BenQ GW2790 Review: The Best Budget Monitor for your Remote/Hybrid Workstation

A monitor is an integral if not essential part of any desktop setup. And when it comes to PC monitors, few brands can hold a candle to BenQ. However, I have never really considered BenQ as an affordable option when it came to selecting a basic PC monitor for remote work setup.

But that assumption soon changed once I got my hands on the BenQ GW2790, a 27-inch IPS monitor that will set you back Rs 11,500 in India. But can the GW2790 cut it in a highly competitive market, overflowing with competition? Let's find out!

PROS

• Made for Productivity
• Advanced Eye-Care Technology
• Endless Customization Options
• 100Hz Refresh Rate
• Software Access
• Affordable Price

CONS

• Limited Connectivity
• Lacklustre Stand
• Poor Speakers

Design

First off is the monitor's design, which is flat with relatively slim bezels on all sides, except the chin. It is equipped with a basic stand that is easy to attach but does not offer height adjustment, although it can be titled upwards. Apart from the stand, the power cable and HDMI cord are also included in the box.

The monitor's stand is quite compact, ensuring it doesn't take up too much space on your desk. To the right of the monitor are several buttons to access its various functions. The monitor design is pretty basic, although the plastic build coupled with the black finish doesn't look cheap.

Inputs

In terms of ports, the monitor features two HDMI 1.4 ports, a DP port, and a headphone jack. The BenQ GW2790 also features four buttons on the bottom right, including a power switch and a button to switch between the various input sources. Additionally, there's a dedicated Low Blue Light Plus button.

Lastly, there's a settings button that allows you to choose between various picture presets, adjust speaker volume, blue light level, and brightness. The BenQ GW2790 monitor also packs a couple of 2W speakers, although they aren't very powerful and struggle to offer audible dialogue in a quiet room.

Display

For the display, the BenQ GW2790 opts for a 27-inch IPS panel with a 1080p resolution. The screen has an impressive 99% sRGB colour gamut, reproducing vibrant colors. The IPS panel also ensures good viewing angles, although the glossy coating is prone to glares when positioned near a window.

The monitor is also VESA MediaSync certified to ensure jitter-free playback. Additionally, there's a Cinema Mode for watching videos, movies, and TV shows. Another impressive aspect of this display is that it comes with a 100Hz refresh rate and a 5ms response time.

This ensures most titles run smoothly for gaming. It isn't quite as impressive as a gaming monitor but to be able to display games like Overwatch 2 and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War at 100fps does give it an edge over your standard 60Hz PC monitor. You can simply switch over to the Game Mode for the optimal gaming experience.

Productivity & Protection

Productivity is the primary focus of the BenQ GW2790 PC monitor and this is all made possible by BenQ's Eye-Care technology. The monitor is equipped with a several picture presets. The ePaper Mode simulates an e-reader turning the screen black and white, while adjusting text and the background to give you an optimal reading experience.

Then there's the Coding Mode, which makes the color in the line of code stand out, making it easy to spot. This mode offers the best contrast and saturation over a dark background. Moreover, the monitor's Flicker-Free and Low Blue Light technologies are TÜV Rheinland Certified.

Finally, we come to the Eye-Care mode, which was my default mode of choice while working. However, perhaps the best part of the display is that the blue light level and brightness can be adjusted manually for each mode. You can also enable intelligence brightness for each mode.

The light sensor on the bottom part of the monitor to detect light changes in your viewing environment and actively adjusts the screen brightness for a comfortable viewing experience. BenQ calls this Brightness Intelligence Technology. This auto intelligent brightness feature can be activated for every mode.

Software

Fortunately, if you don't want to keep reaching for the buttons on the bottom of the monitor, you can download the Eye-CareU software, which allows you to access all the monitors features with your mouse. The software also has a timer that can be set to remind you to take breaks from your PC.

Verdict

The BenQ GW2790 is one of the best monitors for the remote/hybrid worker or developer. Despite its affordable price tag, the GW2790 packs a ton of productivity features. But despite a heavy emphasis on productivity, it is the eye care technology that shines the brightest here.

BenQ gives you all the tools you need to make those long working hours more comfortable on your eyes and mind. And despite all the attention to eye protection, the GW2790 still manages to reproduce accurate colors and can even offers a smooth visual experience while gaming.

The BenQ GW2790 offers everything you'd expect from a budget monitor and some. The BenQ GW2790 is one of the best PC monitors for remote working under Rs 12,000 in India. And beyond productivity, this monitor is surprisingly good for casual gaming as well.

The BenQ GW2790 wasn't without its caveats with the ports placed at the bottom harder to reach. And then there's the lack of a height adjustable stand. The speakers were also surprisingly poor but no surprise there, while the monitor lacked any form of HDR support. However, these 'cons' are easy to overlook, considering just how good this monitor is for everyday remote worker.