Expert's Rating
Pros
- Attractive, though subtle, design
- Good range of connectivity
- Easy-to-use menus
- Accurate image with multiple color modes
Cons
- USB-C only supports 65 watts Power Delivery
- Low contrast ratio
- HDR is supported, but lackluster
- 60Hz refresh rate
Our Verdict
BenQ PD3420Q is a solid ultrawide for creative pros, but its lack of versatility narrows its appeal.
Best Prices Today: BenQ PD3420Q
Ultrawide monitors aren’t hard to come by in 2024, but most models still target games and entertainment over productivity and content creation, and most are curved. BenQ PD3420Q offers an alternative with a flat 34-inch panel and a focus on color accuracy, though shortcomings in the monitor’s contrast ratio, HDR performance, and refresh rate hold it back.
Further reading: See our roundup of the best ultrawide monitors to learn about competing products.
BenQ PD3420Q specs and features
The BenQ PD3420Q’s specifications could hardly be less interesting at a glance. Nearly all monitors of this size stick to 3440×1440 resolution, and most competitors also use an IPS panel. The monitor’s $699.99 MSRP is typical, too.
- Display size: 34-inch widescreen
- Native resolution: 3440×1440
- Panel type: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh rate: 60Hz
- Adaptive sync: No
- HDR: Yes, VESA DisplayHDR 400 certified
- Ports: 2x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort, 1x USB-C with 65 watts Power Delivery and DisplayPort Alternate Mode, 3x USB-A downstream, 1x USB-B upstream, 3.5mm audio
- VESA mount: 100x100mm
- Speakers: 2x 2.5-watt stereo speakers
- Price: $699.99 MSRP
The monitor’s most notable features aren’t things listed in a display’s specifications. It has software available to adjust monitor features, a wired puck for accessing the on-screen menus, and significant image quality customization. These are useful for the monitor’s target audience, though they won’t move the needle for everyone else.
BenQ PD3420Q design
The BenQ PD3420Q is part of the company’s Designer Monitor sub-brand, which is tailored for creative professionals. And though it functions perfectly with a PC, it’s also prominently advertised as Mac-compatible.
That emphasis is reflected in its elegant yet understated design. The monitor offers an immersive viewing experience with slim bezels on three sides and a small bottom chin that lacks BenQ branding. It also adopts a dark charcoal color scheme, which might seem generic but suits its target audience well. The back continues the theme with an expanse of black plastic accented only by a discreet BenQ logo that’s easy to miss.
While the design is largely unremarkable, there’s a couple subtle traits worth notice. The monitor is completely flat, which is rare for a 34-inch ultrawide display. A curve, though more immersive in entertainment, can also skew the appearance of photos, digital art, video, and other content a creative professional might work on. I appreciate this, as I personally prefer a flat display over a curved display, with the exception of super-ultrawide aspect ratios.
The included ergonomic stand is excellent. It adjusts for height, swivel, and tilt, and offers a broader range of adjustment than most, with 60 degrees of swivel adjustment and 150 millimeters of height adjustment. The base of the stand is a bit broad but extremely flat, which ensures the space occupied by the stand remains usable desk real estate.
Switching the stand for a third-party monitor arm is relatively simple, as well. The PD3420Q has a 100x100mm VESA mount and weighs just 9.6 pounds, so most quality monitor arms will prove sturdy enough to handle it.
BenQ PD3420Q connectivity and menus
The monitor’s focus on Mac compatibility means the BenQ PD3420Q includes a USB-C port with 65 watts of power delivery and DisplayPort Alternate Mode. It’s great for connecting most mid-range laptops like an Apple MacBook Pro 14 or a Dell XPS 14. Still, I would’ve preferred if BenQ included 90 watts of power delivery, or even a bit more, as many laptops used by creative professionals will require more power than the monitor’s USB-C port can provide.
Additional USB connectivity includes three USB 3.1 downstream ports and another USB-C port. The USB data ports can be accessed via USB-C, of course, but also through USB Type-B, a common choice for connecting a PC desktop. Video connectivity includes two HDMI ports and one DisplayPort 1.4, totaling four video connections when including the USB-C port. One USB-A port, one USB-C port, and the 3.5mm audio jack are placed on the monitor’s left flank, which makes them easier to use.
While the PD3420Q’s connectivity is solid, it doesn’t leap out from the crowd. Competitors like the Dell U3423WE deliver more power and add Ethernet for a similar price. However, what is provided here is sufficient for many creative professionals.
While the monitor’s connectivity is average, its other features are more notable. BenQ provides several Picture-in-Picture and Picture-by-Picture modes, a “Dualview” mode that can apply a color preset to only half the display for side-by-side comparisons, a KVM switch, one-click color calibration with Mac laptops, and a software utility called BenQ Display Pilot 2, which allows for control of some monitor features within Windows or macOS. There’s a clear focus on professionals who want to switch between different input devices throughout the day.
BenQ’s wired puck controller, which is used to navigate the on-screen menus, makes a return. The puck is easier and more convenient to use than the joystick and buttons located on the monitor itself, though they remain available. The monitor includes numerous color modes designed to target specific color gamuts and a wide array of color customization options.
The monitor also packs a pair of 2.5W speakers that provide adequate sound quality for basic tasks like operating system navigation or listening to podcasts. They’re meager at maximum volume and can sound muddy at times, however, so they’re not great for playing a game or watching a movie.
BenQ PD3420Q SDR image quality
Image quality is obviously key for BenQ’s target audience. Unfortunately, the PD3420Q struggles to make a positive impression.
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