There are various types of monitors depending on its use. Today, we have one of Acer Predator’s latest monitors in the market – Acer Predator XB273GX. It has superb gaming features and would also do great for multimedia or content creation thanks to its IPS type display panel. Could this be your next work and gaming monitor?

XB273GX

Packaging and Contents

Acer Predator XB273GX

The Acer Predator XB273GX is packaged in a box with eight pictograms indicating the key selling points of the monitor.

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On one of the sides, the primary technical characteristics are mentioned along with its serial number and batch number, date and place of production and other necessary information.

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The package consists of the following

  • DP Cable
  • Power cables
  • HDMI cable
  • USB Downstream
  • User’s Manual
  • Warranty Booklet

Acer Predator XB273GX Contents

Design

Looking at the monitor, it would seem like it follows the trend of most gaming brands with a relative difference on the stand and base. The body is made of plastic with a brush metal effect which makes it susceptible to scratches and is quite the fingerprint magnet.

The stand connects to a metallic base that securely holds the finished display panel. The base of the stand uses anti-slip rubber inserted on each end for better traction.

Acer Predator XB273GX Base

To connect the body, a quick-detachable mechanism is used for convenience. Thus not needing any tools for assembly or disassembly. Alternatively, there is support for VESA-compatible 100 x 100 mm brackets. Though one nice thing to note about the stand is the cable management system present exclusively here. This is formed by a hexagonal window on the central column.

 

Acer Predator XB273GX Cable Management System Acer Predator XB273GX Vesa Mount

Acer Predator XB273GX Ergonomics

The XB273GX can be moved in the following ways:

  1. Tilt from -5 to +20 degrees
  2. Rotate 20 degrees on both sides
  3. Height adjustment of about 115 mm

Acer Predator XB273GX Rotate Acer Predator XB273GX Ergonomics

For the ease of working with peripherals, the Acer Predator XB273GX comes with additional USB 3.0 connectors which are placed on the left of the monitor.

Acer Predator XB273GX USB 3.0

While the built-in speaker system is located behind the exhaust slots on the lower part of the monitor. It consists of two 2W speakers with decent sounds quality as long as the volume is not maxed out. Should you require louder audio, a headset or speakers are recommended.

Acer Predator XB273GX Speakers

 

Acer Predator XB273GX OSD Controls

Acer Predator XB273GX Joystick

The monitor is controlled by four physical buttons on the right-rear side of the monitor along with a joystick for ease of use. Pressing the joystick shows the on-screen display which consists of colour modes, brightness adjustment, signal source, and transition to the main menu.

The top two quick access keys can also be reassigned through a special section on the menu.

The OSD contents are what we feel to be necessary adjustments for most gaming models. The joystick control gives easier access to making things simplified in navigating the menu.

Acer Predator XB273GX OSD Menu

In the menu, there are multiple selections that you are able to go through.

Picture

Here you are able to adjust brightness and contrast, activate dynamic contrast, change the visibility of shadows (Black Boost), and lastly, make adjustments to the colour temperature with the BlueLight parameter. Activation of the HDR mode and Super Sharpness technology can also be done.

Colour

On the next section, the adjustment of colours is enabled through the selection of gamma and colour temperature modes. The adjustment of saturation colour settings with an additional black and white mode as well as the sRGB space emulation.

Volume

This section controls the built-in speaker system.

Gaming

The activation of the VRB (Visual Response Boost) or Adaptive-Sync technology (either Free-Sync or G-sync), as well as Ultra-Low Latency, is done on this section. There is also a setting wherein you are able to place a permanent aim sight on-screen.

OSD

The fourth section allows the adjustment of languages, transparency of the menu, and time until the menu vanishes or block it.

System

Acer Predator allows the alteration of DisplayPort versions on this last section. Here, the signal source may be changed or automatically detected along with where you are able to change the quick access, enable charging via the USB ports when there is no monitor signal.

All these changes can be saved on three different profiles just under the System section.

Acer Predator XB273GX Colour Accuracy

The Acer Predator XB273GX has a matte AHVA matrix produced by AU Optronics that eliminates glare from the user and at the simultaneously removes the crystalline effect. Here we check the accuracy of the monitor using the datacolor SpyderX pro.

Colour Space is important for monitors since this is where the production of colour ranges would be reflected. Out of the millions of colours that the naked eye is able to see, it would be perceived as the sRGB coverage. The 99% sRGB rating reflects that of most IPS monitors considering that this is marketed as a gaming monitor with key features like 240Hz display.

The AdobeRGB rating represents the achievable colours on CMYK printers, but by utilizing RGB primary colours on a device like a monitor. Here we see a 77% rating which is above average making it a good monitor for gaming and productivity. While the P3 gamut is a standard for digital cinema and reflects the accuracy of colours for multimedia reproduction based on the range produced by projectors found in movie theatres. Here, an 82% DCI-P3 is decent.

Acer Predator XB273GX Ports

Overall, the enjoyment of watching with great colours on a 27″ display is still there along with the great colour reproduction for a more immersive gaming experience thanks to the sRGB and aRGB ratings with performance being ensured with the input connections of either two HDMI 2.0 or DP1.2a. Of course, NVIDIA Gsync, only working on the latter. ACER has also added four USB 3.0 ports to work with peripherals  and a 3.5mm audio port output should it be necessary. If not, there is also a build in speaker system which is a standard 2x 2W speaker.

Conclusion

Despite the current push for higher resolution, the 1080p standard is still one of the most sought out monitor resolutions in the market. With the release of the Acer Predator XB273GX with its updated design on the stand, one of the faster panels along with amazing colour spaces and the support for two adaptive syncs, the Acer Predator XB273GX can be considered a success with all the features packed into it. Priced at ₱34,999, we feel that the price is considerably at the right range for a 240Hz with its colour range but would have been better if the resolution was 1440p as the colour density for at 27″ was quite low.

Acer Predator XB273GX Featured-1

Acer Predator XB273GX

PHP 34,999
8.4

Performance

8.0/10

Build Quality

8.5/10

Colour

9.0/10

Functionality

9.0/10

Value

7.5/10

Pros

  • VESA DisplayHDR 400
  • Convenient Joystick
  • Good colour reproduction
  • High-speed 240-Hz IPS-panel

Cons

  • Poor speaker system
  • Low availability and high price
  • Low pixel density