Acer ConceptD CP1 CP1271 Review: Between Gaming and Design

When choosing a monitor to work with content, you have to take into account several nuances. While the ConceptD CP1 looks like a business-class IPS display, it is not just for office use. So let’s learn more about it within this Acer ConceptD CP1 CP1271 review and check other scenarios.

At first glance, the Acer ConceptD monitor’s status looks unclear but not everything is bad: factory calibration, robust design, ergonomics for work, not for entertainment. But if you look closely, the display configuration is a bit awkward for a device ready for office work.

For some reason, there is an IPS screen with a higher Hz, but with a standard color gamut, without HDR support, and even with full HD resolution, and that’s at 27 inches! At the same time, the FHD monitor still targets the professional segment, even if without some reservations. Let us try to find out in this Acer ConceptD CP1 CP1271 review why such a monitor may be required.

Acer ConceptD CP1 CP1271 Specifications

• Display: 27-inch IPS-panel
• Resolution: Full HD (1920×1080)
• Aspect ratio: 16: 9
• Max. refresh rate: 165 Hz
• Response time: 2 ms (GtG method)
• Color rendering: approx. 90% DCI-P3
• Brightness: 250 cd/m²
• Contrast ratio: 1000: 1
• Viewing angles: 178 ° horizontal and vertical
• Ports: 2 x HDMI (2.0), 1 x Display Port 1.2, 4 x USB 3.1 (hub), 1 x USB 3.1 Type-B input, audio output (3.5 mm)
• Stand: removable, horizontal and vertical adjustment, portrait orientation function
• Audio: two built-in 2W speakers

Design

ConceptD CP1271 – Unlike the gaming model, the mid-range model in the line of ConceptD monitors, built-in minimalist design, but it does not look budgetary either. Thin bezels on three sides fit into the proprietary Zero Frame concept. They do not distract attention while working. And they almost don’t cut the image in a multi-display configuration, if you put an additional monitor next to it.

A hardened aluminum stand with a wood-like base adds solubility to the device. Adjustment is provided for height, tilt, and swivel. If the workplace is not formatted, you can hang the screen on the VESA 100×100 mm mount. The back cover is made of matte plastic, which does not collect dust and prints. The controls were also placed there: a traditional joystick and a vertical row of buttons.

The set of connectors is standard, but it is sufficient for everyday scenarios. In the presence of a pair of HDMI, one DisplayPort, four USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A, and a headphone minijack. But the trendy USB Type-C port has not been provided. A pair of built-in 2-watt speakers will not replace a stereo system but will withstand simple requests.

Display

The monitor received a 27-inch Tilt IPS panel. It differs from classic solutions by a shorter response time: almost esports 2 ms (GTG). At the same time, the screen has approx. 90% coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut and is factory calibrated. The declared color accuracy is at Delta E <2. The panel backlight is uniform at different brightness values, with no highlights visible.

But the resolution raises questions: 1920×1080 pixels with such a diagonal is not the best option for work or gaming. However, there is a scenario where larger pixels would be a plus: launching AutoCAD and similar software. And the brightness is also 250 cd/m2 is far from the top figure by the standards of the professional segment. Of course, HDR support is only available on paper. Actually, for a noticeable implementation of the technology, you need a backlight twice as bright.

Fast Matrix and many Settings

There are no complaints about viewing angles: 178 degrees, which are standard for the IPS panel, are sufficient with a margin on both axes. The stand allows you to tilt, rotate and adjust the screen in the range of 120 mm, not to mention portrait orientation. The latter option is simply irreplaceable in some scenarios or when processing related content. The refresh rate is decent: 144 Hz in normal mode, and when overclocked – up to 165 Hz.

It will come in handy both in games and when interacting with video content.

The FHD monitor differs from the standard office model and not only by its design and extended color range. There is an important feature for a designer – support for 3D LUT tables. As a bonus, the proprietary Color Calibrator application is included, which allows you to create custom profiles for different tasks. Changing brightness and color temperature will take a few seconds, and you’ll have to tinker once with the initial preset. This is particularly useful if there are multiple users and each has a different scenario for using the screen.

For work but not fun

Eye protection functions are no less important for long-term work. ConceptD CP1271 has several of them at once. Flicker-free technology solves one of the main problems of LCD panels – backlight flickering. Traditional matrices use PWM to maintain a given brightness level. Simply put, the LEDs turn on and off very quickly, contributing to the accumulation of user fatigue. To reduce strain on vision, the manufacturer used a continuously turned backlight. So it was possible to achieve a uniform brightness on any brightness, which eliminates premature eye fatigue.

BlueLightShield technology, in turn, filters out the blue portion of the light spectrum, which is the most stressful to the eye.

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It is manually turned on in the monitor options, but it causes color distortions. When printing text, the preset can also be activated for the entire day. But when starting a graphical editor, it is easy to temporarily disable the filter. The Comfyview anti-glare coating complements the list of useful features.

In practice, the ConceptD CP1271 is a mixed bag based on the scenario. The CAD / CAM software is the best for the model. In fact, only when working with it does the screen justify the slightest resolution stretched over a large diagonal. You can also work in Photoshop if you move away from the display. In-game scenarios, there are nuances. eSports disciplines are one thing, where high fps is more important than a beautiful picture. And a completely different thing – single-user AAA hits, in which the stairs of pixels are clearly visible in Full HD resolution on a 27-inch panel.

Final line

The monitor turned out to be ambiguous. In our Acer ConceptD CP1 CP1271 review approach, the most controversial design decision is the use of an FHD panel in a 27-inch device. There are also questions about insufficient high brightness. Although the color gamut is wider than that of office options, it still loses to professional screens for working with HDR content.

On the other hand, the FHD monitor attracts a combination of price and features. It has been priced at $299.99 and can be purchased via the Amazon.com and Bhphotovideo.com websites. The ConceptD CP1271 is mainly suitable for CAD users who need portrait orientation and large diagonals.

The monitor will cope with the color correction of videos for YouTube, as well as tasks that do not require prohibitive line accuracy. In the end, you won’t be left without entertainment: high Hz, low response, and full HD resolution will allow you to relax after a hard day – the game is running as they need it. Again, one cannot fail to note good color reproduction right out of the box. The display looks crisp, but not budgetary, which will certainly be appreciated by opponents of fanciful screens hung with RGB garlands.

If you are looking for a gaming monitor, then we have the Predator X34 GS gaming monitor from Acer itself, it is an ultrawide curved gaming monitor with serious features for gamers has a 34-inch screen with overclocking, expressive design, 180Hz refresh rate … to know more about this please follow this Acer Predator X34 GS review link.