The catch
ASUS ProArt Display 27-inch 4K
Neither an integrated RJ45 nor an equivalent built-in KVM is documented.
Side by side
ASUS ProArt PA279CRV vs Dell U2724DE: Dell’s Ethernet and KVM replace desk accessories, and ASUS adds 4K detail
Quick verdict
The PA279CRV fits when 4K detail and documented Adobe RGB coverage lead the brief. The U2724DE fits when a 120Hz QHD screen, Ethernet and built-in KVM can replace separate desk accessories. Both can power compatible laptops, yet the Dell's docking connections and the ASUS's pixel density suit different working days.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Adding a second computer means more than another video cable
The KVM in U2724DE can hand the attached keyboard and mouse back and forth between two connected hosts, but the second computer needs its USB data connection too. Switching only the video won't do it.
Where this comes from
Each host needs both a video path and a USB path for a KVM to work. Dell documents the KVM and the added upstream connection. Having a generic USB hub does not amount to that function.
The catch
Dell UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
A complete 4K frame can't be shown at 1:1 mapping on QHD.
ASUS ProArt Display 27-inch 4K
- Why pick it
- Check 4K material at its native pixel dimensions
- Rely on documented 99% Adobe RGB coverage
- The catch
- Neither an integrated RJ45 nor an equivalent built-in KVM is documented.
Dell UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
- Why pick it
- Run shared USB peripherals through the built-in KVM
- Count on integrated 2.5GbE and a Thunderbolt connection
- The catch
- A complete 4K frame can't be shown at 1:1 mapping on QHD.
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What this page compares
A detailed 4K workspace, a wired laptop dock and a keyboard shared between two computers are the points on which PA279CRV and U2724DE are compared.
The PA279CRV fits when 4K detail and documented Adobe RGB coverage lead the brief. The U2724DE fits when a 120Hz QHD screen, Ethernet and built-in KVM can replace separate desk accessories. Both can power compatible laptops, yet the Dell's docking connections and the ASUS's pixel density suit different working days.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
See an entire 4K frame with 1:1 pixel mapping
At 1:1, the QHD Dell cannot show all of a 4K source's pixels at the same time.
- ASUS ProArt Display 27-inch 4K
- Better fit
- Dell UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
- Not suitable
Let two wired computers share a keyboard and mouse
The KVM is on Dell, and both host USB paths are needed.
- ASUS ProArt Display 27-inch 4K
- Caution
- Dell UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
- Better fit
Get a separate Ethernet adapter off the laptop desk
RJ45 is built into Dell. ASUS lists no such port.
- ASUS ProArt Display 27-inch 4K
- Caution
- Dell UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
- Better fit
Need scrolling at 120Hz
120Hz is Dell's top rate and 60Hz is ASUS's.
- ASUS ProArt Display 27-inch 4K
- Not suitable
- Dell UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
- Better fit
In practice
Differences you will notice
Adding a second computer means more than another video cable
The KVM in U2724DE can hand the attached keyboard and mouse back and forth between two connected hosts, but the second computer needs its USB data connection too. Switching only the video won't do it.
How we worked this out
Each host needs both a video path and a USB path for a KVM to work. Dell documents the KVM and the added upstream connection. Having a generic USB hub does not amount to that function.
On a wired laptop desk, the Ethernet dongle may become unnecessary
Through the monitor's host connection, Dell's RJ45 socket gives the laptop a documented 2.5GbE network path. PA279CRV lists no RJ45 socket among its ports, so a wired laptop needs an adapter or dock of its own.
How we worked this out
The 2.5GbE Ethernet is on the Dell. That figure describes the link's capability and depends on the network and host path, so it is not a guaranteed internet speed.
The QHD screen has to scale a 4K source
On PA279CRV, a 3840-by-2160 image fills the whole native pixel grid. U2724DE has 2560 by 1440 pixels, so seeing the entire 4K frame means resampling it, and inspecting at 1:1 shows just a portion at a time.
How we worked this out
The example source image is 3840 by 2160. What follows comes from each monitor's native grid. It is not a tested verdict on sharpness, and it promises nothing about how software scales.
Option A
ASUS, PA279CRV
ProArt Display 27-inch 4K
On a creator desk, this compact 4K ProArt screen offers wide-gamut factory calibration, 96-watt USB-C power and display chaining.
