The catch
BenQ DesignVue 27-inch 4K Designer Monitor
Both the video and the USB data path have to be connected for a second computer.
Side by side
BenQ PD2706U vs BenQ MA270U: At the same 4K60, PD2706U shares peripherals and MA270U simplifies Mac controls
Quick verdict
The PD2706U is the choice when a laptop and desktop must share wired peripherals or the desktop needs a DisplayPort input. The MA270U is for a single MacBook-centered desk using BenQ's supported Mac controls. Both provide 27-inch 4K at 60Hz and up to 90W charging, so neither wins this decision just by supplying more pixels or laptop power.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
A second USB-C socket isn't a second laptop input
MA270U's one upstream port carries 90W USB-C video and data. The other USB-C socket faces downstream, for accessories and power.
Where this comes from
The documented roles of the upstream and downstream ports are not the same. USB-B carries data, which means the desktop still needs HDMI or DisplayPort for video.
The catch
BenQ MA Series 27-inch 4K Monitor for MacBook
Its second USB-C socket points downstream and does not serve as another host video input.
BenQ DesignVue 27-inch 4K Designer Monitor
- Why pick it
- Run the built-in KVM across two host connections
- Plug a desktop in over DisplayPort
- The catch
- Both the video and the USB data path have to be connected for a second computer.
BenQ MA Series 27-inch 4K Monitor for MacBook
- Why pick it
- Rely on the supported Mac brightness and volume controls
- Set up a single-laptop desk around a Nano Matte screen
- The catch
- Its second USB-C socket points downstream and does not serve as another host video input.
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What this page compares
One MacBook, a laptop-plus-desktop KVM setup and the USB connections that desk accessories need are the points on which PD2706U and MA270U are compared.
The PD2706U is the choice when a laptop and desktop must share wired peripherals or the desktop needs a DisplayPort input. The MA270U is for a single MacBook-centered desk using BenQ's supported Mac controls. Both provide 27-inch 4K at 60Hz and up to 90W charging, so neither wins this decision just by supplying more pixels or laptop power.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
A laptop and a desktop need to use the same wired peripherals
PD2706U comes with a KVM and two host data paths.
- BenQ DesignVue 27-inch 4K Designer Monitor
- Better fit
- BenQ MA Series 27-inch 4K Monitor for MacBook
- Caution
Hook up a DisplayPort-only desktop with no conversion step
No DisplayPort socket appears in the MA270U input list.
- BenQ DesignVue 27-inch 4K Designer Monitor
- Better fit
- BenQ MA Series 27-inch 4K Monitor for MacBook
- Not suitable
Plug three USB-A accessories in directly
Three USB-A downstream sockets are on PD2706U, versus two on MA270U.
- BenQ DesignVue 27-inch 4K Designer Monitor
- Better fit
- BenQ MA Series 27-inch 4K Monitor for MacBook
- Caution
Attach one compatible USB-C laptop needing 90W or less
USB-C video and up to 90W are available on both, provided the laptop and cable are compatible.
- BenQ DesignVue 27-inch 4K Designer Monitor
- Similar
- BenQ MA Series 27-inch 4K Monitor for MacBook
- Similar
In practice
Differences you will notice
A second USB-C socket isn't a second laptop input
MA270U's one upstream port carries 90W USB-C video and data. The other USB-C socket faces downstream, for accessories and power.
How we worked this out
The documented roles of the upstream and downstream ports are not the same. USB-B carries data, which means the desktop still needs HDMI or DisplayPort for video.
What cable a desktop already has can change what accessories you buy
PD2706U accepts a desktop whose only usable output is DisplayPort, with a direct connection. MA270U lists HDMI and USB-C video inputs, so that same desktop would need a compatible conversion path or a different output.
How we worked this out
In this example the desktop's only available output is DisplayPort. Input compatibility is documented, but you have to check adapter compatibility on its own.
Tally the USB devices left plugged in
Between a USB keyboard, mouse and webcam, three USB-A sockets get used. PD2706U has three of them and MA270U has two.
How we worked this out
You need three downstream sockets for three USB-A accessories. USB-C accessories are left out of the count, and no assumption is made about total hub power.
Option A
BenQ, PD2706U
DesignVue 27-inch 4K Designer Monitor
This compact design monitor from BenQ includes 4K creator modes, 90-watt USB-C, a KVM and the Hotkey Puck.
