Dell's 22-inch UltraSharp 2209WA LCD monitor surfaces

Dell Canada is good for being the first to show off new LCDs, and yet again we're getting an early look at a forthcoming monitor courtesy of the Great White North. The 22-inch UltraSharp 2209WA will evidently arrive with a 1,680 x 1,050 resolution, 300 nits of brightness, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, 178-degree viewing angles and a 5-millisecond response time. It also features VGA and DVI connectors, four USB 2.0 ports and an undisclosed price tag. It'll supposed ship in one to two weeks, but given that there's not even an image available yet, we're not so sure we'd bet the farm on that estimate being accurate.

[Via whirlpool, thanks Ed]

[nick @ Jan 10th 2009 9:35PM]

If this was an Apple Monitor this would be the 92nd comment.

[El Taco @ Jan 10th 2009 11:28PM]

So true...

[Boards of Canada @ Jan 10th 2009 11:35PM]

its ok... they are quite frustrated now, we should let them rest a bit.

[Cash @ Jan 10th 2009 9:36PM]

uh...k?

How is this a big deal again, or different from anything else they or Samsung, NEC, Asus, HP etc etc already have on the market?

[kkl1014 @ Jan 10th 2009 9:45PM]

Because this is a 22in that isn't a TN panel. 178 degree viewing angles

[nick @ Jan 10th 2009 9:39PM]

Honestly, it's even less news considering that Dell is somewhat hit miss in the build quality department with monitors.

[Coolin @ Jan 10th 2009 9:42PM]

It's a big deal because the specs seem to indicate that it's not TN panel.

Non-TN 22 inch monitors are extremely rare these days.

[Damo @ Jan 10th 2009 10:00PM]

It seems to be a TN to me, less than 6ms response time... Viewing angles are probably lies.

[Kieran @ Jan 10th 2009 10:06PM]

This is not a rebuttal but an inquiry, what exact specifications suggest that this monitor is not using a TN panel? I'm wondering because I have a 22" monitor with viewing angles of 170°/ 160° (H/V), 300 cd/m2 brightness and a 2ms response time, could this perhaps be using a non-TN panel?, because presumed it was using one.

I also find the UltraSharp name kind of ironic when 1920*1080 resolution 22" monitors exist.

[ed. @ Jan 10th 2009 10:05PM]

you're welcome engadget :)

Anyway, the viewing angles definitely suggest PVA or IPS panels, although response time is typical of TN.

@nick
The build quality of Dell's monitors is very good, especially on the ultrasharp range. The monitor stand is probably one of the best I've ever seen. Dell's warranty policy with monitors is also very good, so any problems you may have get resolved very quickly (next-day replacement for ultrasharps)

[ViaTorci @ Jan 10th 2009 11:32PM]

@Kieran

Sorry but that is absolutely a TN panel which only displays 6-bit color.

If this new monitor, like the others in the ultrasharp line and agreeing with the specs, is in fact a non TN (but rather MVA, PVA, or IPS) then it will display 8-bit color resulting in far more accurate colors with no dithering and barely any banding. This, I believe, is where the UltraSharp moniker arises from. 6ms response time is fitting with modern IPS or VA panels. Furthermore, if this was a TN-film screen then we would expect around a 2ms response time.

I myself use a NEC 2080UX+, a tad dated but IPS nonetheless and let me tell you, you can see the difference and you'll never go back.

[Boards of Canada @ Jan 10th 2009 11:39PM]

Yo Nick, Dell monitors are incredibly great. In testing they beat Apple branded ones by a fair margin at half the price. Ultrasharp was the cream of the crop. Most post-production (movie special fx) use them because of the quality and color accuracy.

My Dell 30incher is the best thing I ever buyed. (and there is no light bleed unlike the Apple 30inch... that was a shock for some on Cgtalk)

[Spiffaef @ Jan 10th 2009 10:07PM]

"The front side of the screen is viewable from 178 degrees. Whether the colors are correct or anything important like that... yeah who cares"

that said, I have the new 23" dell using these new high-res panels, and TN or not, it's a great screen for the price.

