Cons

No extra contrast for HDR content

Needs calibration for best image

For decades, the shape of a monitor screen was dictated by the cathode ray tube. These ubiquitous devices were the main component of every video display starting in the 1930s and extended well into the personal computer era. The aspect ratio was 4:3, meaning the screen was wider than it was tall, but only by a little. One only needs to look at the history of cinema to see where that shape came from.

When the first desktop LCD panels appeared, they too were made in 4:3 aspect like a television. But from the outset, making them in any size and shape was possible. And thanks to the advent of high definition, we got the 16:9 aspect ratio that is still dominant today. But is that truly the ideal shape for the best computer monitors?

We’ve seen the rise of 21:9 and even 32:9 screens which are great for gaming or those who would otherwise use two monitors. But they lack vertical real estate. Users working on music scores or large graphics like posters always wish for more height. LG is the first company to answer that call. The DualUp 28MQ780 is the first monitor to be taller than it is wide, with a 16:18 aspect ratio and a 28-inch diagonal.

LG DualUp 28MQ780 Specs

I’ll get this out of the way right up front: the DualUp is not a gaming monitor, which we typically focus on. It runs at 60 Hz and does not have Adaptive-Sync. We’re checking it out here because it is the first of its kind. I can’t say whether or not this unusual form factor will become a trend, but it isn’t too hard to imagine use cases that would suit this monitor.

LG starts with one of its own IPS panels sporting a 2560×2880 resolution. LG terms it Square Double QHD (SDQHD). It’s equal to two 21-inch QHD monitors stacked on top of each another. Obviously, this eliminates a visible dividing line. The important statistic is the pixel density – 140ppi or slightly more than a 32-inch Ultra HD screen in a 16:9 aspect ratio. The DualUp’s picture is razor sharp.

There is no lack of color here with near-full coverage of the DCI-P3 gamut. I measured a healthy 95% in my tests with 104% coverage of sRGB in that picture mode. Also included is support for HDR10 signals. The HDR picture isn’t significantly better because there is no dynamic contrast or zone dimming in operation.

For getting work done, the 28MQ780 is an effective tool. Two HDMI, one DisplayPort and one USB Type-C input mean plenty of connection options. PBP allows up to two video sources to be displayed at once and a KVM feature means you can control two systems with a single keyboard and mouse.

Another unique feature is the stand. Rather than a traditional base/upright assembly, LG has included a high-quality articulating arm that clamps to a desktop. Its movement allows a wide variety of positions where you can move the monitor up and down, left and right or in and out. You can also tilt it forward or backward with a generous 25 degrees of motion. And the clamp means more room on your desk for other stuff.

With no frame of reference for a monitor like this, it’s hard to comment on value. But in terms of screen real estate, it delivers a lot of that for an opening price of $700, and you could probably bring that down with an LG promo code. This is a seriously cool piece of kit that I’m anxious to explore. Let’s take a look.

Assembly and Accessories

The DualUp 28MQ780 is essentially flat-packed, meaning you open the box on the large side to remove the contents. The arm is quite substantial and clamps easily to a desk or table. You’ll need an overhang of at least 3.7 inches to fully engage the clamp, which can open to accommodate 2.9 inches maximum thickness. Alternatively, you can cut a hole in the desk to feed the top half of the clamp through. The panel has a 100 mm VESA mount with fasteners included if you’d rather use your own arm or wall bracket.

Once I had the stand secured to my table, the panel snapped in place. The power supply is external and comes with an extra extension cord to increase flexibility. You also get HDMI and USB-C cables, but no DisplayPort cable. Once you connect everything, the cables can be fed through the stationary part of the arm and hidden behind a snap-on cover.

Product 360

There is little doubt that the DualUp will be a conversation piece wherever it’s installed. It looks unique and is rather imposing in its size. The panel towers over the user when the arm is raised. I found it most comfortable to have the screen just above the desktop surface at a vertical position. If you need some height, the panel can tilt 25 degrees forward or backward. The height range is just under five inches. You can also rotate the arm almost 360 degrees in either direction. And you can move the panel towards or away from you 7.4 inches using the arm’s articulation. Movements are firm with no extra play. The arm is as good as the best aftermarket products I’ve experienced. You can also rotate the panel 90 degrees to landscape mode. An Allen key is included to adjust the arm’s tension.

The panel is slim at just 1.7 inches, or about one inch less than most panels between 27- and 32-inches diagonal. It would be a great candidate for wall mounting if the inputs weren’t rear-facing. That’s great for stand hookups, but a wall bracket will need to provide some extra clearance.

The screen has a standard 3H hardness anti-glare layer in front with a slim flush bezel of 9mm around the top and sides and 12mm on the bottom. Reach under the very center of the panel to find the OSD joystick. This is the one and only control. Given the possible uses for this large panel, a handheld remote would be a welcome addition. There are no extra USB ports on the sides.

The input panel is stocked with two HDMI 2.0 ports, a DisplayPort 1.4 and a USB-C input. You also get one USB 3.0 upstream and two downstream ports. The OSD sports a KVM feature that lets you control two systems with a single keyboard and mouse. The USB-C port also provides up to 90 watts to charge or power a laptop. For sound, there is a 3.5 mm audio jack on the back and built-in 7W speakers with Maxx Audio tuning. They play clear and loud in the midrange frequencies.

OSD Features

The DualUp’s OSD will be familiar to LG monitor users. It appears in a vertical form on the right side of the screen and cannot be moved or otherwise modified. Five sub-menus cover a wide variety of options and functions. To summon it, press the joystick once, then click it left.