5K Alternative for Mac: BenQ MA270S: 5K Display with IPS Black and Thunderbolt 4 Daisy-Chaining

[12:43 Fri,6.March 2026 by Thomas Richter]

BenQ has introduced an affordable 27" 5K alternative just in time for the unveiling of the new Apple Studio Display. The new BenQ MA270S is expected to cost around 1,000 Euros and features a glossy surface, which distinguishes it from the also 27" 4K model BenQ PD2730S, which is matte and otherwise technically very similar.

The BenQ MA270S is particularly aimed at MacBook users, serving as a large stationary secondary monitor connected via Thunderbolt 4, offering a wide P3 color gamut and displaying colors exactly as they appear on the MacBook. It also supports adjusting brightness and volume using keys on the MacBook.

BenQ MA270S with MacBook

Display

The core specifications: the BenQ MA270S uses a DisplayHDR 400 certified IPS Black panel with a Nano-Gloss coating, featuring a resolution of 5,120 x 2,880 pixels, a contrast ratio of 2000:1, a refresh rate of 70 Hz, and 99% coverage of the P3 color space.

Interfaces

The interfaces on the BenQ MA270S include one Thunderbolt 4 input, one Thunderbolt 4 output (for daisy-chaining multiple monitors or other accessories), two HDMI 2.1 ports, as well as two USB-C ports (Power Delivery 35W, DisplayPort Alt Mode, Data or USB 3.2 Gen 2, 10 Gbps with 15W) and two USB Type-A downstream ports (USB 3.2 Gen 2, 10 Gbps with 7.5W). Thus, although the BenQ MA270S does not use the latest Thunderbolt version (5) like the new Studio Display, it is significantly superior to it in terms of the range of interfaces.

BenQ MA270S Interfaces

However, the maximum brightness of the BenQ MA270S, at 450 nits, is still slightly lower than that of the Studio Display, which costs around 700 Euros more.

Other features include KVM switch functionality, meaning two computers connected to the monitor can be operated with just one keyboard and mouse, as well as ICCsync, which automatically loads the appropriate color profile when switching picture modes. A practical feature is the ability to define screen settings on a Mac using the Display Pilot 2 software via mouse.

BenQ MA270S with KVM

When the BenQ MA270S will be launched in this country has not yet been announced—its competition includes the 27" LG Ultrafine 5K. Here is our news regarding a

test of the Apple Studio Display: Good, but not good enough? which also applies to the new model, as Apple uses the same panel here as well.

more infos at bei www.benq.eu

deutsche Version dieser Seite: Günstige Alternative zum Studio Display - BenQ MA270S 5K-Monitor mit Thunderbolt 4