- Product:
- Dell UltraSharp 2405FPW LCD Monitor (company site)
- What’s Good:
- Bright and crisp image, lots of connection options, size, price
- What’s Bad:
- Extra features I don’t need
I’ve been waiting patiently over the past few years for the price of large LCD panel displays to drop to a price point that felt worthwhile. I spend a most of my day in front of my display, so I’m willing to pay a bit more for quality. Until recently, though, the premium on large LCD panels what just too high. The 24” Dell 2405FPW was the screen that finally tipped the scales for me.
If you’re looking for an in-depth comparison of image quality, color reproduction, and display controls with other competitive monitors, you’ll be better off reading the CNET Review, Extreme Tech review, or TrustedReviews.com review. Instead, I’ll give you my first-hand account of day-to-day use of the display in the first few weeks I’ve owned it.
My New Years Resolution: 1920 x 1200
When I first saw a friend’s new 23” Apple Cinema Display last year, I actually thought it looked too big. It seemed almost absurd to have such a large screen on a desk in front of you. After he let me use it for a week, that perception faded. At the time, though, I was impressed with the quality and size, but not with the value:
“Well, I’ve been using the display for a week-and-a-half, and I give it up in a few days. I’m not going to buy one of my own. That isn’t to say I didn’t love it. I did - but not $3,000 worth…”
For most people, at 24” display is probably a bit more than they need. Dell offers both 19” and 20” models that are quite well priced. For me, though, I am already used to the relatively high-density display on my ThinkPad laptop. The laptop display is a 14” screen at a resolution of 1400 x 1050. Most 19” and 20” display run at either 1280 x 1024 or 1600 x 1200. I didn’t want to buy a new screen that had only a marginally higher resolution than my little old laptop, let alone a smaller resolution.
This left me with two options, the 23” Apple Cinema Display, and the 24” Dell 2405FPW. While the Dell is 1” larger, both displays have the same 1920 x 1200 resolution, so that extra inch wasn’t really swaying me. The Apple display is a bit prettier, but as long as it’s not distracting, I’m not too concerned with the appearance of the frame of a display (it’s the screen itself that matters).
It’s All About the Benjamins
With size being close, appearance being negligible, and overall quality (according to other reviews) being relatively close (if not identical), it all came down to price. As of the writing of this post (Sept 13, 2005), the list price for the 23” Apple display is $1,899 CDN and the list price for the 24” Dell is $1,399 CDN. On top of that, the Dell displays are frequently discounted by several hundred dollars. The Dell option seems like a much better value.
So, How Is It?
When I first started to unpack the 2405FPW from the box, I was struck by the size of the base/mounting-arm - it seemed enormous. Fortunately, once the display itself is mounted on the base, it seems quite well proportioned.
I was immediately struck by the brightness of the display. Even in a well lit office(lots of windows and lights), the display actually felt too bright. I ended up turning the brightness down to about half. It’s still bright, but no longer blindingly so.
There’s not much to say about the display quality itself - it is bright, crisp, and clear. I had high expectations and I was not disappointed. Even light grays that sometimes fade into white on laptop displays show up clearly.
More Features Than I Need
The 2405FPW seems to have more ports than my computer. It has four USB ports, which I wasn’t really looking for, but help make up for the limited number on my ThinkPad Port Replicator (review).
There are variety of video inputs as well. While I’m only using the DVI input, the s-video and VGA inputs could come in handy occasionally. With multiple inputs you can have a picture-in-picture set. I guess you could watch TV in the corner or something - though I can’t imaging anyone ever actually doing that.
In addition to all of the video and USB ports on the bottom of the monitor (two of the USB ports are on the side as well), there is an array of card-reader slots on the left side of the monitor enclosure. They call it a “9-in-1” card reader. It seems to support every camera card format I’ve ever come across (including Secure Digital and Compact Flash, the two I actually use). The card reader connects to your PC through the USB cable that also activates the extra USB ports on the display. I didn’t think I’d ever need these card reader slots, but they work well and turned out to be a handy way to get photos from a camera.
The controls on the display seemed a bit confusing, but other than adjusting the brightness, which was quite straightforward, I can’t imagine what other adjustments I’d have to make. So far all of the other settings have remained at the factory default.
