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With specifications out the way, let’s take a closer look at the build quality, design, and mechanical features this monitor comes equipped with.
Aesthetics
Right out of the box, it was clear to see what direction Acer was taking with the X38 S design. This monitor just screams gamer – characterized by a subtle 2300R curved display, sharp angles, predator branding, and an interesting stand that certainly catches the eye.
The face of the monitor looks absolutely fantastic, grabbing your attention thanks to a carefully thought out combination of subtle curves and sharp angles. The panel itself features a 2300R curve that pairs nicely with the borderless bezels on either side. The bottom bezel features the brand’s Predator logo alongside NVIDIA G-Sync branding and a small LED indicator light on the right-hand side.
The large V-shaped stand can be seen poking out from underneath the panel, finished in gun-metal grey. The grey coloring is classic of Acer and works nicely with the rest of the monitor’s black exterior. While the stand is on the large side, it doesn’t disrupt your desk space too much (unlike the AOC AG324UX we tested recently). Annoyingly, this monitor does come with a fairly large side profile, something that we noticed immediately upon unboxing. While it doesn’t really take anything away from the panel, it does give an aging feel to this new display.
Moving to the rear of the panel and there is plenty to discuss as far as aesthetic features go. The rear of the monitor itself features a plate-like design that is separated by cooling grills where the ‘plates’ meet.
The stand is one of the most unusual stands I’ve seen (since the last Predator monitor we tested), offering that reptile-esque scaley look that is definitely hit and miss for many. More Predator branding can be seen on the rear of the stand, with a cylinder mechanism used for the swivel function of the stand.
A carry handle can be found at the top of the stand, allowing users to easily cart this panel from room to room if needed. Overall, the Predator X38 S looks pretty damn good. While it does lean towards the gamey vibe, it still manages to feel incredibly premium.
Build Quality
While Acer has been criticized in the past for poor build quality, the same can’t be said for the Predator X38 S. This monitor resides at the higher end of the price spectrum and the build quality seems to match the price tag it comes equipped with.
High-quality materials seem to have been used throughout the design of this monitor, with metal running through the core of its design. The stand is almost entirely metal, giving the monitor a stable feel that only showcases a small amount of wobble (when forced). The face of the panel utilizes a matte coating with 3H hardness – giving the monitor an additional layer of protection at the front.
The rear of the panel also utilizes hardened plastic that features very little in the ways of flex or bend – a good sign of the overall build quality of the panel. All buttons, inputs, and fittings seem to be nicely finished, with no play in any of these areas. Furthermore, the stand’s adjustability feels very purposeful and solid for the most part.
Ultimately, we were pretty impressed with the build quality of this panel. However, at this price point, you’d expect absolutely nothing less.
Panel Coating
The Acer Predator X38 S features an anti-glare matte coating with a 3H hardness for additional protection to the face of the panel. The anti-glare matte coating does an excellent job of mitigating both natural and manmade light sources – a feature that is definitely required when using a curved display.
Annoyingly, this particular panel coating does fall victim to fingerprints relatively easily – with oils being very noticeable. Luckily, cleaning the X38 Scouldn’t be easier – with a microfiber cloth and cleaning liquid seeing to the marks nicely.
Bezels
Despite the bezels of the X38 S being larger than those of smaller screens, they don’t intrude on the viewing experience at all. The top and side bezels of the X38 S measure in at 11mm, while the bottom bezel features a larger 17mm profile – fairly standard in most modern panels.
The borderless design (which should always be taken with a pinch of salt) certainly helps to create additional layers of immersion when using this panel, regardless of the bezels’ slightly larger design.
Stand
As far as stand ergonomics and adjustability go, the X38 S seems to offer everything you could want from a modern display. Users can expect height, tilt, and swivel functionality – with no need for a pivot option.
Acer has also given the X38 s plenty of height and tilt adjustments – making the inputting process of cables a lot easier. Furthermore, the stand feels very robust and holds the monitor in place well – with only limited wobble when forced.
Below are the exact specifications of the stand:
- Forward Tilt – 5 degrees
- Backward Tilt – 35 degrees
- Left Swivel – 30 degrees
- Right Swivel – 30 degrees
- Pivot-o • Height – 130mm
Inputs
Acer has equipped the X38 S with a plethora of inputs, allowing users to connect numerous devices and peripherals. Most of the inputs can be found at the rear of the panel in the usual orientation – with cables inserted vertically into the rear. There are additional USB ports on the left-hand side as well, allowing users to connect additional peripherals if required. Unfortunately, the X38 S doesn’t feature HDMI 2.1 certification – meaning this panel won’t be able to push the max resolution and refresh rate of next-gen consoles. For a more in-depth look at the inputs, see below:
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