Dell updates 2007WFP LCD, forgets to tell anyone?

We've got a bit of an awkward one here. Dell has apparently redesigned its 2007WFP 20.1-inch LCD display, but other than a single image on the product page, there's no other mention of the refresh. The changes aren't minor either, including a complete redesign of the display -- we're thinking for the worse, but we'll leave that up to you -- along with the addition of a 9 -in-2 card reader and a fancy new set of component plugs. Unfortunately, there's no real telling if this is just a case of the web team jumping the gun, and you'll end up getting the old version if you order right now. The updates do make sense in light of that cutthroat-priced E207WFP, but we just wish Dell would be a bit more forthcoming about the whole thing.

[Via [H]ard|Forum; thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[Ray-- @ Dec 29th 2006 11:38AM]

the stand looks different to me too....

[Johnny @ Dec 29th 2006 11:43AM]

The description in the image seems wrong. Above number 5 there are both component (red, green, blue) and a composite (yellow) input.

Number 6 seems to be a S-VHS input.

[trugoy @ Dec 29th 2006 11:43AM]

damn! I've just received mine (two days ago!!)...

[strider_mt2k @ Dec 29th 2006 11:44AM]

Sorry if I'm clueless, but how would it be for the worse?
Are they downgraded somehow, or is it a mere case of the same thing being changed only slightly and re-marketed as a new product?

[Drew @ Dec 29th 2006 11:44AM]

Word on the interweb streets is that its a goof and that its actually the picture of the new 2707WFP. If you measure the distance between stand screws (VESA mount) and do the calculations you can see that theres no way this is a 20" screen.

[The Infamous @ Dec 29th 2006 12:00PM]

is it just me of is a 16ms response time really slow?

[Erick @ Dec 29th 2006 12:03PM]

Looks like this is a slightly different model... I see two E207WFP options with different model numbers on their main monitor page... the newer one goes for $359, while the older one goes for $289 (hence the gripe about updated specs)

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productlisting.aspx?c=us&category_id=6198&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

[Trojan @ Dec 29th 2006 12:12PM]

That's because they're different models, Erick.
The E207WFP is the budget model and only has VGA/DVI-D Input.
The 2007WFP has VGA/DVI, 4 Port USB hub, Composite/S-Video inputs, 100mm VESA mount, and compressible stand, and a slightly different sync rate (different actual LCD panel).

[lfred @ Dec 29th 2006 12:09PM]

HDCP anyone ?

How else can you ever play BD or HDDVD movies on this thingie when Vista comes ?

[John Doe @ Dec 29th 2006 2:37PM]

You don't. Not without it being downscaled....suckers.

[010111 @ Dec 29th 2006 8:29PM]

last i checked HDCP will work with either a DVI or HDMI connection.

first freaking line at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDCP :

"High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) is a form of Digital Rights Management (DRM) developed by Intel Corporation to control digital audio and video content as it travels across Digital Visual Interface (DVI) or High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connections."

whether or not the DVI connector on this panel will actually work with HDCP over DVI is a bit hard to tell from a picture alone. i assume you came to your conclusion by thinking that HDCP requires HDMI... which the panel lacks. but that would be an incorrect assumption.

[gillsans @ Dec 29th 2006 12:11PM]

I believe he was talking aesthetically when he said "We're thinking for the worse." I have to concur. Last year's 2007WFP wasn't pretty, but It made an effort to be at least neutral on your desk. This thing is hideous. It looks like they tried to make the base look like an antique lamp...but with cheap silver and black plastic.

I own a 2007WFP and it's a great monitor, but when will Dell learn that it's better to just go plain black, or God forbid, compy gray, than a half assed "edgy" two-tone design.

[mrhammerstein @ Dec 29th 2006 12:13PM]

boy. everyone seems to love it when apple throws in some "hidden" features, but apparently not when Dell throws some in. showing your true colors?

with that said, i feel it's wrong. just think though. apple would throw a huge show for this type of upgrade.

boring...

[Yelnats @ Dec 29th 2006 12:19PM]

If it is still S-IPS, I'll be getting this monitor... it will be the first S-IPS monitor I've seen with component inputs.

[tiuk @ Dec 29th 2006 12:53PM]

Dell ships both S-IPS and S-PVA panels in the 2007WFP. You might luck out and get an S-IPS, or you might get an S-PVA with horrible color shift, like I did. Google "Dell Panel Lottery" and you'll see all kinds of horror stories. I'm done with Dell.

[rv65 @ Dec 29th 2006 3:11PM]

My NEC 20WMGX2-BK has a component Input. It has an AS-IPS Panel.

[Jeff @ Dec 29th 2006 12:26PM]

"is it just me of is a 16ms response time really slow?"

Those in the know know that there's more to life than pixel response. Photographers, designers and the like would much rather have good image quality than fast(er) pixel response.

I don't know if this is a S-IPS screen - aren't the only S-IPS panels Dell sells in the "UltraSharp" line? Might this just be plain non-S "IPS"?

[Peter @ Dec 29th 2006 12:31PM]

It is a mistake in the web page. It does not have component and has not been updated. This was addressed on Dells own support forum.

[John Doe @ Dec 29th 2006 2:36PM]

No HDMI port? Suckers.

[AndrewNeo @ Dec 29th 2006 2:57PM]

You are aware HDCP is DVI with sound?

[AndrewNeo @ Dec 29th 2006 2:58PM]

Err, HDMI, not HDCP.

[sicko @ Dec 29th 2006 3:55PM]

that is a picture of the 2707 not a redesigned 2007

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=dim_monitor&message.id=71698

There are seven Dell 20" models;
E207WFP
2007WFP
2007FP
2005FPW
2001FP
2000FP
D2026T-HS

The picture you see here is for the not yet released W2707C. That picture was incorrectly taken from the internal Training page. The Sales site is incorrect.

[Unbangyourmom @ Dec 29th 2006 5:28PM]

Looks like the height cannot be adjusted?

[john russell @ Dec 29th 2006 7:47PM]

Comparing the size of the back of the display to the back of my 2005FPW, it becomes obvious that this is the W2707C, as stated before. Also, as the feature set much more closely matches the 2407WFP than the 2007WFP, it would be safe to assume that this is a picture of a monitor larger than the twenty inch ones.

[futurepastnow @ Dec 29th 2006 9:42PM]

The VESA mounting screws should be 100mm apart. My rough guesstimate of the display's height and width based on that, plus a little Pythagorean Theorem, give a me a diagonal of about 27.5." Either that thing's go a hell of a bezel, or it is indeed a pic of the 2707.

[Tim @ Jan 5th 2007 12:41AM]

Hey i dunno if anyone has noticed but dell took down that image and put up the old 2007FWP without the component inputs and media card reader