Image: Acer
It ain’t easy to find a deal on a gaming monitor, particularly if you want one that has a quality IPS panel. But today, Acer (via its official branded eBay store) is offering just such a deal: a refurbished 27-inch 1440p 240Hz gaming monitor, with that crucial IPS tech, for just $178.99. That’s over $100 off the retail price.
That refurbished status is presumably what’s driving this hefty discount, and you’d be right to be wary. But considering that this is coming directly from the manufacturer with a two-year warranty included (Allstate, so not amazing but better than the usual 90-day fare), I’d say this still qualifies as a bargain—and a pretty good one at that.
Finding a fast IPS panel in this category is pretty tricky on a budget. But with it, you’re getting better color accuracy and viewing angles than with a cheaper VA design, which is what you usually see on gaming monitors. I insist on an IPS panel for myself, since I’m often doing photo editing on the same screens as I game on.
Beyond the panel, impressive 240Hz speed, and 2560×1440 resolution, this monitor doesn’t get many extras. There’s no RGB lighting, though it does have some built-in speakers that I’m going to beg you not to actually use. At least it has a standard VESA mount, so you can add on a monitor arm. That also makes this great for a multi-monitor setup—a good companion to, say, a primary OLED gaming monitor.
The stock for this deal will be limited by how many refurb monitors Acer has lying around. If it goes out of stock, be sure to check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best monitors on the market.
Get Acer’s 27-inch 1440p 240Hz IPS monitor for only $179
Author: Michael Crider, Staff Writer, PCWorld
Michael is a 10-year veteran of technology journalism, covering everything from Apple to ZTE. On PCWorld he’s the resident keyboard nut, always using a new one for a review and building a new mechanical board or expanding his desktop “battlestation” in his off hours. Michael’s previous bylines include Android Police, Digital Trends, Wired, Lifehacker, and How-To Geek, and he’s covered events like CES and Mobile World Congress live. Michael lives in Pennsylvania where he’s always looking forward to his next kayaking trip.