Introduction

UPERFECT originally sold this monitor as the UColor J5, and it now goes by BE173BU, split into two refresh-rate variants: a 60 Hz model and the 120 Hz version reviewed here. The two are not identical beyond the refresh rate, so unless stated otherwise, everything below applies specifically to the 120 Hz unit I tested.

At the heart of the BE173BU is a 17.3-inch IPS panel with a native 3840×2160 resolution, which is an ambitious combination for a portable. That is a genuine 4K UHD panel in a chassis you can slip into a bag, and it works out to roughly 255 PPI, an extremely high pixel density that makes text and fine detail razor-sharp. The flip side, as we will see, is that Windows is impractical for most users at 100% scaling on a screen this dense, so 150% scaling or higher is the sensible choice. The panel has a matte anti-glare finish and no touch layer.

The port selection is lean. Two USB-C ports accept DisplayPort Alt Mode video and power input, and a mini-HDMI input covers devices without a video-capable USB-C. A single USB-C cable from a laptop drives the panel, though on our Lenovo ThinkBook G4 test system bus power capped brightness at 195 cd/m², so the bundled adapter had to be connected to the second USB-C port for full output. There is a 3.5 mm headphone jack and a pair of 1 W speakers, but no USB hub and no OTG port for peripherals. The OSD is a proper structured menu operated by a jog wheel rather than the bare icon bar on the BE22BQ, and it exposes real gaming-oriented options including FreeSync, a black equalizer, and picture presets.

The rest of the hardware leans into portability. The monitor is only 14 mm thick and 1.03 kg (2.28 lb) light. An integrated metal kickstand folds out Surface-style across a wide 0 to 180° range, and a 75×75 mm VESA pattern is exposed on the rear. Let's examine the BE173BU in greater detail to see where it fits.

Specifications