The MA270UP addresses a small but persistent irritation: a MacBook and a large external monitor can make the same document look quite different. BenQ’s glossy 27-inch panel gives text and images a presentation that may feel more familiar beside a laptop. It also gives the window behind your chair a very clear place to appear.
In depth
BenQ MA270UP review
Published · Updated
Best forMacBook users who prefer a glossy external picture and want to connect and charge through one cable.
At a glance
- Screen size
- 27 inches
- Panel technology
- IPS
- Native resolution
- 3840 × 2160
- Refresh rate
- 60 Hz
Pros
- USB-C carries the picture and can return up to 90 W to a compatible Mac.
- An adjustable stand makes it easier to line up the two displays.
Cons
- The panel tops out at 60 Hz.
- The glossy surface makes placement relative to windows important.
Display & Color
- 27-inch 4K IPS
- Nano Gloss
- 60 Hz
Macworld’s reviewer saw clean text, rich colors and deeper-looking blacks on the glossy display and found it more vibrant than the reviewer’s Nano-texture MacBook Pro. That is a visual impression from that setup. It is a reason to choose the finish you enjoy, rather than a guarantee of a measured color match for print work. 1
Connectivity & Mac Controls
- 90 W upstream USB-C
- 2 HDMI inputs
- Display Pilot 2
The USB-C input handles video, data and power, so a compatible laptop can arrive at a desk and leave again with one connection. BenQ’s Display Pilot 2 software helps with Mac controls. Two HDMI inputs provide another route for a desktop or console. None of those connections makes this a high-refresh replacement for a laptop screen with adaptive refresh.
Picture Modes & HDR
- 99% sRGB
- 95% P3
- 450 nits rated HDR peak
BenQ provides separate sRGB, Display P3 and M-book modes. For a graphic headed to the web, view the work in sRGB as well as in the mode you prefer for the Mac desktop. Otherwise the extra saturation you liked on screen can be a poor guide to how the file will look elsewhere. BenQ rates both typical brightness and peak HDR brightness at 450 nits. A glossy appearance is consequently a stronger reason to choose it than a large jump in HDR brightness.
Design & Charging
- 115 mm height adjustment
- Portrait pivot
- 15 W downstream USB-C
The two USB-C sockets have quite different jobs. The upstream connection can power the Mac at up to 90 W. The downstream one can supply up to 15 W for a phone or another small device. On a two-screen desk, the stand’s 115 mm height range helps line up the top edges. Tilt and swivel let you change the angle of a reflection without moving the laptop, while pivot is useful when reviewing a long page.
Alternatives
The matte MA270U comes closest to the same idea for a desk facing bright windows. Before choosing gloss, sit in your usual position with the laptop screen dark and look for reflections. A reflection that bothers you on a small panel will occupy more of the view on a 27-inch one.
Verdict
Choose the MA270UP for a controllable workspace where you like the look of gloss. Its charging and stand are benefits throughout the day. Go matte for a bright, fixed desk, or seek higher refresh if smooth motion matters as much as crisp text.
About this review
This is a research-based review. The Fasit has not physically tested this monitor.
Sources & Research
1 reference
Independent sources cited in this article.
- MacworldMacworld • BenQ MA270UP review (opens in a new tab)https://www.macworld.com/article/2934962/benq-ma270up-review.html
Glossy 27-inch MA270UP and an Apple MacBook Pro with Nano-texture matte display; author had also reviewed the matte MA270U.