CONS

• Unusually frustrating OSD controls
• Ergonomic features limited to tilt adjustment

MSI MODERN MD271UL SPECS

The MSI Modern MD271UL is a 27-inch productivity monitor priced at offering a 4K resolution. The IPS screen is bright, surpassing the contrast ratio specified by MSI. It provides full sRGB coverage and good coverage of Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 color gamuts. Despite limited ergonomic adjustments and a frustrating OSD control system, the MD271UL is a budget-friendly 4K panel worth considering, especially with the current price reduction to  by both MSI and.

Useful Ports and Features

The dimensions of the Modern MD271UL are 18.6 by 24.2 by 7.8 inches, and it has a weight of 12.7 pounds. Its design exudes a sense of simple elegance. The stand, made of silver-colored metal, is crafted as a single piece, with a square-shaped base extending towards the user. The upper part of the stand inclines upwards and slightly forwards, connecting seamlessly with the back of the chassis.

The display panel features minimal bezels on three sides, with the bottom bezel extending slightly more than half an inch downwards. Its sleek iron gray finish is adorned with various “stealth” icons, which will be elaborated on shortly. With a 27-inch antiglare screen boasting a pixel density of 163 pixels per inch (ppi), users can expect a crisp image quality with the right input. This pixel density, in combination with extensive color gamut and high contrast, positions the MD271UL as a viable budget-friendly option for graphic design and video editing tasks. Being an IPS panel, it offers wide viewing angles of up to 178 degrees both vertically and horizontally, ensuring consistent color accuracy and brightness even when viewed from the sides or above.

The ports of the monitor are located at the rear, positioned outward. They can be conveniently accessed, although you will need to either position yourself behind the screen or rotate it to face away from you. The monitor is compact and lightweight, making it effortless for the majority of individuals to perform the latter action.

The device is equipped with two HDMI 2.0b ports, a DisplayPort 1.2a connector, and a USB-C port that is compatible with DisplayPort over USB Alternate Mode. Additionally, the USB-C port supports up to 65 watts of USB Power Delivery (PD), providing sufficient power to charge a laptop when connected. Furthermore, there is a headphone jack and a socket for the monitor’s external power brick located at the back of the device.

A Control System That Borders on Chaos

MSI made a few concessions to maintain a lower price for the MD271UL. The stand only allows for tilt adjustment, with the ability to tilt the screen up to 5 degrees towards or 20 degrees away from the user. Additionally, the onscreen display controls are limited to four small buttons located on the bottom edge of the monitor, positioned to the left of the power button. While many monitors have transitioned to a four-way mini joystick controller with a central button for OSD controls, I personally find this setup to be more user-friendly.

The MD271UL’s button system proved to be quite cumbersome, even among similar systems. Located in the bottom right corner of the main OSD menu are three small diagrams illustrating the four buttons and their respective functions. In the first diagram (labeled Exit), the leftmost button is illuminated, while in the second diagram (labeled Move), the middle two buttons are illuminated. Lastly, in the third diagram (labeled Enter), the rightmost button is illuminated. Identifying the buttons by touch alone was often a challenge. Furthermore, I accidentally pressed the actual rightmost (fifth) button on several occasions, inadvertently turning off the monitor.

It was not until my second day of testing that I discovered the presence of icons for the four control buttons on the front bezel. The poor contrast between the icons and the gray finish of the bezel made them visible only at specific angles under certain lighting conditions. Despite aiding in quicker navigation through the OSD menus, due to the initial difficulties I faced, I would consider the menu system of the Modern MD271UL to be one of the most frustrating I have come across in recent years.

Testing the MSI Modern MD271UL: A Pleasant SurpriseI evaluated the brightness, contrast, and color accuracy of the MSI MD271UL by utilizing our standard testing equipment: a Klein K-10A colorimeter, a Murideo Six-G signal generator, and the Portrait Displays Calman 5 calibration software. According to MSI, the monitor has an average luminance of 300 nits and a peak brightness of 400 nits. During testing, it exceeded the peak brightness slightly, measuring at 408 nits. This level of brightness is more than sufficient for various business tasks, including photo and video editing, as well as gaming, even in well-lit environments. The contrast ratio of the display reached a peak of 1,232:1, which is significantly higher than the advertised 1,000:1 ratio.

As depicted in the chromaticity chart above, the Modern monitor fully covers the sRGB spectrum with additional room. The data points indicate our measurements, while the triangle symbolizes the sRGB space. All points lie outside the triangle, as do the lines connecting them on each side, demonstrating complete (100%) coverage. Our measurement of chromaticity is based on the percentage of total coverage, whereas MSI evaluates the monitor’s coverage based on area, encompassing points beyond the triangle. Consequently, MSI asserts a 139% sRGB coverage. Despite the differing approaches, both methods are considered valid.

During our evaluation of alternative color schemes, the MD271UL managed to encompass 89.5% of the Adobe RGB color gamut and 95.4% of DCI-P3. Although falling slightly below MSI’s stated 95% and 99% figures, these results are still commendable for a budget-friendly panel.

Apart from our formal testing procedures, we also conduct subjective evaluations on a monitor’s performance in rendering photos and video clips. Upon reviewing samples from our photo test suite, I observed that the images appeared vibrant, with vivid colors, and the panel displayed excellent renditions of both dark and light areas. Various videos also appeared striking and vivid, showcasing clear shadow details and a good dynamic range.

Verdict: A 27-Inch 4K Bargain…But MSI, Ditch Those Buttons

The MSI Modern MD271UL is a 27-inch 4K display that comes at an affordable price. It boasts a delightful brightness, above-average contrast, and impressive color coverage, particularly in sRGB. While it lacks extensive ergonomic adjustments and a better OSD control system, it remains a strong performer and a great value for a budget-friendly 4K panel.