Asus goes to the Apple monitor with its new ProArt monitor

Asus has unveiled a new ProArt display, a high-end monitor designed for business users. The company claims that the PA32UCG is the world's first professional 4K display capable of combining a maximum brightness of 1600 nits and a variable refresh rate of 120 Hz. These specifications, together with a variety of HDR media, put the screen in direct competition with Apple, which has announced its own screen for business users, the XDR Pro Display, earlier this year.

In terms of specifications, the Asus screen compares well with that of Apple, although their strengths are different. Both have a size of 32 inches and a maximum brightness of 1600 nits, but the Apple screen resolution is greater than 6K compared to 4K on the Asus model. However, the ProArt PA32UCG has a higher refresh rate: while the Apple Pro Display XDR exceeds 60 Hz, the Asus model goes up to 120 Hz and is equipped with a technology of variable refresh rate which can vary between 48Hz and 120Hz.

Asus also insists on the HDR capabilities of its ProArt screen. The company claims to have 1,152 individual LED backlights to achieve precise contrast between light and dark areas of an image. It also supports the three main HDR standards (HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision). The 10-bit display is also capable of supporting DCI-P3 and Rec. 2020 color spaces. Asus explains that each monitor is subjected to a three-level factory pre-calibration process. Monitor colors should be as accurate as possible when they arrive.

Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge

Finally, the monitor is equipped with two Thunderbolt 3 ports, a DisplayPort port, three HDMI ports and a built-in USB hub.

Asus did not announce a prize at its IFA 2019 conference, but announced plans to send the ProArt Display PA32UCG in the first quarter of next year. To date, it's unclear whether Apple's $ 4,999 display (and $ 999 support) will be available. The latest Asus monitor is part of a family of four professionals, including the 21.6-inch PQ22UC, the 27-inch PA27UCX and the 32-inch PA32UCX.