much as the usual set by its two predecessors, with an ideal mixture of picture high quality, options, and worth.

Specs

BenQ MA270S: Design and construct

The MA270S takes its design cues from its 4K brethren. It’s virtually precisely like these two shows, with a plastic case and bezels which might be lower than 1mm. The one main distinction is that BenQ moved the Visible Optimizer Sensor to the decrease left of the entrance of the show. Whereas it disrupts the beforehand clear line, it doesn’t stand out. You see it, nevertheless it’s not distracting.

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The Visible Optimizer Sensor mechanically adjusts the show’s brightness primarily based on the room’s lighting. Putting it on the entrance permits the brightness to be nearer in tune with what the person perceives. It’s a considerate change.

A number of months in the past, BenQ launched the MA270UP, which implements the corporate’s Nano Gloss Panel. The MA270S additionally makes use of the identical panel, so it’s a shiny show and never obtainable in matte. Apple’s Studio Show can be shiny, nevertheless it has a Nano-texture glass (matte) possibility that will increase the worth by $300.

I didn’t expertise any glare or eye fatigue whereas utilizing the MA270S, points that may happen whereas utilizing a shiny show. Shiny is most popular by customers who need colours which might be vivid and black replica that’s deep–some might say a matte display screen, by comparability, has a washed-out look.

BenQ MA270S: Ports

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MacBooks can connect with the show by way of HDMI, USB-C, or Thunderbolt, and I used all three sorts with none points. Nonetheless, in case you join by way of HDMI, your MacBook doesn’t cost whereas linked–HDMI connections don’t present energy. If you wish to use the show as a hub, you might want to join the MacBook to USB-C or Thunderbolt.

BenQ MA270S: Picture high quality

The MA270S produces pleasing photographs of nice high quality, and the textual content seems to be sharp. Within the Macworld workplace, I often use a 4.5K iMac to provide the Macworld Podcast within the studio, and once I switched to a MacBook Professional linked to the BenQ show, I may simply see the improve in high quality. The blacks are richer, colours are wealthy, and textual content seems to be crisp. This show, like the opposite MA270 shows, is spectacular.

One small improve that the MA270S gives over the opposite BenQ shows is a 70Hz refresh fee, barely increased than the usual 60Hz (which Studio Show makes use of). I didn’t discover a distinction generally on a regular basis use, however these with a extra discerning eye may discover the distinction over different screens when scrolling or watching movies. The MA270S’s refresh fee is mounted at 70Hz, so if you would like a sooner fee (90Hz or 120Hz), you’ll must look elsewhere.

BenQ MA270S: Worth

The MA270S is priced at $999, and the corporate is providing a particular deal the place in case you purchase two shows, the second show is 20 % off. This supply is sweet in the course of the March pre-order interval. At $999, it’s considerably cheaper than the Apple Studio Show. Understand that if you would like a height-adjustable stand with Apple’s show, you must pay an additional $400–a function that’s customary on BenQ’s show–which doubles the worth. The MA270S tilts, swivels, and pivots 90 levels, although you received’t get a webcam or Spatial Audio audio system.

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Do you have to purchase the BenQ MA270S?

When you’ve been holding out for a 5K 27-inch show, check out the BenQ MA270S. It’s an excellent various to the Apple Studio Show; the MA270S matches its picture high quality, whereas providing extra choices as a connection hub. One clear benefit the Studio Show has is a built-in webcam, which is lacking from the MA270S, however the Studio Show is prohibitively costlier in case you want a height-adjustable stand.

Apple launched the 2nd-gen Studio Show in March 2026, and it’s not all that completely different than the earlier mannequin. It nonetheless prices $1,599, and the upgrades are minor: Thunderbolt 5 and a greater digital camera. It makes use of the identical 5K, 60Hz panel as earlier than, so except you desire a built-in webcam or Thunderbolt 5, there’s no motive to decide on it over the MA270S.

Now learn: Finest Mac screens: The Mac appropriate shows we suggest