Since the pandemic last year, I have been forced to review my office configuration to find monitors adapted to the world of work and gaming, and I must say that I have not been idle, since these are 4 different screens which have followed one another on my desk in 18 months. Today, I'm still not satisfied with my configuration (an LG 32UL750-W as the main screen, backed up by a Samsung C27JG52QQU), so it was with pleasure that I agreed to try the Modern MD271C, a monitor that won the 2021 reddot winner in the "Business & Productivity Monitors" category.
Technical specifications
- Screen size 27" (68,58cm)
- From VA de 75Hz
- Response time: 5MS
- Curved screen: 1500R
- 1xHDMI 1.4 et 1xUSB-C
- Compatible VESA
- Rotating stand, screen adjustable in height and vertical inclination
Simple installation and efficient design
The packaging is as basic as it is efficient. Once the box is open, we find the screen, the stand, the power supply, an HDMI cable and a few screws. The screen is VESA compatible as needed. For my part, I just clipped the screen to the foot and screwed the base to prevent everything from coming apart. In 5 minutes it was ready to use!
I was a bit surprised by the white color of the screen when unboxing. But in the end, the rendering is very nice. It brings a bit of color to a rather dark gaming ensemble, and it goes very well with the Silver Macbook Pro that I use for daily work. We have a curved screen which, despite its size, remains rather discreet. The connection is extremely simple (not to say limited) since it is content with an HDMI input and a USB-C port. For professional use, it is suitable, since we generally avoid having several sources on the work monitor. However, a second HDMI port would not have been superfluous. The wires can easily be hidden thanks to the cable pass which hides them behind the screen foot.
Satisfactory office use... but not gaming for a penny
It's marked on the box, so I wasn't very surprised, but the MD271CPW is not a screen designed for video game use. Yes, you can play without it being unpleasant, but no option is thought out for this type of use. It's not a big deal when you know what you're buying, but I think it's wise to warn. The fault is a somewhat outdated resolution, somewhat sad/bland colors and a refresh that is sufficient (75Hz) but which will not satisfy fans of competitive PC games.
On the office side, it does its job perfectly. The OSD on the screen allows you to choose between different modes, depending on whether you prefer warm, cold, natural or personalized colors. An ECO mode (basic active) is engaged, which reduces the brightness of the screen. No need to turn off the mode in a moderately lit room. If a ray hits the desk, on the other hand, you will have to think about deactivating it. Otherwise, during the 2 weeks of use, it was correct. I left the game aside a bit and focused on the pro aspect of the device. Going from a 4K screen to 1080P requires reviewing the layout of a few windows, but I got used to it and took a liking to it, especially appreciating this curved screen which made me feel less tiring for the eyes. Small downside, however, linked to a lower power supply given the consumption of the screen: my Macbook was losing battery while being plugged into USB-C with a charging icon yet active. It's not with this MSI screen that you will be hunting for wires, unfortunately.
Conclusion
What to remember from this MSI Modern MD271C ? First of all, it's a good monitor for office use, and that's not bad. The angled screen is, surprisingly, a delight for most content, including text content. However, it's a shame that we have to settle for a Full HD screen in 2021 (the rollback hurt me a little), 75Hz refresh and a VA panel which necessarily limits the contrast. Also, and I nitpick a bit, a slightly faster power supply would have been welcome, just to be able to plug in/charge a laptop in USB-C without using an external charger.
The MSI Modern MD271C will be available at the end of the month at the recommended price of €349,99.