[Misuzu @ Jan 10th 2009 10:16PM]

Comment panel speculation aside. How is 22 inches at 1,680 x 1,050 ultra sharp? How is this monitor news worthy?
Maybe if there is substantial proof that it wouldn't be a TN it might possibly be worth posting about. Just a blip.
I hope I'm not the only one to remember the love Dell has in secret panel lotteries, especially in those nice WFP models.

[Will @ Jan 11th 2009 11:29AM]

Ultrasharp monitors made by dell are not TN panels. They are better suited for photo editing. I think they are S PVA. Its has nothing to do with the pixel pitch.

[boe @ Jan 10th 2009 11:08PM]

By any chance did they show the new 30" models at CES? Did Dell show the 3009WFP at CES or have a press release yet? Of course I'm hoping they are working on a 36" or 40" monitor but a new 30" would be appreciated.

[Boards of Canada @ Jan 10th 2009 11:40PM]

shiiit, im writing this on my 30inch... I cant imagine a bigger one! things will just be too far!

[boe @ Jan 11th 2009 9:40AM]

I'm replying to the original post both of which on my Dell 3007WFP 30" They are very nice monitors but there is always room for improvement. But size wise I'd love to play video games on a larger screen. I can put two 30's together for remote desktop and many things that would be great for more desktop real estate but I don't want any seams when playing games at my desk. I remembered to check out those really really wide screen desktop monitors that are curved while I was at CES and while there was no physical boarder, they clearly had seems at each of the 4 segments was linked together and they also had much less height compared to a 30".

I'm not saying everyone needs a 30" but I work with two graphics companies and I can think of about 50 people right off the bat who would love to upgrade from a 30". Again, I don't think everyone will want one any more than I think everyone should buy a BMW7 (mercedes, lexus, insert a very high end car here) series but clearly although I can't justify buying a 7 series for myself there is a market for them as they are fine cars. I believe there is a market for larger screens. I can't tell you how many execs insisted to me they didn't need anything bigger than 24" and weren't even sure they wanted a 24". I "accidentally" ordered 30" models so they wouldn't complain when they when to another execs office and saw the 27" and 30" models. I asked them if they wanted to get the units exchanged while they were still in the box as we wouldn't even be charged shipping for the exchange and they all decided the 30" was a much better choice than the 24" which they were worried would be too large.

My mother wanted a bigger TV and insisted 40" would be too large. I insisted I wouldn't even help set it up unless she got a 55" as I knew she would want to change it out as soon as she went to a neighbors house or got used to the 40". One week after I set it up - she said it wasn't nearly as big as she thought it would be and it was fine. A couple of months later she visited my sister who just buys what I tell her to. I installed a 70" for my sister. After seeing tennis on the 70" my mother asked me if she could return the 55" - AUUGHHH!

[Roman @ Jan 10th 2009 11:12PM]

This must be the least interesting post I've read on Engadget.
2005 called, they want their specs back...

[notatoad @ Jan 10th 2009 11:28PM]

this sounds rather boring, but the 2209W (no A) that dell currently has in their canadian email coupons for $190 with 178º viewing angles and 1080p resolution is quite interesting.

[Boards of Canada @ Jan 10th 2009 11:42PM]

But its not good for print and motion design. Its a TN. Ok for web and movies... thats it.

[Nippero @ Jan 10th 2009 11:29PM]

To the people commenting about the "UltraSharp" branding,

You simply don't understand Dell's monitor naming scheme.
UltraSharp is simply the name they gave to their higher end line. Main differences are usually non-TN panel (my 2007WFP UltraSharp is S-IPS, woo), better stand, and better aesthetics.

Their other line is the Economy line.

In summary, the name isn't referring to the DPI of these screens.

[Destiny @ Jan 11th 2009 12:10AM]

Congratulations goes to Nippero!

He hit the nail on the head so to say. It does have to do with the Dell naming scheme which is under the control of the physical laborers of the industry, the inventory and warehouse workers. This descriptive information is their contribution to the world. It's their amazing way of being able to locate and recognize exactly what everyone in the great world is trying to find in their massive warehouses. It distinguishes individual items one from another. It doesn't come from the techies at all.

