Dell announces Crystal transparent monitor a little early

We're not sure why Dell suddenly pulled its release / launch page for the slightly overdue, slick, 4mm thick glass Crystal monitor, but it looks like last year's concept will be this year's reality. A severely overpriced, $1,200, 22-inch reality. Hope that thing is packing DisplayPort, after all.

[Via Hothardware, warning: read link is probably down]

[Nick @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:03AM]

wtf?

[bio @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:04AM]

cooooooool

[Barry @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:08AM]

$1,200?! Is it made out of gold?

They probably found out Apple is going to roll out crazy 1mm thick OLED Cinemas at Macworld and wanted to steal their thunder.

[Leonard Nimrod @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:22AM]

Apple better be bringing out new displays at MacWorld. While they are still the best for viewing the true images, the difference isn't nearly as good as it used to be, especially for the current price.

Plus, this display by Dell is really nice looking.


Do they have 30" OLED displays on the market yet? How good are they compared to other display types?

[Young @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:43AM]

@ Leonard Nimrod

I've seen a OLED TV at the local sonystyle store and it was amazing. Image was sharp and contrast ratio was crazy, which easily topped the high end Bravia TVs at the store. The screen was razor thin as well. Only problem with it was that the screen size was tiny (I think it was 10 inch), and was ridiculously expensive (close to $2k). It will become cheaper in few years, but right now 30" OLED should cost well over $10k.

[nih @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:48AM]

They can't mass-produce 30" OLEDs reliably just yet. Same hangup as LCDs originally had: the larger you get, the more defects you have. Over time they improve the process, but that's what's holding back OLED at the moment.

[Chuckles McGee @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:58AM]

@Nimrod

Jesus Christ man! 30 inch OLEDs! What do you think this is, 2010?

[Deputy Doffoos @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:16AM]

welcome to the ugly!

[Michael LaFramboise @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:25AM]

So says the guy with a sasquatch in his avatar :p

[Reader @ Jan 3rd 2008 5:09AM]

That's the most beautiful monitor I've ever seen, minus the price, which makes it pretty damn ugly.

[RyanTV @ Jan 3rd 2008 9:51AM]

you guys have to be kidding. the guy is right, this monitor is hideous.

I understand where they were going with this one, but they completely missed the mark.

If you are going to be selling a monitor for that much coin, you are obviously going for the higher end market. The one thing the higher end market doesnt want is absolutely HIDEOUS and more than likely terrible sounding speakers sticking out the side of their would-be-minimalistic LCD monitor.

They should have kept the clear bezel as tiny as possible. left out the speakers and kept the cool tripodesque stand, and i think they would have had something special. But as it stands, that thing has no chance. Why? because the 13 year olds that think its 'so cool' don't have 1200 bones to drop on a monitor.

[bcollinstex @ Jan 3rd 2008 9:52AM]

Agreed. I don't like the glass framing, same goes for some of the Sony LCD TVs.

[Meridimus @ Jan 3rd 2008 10:26AM]

ugly is correct

[willyboy @ Jan 3rd 2008 11:31AM]

I second that. This is where design innovation meets the failure to execute. Besides, this is RISD circa 1998.

[asphixiated @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:17AM]

still waiting for a speakerless version!

[Michael LaFramboise @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:18AM]

Goodness gracious! Not another post about h... oh wait.. my bad :p

But yeah... while I must say this looks pretty good, paying 1200 for it seems WAY too much - plus knowing Dell, they'll probably stuck a 1680x1050 panel into it :(

[Phil Perman @ Jan 3rd 2008 6:04AM]

Well the problem is all 22" panels are 1680x1050, there aren't any panel manufacturers that produce 22" panels at any other resolution, so dell were pretty stuck with that regard. Sure they could have gone for a 20" or 24" in panel which would have given a better pixel density, but dell chose not to.

