Review: Asus’ $12,999 ProArt PA32KCX 32” 8K Display – Australian Photo

In a world where we consume most of our visual media on small, glossy, 4-inch screens, the ASUS ProArt Display PA32KCX is a shining contrast.

This 32-inch, 8K Mini LED monitor is more than just a display – it’s a professional magnifying glass that forces a new level of appreciation for your favorite hi-res photos.

The crisp, unblemished detail you can see at a native resolution of 7680 x 4320 at a mind-boggling 275 ppi is simply amazing.

Real time

The real time for any image will be revealed in Lightroom. At first I opened the latest portfolio image saved at 1920px and pressed ‘F’ for full screen – and I was very disappointed.

“If only I had saved all my pictures in 8K,” I said to myself.

My file, saved at 1920px at the once-honored 220dpi, looked as small as if it were on the iPad. This disappointment forced me to delve into my archives and I recently shot some 48MP images to see what the original RAWs looked like, and I was blown away by the incredible detail.

Now I could zoom in on pictures and see complex details that I didn’t understand. You can replay the moments as if you were there with this screenshot.

Ahhh – nice ‘matte-ness’

However, another ‘wow’ factor isn’t just the pixel count – it’s also the lack of focus.

The screen is perfect, very matte.

Unlike the mirror-like finish of Apple’s standard display, which doubles as a makeup mirror, the PA32KCX simply absorbs light. I waved my phone’s flashlight directly at the panel, and the usually bright light was muted to a dim, forgotten glow.

This is due to ASUS’s LuxPixel technology, which combines anti-glare, low-reflection (AGLR) technology with ‘Eye Care’ technology. The monitor ships with a large hood, but honestly, the face of the screen is so amazing at rejecting light nearby that the hood feels like a bonus, not a necessity.

Even after a full day of pixel looking, and general use, I didn’t feel any such ‘pixel overload’ or eye strain. This monitor is exceptionally easy on the eyes and I might even say ‘relaxing to look at’.

Underneath this experience is a tablet aimed at those who want the best. This 32-inch 10-bit panel is a Mini LED powerhouse with 4032 dimming points, 1200 keys of high brightness, and VESA DisplayHDR 1000 certification.

Color reproduction is excellent, covering 97% of the DCI-P3 and 95% of the Adobe RGB gamuts with a factory-measured Delta E of less than 1.

Thumb-stick navigation is straightforward, with limited integration with My Mac controls. The standard out of the box was so good that I didn’t need to touch anything, but I pushed the brightness from a good level of 240 to 400 (max) to see what it could do – and I almost burned my eyes.

For anyone who needs an outdoor HDR monitor, this one will definitely hold its own against the harshest light.

If you feel the need to calibrate the monitor, there is a built-in colorimeter that drops down for automatic calibration. I’ve always hated the whole calibration thing, so this is a godsend.

Outside and ports

The tester arrives in a box big enough for at least eight cats, but set up is surprisingly easy. The heavy-duty work surface makes height, tilt and pivot adjustments a breeze, and the nearly invisible bezels on three sides make for a sleek, modern look.

However, although the screen itself is a clear hero, for about $ 13,000, it would have been nice to see an aluminum finish similar to Apple’s high-end offerings.

Connectivity is future-proof, with dual Thunderbolt 4 (96W power delivery), dual HDMI 2.1, and DisplayPort 2.1. It even allows picture-in-picture modes from four different 4K sources simultaneously.

Is this for everyone?

Let’s address the two elephants in the room. First, the 60Hz refresh rate. Yes, the players have been complaining. But this isn’t really a gaming monitor – pushing 8K pixels around in a game is overkill, especially where conventional graphics cards may find it difficult to keep up with the game.

For its intended audience – photographers and modern video production professionals – 60Hz is perfectly adequate.

If you’re looking for a similar-sized gaming monitor that doubles as a high-end post-production monitor, I recommend checking out the 32” 4K ASUS ProArt Display OLED PA32UCDM with an amazing 240Hz refresh rate.

The second issue is more practical: running at native 8K makes the UI components of your operating system much smaller. Keeping the options and palettes open, you’ll run your OS in vivid (like 4K), while giving your creative use the full 8K canvas. However, image and text details look good at this resolution.

The end

The ProArt PA32KCX is an uncompromising device. It’s not just an upgrade – it’s an investment that requires you to upgrade your entire operation to match it. It is a truly amazing piece of engineering. I love this viewer.

My only real problem? I’m already dreading the day ASUS asks for this review unit again. I hope they forget!

Details

• 32-inch 8K UHD (7680 x 4320) adopts 4032-zone local dimming mini LED backlight with LuxPixel AGLR IPS 178° wide viewing angle panel.
• High brightness of 1200 nits and 1000 points of constant full-screen brightness for exceptional color contrast.
• True 10-bit depth and Quantum Dot technology provides 100% sRGB, 99% Adobe RGB, 97% DCI-P3 and Rec. 2020 color gamut, along with industry-leading Delta E
• The built-in colorimeter supports Self / Auto calibration, as well as Calman and Light Illusion ColorSpace CMS professional calibration software.
• Support for multiple HDR formats, including Dolby Vision, HLG and HDR10.
• Light Sync solution supports Ambient Light Sensor and Backlight Sensor for reliable color performance from the start.
• Built-in Auto KVM allows easy switching between two connected laptops or PCs with a single keyboard and mouse.
• Dual Thunderbolt 4 up to 96W Power Delivery, HDMI2.1, DisplayPort2.1, and built-in USB Hub.
• Ergonomic design with tilt, swivel, pivot and height adjustments for a comfortable viewing experience.