RD320U 32” 4K 3840x2160 Programming Monitor with 2000:1 Contrast Ratio, Nano Matte Panel, Backlight, 90W USB-C, Coding Modes, Night Hours Protection, Ergonomic Design, and Eye-Care Technology

Everything works. No errors. No dead pixels. The RD280U/RD280UA 28.2" is the only high resolution monitor that has a 3:2 aspect ratio, aside from the (discontinued) Huawei MateView that had the same specs. It's becoming a winner for serious work, programming, media, multitrack production. It took a day or so to visually adapt. I'm using it as a middle monitor in a three monitor setup. FYI: 1. You should have enough depth on your desk to place it further back for a comfortable field of focus. 2. You need a DisplayPort cable if you're not using USB-C for display. It's an odd oversight by BenQ. To use the monitor in full native 3840x2560 resolution 60 Hz, you have to use the DisplayPort or USB-C connection. You can't use the HDMI port because it's HDMI 2.0 which lacks the bandwidth for full resolution at 60Hz. The odd part is that BenQ provides cables for all of these USB connections and HDMI, but not the DisplayPort cable. No problem. Get a DisplayPort 1.4 cable. The cable I got from UGREEN is perfect, 6.6 ft, braided, on sale for $7: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088GQM9CV --- OR --- Alternatively, if you don't have a DisplayPort on your GPU, but your GPU has an HDMI 2.1 port, get a "DisplayPort 1.4 to HDMI 2.1" cable. 3. LED lights under it, in front, and in back can all be turned off, as you'd expect. Turn them off by hitting the toggle button (the middle button underneath) > Coding Booster > Function Bar > Power Key LED and the LED Indicator. MoonHalo settings are nearby. 4. Yes, the speaker sound is expectedly bad. That's fine. No one buys monitors for the speakers. If it meant making the monitor rim smaller, I'd assume they not include it. On the other hand, it's a nice rudimentary backup selling point for sound, alerts, talk radio streaming. 5. The adjustable MoonHalo is a genius add. Very handy to help eyes when you're in a darker area. I keep mine on all the time now with the 270 option. Nice adjustable glow as the sun sets. 6. I was hesitant, thinking the extra grey bulk and notch at the bottom of the monitor would be distracting. I prefer pure black and uniformity, no weird notches, no flashy branding. Luckily, when you start using it, it mostly fades out of sight in contrast to the illuminated screen, both in daylight and night. 7. To do firmware upgrades using the Display Quickit software, make sure your USB upstream cable (included) is plugged in and into the computer, with no other USB cables in the monitor, along with your DisplayPort cable, as the software will tell you: it only tells you all that just before an OK click initiates the attempt. The firmware upgrade takes a few minutes. Or, if you're using USB-C, I think that's all you need as the connection. 8. 60 Hz isn't a problem whatsoever. Games will be fine for most casual folks. Video is good. Negativity surrounding 60Hz could be justified if your life is more focused on gaming, but then you're probably reducing your resolution anyway to achieve more frames and choosing a smaller monitor. If or when monitors in 3:2 go to 120Hz+, yes, that'll be great too, and I'm sure it will boost sales. That's probably no time soon. Even so, serious productivity, dragging windows, scrolling browser pages, reading, writing, production, and the like doesn't require higher refresh rates. The vast portion of your time spent interacting and reading is in the continual pauses between dragging and scrolling. You won't notice a deficit. It's good. 9. BenQ, if you're reading this: - Keep making 3:2 monitors. - Also make 16:10 monitors with the same or better DPI at the 27/28" range. There are no serious 16:10 monitors on the market larger than the 24-inchers. I think most people would find 16:10 to be the sweet spot for general computing for work and entertainment. BenQ appears to have the only 24" 16:10 monitor with a higher resolution, also part of this "programming" product line: RD240Q. Great. Yet I've been using 24-inch 16:10 monitors for 17+ years. There's a crazy huge gap in the market that would buy every larger high resolution 16:10 monitor in sight. I'm not alone. - Remove extra stuff at the bottom of the monitor, the notch. Make rims uniform and black, not grey. I took a chance and found it's not a serious problem in practical use, but I prefer the cleanest look. If it means removing speakers, do so. Or do both. People are capable of choosing their own speakers or soundbars. - Linux. Hire Linux developers. Make all Linux software you produce open source. Take a serious presence in the Linux game. Calling yourself a "programming monitor" and not supporting Linux in your added software is a miss. You can run the monitor normally in Linux. It's just that the optional BenQ software (Display Pilot 2 and Display Quickit) that provides a GUI to tweak settings and firmware upgrades (settings you can still access through physical controls) doesn't run on Linux. Not a deal breaker. I hope to see more 3:2 monitors and larger 16:10 monitors in even higher resolution. Meanwhile, RD280U is a winner.

