Overview: The Philips Creator Collection is a splurge-worthy 4K monitor

Desk of Contents

For those who requested me a 12 months in the past if I used to be choosy about exterior displays, I most likely would’ve laughed. My pre-owned 27-inch iMac served me properly for practically a decade, and I used to be happy with my desk setup. That’s, till my new job despatched me a 34-inch curved ultra-wide monitor together with my firm laptop computer. It was an absolute behemoth, laughably giant within the tiny dwelling workplace I share with my accomplice, however — after leaving that job and changing my iMac with a brand new Macbook Air — it left a gaping gap on my desk that I knew I wanted to fill.

The lads on the Finest Purchase return counter can let you know that I began with an enormous mistake: a 31-inch full HD monitor that I assumed could be completely effective, solely to find that after you go 4K, you’ll be able to’t return. My subsequent step was a 32-inch Samsung M7 Sensible Monitor, which supplied a 4K UHD decision and a number of good options that rework this exterior monitor right into a tv. However as a lot as I really like my Samsung, once I was requested to check the Philips Creator Collection 27-inch 4K UHD Monitor, I knew I couldn’t go up the chance.

Philips Creator Collection 27E2F7901 value and specs

The Philips Creator Collection monitor has an MSRP of $499.99, however we have seen it drop between $329 and $399 on sale.

Some notable specs:

• 27-inch 4K UHD show

• USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, DisplayPort

• 400 nits brightness

First impressions of the Philips Creator Collection 27-inch 4K UHD Monitor

I’ve unboxed 4 displays up to now eight months, and the Philips’ Creator Collection Monitor is firmly tied for first with my Samsung M7 when it comes to first impressions. The packaging was modern and handy, the directions have been simple to comply with, and I had my new monitor up and working inside minutes. The monitor itself is beautiful, with a modern silver body mounted on a sturdy metallic base, and it boasts a number of connection choices, together with USB-C, HDMI, and DisplayPort.

Much more spectacular, the Philips Creator Collection features a built-in KVM swap, that means you’ll be able to see and work together with content material from two computer systems on the identical time with a single monitor, keyboard, and mouse. This 4K monitor additionally has a DisplayPort that helps daisy chaining. Translation? In case your pc additionally helps daisy chaining, you’ll be able to plug it immediately into this monitor and use the DisplayPort to seamlessly prolong your show onto further displays.

What I really like about this monitor: Adjustable orientation

Considered one of my favourite options about this monitor took my abruptly: The ergonomic, adjustable base that provides top adjustment, tilt, and swivel. It may not sound like a lot, however the skill to regulate the monitor with a single contact was an unbelievable function that I used greater than I assumed I might — particularly the power to rotate the monitor fully right into a portrait orientation.

The adjustable base.
Credit score: RJ Andersen / Mashable

As soon as I found out learn how to rotate the monitor’s display inside my MacBook’s settings, I used to be stunned to find that I most popular this orientation. I had inadvertently created the proper second display to carry extra of my “static” packages like my every day to-do record, calendar, Spotify, and Discord. Particularly with my multi-screen setup, I beloved having the choice to rotate the Philips to behave as both a useful important show or a secondary vertical monitor. Together with the brightness and crisp 4K show, the Creator Collection feels futuristic and funky. 

The Philips monitor in portrait orientation.
Credit score: RJ Andersen / Mashable

What I did not like about this monitor: Daisy chaining a number of displays

Honestly, with a monitor like this, there isn’t lots to dislike. It’s fairly a bit pricier than your customary 27-inch monitor, even when evaluating it with different 4K UHD fashions. It additionally retails for $100 greater than my 32-inch Samsung M7 Sensible Monitor. The refresh charge can be a bit low at solely 60 Hz, so it’s not going to be the greatest gaming monitor when velocity is on the road. It ought to work for informal avid gamers, but it surely actually will depend on your private choice.

The one different situation I had with this monitor was the DisplayPort out performance to daisy chain a number of displays collectively. Whereas this monitor is incredible for Mac customers, my M2 MacBook Air doesn’t assist daisy chaining, which implies I wasn’t capable of check this performance absolutely. After a fast search by means of Reddit, I used to be capable of finding a workaround involving a DisplayLink port, however — as an off-the-cuff person — I didn’t actually wish to spend an additional $150 on a further adapter.

As a substitute, I caught with utilizing my MacBook Air as my important show, extending to the Philips by way of USB-C and lengthening to my Samsung monitor by way of Apple Play. It wasn’t the best answer, contemplating there was a big lag and high quality drop when casting from my MacBook to the Samsung monitor, but it surely was capable of give me a style of what it will be prefer to daisy chain the 2 displays collectively.

Is the Philips Creator Collection 27-Inch 4K UHD Monitor price it?

It will depend on how you propose to make use of it. For the informal person, I’d most likely advocate going for a less expensive possibility — you may get the same measurement 4K UHD monitor for a pair hundred {dollars} lower than this one, particularly should you anticipate an honest sale. Nevertheless, for inventive professionals who want the next stage of brightness and spectacular shade accuracy for his or her work, the Creator Collection is a great funding. And should you like the concept of a swivel display that may assist portrait orientation, otherwise you wish to make the most of the DisplayPort know-how to increase your displays, then it’s undoubtedly definitely worth the splurge.

After testing it out alone desktop, I can let you know that this 4K monitor delivers a really beautiful show that undoubtedly stands out in a crowded market.