What I would be more concerned with is that all 22" panels are TN film based, which is going to give you limited viewing angles. If i were paying that much for a monitor, I would be expecting the best panel tech available, which is definitely not TN.


Oh and a side note about the resolution, some people actually prefer the larger pixel size. Makes text larger and easier to read, so higher pixel density isn't always better.

[k @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:22AM]

Finally, I can decorate my office like Minority Report!

[Hans @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:22AM]

I guess the legs are made of Titanum... that's why it is expensive...

[jop @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:23AM]

i dont think those speakers look appealing at all

[o29 @ Jan 3rd 2008 4:00AM]

Whose idea was it to put speakers in this monitor in the first place? If I can afford to buy a $1,200 monitor, chances are I can afford speakers better than the ones in this monitor. Maybe the logic is that having a monitor with speakers in one casing is more aesthetically pleasing than having them separate, in some sort of minimalistic way I guess, but I think that here the speakers ruin the aesthetics to the point of nullifying anything that they might have gained from minimalism.

[ScooterDe @ Jan 3rd 2008 7:56AM]

clearly the designers believe that clean lines (interesting shapes) are more important than functionality: appearances are more important than substance. It's a blond bimbo of monitors.

[willyboy @ Jan 3rd 2008 11:37AM]

Looks about as pretty as one of those plastic blond babes too... A little to much trying with a little less natural beauty....Dell is not meant to be pretty, it is a low cost pc for people who want just that. Cool is not really in it nature. Unless of course, your that "Dude" Dell guy.. I guess he was pretty cool.

[T1 @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:24AM]

Looking at the top picture it seems to me that the black enclosed lcd panel is a few cm's thick. So what have we got here: a standard Dell panel onto which a thin plate of glass is glued. Yep, top-notch technology!
The only thin part of this so-called 4mm device here is the glass plate which can be bought at any DIY store for much less than $1000 (assuming the standard Dell panel will cost you about $200).

[sp00ks102 @ Jan 3rd 2008 9:00AM]

well put, I was gonna say the same thing, just wasn't fast enough. It definitely looks like a regular monitor with glass glued to it, well done Dell. I'll stick to my 23" Apple Cinema display, soooo purtyyy.

[totalundone @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:25AM]

I think it looks incredible!
However, this appears to only be a Dell SP2208WFP mated to a piece of glass and 4 speakers. And the SP2208WFP retails for 320$

At 1200$, this should have been a 24", 1920x1200, 10000 to 1 DCR, LED Backlit, plastic frame removed LCD. Even at these "should have been" specs, it's limited to those who really really want it.

[Big John @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:52AM]

Seeing as Dell's 30" plain-vanilla widescreen LCD is $1180, how can you justify that price in the slightest for the specs you demand?

You're out of touch with reality. Yes, we get it -- you believe this panel is too expensive. It is. It's a luxury panel to be sure and you'll pay luxury prices if you want it.

What you want at this price point simply isn't going to happen.

[totalundone @ Jan 3rd 2008 5:10AM]

I don't understand what you're trying to communicate.
Wow, I'm out of touch? Whatever. You're comparing a Dell 30" LCD to some MADE UP specs I made up of a theoretically nicer 24" LCD (which is a step down in res than a 30" and 10k dcr isn't that far-fetched)? It's not like I'm talking about picking up a 5120 x 3200 20" 1mK CR OLED screen tomorrow.

Yeah, this is a luxury item. The *only* reason it can be considered a luxury item is because of its price and it may serve well to create a halo effect on the rest of the lineup. However, I can't think of any tech items that have done well when their specs have been so lackluster. How many people want to use a Bang & Olufsen Serene Mobile, regardless of price? And B&O is a luxury brand. Good luck to Dell with this.

[Search Engines WEB @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:28AM]

This is spectacularly beautiful

hopefully, they will make a smaller version for the office when the prices come down.

[holycow @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:29AM]

mm... wow

[Big John @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:39AM]

The spec sheet from your link says no DisplayPort. A single cable carries power, DVI/HDMI with HDCP and subwoofer out. It must only work with certain systems or it's a spider cable.