- Best for
- Run the built-in KVM across two host connections
Facts we checked
- Screen and laptop charging: 27-inch 4K, 60Hz, USB-C at up to 90W
- Host connections over USB: USB-C for video and data, plus USB-B data upstream
- KVM built in: Yes
- Inputs for video: HDMI, DisplayPort and USB-C
Option B
BenQ, MA270U
MA Series 27-inch 4K Monitor for MacBook
Built around MacBook use, this matte 4K screen tailors its controls and color modes to it. It has one 90W USB-C video input and a separate downstream USB-C accessory port.
- Best for
- Rely on the supported Mac brightness and volume controls
Facts we checked
- Screen and laptop charging: 27-inch 4K, 60Hz, USB-C at up to 90W
- Host connections over USB: One USB-C upstream for video and data
- KVM built in: No comparable second-host hardware path is documented
- Inputs for video: Two HDMI and one USB-C
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | BenQ DesignVue 27-inch 4K Designer Monitor | BenQ MA Series 27-inch 4K Monitor for MacBook | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panel and laptop power | 27-inch 4K, 60Hz, up to 90W USB-C | 27-inch 4K, 60Hz, up to 90W USB-C | The workflow for connecting hosts is not settled by these shared specifications. |
| USB host connections | USB-C video/data plus USB-B data upstream | One USB-C video/data upstream | The remaining USB-C port on MA270U faces downstream and is not a second video input. |
| Built-in KVM | Yes | No equivalent second-host hardware path documented | PD2706U suits a two-computer setup. |
| Video inputs | HDMI, DisplayPort and USB-C | Two HDMI and one USB-C video input | PD2706U takes a direct connection from a DisplayPort-only desktop. |
| USB-A downstream sockets | Three | Two | Three sockets are needed for a keyboard, mouse and USB webcam. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With BenQ DesignVue 27-inch 4K Designer Monitor
- On a desk with a single laptop, the extra switching hardware may not add much.
With BenQ MA Series 27-inch 4K Monitor for MacBook
- Connecting three USB-A accessories takes an extra hub or another connection method.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
The same wired keyboard and mouse must work with two computers
Go with BenQ DesignVue 27-inch 4K Designer Monitor. The required KVM and a second USB data upstream connection are included in PD2706U.
One MacBook is my setup, and I want the MA-series control workflow
Go with BenQ MA Series 27-inch 4K Monitor for MacBook. BenQ documents Mac brightness and volume control integration, and MA270U supports it.
Decision guide
How to decide
Pick the PD2706U when a laptop and desktop must share wired peripherals or the desktop needs a DisplayPort input. Pick the MA270U for a single MacBook-centered desk that uses BenQ's supported Mac controls. Both provide 27-inch 4K at 60Hz and up to 90W charging, so supplying more pixels or laptop power does not decide it for either.
A second USB-C socket isn't a second laptop input
The MA270U has one 90W USB-C video and data upstream port, and its other USB-C socket is downstream, for accessories and power. A USB-B upstream connection and a KVM are what the PD2706U adds, giving a second computer's USB path alongside its separate video cable. Choose the PD2706U for that shared-desk arrangement. Choose the MA270U when one laptop is the host and the downstream USB-C port serves its intended accessory role.
What cable a desktop already has can change what accessories you buy
A desktop whose only usable output is DisplayPort can connect directly to the PD2706U. The MA270U lists HDMI and USB-C video inputs, so that same desktop needs a compatible conversion path or another output. Choose the PD2706U if keeping that direct cable matters. For a MacBook with compatible USB-C video, both already support the one-cable display route and up to 90W charging.
Tally the USB devices left plugged in
Three USB-A sockets are taken by a USB keyboard, mouse and webcam. The PD2706U has three, while the MA270U has two. Choose the PD2706U when all three must stay directly connected without another hub. The MA270U can still suit a wireless-peripheral or simpler MacBook desk. Socket count doesn't guarantee that every high-power accessory can be supplied at once, so check accessory power requirements separately.
What this page can’t tell you
- We claim no tested Mac color match, no matte-screen superiority and no speaker-quality winner. Neither monitor is a 120Hz option.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| BenQ DesignVue 27-inch 4K Designer Monitor |
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| BenQ MA Series 27-inch 4K Monitor for MacBook |
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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.
BenQ DesignVue 27-inch 4K Designer Monitor
Run the built-in KVM across two host connections
See price & reviews on AmazonBenQ MA Series 27-inch 4K Monitor for MacBook
Rely on the supported Mac brightness and volume controls
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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