Acer Announces Two Frameless Monitors: the UHD 27" S277HK and WQHD 25" H257HU
by Brett Howse on September 10, 2014 8:00 AM EST
On Tuesday in Taiwan, Acer announced two monitors that might be worth a look for anyone looking to put a couple of multi-monitor setups together, or interested in an attractive design combined with high resolution. The first is the S277HK, which is a 27” UHD/4K model, and the second is the H257HU which is a 25" WQHD model.
The S277HK is the first 4K monitor with a frameless design according to Acer. In addition to the 3840x2160 resolution for the IPS panel, the 27” model also has DTS surround sound though Acer does not go into specifics on how the audio is achieved. With an asymmetric stand and aluminum bezel, the S277HK certainly looks as premium as the specs would indicate. Connectivity is DVI, HDMI 2.0, and DisplayPort 1.2.
S277HK (left) and H257HU (right),
images courtesy of TechPowerUp
The second monitor announced is the H257HU, which also features the frameless design, but the IPS panel is slightly lower resolution at 2560x1440 (WQHD). This monitor also features DTS sound, and a round rim base and DVI, HDMI 2.0, and DisplayPort 1.2 inputs.
'Frameless' is a little bit of a misnomer, as typically all monitors will have some sort of edge bezel. In the smallest bezel monitors on sale, sub-6mm is quite common although specialist models exist that might go smaller. The H257HU, from the sole small image we have found access to, looks like it has a larger screen-distance, despite the 'frameless' moniker keeping the edge distance small.
The IPS panels on these devices also include features to assist with eye strain including a Flicker-less technology to reduce screen flicker, a blue light filter which Acer claims helps with long term eye damage, and a Low Dimming technology to allow the backlight to be set as low as 15% for low light environments. Both monitors also include “ComfyView” to assist with screen reflections.
Both models will be available starting in Q4 2014, with global availability. Neither refresh rates, color accuracy nor prices have not been announced at this time.
Source: Acer
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Kevin G - Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - link
I can live with the slight border form the panel. What irks me is the bezel on just one side. If I wanted to run these in portrait mode, they'd be in the way. Also an issue if I wanted to do a 2 x 2 array (rotation of the top row can be done occasionally to mitigate this issue).DanNeely - Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - link
If you're talking about the bottom bezel, I doubt we'll ever see it get shrunk down to a sliver on non-touch screen displays. Monitors with control buttons on the side/back always catch flack for usability in reviews; and moving them to a separate module that could be attached to/integrated into the stand would increase complexity and play poorly with monitor arms/etc.alaricljs - Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - link
I'd accept back mounted buttons if I could also control the monitor via my PC, a simple USB serial protocol would allow 3rd party apps on any platform.Impulses - Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - link
Ugh, that's a terrible excuse even if somewhat logical... I'm sure there's SOME kinda market (beyond a few hardcore gamers) that would appreciate super slim frames on all sides at the expense of rear mounted controls and whatnot, DIY'ing frame removal on existing displays shouldn't be the only option.Impulses - Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - link
FWIW I'd be all over something like this if it was equally slim on all sides. I would love the extra res, without going all the way to 4K which would simply be unmanageable for gaming across multiple displays...That bottom frame should at least be black, if it were black and no larger than my U2412M's border I could possibly live with that. Although between GSync, 120Hz, newer res choices, and whatnot it seems like a pretty dubious time to invest in new panels that'll last a long time.
Need some more consolidation of these new/different panel improvements.
mpbrede - Thursday, September 11, 2014 - link
I doubt these monitors can be rotated at all. See the rear view image here.http://hexus.net/tech/news/displays/74513-acer-ann...
MrSpadge - Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - link
That 25" screen looks very nice with such a resolution! I don't MOAR just for the sake of it. If it also has FreeSync running off an Intel IGP and an ambient light sensor it could be perfect.Gasaraki88 - Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - link
Dell already have "frameless" monitors, they are 24" though.CSMR - Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - link
Finally a good screen size/resolution combo! 2160p at 27" is just about perfect in terms of sharpness, while manageable by mainstream systems releasing now/next year. I hope the calibrated color accuracy stands up. Is it sRGB or AdobeRGB? Wil it do 24p or is that too much to ask?Really 1440p is still good at 27" and it's good to have more competition in this comfortably large monitor size, for me the ideal monitor size.
CSMR - Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - link
I misread, it's 25" at 1440p. Even better, another excellent screen size resolution combo!