Here's what i like: The aspect ratio is why I bought this screen for its price. For me at least, it's better for my line of work, which is coding/development and art. It has the same aspect ratio as a 4x6 print. Colors, with adjustment, are very good. The screen I have next to it is a a Wacom Cintiq Pro, which is rated for color accuracy, and this screen does not disappoint. The screen brightness levels are fantastic! I've never owned a panel that can be dimmed as far as this one. My eyes are sensitive to light, so I normally set my brightness and back lights on my screens between 0 and 10 out of 100. This screen, with its downloadable software, goes so dim, that it's even too dark for my eyes. The monitor's base of 0 is still brighter than what the software can achieve. I currently have my screen set to a brightness of 3. Pricewise, if we account for inflation, this monitor was only about 40 dollars more than the 4K VA panel I'm replacing it with, which I bought about 6 years ago. The aspect ratio, included KVM, back panel lighting, sturdy adjustable stand, and IPS panel are priced competitive considering. It's a BenQ, so there is a mark up... But as long as the screen lasts this price is fair IMO. Just a heads up, if for some reason you're still using HDMI, the port is only 2.0. What this means, is that even if your GPU has a higher version, the monitor can only hit 50Hz at its native resolution. So best to use the DisplayPort, or USB C with DisplayPort Alt mode, as they can hit 60Hz.

The BenQ RD240Q 24.1” WQXGA Programming Monitor has been a game-changer for my coding setup. The 16:10 aspect ratio is perfect for programming, providing extra vertical space for code windows and documentation. I love the Coding HotKey feature—it lets me quickly switch between coding modes, improving workflow efficiency. Picture Quality: The WQXGA resolution offers crisp text and sharp images, which is crucial for long coding sessions. The Circadian Mode is a nice touch, adjusting the display to reduce eye strain during late-night work. Plus, the Eye-Care Technology minimizes flicker and blue light, making it comfortable for hours of use. Design and Comfort: The ergonomic stand allows for easy adjustments to the height, tilt, and rotation, so I can set it up in a way that’s comfortable for me. The design is sleek and eco-friendly, which is always a plus. Pros: Great resolution and coding-friendly aspect ratio Eye-care features for comfortable, long use Customizable ergonomic settings USB-C for easy connectivity Cons: The 24.1” screen might be a bit small for those who prefer larger displays Overall, I highly recommend the BenQ RD240Q for programmers and developers. It’s a solid, ergonomic monitor that balances performance and comfort for extended coding sessions.

The RD280U is exactly what I need it to be. A competent 3:2 display, with excellent text rendering, decent color accuracy, and a menagerie of eye-care features. The moonhalo light is pleasant for my office late-night coding sessions. The software for my work Macintosh makes all the settings easily accessible. It isn't without some crucial flaws, however. First - It's quite bulky, almost gamer-esque level thickness. Perhaps an OLED version would help tame the beast here. Second - The display chaining support is terrible - only 30FPS 4K on a second panel makes it impractical without a separate KVM/Dock. Third - The HDMI mode maxes out at 50hz - USB-C or Displayport is required for the full 60hz at native resolution. Fourth - The speaker AND headphone jack are utterly tragic. Honestly, just fixing the display chaining and upgrading the HDMI port would earn a full 5 stars from me. Conclusion - It's a purpose-made monitor that's a bit more affordable than the business class heavyweights from Dell and LG. I wouldn't call it a "good value", but it's not a terrible one either. There are much better bang-for-the buck monitors for code monkeys.

