“The LG DualUp’s odd aspect ratio makes it a wonderful secondary monitor.”
Pros
- Unique shape
- Great for multitasking
- Wide color space
- Excellent color calibration
- Comes with an arm desk mount
Cons
- Mediocre contrast and black levels
- Windows 11 Snap Layouts support may very well be higher
Having a secondary monitor flipped vertically is an answer increasingly persons are trying out. That’s the precise setup the LG DualUp thrives in, despite being a monitor unlike every other that exists.
Its odd, 16:18 aspect ratio makes it a surprisingly effective secondary monitor. It’s not a display without some eccentricities though, making it more of a luxury item than something most monitor buyers should consider. But for the proper person, this might be the monitor they’ve all the time wished existed.
LG DualUp specs
| Screen size | 27.6 inches (diagonal) |
| Panel type | IPS |
| Resolution | 2560 x 2880 (16:18) |
| Peak brightness | 300 nits |
| HDR | Yes (HDR10+) |
| Response time | 5ms GtG |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz |
| Curve | None |
| Speakers | Yes (MaxxAudio) |
| Inputs | 2x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort 1.4 |
| USB ports | 1x USB-C (90W PD), 2x USB-A 3.0 (downstream) |
| Adjustments | Tilt/Height/Swivel/Pivot/Extend/Retract |
| USB-C charging power | 90W |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 481.5 x 549.5 x 44.9 mm |
| List price | $700 |
Not quite a square
Nobody wants to make use of a vertical screen while writing emails or running spreadsheets. But the need to maneuver more of our computing time to vertical makes some amount of sense. Whether its YouTube Shorts or TikTok, increasingly of our content is being made specifically for vertical screens, and it’s awkward to each watch and create on a conventional 16:9 monitor.
That was my first thought after I began establishing the LG DualUp. The monitor doesn’t actually include a conventional stand in any respect, but as a substitute features an arm desk mount, which LG calls the “ergo+ stand.” Like with most arm desk mounts, it’s best to plan on needing some beyond regular time to set it up properly.
With out a proper stand, that also means for those who’re centering it in your desk, you’ll need to attach . The one click VESA mount on the back of the display is easy enough, but positioning the clamp and grommet in a spot that is sensible along with your desk takes some effort. Fortunately, the LG DualUp is amazingly lightweight, so handling it for the setup isn’t too bad.
However the ergo+ stand comes with a number of advantages, in fact. And that’s vital when using the LG DualUp as a second screen — especially due to its unique shape.
16:18 is like having two 21.5-inch displays stacked on top of one another.
The LG DualUp isn’t “vertical” in an extreme way. The 27.6-inch screen (measured diagonally) is closer to a square than it’s true vertical, which makes it useful in a couple of different scenarios. Having a 16:18 aspect ratio means it’s barely taller than it’s wide, but it surely’s not as extreme as flipping a 16:9 vertical.
So, what’s the explanation for 16:18? Well, it’s the equivalent of getting two 21.5-inch displays stacked on top of one another. Meaning you stack two windows vertically without having to shrink them down.
Consider it as the other of an ultrawide monitor, bringing the advantage of multiple monitors in a single package. In that way, it’s ideal for multitasking, just not within the side-by-side way you is perhaps used to.
I discovered it particularly useful for having a 16:9 video above and an internet site or Word doc opened below. It’s also a terrific space to have a feed or chat app open like Slack or Twitter. If you happen to’re even considering this monitor, you may probably quickly brainstorm a couple of scenarios where this aspect ratio is perhaps handy. I do know video and audio production pros would probably love the extra vertical space.
Unfortunately, Windows 11 doesn’t all the time play nice with the shape factor. Snap Layouts tends to handle different screen sizes and resolutions with grace, but a dual top and bottom setup isn’t certainly one of the choices. So, if you desire to stack windows, you’ll need to do it manually.
Image quality
Beyond the shape factor, the LG DualUp is a high quality monitor when it comes to visuals. It’s a Nano IPS panel, meaning it still uses traditional backlighting, but with a layer of LG’s nano particles applied on top. This layer is what gives this monitor superior image quality on your standard IPS display.
The improved colours are probably the most obvious profit. Hitting 89% of AdobeRGB is solid for color saturation, while the Delta-E is at just 0.77. That’s some implausible color calibration for a display that isn’t specifically geared toward content creators.
Contrast is that this display’s biggest weakness.
By way of resolution, the DualUp sits in-between a standard 27-inch 1440p and 4K monitor with a pixel density of 139 ppi (pixels per inch). It’s plenty crisp, even sitting up close. I measured the display’s max brightness at 330 nits, which is higher even than LG’s own claim of 300 nits.
Contrast is that this display’s biggest weakness. It measured at just 730:1, which is a results of the poor black levels. In consequence, text doesn’t pop as much I needed, and watching dimly lit movies or shows isn’t a terrific experience. The display also has a reasonably strong antireflective coating. That makes it great for deflecting glare, but heightens the marginally washed-out look. But hey, LG never claimed this was a multimedia machine.
Ports and controls
All of the ports of the LG DualUp are situated on back, and the choice is implausible. The 90 watts of power delivery within the USB-C port, particularly, provides one-cable reference to nearly any laptop you may imagine.
Meanwhile, the on-screen menus are controlled by a single joystick situated in the middle of the display’s underside. There, you’ll find the usual assortment of customization, comparable to different color modes, brightness control, and volume control.
Speaking of volume, the LG DualUp does feature a pair of speakers, but they’re extremely mediocre. For anything greater than dinging you for notifications, you’ll want to hook up with headphones or external speakers.
Must you buy it?
As a primary monitor, I don’t know that the LG DualUp makes loads of sense. There are some specific use cases that would benefit from the unique shape, comparable to a video editor who can use the highest half for a timeline. However the LG DualUp works best as a secondary monitor, which is why it doesn’t even provide you with a conventional stand.
At $700, though, you’re paying quite a premium for the novelty of this screen. You may buy a solid 4K monitor that may rotate vertically for around $500, and regardless that I prefer the LG DualUp’s aspect ratio, it’s only a bit too expensive to justify for most individuals. Still, there’s so much to love concerning the LG DualUp, and as a proof of concept, I’m sold.
Editors’ Recommendations
