Acer has launched a variety of gaming-related product under its new Predator Gaming Series. Among them are two monitors, one is a curved, 200Hz display whilst the other is designed for multi-monitor setups in mind.
The Acer Predator Z35 is a huge 35-inch monitor, with an aspect ratio of 21:9 and a 2560 x 1080 resolution. Boasting up to 200 Hz refresh rate and incorporates NVDIA’s G-Sync technology, the monitor attempts to reduce as much screen lag as possible, and eliminating screen tearing effects that is usually tackled by games itself (read: V-Sync) on the monitor side. The impressive 200Hz refresh rate is achieved by a one button overclock. Yes, you can now overclock a monitor. Normal refresh rate is 144Hz, which is still impressive.
With our limited hands-on (or rather, eyes-on) time, a few features includes adjustable brightness and saturaion that can be saved in multiple profiles, refresh rate benchmarking, and an array of Input/Outputs (One HDMI port, one DisplayPort, and four USB 3.0 ports). The Z35 also has a built-in speaker. The monitor has no problem displaying Counter-Strike: Global Offensive smoothly, and the sounds of gunfire has some oomph to it.
The Predator XB1 is not a curved display, but still packed with punches. It’s a 28-inch display can display up to 4K (3840 x 2160) screen resolution in widescreen (16:9). Design-wise, it’s “zero bezels” (not actually zero, just really, really thin) helps make a multi-monitor setup even more immersive, as there are smaller dead spots due to the bezels in between the monitors.
During our test run with a driving simulator running Assetto Corsa, the three-monitor setup is more than enough. All the HUD elements, including telemtetry data are all placed to one side of the monitor, just filling up about 50% of the screen estate, so there’s still plenty of room to view each side. Unfortunately, as the simulator did not use the newly unveiled desktop, what we see isn’t Assetto Corsa at its highest graphical settings, which would have been a greater showcase for their desktop solution (more on that later). But the simulator-purposely setup for the press demonstration, had some crazy force feedback on it, which is a cool showcase.
The Predator Z35 starts at RM3,999 whilst the Predator XB1 is retailing at RM2,599. For the price, do you think these monitors worth buying? What features do you want to see in a gaming monitor? Sound off in the comments below.
