Dell U2711 27" Monitor Review

Dell U2711 MonitorThanks to some fortunate circumstances I've been able to get a new 27 inch monitor; The Dell U2711 Ultrasharp PremiumColor.

I was in need of a new monitor, since my old 24" Dell 2407WFP has some problems generating proper colors. Something which is quite important when fooling around with photographs on a computer. Another reason is that my the screen wouldn't work 'properly' with my new 27" iMac.

The 27"-er has a whopping resolution of 2560 x 1440 (WQHD), which is 'slightly more' than your average monitor. This monitor has an IPS panel, which is much better in rendering true colors than the old TN display.

The desktop real-estate is enormous (the same as the 27" iMac). Only problem so far is that my mobile devices aren't capable of using the full capacity of this display. Both my MacBook and Windows 7 Dell E6500 (work laptop) only go as high as 1920 x 1200. So I either have have some black borders, or I have to settle for a stretched screen. In both cases; the image is still extremely good. The display will be used as a second display on my 27" iMac.

Display (panel) Specifications

Panel Size: 27"
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen (16:9)
Panel Type, Surface: IPS (In-Plane Switching), anti glare with hard coat 3H
Optimal Resolution: 2560 x 1440 at 60 Hz
Contrast Ratio: 1000 to 1 (typical)
Dynamic Contrast Ratio: 80,000:1 (Max)
Brightness: 350 cd/m2 (typical)
Response Time: 6ms
Viewing Angle: (178° vertical / 178° horizontal)
Color Support: 1.07 billion colors
Pixel Pitch: 0.233mm

Inputs

The monitor has more inputs that you might ever need (or at least for this year);

• 2 * DVI
• 1 * DisplayPort
• 1 * VGA
• 1 * HDMI
• 1 * Component Video
• 1 * Composite Video
  
• 1 * USB uplink (2port USB-hub on the back, and two on the left-side)
• 1 * Multi memory card reader (xD, SD, MS, MMC, but NO CompactFlash Support!!!!)

Too bad that they didn't include a Mini-DisplayPort cable (or an adapter from DisplayPort to Mini-DisplayPort) which is standard on most Apple computers (more on that later).

Operation

On first sight, the monitor lacks input controls for brightness, contrast, input selector etc. Something you might overlook when you're unboxing in low light conditions, but they are there. On the bottom right are several 'buttons'.

The 'buttons' are nicely camouflaged on the rightside of the screenThe cool thing about the (bottom) button is that it lights-up when your fingers are about 3-4cm away. Touching the button is enough to enable the on-screen-display.

The on-screen-displaySelecting the proper input is something I need to get used to. My old Dell monitor had only one button, which choose the next input just by pressing it.

The input selection menuEvery Day Use

It seems that DisplayPort is the only input (protocol) able to project the 2560*1440 pixels on the Dell U2711 display. I tried the miniDisplayPort-to-(dual)DVI and/or VGA adapters available at Apple. Both of them stopped at 1920*1200 pixels. Also fiddled around with the SwitchResX control to get a higher resolution, but no custom setting worked.

This meant exploring other options to experience the full resolution of the 27" monster. The one option available was DisplayPort. The iMac support mini-DisplayPort only, so a 'converter' is necessary. A converter Apple doesn't offer. I guess that they want you to use their Cinema Displays. Those displays have a mini-DisplayPort input.

Mini Displayport - Displayport adapterThankfully, there's eBay. you can get a adapter for €10 to €15. Just do a search for "DisplayPort to Mini-Displayport adapter", and you'll find enough of them. I got mine @ KabelMaxx in the Netherlands (through eBay). Ordered it in Christmas Eve and it arrived today (along with a coupon code for an additional 10% off on my next purchase. So no complaints on their delivery promises.

Connecting the screen with the adapter results in instant 2560*1440 pixels. This also eliminates the use of SwitchResX for me, since display mirroring works as before (2 screens with the same resolution).

Will also try to hookup my PS3 to this screen during the holiday season for some serious desktop gaming, but I'll seriously doubt that the PS3 will render @ 2560*1440 pixels.

Dell U2711 in its full glory

Conclusion

Preliminary results: AWESOME screen. Especially next to a 27" iMac. You've got more desktop real-estate than you'll ever use! (where have I heard that before :-))

And back to earth; The 'buttons' for switching inputs etc. on the right side of the screen are relatively slow, So If you tend to switch inputs a lot, you are gonne get annoyed by these buttons.

Comments

[Johnny M.]

that screen looks super saucy next to that Apple iMac. Dopeee