Pros
- Full HD 27-inch display
- 144 Hz refresh rate
- 1 ms response time
- Optimized for long gaming sessions thanks to low blue light emissions
- Compatible with G-Sync
- HDMI + DVI + DP ports
Cons
- No USB ports of any kind
- Low sound power
When it comes down to choosing the perfect gaming monitor there's a lot of
things we have to consider. However, once your price limit is set along the
lines of the 200-dollar mark and you're looking for a 27-inch monitor then
your decision is pretty much made at that point. It's pretty obvious you
should go for the Asus VG278Q. Possibly one of the
best affordable gaming monitors in the market both by specs and
customer ratings.
However, you can't rely solely on customer reviews -
however good they may be
- to determine your next monitor purchase and that's why we've developed
this review to go through everything there is to know about this particular
best-selling gaming monitor.
Index
- Technical specifications
- Who's it for?
- Design
- Ports and Connectivity
- Gaming performance
- Work performance
- Verdict
Asus VG278Q Technical Specifications
| Make model | Asus VG278Q |
| Dimensions with stand | 24.37 x 14.80 x 0.83 inches |
| Weight with stand | 12.34 pounds |
| Panel | LED | TN | 27 inches |
| Resolution | Full HD (1920 x 1080 píxeles) |
| Response time | 1 ms |
| Refresh rate | 144 Hz |
| Color coverage | 100% (sRGB) |
| Aspect ratio | 16: 9 |
| Speakers | Yes (2 x 2W) |
| VESA support | Yes (100 x 100 mm) |
| Connectivity |
HDMI 1.4 DisplayPort 1.2 DVI Headphone out |
Who's it for?
The Asus VG278Q is a monitor mainly aimed at hardcore gamers, but it
can also be used perfectly for other common computing tasks, thanks to the
great definition and fast response that its 144 Hz FHD screen
guarantees.
Likewise, its connectivity suite houses the necessary solutions to
facilitate the connection of computers, laptops, gaming consoles and even
headphones or external speakers to improve sound quality - which would be
advised -.
Design
From a design standpoint Asus has really nailed what a gaming monitor
should look like. In fact, one of the great strengths of the Asus VG278Q is the narrow-frame matte black finish chassis, whose dimensions are relatively constrained at 24.37 by 14.80
inches, as well as its slim profile of 0.83 inches and relative lightweight of 12.34 pounds - keeping in mind this is a 27-inch monitor - . This allows for a more immersive experience which is quite
valuable when gaming.
What's more, possibilities abound with the monitor's sturdy stand
allowing you to adjust the monitor in height (up to 130 mm), tilt (-5º ~ + 33 °), rotation (+ 90 ° ~ -90 °) and even orientation , being able to pivot the monitor to portrait position if
necessary.
Likewise, this stand features an organizer to hide the connected cables,
and for a simple wall mounting experience, we should point out that at its
rear we will find that this monitor has been built with the
universal VESA standard of 100 x 100 mm in mind
such as this one.
Ports and Connectivity
This model has the necessary connectors to facilitate the connection of
laptops, desktop computers, game consoles and specialized gaming headphones
to improve the sound quality of the pair of integrated 2W speakers - which we would seriously encourage you to do -.
Specifically, it has an HDMI 1.4 video port, a standalone DisplayPort 1.2 connector and another of the conventional DVI-D type. The connectivity ensemble is wrapped up by a 3.5mm audio jack . All respective cables are included in the box. It's worth pointing out
that there's no USB Type C port so that's something you might want to take
into consideration if you're planning to use this monitor with a MacBook,
for example.
Gaming performance
Seeking to satisfy the needs of those gamers who prioritize reaction speed over all else, the screen of this monitor enjoys a
spectacular 144 Hz refresh rate and an astonishingly fast response time of 1 ms .
The fluidity that you will experience when enjoying the most frenetic
titles would not be the same without its compatibility with NVIDIA's G-Sync technology, responsible for eliminating such annoying effects as lags and image
cuts, also called tearing.
