Most people spend their lifetimes dreaming of getting a Porsche. Geeks are the same as well. Only difference is we dream of the Porsche Design Agon PD32M from AOC. It is tough not to exaggerate on many good aspects of this monitor, after only just opening the box. But before I start going into the details, let’s take a quick look at this magnificent piece of tech what was created by AOC and at how good is a 4k 144Hz Porsche Design monitor on your desk:
AOC Porsche Design Agon PD32M
Let’s start with the basics. This is a down-to-business native 4K (3840×2160) monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate, 1 ms response time and a ratio of 1000:1 IPS panel, with an easy viewing angle of 178 degrees.
Are those just words and numbers?
Based on our testing, absolutely not. The specs of the Porsche Design Agon PD32M are already that of a beast machine but we’re only just getting started. The HDR1400 VESA certification is one thing. This certification level means that there is an increase in your luminance and a reduction in the “muddy” black of your screen. Simply put, the contrast is adjusting in real-time during HDR content playback, increasing the monitor’s performance.
The 10-bit Mini-LED panel technology makes the colors feel more vibrant, adds brightness that the IPS panels usually lack, and brings up the best you can find in any monitor-use type like movies, gaming, streaming, or whatever you want. No, it is not just random words. This means that you can consume content with a great brightness level without reducing the quality of contrast and colors.
Connectivity
The Agon PD32M has everything you need and then some. There are 2 HDMI 2.1 inputs and one Display Port – the standard input IO. Additionally, there are also three USB 3.0, one USB 3.2 Gen1, and a USB Type C. Now the Type-C USB comes with a 90W power supply. It’s definitely not ideal, but for charging your laptop while connected, it will do the trick. The Type C and the HDMI can make a decent 120Hz refresh rate.
Then there is the KVM switch. Who wouldn’t like a multiple device use through the same good Agon PD32M monitor? Having the same keyboard and mouse, it is extremely easy to use it at a working pace while having occasional breaks to play the latest titles through the main PC build, without losing any comfort. The PbP multiview is extremely useful for multitaskers if you consider gaming while working multitask….
Audio and comfort
Of course, there would be mounted speakers that are also certified by DTS. For those who don’t know, the DTS acronym stands for Digital Theater System. Simply put, there is an active encoding technology that improves the fidelity of the sound played. This doesn’t mean that the two 8W speakers will perform like a home cinema setup but that the quality is going to be good, and as it was tested, it really is.
Another convenience is the Shadow control. Adjusting the dark areas of your screen can be useful without ruining the image. There is also the Flicker Free and Low Blue mode which will help long gaming instances or just many hours of work where your eyes can get tired. Of course, there is sepcialized software that can do that as well but that doesn’t mean you can use them on any connected device and it definitely is more convenient when your monitor has this tech built-in the device.
But does it have RGB?
Yes. It absolutely does. Everybody likes a bit of bedazzling lights in weird patterns and the Agon PD32M absolutely delivers. RGB lighting is embedded on the back of the monitor, and has a few modes to choose from. I really enjoyed the Audio mode which reacts to your system’s sounds and the breathing one which is more subtle. You are free to choose through Zoom, Discolour, Water Wave, Flahsing, Static, Simple Shift, Gradient Shift, Simple filling, 1-way filling, 2-way filling, and Zoom.
Despite the basic Red, Green, Blue, and Rainbow, there are also User-defined color settings that let you manually create your own. There are 3 dynamics for brightness: Low, Medium, Strong, and of course, the Off setting if you don’t want any distracting flashing on your wall. I suggest using the Strong dynamic as the rest are way too subtle for my taste.
A nice detail is the Porsche and Agon light glowing on the base of the monitor. There is a wheel that changes from one to the other so you can choose which one you want. Again, this is something you can turn off from the monitor’s menu.
Controller and comfort….controller?
A controller that is. Agon PD32M comes with a really well-crafted wireless aluminum controller that helps you navigate through the monitor’s menu. Except for the arrows and the ok button, there are also 3 profiles to choose from and a return button to close the menu manually.
On the last comfort detail, there are 2 hangers to place your headset on the left and right side of the Agon PD32M. If you simply push the sign on the top of each side, the hanger will pop out so you can place it. Pretty cool design.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX
By opening the box you will find an extremely well-made packaging that holds your precious parts to build the monitor. The first thing is the box that holds the 3 power supply cable types (European, American, English), the main power supply unit, an HDMI, a Display port, the Controller with a pair of AAA batteries, and the energy efficiency sticker that is mandatory for every electric device in the EU.
Then moving to the good part, there is the base of the monitor which is a really well-crafted aluminium base with a lock system that is connected directly to the monitor. Finally, you will see the monitor sitting tightly in a foam frame that you will easily get out by attaching the base and lifting it up. It is ridiculous how easy and safe feels to just put the metal clips together, feel that smooth *click* lock noise, and see how tight the device instantly gets.
The monitor feels robust and extremely solid. The base is adjustable at a good height of 150mm and the rotation angle can be up to Portrait mode, which means 90 degrees.
AOC Porsche Design Agon PD32M: Verdict
One of the best and well-crafted high-tier monitors I have ever seen. The feeling and the design are really robust and extremely solid. You can feel the Porche Design details that make it more “hot”. The specs are the top that every gamer needs. What more can somebody possibly want from vivid colors displayed by an IPS panel, with the latest technologies of 10bit-mini-led panels that give even more brightness? The only negative I can see actively is the weight which is somehow unimportant since you will really want to use the provided monitor base, and the energy efficiency which unfortunately is a G class.
I really loved the monitor on every detail: design, colors, craft, and an actually user-friendly menu. This is a piece of gear that you will really want since it really has everything.
At this moment the price is somewhere close to €1000 which I really find reasonable for what it offers and the signature of the beloved Porche.
Many thanks to AOC for the supply unit that made this review possible, making me touch a piece of Porche that doesn’t need a driver’s license.