Another feature that seams like a good idea, but that I will never actually use is the ability of the 2405FPW to rotate 90 degrees into a portrait mode. Perhaps if you’re using the supplied Windows XP drivers, the video gets automatically rotated when you flip the screen, but when I tried it on a Linux laptop and MacOS X laptop, you had to turn your head 90 degrees as well.
The Bottom Line
I am entirely pleased the 2405FPW. The picture quality is great, its appearance of the case is non-intrusive, and the price was right. I actually ended up buying mine through eBay and saved an extra few hundred dollars, making the price even more attractive. If you’re not already spoiled by a current high-resolution screen, a 19” or 20” might suffice (and are quite affordable now). However, if you’re already at a high resolution and want something larger, like myself, the 1920 x 1200 resolution over 24” is an ideal setup. Highly recommended.
Comments
Isaac Grant - September 19, 2005 7:23 pm
Small clarification - Mac OS X can certainly rotate a display by 90 degrees.
I'm sure there are drivers for some linux distributions that include this functionality as well - but am too lazy to hunt them down.
That said, neither can tell the orientation of the screen, and have to be set to match the current setup of the screen.
Ian - September 26, 2005 8:32 am
Hi Steven,
I have been reading posts on this site for a while, but don't think that I've ever commented. Your review really made me want a new monitor. I've got a 19" NEC that I really like, but it is a bit big and doesn't have extra USB ports or a card reader! Dell should be paying you because I'm sure they will get at least a few sales from this post.
I did have one question though, I'm not sure if you mentioned it or not, but I didn't see where you commented on how the screen is when viewed from the side/at an angle. That has been my biggest problem with lcd's so far.
Michael Gauthier - September 27, 2005 6:17 pm
Ian,
I recently bought two 19" Dell Ultrasharp LCDs for my family's computers based on what I saw on Steven's desk. I've had no troubles with viewing angle at all; things still look sharp and colours are well defined at at angles at least as low as 20 degrees. I think the Dell website has the exact viewing angles listed as well.
XenoS - October 9, 2005 9:25 am
Just passing through while looking for an inf file or what wide screen 16:10 resolutions this monitor is capable of. 1680x1050 and 1920x1200 surely can't be the only ones accodring to my BFG 6800GT options. Anyways, just got the 2405FPW a few days ago and love it. Only complaints are limited controls depending on the source (DVI is the worst, with color and brightness only) and that there is indeed a high pitched whine like has been mentioned in some CNET user reviews. Luckily I only hear it when I listen for it. It sounds much like when your ears ring, which mine do all the time anyways (plus I sit next to my PC and a fridge isn't too far away as well), so it's not really bothersome. Could be for people with more sensisitive hearing though. Other than that, it's a beautiful monitor and the price is great. No dead or stuck pixels on mine, no screendoor effect, no backlighting issues, and only slight ghosting in games under specific circumstances, and even then it's hard to see since it's short and dissapears so fast. If you're reading this because you're thinking of buying one, don't hesitate.
Michael Green - October 20, 2005 12:35 pm
Beautiful monitor with one, potentially fatal, flaw ... no HDMI or DVI/HDCP support.
The next generation of Windows (Vista) will require that monitors support some type of content protection protocol in order to play back DRM'd video (e.g. BluRay or HD-DVD). There is some possiblity that it will allow playback at some lower (480p?) resolution, but you can almost certainly forget about true 720/1080 playback. Of course maybe video isn't that important to you.
Isaac Grant - October 20, 2005 12:50 pm
Either that, or he doesn't care about Vista and has faith in an open source solution to BluRay and HD-DVD.
That said, I'd challange you to find a resolution comparable monitor that does support HDMI or DVI/HDCP at this point - they just don't exist.
Michael Green - October 20, 2005 4:53 pm
I have a 2405 and a LVM-37w1, the LVM is too big to use as my primary monitor, but since it does support HDCP I'm not too worried about Vista & video. Most people don't have this luxury and may simply want to wait a few months before dropping this kind of change if video is an issue; if this doesn't concern you, then by all means jump right in. I'd be very surprised if most monitors rolled out over the next few months don't support content protection, several have already been announced.