And to personalize the gaming experience with visual effects, depending
on the title to be played (shooters, races, strategy, simulators,
e-Sports, etc.), ASUS GameVisual technology allows you to choose between 7 unique predefined picture modes .
What are customers saying?
The Asus VG278Q has garnered mostly positive feedback from customers who have used and reviewed the monitor. Many users praised its performance and durability, highlighting its longevity and reliability over several years of daily use. One reviewer mentioned that the monitor served them well for five years until they experienced a "white screen of death" issue. However, they acknowledged that there might be a fix for it, though they opted not to pursue repairs. The monitor's solid build and VESA fixture for wall mounting were appreciated by another customer, as it saved desk space.
Customers also lauded the Asus VG278Q for its positive impact on eye strain. One senior user mentioned that the monitor significantly reduced eyestrain, allowing them to spend more time on the computer without discomfort. The improved reading experience was particularly highlighted. Additionally, the monitor was praised for being a budget-friendly choice for casual gamers playing competitive shooters like VALORANT or CS:GO. The high refresh rate, excellent viewing angles of the IPS panel, and reasonable price were cited as standout features.
While the majority of feedback was positive, a few customers mentioned minor drawbacks. One user reported a burned pixel after four years of use, which they found disappointing. Another customer pointed out that some parts of the screen appeared excessively bright at certain angles, but they were uncertain if this was intentional or a flaw. Additionally, one user mentioned that the shadow boosting feature, which enhances graphics in some games, could sometimes make the graphics look strange.
In summary, customers praised the Asus VG278Q for its longevity, value for money, reduced eye strain, high refresh rate, and excellent viewing angles. The monitor received positive recommendations for budget-conscious gamers seeking a quality IPS display. However, a couple of customers noted issues such as burned pixels and occasional odd graphics due to the shadow-boosting feature. Overall, the feedback suggests that the Asus VG278Q is a good choice for those looking for a reliable and affordable gaming monitor.
The 27-inch TN screen of the Asus VG278Q is not only limited to meeting the needs of gamers, as its native Full HD resolution guarantees correct definition when performing computer tasks of various
kinds. It's a good solution for software developers, for example, for
whom a Full HD display is not a dealbreaker.
That said, although its viewing angles are not as wide, unlike IPS
panels, the truth is that its color fidelity ( 100% sRGB ), brightness level ( 400 cd / m2 ) and contrast ratio ( 1000: 1 ), have nothing to envy the standard IPS panel. Also, being that
this monitor was designed with gamers in mind, not having as wide a
viewing angle as an IPS monitor - such as the recently reviewed
LG 34WN80C-B - is far from an issue for most.
It also features an anti-reflective display which allows it to be used
comfortably in brightly lit environments, more so when you look at the
brightness on this monitor which is far better than many more modern
monitors. And, of course, it's 16:9 aspect ratio will properly house every
AAA game on the market, unlike the latest 21:9 aspect ratio monitors where
AAA game developers have yet to catch up.
And to work long hours, without experiencing eye fatigue, ASUS Low Blue Light technology will reduce the emission of blue light by up to 4 levels, depending on your particular needs. All in all,
a monitor that was designed to be a powerhouse gaming station and that
will let nothing stand in your way of becoming the best gamer you can
be.
Verdict: Is the Asus VG278Q worth buying?
Closing up this review of the Asus VG278Q we can understand why it's
become one of the most popular gaming monitors of the past few years, more
so when we look at its incredibly competitive price and what else is on the
market.
Ultimately this is a great monitor aimed towards the gamer but that's
also a great option for standard users, software developers and the likes
who are looking for a vibrant display with blue light reduction technology,
several gaming modes, a high refresh rate and the possibility to manipulate
the orientation of the monitor all the way to a portrait position with every
position in between. Basically, a great monitor for anyone that isn't
looking for a 4K monitor, would like to have a 16:9 aspect ratio, and is
price sensitive.