[ducky @ Jan 11th 2009 2:23AM]

A non-TN panel was virtually guaranteed with UltraSharp a couple years back. With Dell's new obsession with "economizing parts" however, this is no longer true. The vast majority of the UltraSharp line now uses TN panels. A few use VA. Only their largest and most obscenely-priced monitors have IPS.

My first and still only LCD in the house is the 2007WFP. It's an S-IPS. Having used this for the past 2+ years, I cannot STAND a TN panel. I've tried other people's panels, it just doesn't seem right to spend money on a screen in which green on the left side and green on the right side are not the same color. I've looked all over for a 2007WFP, but it's nigh-impossible to get even heavily used units for a decent price.

I have a feeling the price on this will be outrageous when we find out what it is. Dell seems to want to punish people for wanting a better screen. Obviously IPS panels cost more, but they charge a much greater premium on their current IPS options than they did back in '06/'07.

[Boards of Canada @ Jan 11th 2009 4:28AM]

Hey Ducky, im with you on that one. Some of the ultrasharp are TN, you can tell right away by the price. Me too I still cherish my 2007wfp. you could get one for 360$ in the past but now they are up again to 600$ and not even availlable here in japan. Its like that I got my 30inch... I complained to dell all there screens choice were TN and they accepted to put the 30inch on my discount. Ive got it for only 800$!! best deal ever.

Im now a Dell big consumer because if you what you want and are patient enough for wait a discount or a coupon, you can get the best computers at a ridiculous price. Ive just got a 200$ discount on a studio XPS yesterday... new i7 quad, 6gb of ram and a Ati HD 4850! I cant wait its here..!!! After Effects will fly on that machine.

[Chuck @ Jan 10th 2009 11:36PM]

I Love the UltraSharp Line.

[Ryan Thaut @ Jan 10th 2009 11:52PM]

I am REALLY waiting for a 2409 Ultrasharp (24" version, for those not familiar with the naming scheme).

I am currently looking at purchasing a Dell 2408WFP, but I would really rather wait to see if Dell will release a 24" IPS panel anytime soon.

And yes, the Ultrasharp line is amazing. I have 2x 2005FPW's (20" S-IPS panels), and, had something not crashed through the front of one of them, I wouldn't even consider changing.

[gamefreak32 @ Jan 11th 2009 12:41AM]

It is an S-PVA panel. The HP LP2275w has the exact same specs. It is the exact same monitor as the LP2275w.

[mikko @ Jan 11th 2009 5:49AM]

Why make this kind of crap if you can put 1920x1200 resolution on 17" laptop?

[Like_A_Glove @ Jan 11th 2009 8:28AM]

Not everyone's eyesight is as good as you pal. prolonged use of a monitor with DPI as dense as this, is like pressing pushpins towards my eyeballs. ouch....

[Sam @ Jan 15th 2009 12:22PM]

Mikko, I agree, monitor resolution seems to be downgrading over the years. Many years ago I had a laptop with a 1600x1200 resolution packed into a 15" screen. Good eyesight is not needed for high resolution. Font sizes and even icon sizes can be increased. There is no better way to make a sharp picture than lots of pixels.

[nick @ Jan 11th 2009 9:21AM]

People that defend Dell's monitors, I agree that most are well built, but I feel like they have a nasty habit of switching panels within a monitor brand without changing the name scheme. I hate that I have to hunt down whether or a not a monitor is IPS or TN or PVA. I simply want it to be stated on the spec's irregardless. Wonder when OLED will start hitting the pricepoint of being buyable computer monitors, CES 2010?

[ed. @ Jan 11th 2009 10:09AM]

on Dell Australia, they actually tell you whether the monitor is TN, PVA or IPS. We also seem to have the 2709W Ultrasharp whilst the US site only shows the 2707.

[Swansen @ Jan 11th 2009 11:33AM]

Dell makes good displays, most don't know that. No, they don't make awesome budget displays, but who does. This is great for two reasons, one, they advertised actual contrast and not fake dynamic contrast, and two, they aren't using a crappy TN panel.

[brandes @ Jan 12th 2009 8:35PM]

To bad it's not the S2209W which is 1920 x 1080; this is available in the US.