I have an M2 MacBook for work, and for some reason they only support one external display. I thought if I could only have one it may as well be a good one, and here we are. The Good: - It reeks of effort and thought, which is very nice to see for a change. - It's just a good monitor – the colors are vivid, the contrast is sharp, resolution is lovely, the menu isn't a chore to operate, the speakers are pretty ok, and 5ms response time is good when it's other weird-shaped competitor – the DualUp – is only 1440p, more expensive, and has a like 12ms response time iirc. - Of course I __adore__ the 3:2 aspect ratio. - Benq support is very helpful and responsive. - The most I have to say against it are nitpicks from the rather steep price. The Nitpicks: - This is the best monitor ever made... for $500, $550 even I'd genuinely have zero complaints. $660+tax? Not so much. The price is rather steep, and while some of that can be excused for its unique nonstandard ratio, they stop it from being "perfect". - Refresh rate: Why 60hz? I get not having a super high refresh rate, but I feel at this price a solid 90 hz for smoother animations would be nice. - The light on the back of the device is probably great if you're up against a wall, but my setup has the back of my monitor facing into the living room. The light kinda hurts to look at directly when it's on. This would be 'whatever', but it's easy to accidentally turn it on when futzing with the thing. I'd love an option to just disable it outright. 3. The KVM is kinda jank. Computers still detect it as a display even when the monitor is switched to a different input. Support says this isn't expected behavior though so hopefully this won't be an issue after I find time to go through the debugging ordeal. On the whole, very good monitor and as I upgrade the rest of my workstation I'll probably be getting at least one more Benq item if this is anything to go by. If you're doing a lot of text heavy stuff day-in and day-out, this still is probably the best youre gonna get.

I bought this monitor to replace my 9 year old PD3200U. After using it for a few days I wanted to share my own opinion before you make a purchase. First here is the good points. 1. It is an amazing display. 4K LED is a huge upgrade from my PD3200U 4K LCD. Supports HDR, and you can see the difference. 2. The USB and HDMI/Display Port connections on my older PD3200U were located on the bottom. It was difficult at best to reconnect everything if I moved the monitor. On this one however the connections are right on the back. And, with the ring light on you can easily see where to plug everything in. Makes for a nice touch. 3. The halo or ring light on the back is a nice touch. OK now here is the bad. 1. If you are a gamer you would not like this display. It's a 60 Hz refresh rate only, so if you are coding, video editing, or other general work it's perfect, but for gaming it's NOT ideal. You would really want to find something with a 120 Hz refresh rate. 2. The base that this monitor is on does not have the best build quality. My old PD3200U's base is built like a tank. It also has a built in handle which makes for moving it around my easier. This new model has a smaller base and no handle. It's not a major thing, but you may want to consider the model with the arm. 3. The pictures on this listing are not 100% accurate. I thought that this model had 3 USB ports on the side of the monitor, but they are actually underneath it. However, with that aside it's still pretty easy to plug USB devices in if you pull the monitor all the way up before doing so. 4. The controls to use the KVM are terrible. The PD3200U had a small puck that came with it to let you easily switch KVM. This model however the menu system is a mess and not that easy to use. The software that you can download and use with this monitor may be better, but I'm on a Linux system so I can't use it. Also the PD3200U came with touch buttons on the front of the monitor to help you switch inputs. This new model does not have that. You have to navigate through BenQ's confusing menu system. I really think this is a downgrade, and in the end you may need a KVM switch to make that easier. BenQ should really redesign this. 5. You only get one Display Port connection. I'm not sure why this monitor comes with 2 HDMI connections and only 1 Display Port. It does have another USB-C connection you can use, but I think this is a strange thing. If you are going to give people 2 HDMI give them 2 Display Port connections. 6. The price is WAY too high for what you are getting. In my opinion this is a 400 to 500 dollar monitor at best. If it was a 120 Hz refresh rate it may justify the price, but I honestly don't think so. And, with the build quality of the base being subpar, I don't think this price point is justified. BenQ really needs to think about this. All in all it's not bad, but it's not the best either. If I were you I'd go with a 4K OLED monitor with a refresh rate of 120 Hz. If you can't swing that I'd still look at other options before getting this. It's too expensive for what it is.

When I got my hands on this new monitor made just for us programmers, I was pretty excited to give it a whirl. The first thing that caught my attention is its cozy design and handy eye care features which are perfect for those late-night code sessions. Clarity: coding on this device so far is a comfortable experience. Text is razor-sharp, especially with the "coding mode" activated. The contrast is good which makes your code clear. They've added light and dark modes to suit various preferences, catering to all tastes—even those quirky coders who rock a white background. Just a simple press of the button beneath the monitor and voila. And let's not forget those cute little buttons on the part below the monitor. Eye care: the night hour function (not sure if I make it right). It can adjust the brightness to very dark and save my eyes from hurting during late-night coding sessions. BenQ is renowned for its eye-care functions, and I can personally vouch for it. Also, about the 16:10 aspect ratio. It's not everyone's usual setup, but this allows more lines of code without constant scrolling. But I really wish they had a bigger size of this monitor. Overall, this monitor meets my expectations for a coding monitor. It connects smoothly with my MacBook Air m2 and goes well with my screenbar. The things I wish for would be a larger version, higher resolution, and a more chic design (maybe make it in white?) and I'll make another purchase.

