Lenovo
Lenovo is gearing up to launch a pair of Mini LED monitors that are cheaper than its current Mini LED offering, but don’t skimp on features. 4K USB-C displays deliver up to 140W over USB-C, the most extreme power spec we’ve ever seen in a monitor.
Both the 27-inch ThinkVision P27pz-30 and 31.5-inch P32pz-30 have a USB4 port supporting up to 40Gbps of data and video and up to 140W. Powered USB-C monitors are popular with many types of users, from Mac users without HDMI or DisplayPort to Windows users looking for a simplified setup with an ultralight PC. Monitors like Apple Studio screen (up to 96W), HP E242d G4 (up to 100W), and Lenovo’s first Mini LED monitor the ThinkVision Creator Extreme (up to 90W), have enough juice to satisfy powerful thin-and-light systems, but at 140W, creatives and others can consider workstation-level systems.
Lenovo’s announcement says each of its upcoming Mini LED monitors can support up to two daisy-chained 4K monitors. The monitors also have another USB-C port offering 15W of power for small devices, like smartphones.
The port selection is rounded out with a pair of HDMI 2.1 ports, a DisplayPort 1.4 input and output, four USB-A (3.2 Gen 2) ports and an RJ45 port.
The monitors also have a presence detection sensor at the bottom, so they can automatically lock the system when you’re not nearby.
Lenovo
Like the ThinkVision Creator Extreme Lenovo first unveiled in 2020, the P27pz-30 and P32pz-30 are IPS monitors with 1,152 dimming zones each. This should allow for more detailed contrast levels than your typical LCD-LED screens and less bloom when it comes to white content on dark backgrounds.
Upcoming displays claim a typical brightness of 600 nits but claim to reach up to 1,200 nits. They have VESA’s DisplayHDR 1000 certification and also support HDR10 and HLG formats.
Color coverage is near maximum for the most common color spaces. The 27-inch Mini LED claims 99% DCI-P3, 100% sRGB, 99% Adobe RGB, 100% BT.709, and 80.5% BT.2020. The 31.5-inch version has almost the same color gamut but with 98% DCI-P3 coverage. Refresh rates for 4K displays are up to 60Hz.
Both monitors come out in August. Lenovo said it expects the 31.5-inch one to cost $1,599. Pricing for the 27-inch monitor will come later, the seller said, but in Europe it will cost 1,699 euros. That’s a significant price drop expected from Lenovo’s ThinkVision Creator Extreme, which is currently on the way for $2,399.
Mini LED monitors also have a light sensor, which allows them to adjust the brightness according to the ambient lighting.
Lenovo
Contrast levels, meanwhile, are slightly lower than ThinkVision Creator Extreme’s claims (1,000:1 each vs. 1,100:1). Additionally, the new Mini LED monitors feature a new type of high-end LCD-LED panel to compete with: Black IPS. Launched this year, IPS Black claims up to twice the contrast of standard IPS monitors, and the supporting products look like strong competition for the new Mini LED displays. For example, the 27 inch Dell UltraSharp U2723QE we tested a recorded contrast of 1,873:1, while we saw 1,860:1 in our Dell UltraSharp U3223QZ Review. However, these Dell monitors fall far short of the intense highlights that the 1,200 nit HDR capability of Lenovo monitors claims to deliver.
Like other Mini LED desktop monitors, the ThinkVision P27pz-30 and P32pz-30 look like intriguing options for power users looking for a potential improvement in image quality over typical LCDs, but with prices and brightness limitations less intense than OLED monitors. With Mini LED backlighting, Lenovo’s new displays may also be able to avoid the blooming effect that tends to plague LCD-LED displays.
Mini LED monitors are expected to be cheaper than OLED monitors, but they have become even cheaper lately. Close competitor today, Asus ProArt PA32UCR-K Display The 32 inch Mini LED monitor has only 576 zones and supports up to 80W of power. It currently has an MSRP of $1,499.
Lenovo’s new Mini LED monitors offer more dimming zones and power at similar price points. Lenovo said it expects the 31.5-inch one to cost $1,599. Pricing for the 27-inch monitor will come later, the seller said, but in Europe it will cost 1,699 euros.
We watched drop in Mini LED prices all year. With the CES Technology Show next month, we may soon know more about the availability of Mini LED for the new year.