- Best for
- Check 4K material at its native pixel dimensions
Facts we checked
- Pixel grid and refresh: 3840 by 2160 at 60Hz
- Laptop charging: Up to 96W by USB-C
- Ethernet on the monitor: The documented ports include no RJ45
- Sharing peripherals between two computers: No comparable built-in KVM documented
Option B
Dell, U2724DE
UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
The Dell U2724DE is a 27-inch native QHD monitor that runs up to 120Hz. A verified Thunderbolt host gets video, data and up to 90W through the proper upstream port, while the separate USB-C upstream carries data only. To use RJ45 you need upstream data, the driver and an Ethernet cable, and DP Alt High Resolution limits USB data to 480 Mbps.
- Best for
- Run shared USB peripherals through the built-in KVM
Facts we checked
- Pixel grid and refresh: 2560 by 1440 at 120Hz
- Power for a laptop: Thunderbolt 4 up to 90W
- Ethernet on the monitor: 2.5GbE RJ45
- Sharing peripherals between two computers: Built-in KVM
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | ASUS ProArt Display 27-inch 4K | Dell UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution and refresh | 3840 by 2160 at 60Hz | 2560 by 1440 at 120Hz | Pick between more detail and a higher refresh ceiling, and don't assume either one rearranges your application layout for you. |
| Laptop power | USB-C up to 96W | Thunderbolt 4 up to 90W | Neither one automatically stands in for a laptop charger once demand passes the compatible negotiated ceiling. |
| Ethernet in the monitor | No RJ45 in documented port list | 2.5GbE RJ45 | A wired network connection can ride through the host connection on Dell. |
| Two-computer peripheral switching | No equivalent built-in KVM documented | Built-in KVM | Once both host paths are connected, Dell can switch the attached USB peripherals. |
| Display expansion | DisplayPort MST output | Thunderbolt downstream and DisplayPort output | Whether the chain works still comes down to host and operating-system support. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With ASUS ProArt Display 27-inch 4K
- At 60Hz, the ceiling is below Dell's 120Hz.
With Dell UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
- Its 90W ceiling comes in slightly lower and still hinges on laptop compatibility.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Priority is inspecting every pixel of a full 4K frame
Go with ASUS ProArt Display 27-inch 4K. The 3840-by-2160 native grid on PA279CRV is a match.
The monitor has to let my two computers share wired peripherals
Go with Dell UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor. A documented KVM setup comes with U2724DE.
Decision guide
How to decide
Pick the PA279CRV when 4K detail and documented Adobe RGB coverage come first. Pick the U2724DE when a 120Hz QHD screen, Ethernet and built-in KVM can stand in for separate desk accessories. Both can power compatible laptops, but the Dell's docking connections and the ASUS's pixel density serve different working days.
Adding a second computer means more than another video cable
The KVM on the U2724DE can move the attached keyboard and mouse between two connected hosts, though the second computer also needs its USB data connection. Switching video alone is not enough. Choose Dell if a work laptop and personal desktop routinely share those peripherals. The PA279CRV has a USB hub, but its documented setup does not offer the same built-in KVM route, so budget for a separate switching arrangement.
On a wired laptop desk, the Ethernet dongle may become unnecessary
A documented 2.5GbE network path runs through Dell's RJ45 socket via the monitor's host connection. The PA279CRV lists no RJ45 socket among its ports, so a wired laptop needs its own adapter or dock. Choose Dell if that existing dongle is one of the items you want to get rid of. When the laptop already uses a suitable dock, ASUS's 4K screen may be the more useful change.
The QHD screen has to scale a 4K source
On the PA279CRV, a 3840-by-2160 image can fill the full native pixel grid. The U2724DE has 2560 by 1440 pixels, so viewing the whole 4K frame requires resampling, and 1:1 inspection shows only part of it at once. For that specific image-inspection job, choose ASUS. If QHD is enough for the workspace and the 120Hz ceiling or docking connections matter more, choose Dell.
What this page can’t tell you
- We did no color, response-time or network-throughput testing. How USB-C and Thunderbolt behave depends on the exact computer and cable.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the computer monitors we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS ProArt Display 27-inch 4K |
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| |
| Dell UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
ASUS ProArt Display 27-inch 4K
Check 4K material at its native pixel dimensions
See price & reviews on AmazonDell UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
Run shared USB peripherals through the built-in KVM
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