LG
If you haven’t noticed, the screens have gotten bigger. Laptops are the most obvious example, with more of them opting for 16:10 this year than we’ve seen in years, with even a 3:2 aspect ratio being an option. LG has now brought this bigger picture to external PC monitors by today announcing the LG DualUp Monitor (28MQ780), a 27.6-inch monitor with a 16:18 aspect ratio.
It’s not like LG just took the form factor of a traditional monitor and turned it to the side. The DualUp is closer to a square than the more common 16:9 screens. At 4:18 PM, the monitor’s length and height are closer to the same measurement, but the monitor is still taller than it is wide. If you’re tired of scrolling through lengthy articles, spreadsheets, lines of code, and your perpetual news feed, this option is something to consider.
LG
While taller screens are increasingly common in laptops, they are incredibly rare in PC monitors. There are plenty of ultra-wide screens that fill the peripheral vision of gamers and productivity dogs, but finding a vertical PC monitor is nearly impossible. We recently covered a much thinner 7:32 vertical monitor, but it’s mainly available in Japan and as a portable monitor it’s much smaller at 8.8in. In terms of mainstream, widely available monitors in the US, the DualUp monitor should be unique when it comes out – LG didn’t share a price or release date.
In addition to the unique aspect ratio, the monitor also has a rare size. It is 27.6 inches diagonally and with a resolution of 2560 × 2880, that’s a pixel density of 139.6 pixels per inch. The monitor also has the same number of pixels (7,372,800) as two 21.5-inch QHD 16:9 (2560×1440 resolution) monitors, but is much larger.
Beyond the height and resolution, the DualUp Monitor’s other specs are pretty standard, if not slightly lower than you’d expect. Contrast is typical of a good IPS panel at 1,000:1. And I wouldn’t complain, but LG also announced the UltraFine Display (32UQ85R) today, debuting LG’s Nano IPS Black panel. It is supposed to “deliver realistic and nuanced blacks, adding more depth to images”, allowing the monitor to claim a contrast of 2,000:1. Still, 1,000:1 should be enough for a high-quality, accurate color-saturated monitor (the DualUp claims 98 percent DCI-P3), and the jury is still out on LG’s new IPS technology.
LG
There’s HDR support, but LG makes no claims about VESA certification, which would affect monitor brightness, which affects contrast, the factor that has the biggest impact on making HDR look different (and better) look like SDR. LG says the DualUp can hit up to 300 nits of brightness, which is fine, but not impressive.
However, LG is throwing in the updated version of its Ergo Stand. It looks more interesting than the typical monitor that sits on a base on top of your desk. LG’s Ergo Stand clamps to a desk for an eye-catching look that also saves some desk space.
LG
This is also a USB-C monitor, so you can charge other devices with it up to 96W, very close to the 100W maximum. You’re not limited, though. The monitor also has two HDMI ports, plus DisplayPort and three USB-A ports (one upstream and two downstream). You also get a pair of 7W speakers to round out the package outside the panel.
LG will be showing off its tall monitor at CES in early January, as well as the UltraFine Display, also announced today.