We’re starting to see monitors available now with built-in USB Type-C connections, whether it be for charging or video output, or both. This makes connecting laptops or tablets to these monitors a lot easier as they can utilize a USB Type-C cable for both charging and video. It’s great to see manufacturers embrace this, such as is the case with the Monoprice 27-inch CrystalPro Monitor (Product # 44522). This is a 4K IPS monitor with HDMI, DisplayPort, and a 65W USB Type-C port for charging and video.
DESIGN
The Monoprice 27-inch CrystalPro Monitor is fairly basic in design. Nothing particularly stands out about it. It looks like every other nondescript office monitor out there with its all-black casing and the only thing that really stands out is the thin bezels.
On the back of the monitor, it’s pretty plain too with no additional lighting or any hint of color accents. Instead, all you get is a little joystick button combo to control the monitor and ports consisting of 1xHDMI, 1xDisplayPort, 1xType-C, 1xUSB-B, 2xUSB-A, and an AUX port. The inclusion of the USB-B port is interesting as we don’t really see much of those these days.
As for the stand, it has a small circular base and allows the monitor to be swiveled, tilted, and rotated. It is also height-adjustable.
SPECS
While the Monoprice 27-inch CrystalPro Monitor may not look very exciting, the specs are worth noticing.
- 4K UHD 3840x2160p resolution for crisp and detailed visuals
- IPS panel with great color saturation with sRGB at 100% and DCI‑P3 at 95% for lifelike image quality
- Power delivery of 65W via USB Type‑C cable to charge your laptop and reduce cable clutter
- Height, tilt, and swivel adjustable stand for customizable viewing angles and ergonomic comfort
- VESA compliance mount setting of 100mm x 100mm for easy mounting options
While not specifically mentioned, the USB Type-C connection does indeed support video. Also not stated is the fact that there are speakers built-in to the monitor, but they aren’t the greatest. They work if you have nothing else but I suggest picking up some better speakers.
EXPERIENCE
For my particular setup, we are using a DisplayPort connection mainly because the Monoprice 27-inch CrystalPro Monitor is being used as a second display on my desktop gaming PC setup. Since this won’t be my main monitor for gaming, I don’t mind that it only has a 60Hz refresh rate and the 4K resolution makes up for that. The higher resolution means I can fit more apps on the screen at once while still retaining a very clear picture. For my setup, I mainly use the second monitor for apps like Discord, SteelSeries Sonar, Firefox, etc.
Of course I also tested this out with my MacBook Air with a USB Type-C connection and that’s why I know that the USB Type-C port on here works for video. Again, it never stated it anywhere in the documentation or specs, but it does. This monitor works great for those who have laptops that they take to and from work and want to connect it to a second monitor with just one cable. This way it outputs video and charges with the 65W port.
Overall, I’m really liking the monitor. The image is really crisp and bright and I like that the base is relatively small.
FINAL THOUGHTS
At first, I didn’t think I would like the Monoprice 27-inch CrystalPro Monitor as much as I did. For starters, the looks weren’t very exciting and while the specs were decent, I wasn’t too sure about what the USB Type-C port actually did aside from being a 65W charging port. I was pleasantly surprised that it did more than advertised along with having built-in speakers.
With that said, this makes for a really good 4K monitor at this size and the included USB Type-C port means another connection option, making this a really versatile monitor.
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