What’s Up With Dell’s LCDs?
10:43 am January 22nd, 2007 by Sal Cangeloso
I’ve been using a Dell UltraSharp 2405 24″ widescreen LCD for over a year now and it has had a profound effect on my work. I am on the computer for most of the work day and am always running multiple applications and a few different browser windows so I really need the room of a larger monitor. For some time I was running dual 17″ LCDs, but I have found than a single, larger LCD is not only more efficient but more user friendly. The desktop space I save is a factor as well, but not huge one, since I have a pretty large desk.
To tell the truth, I am a monitor junkie and am always looking to upgrade. I have not been overly impressed with the 30″ displays that started to appear last year- not only are they expensive, but they are gigantic and unwieldy. So went the news of the upcoming 27″ LCDs started to appear, I got pretty exciting. Basically, a 27″ LCD is to a 24″ what a 19″ is to a 17″, the same resolution but a larger viewable area. This means a courser pixel pitch, but an image that is easier on the eyes (at least once you get used to the brightness of a screen that large).
Let’s break down Dell’s current widescreen LCD pricing structure (current price with discounts):
- E207WFP 20-inch: $251
- E228WFP 22-inch: $296
- 2007WFP 20-inch: $359
- 2407WFP 24-inch: $674
- 3007WFP 30-inch: $1274
- 2707WFP 27-inch: $1399
The 30″ model currently has a $225 off coupon so it is cheaper than the new 27″ which is the only Dell monitor not currently discounted. The important detail here though is not that, but rather the price difference from the 24″ and the 27″: $650 (with undiscounted prices) or $724 (with discounts). The difference between the 27″ and the 30″ is only $100 regularly (when the 30″ costs more).
What does this all mean? First of all, the 27″ 2707WFP is a poor choice, at least for the time being. You can get the 30-incher for less or the 24-incher, which has the same resolution, for a under half the price. So despite costing almost $700, the 24″ represents a sweet spot in the monitor line (at least for professional users and enthusiasts) while the sub-$300 E228WFP 22″ model is an great buy for consumers.
Some advantages of the new 2707WFP are it’s awesome new base, which allows for considerable adjustment and extreme slimness, and the fact that it is made largely of aluminum instead of plastic. The monitor has a full range of inputs, just like the 2405: Analog (VGA) / Digital (DVI) with HDCP / Component / Composite / S-Video along with four USB connections and a card reader. The 1920×1200 resolution is more than large enough for most people, and older users along with those with poor sight will appreciate how it is easier to read than a 24″ LCD. The move to 30″ will bump the resolution up to 2560×1600, which is a considerable upgrade, but will means a massive display and, if you buy the 3007WFP, a product with only a single input (dual-link DVI). This means that the 30″ model is much less versatile and can only be used with a dual-link capable video card.
One issue to watch out for is the refresh rates. These can get pretty high on oversized LCDs and are not always an area where Dell has been an industry leader. These will really only be a problem for gamers and people who watch a lot of video, it won’t have an effect on typical computer work.
Some downsides to the new 27″ unit is that is cannot be rotated to landscape and it has no HDMI connections. The upside is easy viewing, great looks, and that new base. Once the price drops this monitor will be a great option, but for the time being the 24″ is just too affordable to pass up. The most demanding users can still go with the 30″ and, incredibly, save money, while home users will be more than happy with the 20″ or 22″ models.
So for the time being, I will be sticking with my 2405 24″ monitor, but I will be keeping my eye on the Dell 27-incher as well as Samsung’s 275T (which retails for $999). As much as I would like to make a move to a 27″ I don’t think it’s going to happen any time soon. I could add a second 24″ LCD for cheap (though I would prefer to stay with a single monitor) or move a 30″ for less, at least until prices drop. The fact remains that, unless someone else is paying for it, a 24″ LCD is the way to go, at least for people who need a lot of screen real estate. For most people a 20″ or 22″ widescreen at 1680×1050 is more than enough to get the job done: it is great for movies and gaming, is large enough for multitasking, and has none of the added complications or placement issues of larger displays.
