Yes: same resolution, same size, different jobs. The Philips 27B1U3900 and the ASUS ProArt PA279CRV are both 27-inch 4K IPS monitors running at 60Hz with USB-C, but they spend their budgets differently. The Philips is built to be an office docking station: up to 90W laptop charging, a built-in Ethernet port, a USB hub and a height-adjustable, pivoting stand. The ProArt is built for colour: ASUS rates it at 99% DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB with ΔE below 2 and Calman Verified, and Display Ninja measured its colour presets at an average ΔE of 0.58. Philips does not publish an accuracy figure, and its two regional leaflets disagree on gamut. At SourceIT, the 27B1U3900 is S$381.60 and the PA279CRV S$779 (listed 30 Oct 2026). Choose the Philips for documents and docking, and the ProArt for colour-critical creative work.
Philips 27B1U3900 vs ASUS ProArt PA279CRV
| Specification | Philips 27B1U3900 | ASUS ProArt PA279CRV |
|---|---|---|
| Panel | 27" IPS, 3840x2160, 60Hz | 27" IPS, 3840x2160, 60Hz |
| Brightness and contrast | 350 nits, 1000:1 | 350 nits typical (400 peak HDR), 1000:1 |
| Colour gamut | Regional leaflets disagree (sRGB 99.9% vs 116%) | 100% sRGB, 99% Adobe RGB, 99% DCI-P3 |
| Colour accuracy | No figure published | ΔE < 2, Calman Verified |
| HDR | HDR10 | HDR10, DisplayHDR 400 |
| USB-C power delivery | Up to 90W | 96W |
| Ethernet (RJ45) | Yes, up to 1 Gbps on a USB 3.x link | No |
| USB hub | 3x USB-A (5 Gbps) | 1x USB-C, 3x USB-A (5 Gbps) |
| Video inputs | 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DP 1.4 | 2x HDMI 2.0, 2x DP 1.4 (daisy chain) |
| Stand | 130 mm height, tilt, ±180° swivel, ±90° pivot | 130 mm height, tilt, ±30° swivel, ±90° pivot |
| Power (typical on) | 25.3 W | Not captured |
| SourceIT price | S$381.60 | S$779.00 |
From the Philips 27B1U3900/69 and /01 leaflets (2026) and ASUS's PA279CRV specification page; measured ΔE from Display Ninja (4 Oct 2025). We have not tested either unit ourselves.
Why is the Philips the better office monitor?
Because it removes a separate dock. One USB-C cable carries video, USB, power and wired networking to a laptop, so a hot desk only needs the monitor, a keyboard and a mouse. The Ethernet port matters for offices that prefer wired connections for video calls or have thin laptops without an RJ45 socket; note Philips' detail that it runs at gigabit speed only when the USB-C link is at USB 3.x. The stand swivels a full ±180°, useful for showing a screen across a desk. And it costs about half as much. Philips also lists flicker-free operation, a LowBlue mode and TÜV Eye Comfort certification, plus 85% post-consumer recycled plastic in the housing.
Why is the ProArt the better creative monitor?
Because its accuracy is verified rather than implied. Display Ninja measured 99.6% sRGB, 96.5% DCI-P3 and 97.8% Adobe RGB coverage, with average ΔE of 0.58 in the Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 presets and 0.4 after calibration. ASUS's free ProArt Calibration software can store a calibration inside the monitor, so it follows the display between computers. Two DisplayPort ports allow daisy-chaining a second screen. One caution from the same review: the Native mode does not clamp to sRGB, so web content can look oversaturated unless you select the sRGB preset, which Display Ninja found locked at about 80 nits.
Two monitors with identical resolution can be built for opposite priorities: one for the cable, one for the colour.
What do they share?
- 4K at 27 inches, about 163 pixels per inch, which usually needs 150% scaling in Windows. See Your 4K Monitor Might Be Making Work Harder.
- 60Hz refresh: fine for office and still-image work, less smooth for video timelines or games. See Is 60Hz Enough for Professional Creators?
- USB-C charging high enough for most business laptops; check your laptop's own requirement.
Which one should you buy?
- Philips 27B1U3900 for office desks, hot-desking, finance and general business teams, and anyone replacing a dock.
- ASUS ProArt PA279CRV for designers, photographers and marketing teams who need trustworthy colour.
- Both, in teams where only some staff do colour work; standardise docking on the Philips and give the colour specialists ProArts.
More on each: Philips 27B1U3900: Can One 4K Monitor Replace Your Docking Setup? and ASUS ProArt PA279CRV: Is This the 4K Monitor Every Designer Should Own?
Buying in Singapore
SourceIT supplies the Philips 27B1U3900 (S$381.60) and the ASUS ProArt PA279CRV (S$779), with a GST invoice. Prices listed 30 Oct 2026. Browse Philips business monitors and ASUS monitors. For a quotation or volume pricing, use Request for Quotation on the product page, call (65) 6978 3502, email Sales@sourceit.com.sg or use our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Philips 27B1U3900 and the ASUS PA279CRV? Both are 27-inch 4K IPS monitors. The Philips adds Ethernet and a docking-style USB hub for offices; the ASUS adds verified wide colour gamut and factory calibration for creative work.
Does the Philips 27B1U3900 have an Ethernet port? Yes. Philips lists an RJ45 port that reaches 1 Gbps when the USB-C connection runs at USB 3.x.
Is the ASUS ProArt PA279CRV colour accurate? ASUS rates it at ΔE below 2 and Calman Verified. Display Ninja measured an average ΔE of 0.58 in its Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 presets.
Can the Philips 27B1U3900 be used for photo editing? For casual work, yes, but Philips publishes no accuracy figure and its leaflets disagree on gamut, so it is not the right choice for colour-critical work.
How much do they cost in Singapore? At SourceIT on 30 Oct 2026, the Philips 27B1U3900 is S$381.60 and the ASUS ProArt PA279CRV is S$779.
SourceIT Approved
Researched and verified by the SourceIT team for Singapore buyers.