For nearly 2 decades I have struggled to find a monitor that optimizes productivity. I've only had my 28.2" -- 3840x2560 (RD280U) for one day but the 3:2 aspect ratio is fantastic. I would also accept 16:10, I have been long disappointed since 5:4 went away as a programmer. The additional +500 vertical pixels is a game changer on Arch Linux Tiling Window Managers as it allows the 3 column 2 row layout to not be vertically squished so badly as in 16:9. The Backlight Halo has a color temperature option, 360 degrees or 270, and a brightness toggle. What a wonderful feature so many others could learn from. I am not really crazy about the bottom module sticking out, but then the buttons feel really good -- much better than my 6 expensive ASUS gaming monitors. And the positioning of the buttons is critical -- ASUS has them on the right hand back side. What about left handed people and what if I am VESA mounting 3 to Ergotron arms? This monitor buttons and sane positioning are much appreciated. I am beyond excited about the internal power supply -- having a singular standard power cable is EXACTLY what I wanted and I can't seem to find that nowadays -- instead I have all these obnoxious power bricks all over the floor (In the case of the 6 ASUS) and it's terrible. Plus how am I supposed to know which brick goes to which model monitor -- what a MASSIVE improvement and relief. I like the stand's vertical artwork having some semblance to measuring things and putting it together was easy -- snap the stand into the monitor and screw a single screw under the base. The standard base has a neat little leather cable management button up on the back, it's nothing special -- doesn't seem to rotate unless I am mistaken -- it's average. I discovered that the monitor has speakers even over DisplayPort. They are average, more of a backup in quality. But again where it counts this bad boy shines. The mate screen is SOOO much easier to look at than my 50" 4k Samsung TV / Monitor with gloss -- I am excited to not have productivity and my ability to focus inhibited by lighting conditions most of the day. I was skeptical about the 28.2" size as I would have preferred larger, but it was acceptable. I think I will boost my font scale slightly as I don't like to use scaling of any kind -- it's okayish -- a little small, but after a day of use seems to be totally okay going from bigger to smaller. I love that the pictures show me the ports. I am so annoyed shopping for monitors and not being able to see all the plugs. It's nice to know what I am getting. I felt really annoyed with my ASUS monitor as the splash screen prominantly shows G-Sync and other obnoxious logos when I power it on like HDMI -- This monitor has the HDMI Logo, EyeCare, BenQ and maybe I am forgetting another but they are not as obnoxious and "In Your Face" like ASUS -- which was a pet peev as I strongly dislike Nvidia products as they are a PITA and I am glad to be free of their nonsense. There are 3 base buttons, Power, Menu (with 4 directional joystick) and Input to toggle between HDMI, DP. I really don't want to use HDMI any more, the sooner it goes away the better. It comes off as a "TV" thing which is contrary to serious computing. I am also strongly opposed to OLED, so besides the fantastic aspect ratio and increased resolution it is nice to see IPS -- friends who have purchased OLED have problems with image burn in and I see no reason to chase after the HDR fad, or have my retina's assaulted by a ridiculous amount of light at night. AFAIK to push the bandwidth of Pixels & Hz you may need DisplayPort 1.4. Also, the 60Hz did make me skeptical at first -- my ASUS are somewhere between 180Hz (1440p) - 280Hz (1080p) -- I am not planning on using these for gaming but even if I was 4k@60hz is already really had to push enough frames to keep up -- it would be nice to see this boosted on a Gen 2 of this aspect ratio, it's not a roadstopper considering there's not much on the market like this. IIRC too the box only included HDMI and I would have preferred to get DP instead or even both. The Power LED is clearly visible -- My 32" Wacom Cintiq screen and ASUS both have obnoxiously dim power lights -- it's hard to imagine how competitors could screw up such basic things. All in all I am very pleasantly surprised and decided to order 2 more for a ergotron setup. I haven't owned a BenQ monitor in a decade, but with this 3:2 and 2560 vertical resolution they are back on my map.