Dell goes pro with 27-inch UltraSharp U2711 WQHD LCD monitor (hands-on)
By Darren Murph 
posted January 7th 2010 12:01AM
posted January 7th 2010 12:01AM
You'll also find just about every port known to man: HDMI 1.3, DisplayPort, DVI-D (x2), VGA, composite, component, USB (x4) and an 8-in-1 multicard reader. 'Course, the actual aesthetics are nothing to write home about, but again, this one's being targeted at end users who care less about the bezel and more about true-to-life pixel performance. We had a chance to toy around with the new beast, and frankly, we were mesmerized. Without an in-house color calibrator, we can't speak for those who need oodles of numbers and bar charts to tell if a monitor is performing correctly, but we can say that the panel was remarkably sharp, crisp and accurate -- more so than our (much adored) 24-inch 2408WFP, that's for sure. Be prepared to catch this one next month with an MSRP of $1,049.
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3007WFP-HC is a better deal imo (30", 2560x1600, IPS). Could've got one for $899 CAD back then... damn it T_T
@Peytral For entertainment or work? Might this have better color accuracy or gamut than the 3007?
Is it just me or do some of those pictures make the monitor look like it is really thick? Like 5-6 inches thick...
@takushue
Who really cares about the thickness of a monitor that sits on your desk? I really don't understand the obsession with making LCD panels thin, there is no reason. How often do you move your LCD panels around?
@takushue It looks bigger than the 27" iMac !!!!
What, no 3D support? This is so yesterday.
@Aboozer No 3D, but wide gamut, color accuracy wide viewing angles and the whole collection of inputs. For graphics professionals and hobbyists not for play.
I bet it's the same panel as the imac 27". Panel is probably done by LG-Phillips as well since the high end Dell monitors are IPS like the Apple monitors are.
Can anyone please tell me if this new Dell has the same terrible Anti-Glare coating that has plagued almost all Dell monitors for a while now?
I returned my 2407-HC because of that AG coating (it makes white backgrounds look sparkly/dirty) and I swore I would never touch another Dell monitor until they got rid of the coating.
Otherwise this monitor looks perfect to match a new iMac.
@ASkoreyko
The sparkles are not because of the glare, they are just an inherent problem with LCDs, especially when you push boundaries in terms of response time or resolution.
I have used matte laptops with the sparkles issue as well. Even my samsung rear projection HDTV has it.
@DrDr
My samsung 305t disagree's. I have set-up my 305t next to my friends 3007-HC and they look completely different. The samsung looks "clean" when viewing a word document while the Dell looks "dirty".
My wife has the new 27" iMac and word files look fantastic on it, the white background is totally clean and does not look "dirty" at all.
Basically what I am trying to describe is it looks like there is a thin layer of dust on most Dell monitors with a white background.
"The candela per square meter (cd/m²) is the SI unit of luminance; nit is a deprecated non-SI name also used for this unit (1 nit = 1 cd/m²)"
Precisely as rumored, I see. Lovely.
Is that John Deacon on the background?
@migmanson It's Matt Rubano from Taking Back Sunday. Shot that image from a concert I went to in '08.
I been waiting for this ever since the 27in Imac came out. Eyefinity three of these monitor and I'm in heaven.
I have to say, Dell makes some pretty awesome monitors. I have an old 2005FWP (20" 1680x1050) that just turned 5 years old ... it's been with me through 3 computers, including my current MacBook Pro. Yet it still looks as sharp as the day I bought it (for under $400 total!). Amazing.
Wide-gamut? No thanks.
Dirty looking anti-glare coating? No thanks.
Another terrible, color-banded, lag-inducing sRGB mode like on the U2410? Again, no thanks.
Dell just doesn't get it. At this price I'd be happier buying the cheapest 27" iMac and simply using it as a display...
gonna shop for that keyboard!
@Peytral
at 899CAD it's definatelly a great deal, but i for one couldnt find it cheaper than 1300USD. And now that i think about it, the 27" is more apropriate to my space contrains.
@BogdanGC
the comment above was replying to Peytral post, way above.
No new 30" for 2010? I'd love to get a new 30" monitor to replace my 2007 model.
@boe
I was also hoping for a Dell u3011. Are the days of 30" monitors over?
@eporter I don't think the days of 30" are over by a long shot - I know plenty of companies waiting for even larger than 30". But due to technical dificulties such as Apple has had with their 30"s and the slow economy, I believe we'll have to wait longer between new iterations of 30" screens even though it is has been several years for some companies to release a new 30"
That is a steep price for perfection. And a tad large for my desk.
Question? Do they make a version of this in 23" or 24"?
What mouse is that?
Glad to see something in between the size of a 24" and a 30" being offered... the resolution really is the important point.
I'll wait for reviews on this one.. I do prefer everything for a single app on one screen if possible, and interface bloat is starting to make my 24" screens feel cramped.. width is the main thing needed, and 30" screens are out of my price range.
I think this monitor could use LED backlighting. If for nothing else, to reduce its thickness.
I prefer the Dell 23" SP2309W Flat Screen as it runs at a very nice 2048 x 1152, but the best part is the price at only €236. It is missing Display Port but still has HDMI, DVI, VGA.
And now you know why the 27" iMac costs what it does. The monitor alone is over a grand.
I don't know what engadget's got against the monitor's looks. It looks like a larger version of my 2209WA which I think looks sleek sitting on my desk. And you won't beat the stand! That is one amazing stand-- tilt, swivel, whatever, it's rock solid!
@Xcelerate As someone who is 6'4", I have to ask: does this stand have a height adjustment?
I was so sad when Dell stopped adding height-adjusting stands to their monitors. I pray my 2005FPW never dies, or it's back to neck-pain and aspirin for me!
@kevlar Yep, it has height adjustment. It's pretty nice. If I ever get a new monitor and it doesn't have a good stand, I'm swapping it out with this one.
I hate todays situation where you are getting only 16:9 monitors. For example there is no recent laptop with 1400x1050 screen that actually is a really perfect resolution.
Screens with 16:9 ratio are only good for special applications like movie watching.
For desktop usage, a 16:10 or 3:4 monitor is a way better choice.
Sounds like the panel in the 27" iMac to me... hm. Those who wanted the iMac screen now can get it without a computer attached to it. Nice! (and without the ultra high glossiness of an iMac).
27" is too small, I've been using my Dell 30" panel for too long. I want a 36"+
I have a 22.2" IPS display with 3840 x 2400 resolution.
It cost me negative $200.
Granted, 50 (no, that's not a typo) ms refresh, 235 nits brightness, and 400:1 contrast, but the thing came out in 2001.
How did I get it that cheap?
I got two from Japan, for about $1300 to my doorstep. You can probably do better now, their market for this monitor got flooded.
I then sold one for $1500. ;)
It's the IBM T221. The models to get there are the 9503-DGP and the 9503-DGM (may also be known as the 9503-5M1) - they're equivalent to the 9503-DG5, the best version.