Acer are taking a big run at the gaming market, and we are seeing numerous devices added to their Predator range. If you see an Acer logo with Predator branding, you know that it’s aimed at gaming; from tablets through to monitors, they all bear the name sub-brand. Like the Predator Z35 monitor.
The Z35 takes your gaming and makes it huge. It is a 35 inch wide screen curved monitor that runs at a resolution of 2560 x 1080. That’s a lot of picture space for your gaming. Initially, the Z35 can be intimidating, because there is just so much of it to view. In terms of screen height, it’s comparable to a “normal” 27 inch monitor (a little bigger, actually) but its massive width and curved screen definitely set it apart, and make for a unique experience. The curve takes a bit of getting used to, but it certainly helps the user get deeper into the game, particularly when playing things like FPS titles.
Sadly, that visual generosity doesn’t lend itself to console use. While the Z35 has poth DisplayPort and HDMI inputs, modern consoles simply don’t deliver that kind of resolution – this leaves images stretched and nasty on the Z35. It’s not the monitor’s fault, of course, but it does kind of limit its true effectiveness to PC gaming. That would probably be fine for most users, but at its high price point, one would hope for a bit of versatility. It costs more than a bigger TV.
However, if you decide to take the plunge, you won’t be disappointed; the Z35 offers excellent visuals all around, although you’ll probably want to spend a while tweaking the settings. It brings a number of technologies to the table as well, including NVidia’s G-Sync and Eye Protect. The G-Sync is particularly good, because it cuts down on screen tears and other visual aberrations quite nicely.
In addition to great visuals, the Z35 also offers audio, with two integrated 9W speakers with DTS sound. They’re not awesome, but they’ll do in a pinch. It also offers a USB 3.0 hub, which is pretty handy if you want to keep clutter to a minimum.
With a central column for vertical positioning and a fairly wide degree of tilt, getting the Z35 in the perfect position is pretty simple. And while the curved nature of the monitor might not be great for work applications, it’s awesome for gaming.
This is by no means a cheap monitor – the Predator Z35 will hardly ever be an impulse purchase. But for a heightened, immersive gaming experience, it’s a great option. Combined with good surround sound, the Z35 can help make a gaming experience even more immersive and engrossing – just the way we like it.
It’s big and expensive, but no other monitor provides the almost overpowering immersion of the Predator Z35.
SPECS
- 35 inch widescreen
- Curved screen
- DisplayPort
- HDMI
- USB 3.0 hub
- 9W DTS audio