BenQ’s latest MoonHalo monitor combines 120Hz refresh rate with 3:2 aspect ratio for cozy comfort

Last year, I spent some time testing BenQ’s 4K 32-inch Ergo Arm Programming Monitor with MoonHalo and found it especially easy on the eyes, comfort-wise. Now BenQ is back with a new take on the coder’s (or writer’s) ideal display. Two specs make the new BenQ RD280UG shine.

First, the 3:2 aspect ratio makes the 28-inch 4K display feel more comfortable in portrait orientation compared to 16:9. It’s a monitor primarily designed for reading and writing text.

For writers and coders, the 3:2 aspect ratio is the “Goldilocks” zone. You get significantly more vertical lines of text without the monitor feeling physically overwhelming in a small space.

It comes with a great adjustable-height stand that supports easy rotation, and the brown cable management snap adds a nice touch to the well-designed display. Thin bezels along the top and either side make it feel very modern.

Second, 120Hz refresh rate is a big improvement over 60Hz when scrolling text or casually gaming. While fine for static text, 60Hz feels “choppy” once you’re used to ProMotion on a MacBook Pro or the snappy response of the iPad Pro.

We’re still waiting for Apple to dive into the world of 120Hz external displays. In the meantime, my M4 MacBook Air appreciates the upgraded smoothness when driving this monitor. On the RD280UG, flicking through long documents or Slack channels is fluid. The Mac picked up the 120Hz signal immediately over the single USB-C cable (which also provides 90W PD to keep the laptop charged).

The RD280UG connects to the BenQ 5K PD2730S over USB-C. One Thunderbolt cable connects my MacBook Air to the 5K 27-inch display, and another connects the 4K 28-inch monitor to the 5K 27-inch monitor. No need for a separate power adapter to charge my Mac, and the M4 chip allows using the MacBook Air display simultaneously with both external displays — no clamshell mode required.

When using the dedicated Coding Mode, the 2000:1 contrast ratio delivers deep blacks that make dark mode genuinely help with focus during late-night sessions.

Similar to the 32-inch, the Nano Matte Panel is incredible at diffusing reflections, making it ideal for use in both light and dark environments. It also features an ultra low brightness mode for maximizing comfort at night.

Paper Color Mode mimics an e-reader. It’s a nice relief for the eyes when working with text. MoonHalo 2.0 is still the best “integrated” bias lighting. It syncs with your display brightness and can be controlled via the Display Pilot 2 software on macOS.

The RD280UG ($699.99, reg. $759.99) is a massive upgrade in smoothness and shape. The 3:2 ratio feels cozy, and the 120Hz refresh rate adds visual comfort that even Apple hasn’t brought to standalone displays. Find it on Amazon and the BenQ online store.

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