The BenQ PD3420Q is an excellent ultrawide monitor
AppleInsider may earn an affiliate commission on purchases made through links on our site.
The BenQ PD3420Q is a 34-inch ultrawide 2K monitor with built-in KVM switching capability, a mac-specific color accuracy mode and dynamic PiP settings.
Apple has set the bar high for displays, making pairing a Macbook Pro with a fairly difficult monitor. Luckily, when you rule out monitors without Mac-specific features, it can make the choice easier.
The BenQ PD3420Q is an ultrawide monitor built with Apple users in mind. Its large 2K display can connect via USB-C and reproduce Mac-like colors, thanks to P3 and HDR support. It even has a Mac-specific color setting.
The 21:9 aspect ratio also enables a unique set of features related to picture-in-picture modes. This monitor allows users to unify their workflows across all devices in a single product without the need for complicated KVM setups or additional monitors.
This monitor requires a lot of setup, but once everything is up and running, it can do wonders in Apple’s hardware ecosystem. We’ve tested the monitor in various settings and will explain how each works below.
BenQ 34 inch Ultrawide 2K Monitor Features and Design
The BenQ PD3420Q is a 34-inch 3440-pixel-by-1440-pixel display with 350 nits of brightness. It supports P3 color gamut and is rated at HDR10, VESA DisplayHDR 400.
The stand offers plenty of height adjustments and the monitor can also tilt
Due to its wider than normal aspect ratio, it supports frame-by-frame modes with one input using a 16:9 aspect ratio and another using 5:9. It is not possible to select a 16:9 setting from the monitor unless it is in PBP mode, so some inputs will stretch to fit the 21:9 aspect ratio.
HDR can be enabled, but it could be better quality. Images tend to appear darker when HDR is enabled, and the mode only works in single input mode. We used the monitor with HDR disabled.
The HotKey Puck G2 has its own USB-B port, plus there are two HDMI 2.0 ports, a DisplayPort 1.4 port, a 65W USB-C DisplayPort alt port, and a USB-B upstream with two USB-A ports. The monitor also has a USB-A port, a USB-C port, and a headphone jack on the side for easy accessory connection.
There are many starters to choose from
The rear has a power button, a joystick button for movement and menu selection, and two buttons for input control and color mode switching.
The included HotKey Puck G2 makes it easy to control monitor menus. Once everything was up and running, we configured the button to control the volume.
Three preset options and a dial make the HotKey Puck G2 very useful
Using the BenQ 34 inch Ultra Wide 2K Monitor
The ultra-wide aspect ratio of the BenQ PD3420Q monitor allows users to configure two inputs side-by-side. One takes up the usual 16:9 space and another uses a 5:9 space. There is also a picture-in-picture mode.
The key to mastering the BenQ PD3420Q is understanding which of your devices can accommodate aspect ratios. If you plan to use frame-by-frame mode, a Mac or PC would be better suited for the 5:9 aspect, as they would have the most control over their output.
A two-device setup
We tried frame by frame with a 14-inch MacBook Pro located in the 5:9 space and a iPadPro defined in the 16:9 space. The MacBook was connected via USB-C for its DisplayPort alt input, and the iPad was connected via HDMI via a docking station.
This setup took advantage of Apple perfectly Universal control characteristic. After placing the iPad monitor by the MacBook monitor in the settings, the cursor would move between the two screens as if they were the same computer.
Headphone jack and charging ports on the side are within easy reach
This setup alone sold us on the BenQ monitor, although it does have its weak points. Getting the MacBook to behave in a 5:9 aspect ratio took a few minutes toggling display settings and changing inputs, but ultimately it worked fine.
The MacBook Pro only had one viable resolution option – 880 x 1440. Some icons appear small and text is truncated in some titles, but everything worked as expected.
We think this setup is ideal for someone who wants to work from an iPad but needs to access certain things on macOS.
Of course, this setup could work for having a Mac and PC hooked up this way, and the HotKey Puck G2 acts as a KVM switch for accessories connected through the display.
We also tested the monitor with a AppleTV 4K and a MacBook to try PiP mode. The BenQ monitor offers many options for users to create their perfect setup.
Monitor Settings
The BenQ PD3420Q has 11 color presets and one user customizable. These can be switched easily using the HotKey Puck G2 or the buttons on the back of the monitor.
The monitor can be controlled without the HotKey Puck G2
Presets include DCI-P3, Display P3, HDR, sRGB, REC. 709, CAD/CAM, animation, low blue light, darkroom, M-book and DICOM. The M-book setting is intended to calibrate the screen closely to Apple’s, and it was our option of choice.
You cannot enable HDR when using picture-by-picture mode. HDR only works in full screen mode, and even then is not preferable. Colors may appear washed out depending on the content viewed.
The monitor has built-in speakers, but like most monitors, we don’t recommend using them. You will need a dedicated set of speakers or headphones.
DisplayPilot software
A saving grace of the BenQ monitor is its ability to use DisplayPilot. Rather than dealing with cumbersome display menus, users can adjust settings in this application when a Mac or PC is connected to the monitor.
DisplayPort simplifies monitoring, control and automation
It offers all the basic commands for frame-by-frame configuration or color mode selection. Users can also configure different color modes to be automatically used when certain applications are in the foreground.
There are even options to arrange windows in different patterns using desktop partitions. Once a partition is defined, apps moved to that partition will automatically be resized to fit that space.
A multifunctional Mac monitor
If you’re looking for a quality monitor that won’t break the bank, the BenQ PD3420Q is a great choice. It is particularly useful for those who wish to use several products connected to the same monitor.
The BenQ PD3420Q is a good option for multitasking users
The combination possibilities are endless – run an iPad and a Mac, a PS5 and a PC, or add a AppleTV Also. The various display and layout options give users a lot of control.
Setup can take some trial and error, and the speakers don’t sound great, but those are the only complaints we can have about a monitor at this price.
If you are looking for a monitor that would only be used with one product, the BenQ PD3420Q still works, but be aware of some limitations. For example, an Apple TV 4K will stretch to fit the 21:9 aspect ratio if used in fullscreen mode, and there’s no way to fix this without enabling frame-by-frame .
We highly recommend this product to anyone looking to enhance their Universal Control enjoyment and use an iPad and Mac in tandem. However, be aware that the iPad will not display properly in the 5:9 part of the screen and only M series iPads support external display.
Advantages of the BenQ PD3420Q
- A monitor with a wide variety of settings that’s a fraction of the cost of Apple’s Studio Display
- Dedicated Mac setting for high color accuracy
- HotKey Puck G2 makes it easy to navigate monitor settings
- Frame-by-frame is excellent, especially for universal control
- Minimal bezels, adjustable height and decent cable management
Disadvantages of the BenQ PD3420Q
- Setup can take time to figure out
- HDR might as well not be there
- Speakers are weak but better than nothing
- 2K resolution isn’t quite up to Apple’s Retina standards
Rating: 4 out of 5
Although it’s now finished, we really enjoyed our time with the BenQ PD3420Q. It’s a great monitor that can handle a lot of use cases.
If you’re looking for Retina resolution, you’ll need to double the price of this monitor. The frame-by-frame setting that maintains a 16:9 aspect ratio for one of the windows is our favorite feature.
0 Comments