[Big John @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:40AM]

WSXGA+, it's 1680x1050.

[bootleg16 @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:42AM]

these look legit

[Azurite @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:49AM]

$1200 is cheap!
It'll probably cost double that in Sweden.

[Jose @ Jan 3rd 2008 4:24AM]

Wow. Whoever pays that much for a stupid computer monitor is stupid themselves. We all know technology prices drop quickly. And just think....$1,200 mostly for looks only. For that price I'll go buy me a WHOLE NEW computer and see the SAME EXACT crap on my mundane monitor as everyone buying the Transparent Monitor! It's amazing how much consumers will pay. And the people's support for those high prices will only encourage these "rape" prices.

[vaiyach @ Jan 3rd 2008 6:34AM]

Umm.. Yeah.
Your concern is appreciated.

[crescentdavid @ Jan 3rd 2008 4:46AM]

The price has something to do with limited edition and with design. I personally wouldn't fork over the green ... but you also need to factor in the type of color display. Here's what Cadalyst magazine had to say in a review: "The TrueColor technology with 92% color gamut delivers a displayed image that can only be described as vibrant. With its high-quality display, speedy response times, connectivity options, and high-gamut color, this display will prove very useful for applications such as CAD and engineering, digital content creation, video and photo editing, desktop publishing and, for those who are so inclined, gaming."

Ain't playin' just sayin' it'll be a a great pic.

[Nick Sophinos @ Jan 3rd 2008 7:02AM]

Although a head turner at first glance, it is going to look really dated
in short order. Think "teal green 80's Pontiac Fiero" as an example.

[Luke @ Jan 3rd 2008 9:03AM]

Well... according to 'Hexus.com', the monitor sports the following: '1680x1050 WSXGA resolution, TrueColour Technology, 2ms response time, 2000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and DVI, HDMI, and USB for connectivity.'

To be honest... I'll be a bit let down if it DOES only have a resolution of 1680x1050 and the more vanilla connectivity ports.

[PINE @ Jan 3rd 2008 9:11AM]

They stuck a piece of glass on an ugly LCD monitor and put speakers behind it. That things is disgustingly ugly and cheap looking. Everyone probably has better speakers anyways. What's the point?

[Jonathan Bergeron @ Jan 3rd 2008 9:48AM]

aren't giant screen Apple monitors priced about the same?

[boe @ Jan 3rd 2008 10:32AM]

I'm glad they are working on making a larger selection of displays but I'd be much happier if they would start concentrating on making LARGER displays. I'd like to see a 36"-40" display (not TV) available this year.

[Jubei @ Jan 3rd 2008 10:50AM]

Slapping a piece of glass on top of a monitor and attaching exposed round speakers around the edges is cool? LOL

The monitor itself should have a thinner frame, but it doesn't so it looks kinda off with that thin glass slapped on top of it. I guess if your into things that looks slapped together it would be cool.

[chrisaroz @ Jan 3rd 2008 10:57AM]

Looks they changed their minds and took it down.

[Glancing Aft @ Jan 3rd 2008 11:32AM]

Anyone notice that the webcam is shown in the plexyglass in one view while in the other it's shown in the monitor. Wonder which they'll go with.

[Jonathan Worrel @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:33PM]

ahh good observation :] i personally like the plexiglass version.

[Jonathan Worrel @ Jan 3rd 2008 2:28PM]

OH MY GOD MORE DETAILS!

[Jonathan Worrel @ Jan 3rd 2008 2:29PM]

so $1200 eh? i was hoping for around $700. sigh... *keeps saving*

[alphaod @ Jan 3rd 2008 8:28PM]

It looks pretty nice. I wouldn't buy it for the looks, but some people might.

[GAZBEROTTEN @ Jan 7th 2008 9:27AM]

Save your money something better will hit the market and then youll feel stupid for buying this