Dell Ultrasharp U2720Q 4K USB-C Monitor Review

The Dell Ultrasharp U2720Q is a 27 inch 4K USB-C monitor. It joins Dell’s ever-expanding army of monitors and favors creative use cases. With monitors being a hot commodity with everyone working from home this monitor stands out for its emphasis on color. Get wide color coverage with 95% DCI-P3, color depth of 1.07 billion colors, 4K UHD resolution, high pixel density of 163ppi, and factory calibrated 99% sRGB color accuracy. While monitors aren’t usually touted for their portability I have to say, the U2720Q and the Dell Ultrasharp line in general offers great portability. This monitor has gone to and from the office multiple times with me. It’s easy to set-up and if you keep the box you have a perfect re-packable suitcase to tote this monitor along with you.  

The Dell Ultrasharp U2720Q is a 27 inch 4K USB-C monitor. It joins Dell’s ever-expanding army of monitors and favors creative use cases. With monitors being a hot commodity with everyone working from home this monitor stands out for its emphasis on color. Get wide color coverage with 95% DCI-P3, color depth of 1.07 billion colors, 4K UHD resolution, high pixel density of 163ppi, and factory calibrated 99% sRGB color accuracy. While monitors aren’t usually touted for their portability I have to say, the U2720Q and the Dell Ultrasharp line in general offers great portability. This monitor has gone to and from the office multiple times with me. It’s easy to set-up and if you keep the box you have a perfect re-packable suitcase to tote this monitor along with you.  

The U2720Q also stands out as it leverages USB-C 3.0 connectivity. For those with USB-C laptops, this pairing optimizes workspace by offering charging and connectivity through a single cord. Having personally used this function I have to say it’s one of my favorites. I had to get creative in re-purposing my one bedroom apartment to include a dedicated workspace. My “desk” at home is a card table. So, working with limited space keeping clutter to a minimum was key and being able to charge while connected to the monitor allowed me to ditch my computer’s power brick.  

Price on the street for the U2720Q is $580 directly from Dell.  

Dell UltraSharp U2720Q Monitor Specifications

Diagonal size
27”

Resolution
3840 x2160 @ 60Hz

Device Type
White LED edgelight system

Features
USB 3.0 Hub

Panel Type
In-Plane switching Technology

Aspect Ratio
16:9

Pixel Pitch
0.1554 mm x 0.1554 mm

Brightness
250 cd/m2 (typical)

Contrast Ratio
1300:1 (typical)

Response Time
5ms gray to gray in Fast mode, 8ms gray to gray in Normal mode

Color Support
1.07 billion colors

Connectivity
• 1 x DP 1.4 (HDCP 1.4/HDCP 2.2)
• 1 x HDMI 2.0 (HDCP 1.4/HDCP 2.2)
• 1 x USB Type-C (Alternate mode with DisplayPort 1.4,
USB 3.0 upstream port, Power Delivery PD up to 90 W)
• 2 x USB 3.0 downstream port
• 1 x USB 3.0 downstream port with BC1.2 charging
capability at 2 A (max)
• 1 x Analog 2.0 audio line out (3.5 mm jack)
• 1 x USB 3.0 Type-C downstream port with charging
capability at 3 A (max)

Display Position Adjustments
Height, Tilt, Pivot, Swivel

Screen Coating
Anti-glare treatment of the front polarizer (3H) hard coating

Dimensions (WxDxH) with stand
24.07 in x 7.28 in x 20.68 in

Weight
21.16 lb

Dell Ultrasharp U2720Q Design and Build

The Dell Ultrasharp U2720Q is a 27-inch monitor that looks very similar to many other monitors made by Dell. But, like the saying goes “if it isn’t broke don’t fix it” and dell’s approach to design is universal. So, it’s cool it looks similar to many others just don’t ask me to pick a specific monitor out of a picture lineup. A feature of the U2720Q build that I especially love is the InfinityEdge design which makes the screen of this monitor virtually borderless. The base is compact to fit just about anywhere. Additionally, with the ability to tilt, swivel, pivot, and adjust the height of the monitor there is a comfortable position for everyone. The base also offers the option to orientate the monitor vertically which is neat to be able to do. Additionally, the U2720Q sports a more modern connectivity option, USB-C connectivity. 

The ports and buttons can be accessed underneath. Underneath from left to right, is the power supply, security lock slot, stand lock, HDMI port, a full DisplayPort, a USB-C/DisplayPort, an audio line out, followed by two USB A downstream ports.  The side has two additional USB downstream ports with charging capability. On top is a USB-A port that supports BC 1.2 and on the bottom is a USB-C downstream port that supports 3A.  

Dell 

UltraSharp

U2720Q Usability

With the shift from in-office to home-office, the Dell UltraSharp U2720Q has been used in the work from home setting. My usage profile has consisted mainly of photo editing and web activity.  

The 27-inch size is, in my opinion, an ideal size for working from home. It’s compact enough to fit on nearly any size desk while offering ample screen space for multi-tasking. My preferred general use writing setup is a split-screen with a word editor on one side and product info on the other and the U2720Q hosts this set-up well. For photo editing, I utilize the full-screen and as this is the intended use case it continues with great performance. I’m able to zoom in and view minute color changes down to the individual pixel which I often do for removing the background.  

While there are many things to love about this monitor, I am going to nitpick one thing, the anti-glare. The U2720Q comes with anti-glare treatment and in an office with above head lighting, the screen is great. But, at home with lighting coming in from various angles to the sides and behind me I do get some glare on the screen. Compared to the anti-glare screen of my laptop the difference was noticeable and sometimes bothersome.  

Conclusion

The 27-inch Dell UltraSharp U2720Q is a 4K USB-C monitor that is geared for the creative professional. With that market in mind, it offers wide color coverage with 95% DCI-P3, color depth of 1.07 billion colors, 4K UHD resolution, high pixel density of 163ppi, and factory calibrated 99% sRGB color accuracy. Leveraging USB-C technology, users can connect and transmit data, video, and up to 90W of power all at once with a single cable.  

Overall, the U2720Q is a well-oiled piece of technology. It fit seamlessly into my workflow and I really had to dig deep to pick out something that I didn’t like about this monitor; which is a nice problem to have. It isn’t a budget option and it is a bit overkill for general daily use. For those who can utilize the color technologies, this is a nice mid-market option that’s about $1000 more affordable than the UP2720Q which we also recently reviewed.  

Dell UltraSharp U2720Q on Amazon

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