WRT open source, I'm not in the habit of spending a grand based simply on faith.
Me2U - October 25, 2005 2:20 am
Does the monitor come with a DVI cable?
John S - October 26, 2005 4:53 pm
Are you driving the monitor at 1920 x 1200 from your ThinkPad? I have a T41p (128MB VRAM, but forget what card exactly) and am not sure if it will support the monitor. Like you, I'm already spoiled by the SXGA+ resolution on 14.1 inches.
Steven Garrity - October 26, 2005 5:11 pm
John: Yeah, I'm powering the full 1920x1200 from my ThinkPad T30 and it only has 16MB of VRAM, so you should be fine.
Patrick Bergeron - November 11, 2005 1:56 am
This monitor rocks. I am still picking up my jaw from the floor, but it just keeps dropping...
Oops there it goes again...
Most highly recommended screen.
Orion - November 11, 2005 4:05 pm
I have been using this monitor for a few weeks now, and it is excellent. I am no expert, but the picture clarity and color are remarkable. I am working on a print catalog and it is great for working with photos. Plus I can lay out 2 pages side by side. I wish I had one at home too.
Gail Hyder Wiley - December 14, 2005 12:36 am
I'm having a hard time finding a laptop with docking station or port replicator that I'm confident will drive my 24" monitor (isn't it great!?) at its fullest 1900x1200 resolution. Your ThinkPad works? What's the configuration? Thanks for any help you can provide.
Sy Ali - December 28, 2005 10:16 am
I've had mine for some time now, and the brightness is just mindboggling. Even setting the brightness to 0 this thing is WAY too bright. Changing the gamma on my X desktop doesn't do it.. I'm still looking forr solutions.
omfg - December 28, 2005 10:17 am
Holy crap, you post email addresses plaintext! Don't do that!!!
James Welborn - January 26, 2006 11:27 am
I just got one of these at work. Unfortunately, my Mac Mini doesn't seem to drive it correctly. The Mini does 1920x1200 @76Hz, but the display wants 60hz. Anyone know what to do?
Eberhard - February 6, 2006 9:42 am
For support HDCP dont worry
What Crackers doo.
HDCP is idotic forbidens.
Who is idiot who invented HDCP protection.
It is involving in human wrights.
Crackers will blow out theese idiotic protection.
Rex - February 18, 2006 1:57 am
QUOTE: Me2U [2:20 AM October 25, 2005]
Does the monitor come with a DVI cable?
yes it does .. you people that say the screen is to bright .. do you have a GOOD video card..??? mine looks and works great with a BFG 7800GT card
JMO take it for what it is worth ...
just words and my opinion is all..lol.. :D
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Helen - June 3, 2006 1:31 pm
The lack of HDCP is going to become a bigger issue as time goes on. There are lots of great display devices out their that are crippled by the HDCP nonsense preventing connection via DVI cables. It's not just HD DVD players, or MS windows versions. Try connecting up a regular HD STB with DVI to something that lacks HDCP support and you'll have a dead display. Who really wants HD over analog cables? That's about all we're going to get unless we replace all those non HDCP monitors and TVs with newer more expensive versions.
Steven - June 6, 2006 5:10 am
I also have a 14" Thinkpad display at 1400x1050. Do you find 1920x1200 on the 24" flat panel gives you comparable text sizes?
impending doom - December 30, 2006 6:16 am
much too bright, I would love to be able to crack it open and put a resistor on the brightness circuit if only it wasn't an insane thing to do, can't wait to buy the same type of monitor with half the brightness or a lot better black, power strip works a treat however for everything that isn't black still glows in the dark.
Mike Gauthier - February 6, 2007 10:56 pm
Sy Ali:
The form says your email will be posted. If you don't want it visible, don't enter it. I've removed your email from your reply.
Sy Ali - September 8, 2007 10:42 pm
> The form says your email will be posted. If you don't want it visible, don't enter it. I've removed your email from your reply.
quote: Your email address will not be displayed with your reply.
Isaac Grant - September 9, 2007 9:03 am
Sy Ali,
You seem to have entered an old debate - the first text you quote was accurate when it was posted, but the second bit of text (on the email entry box on the post a reply box), is correct, and how the site now works.
So, to be clear, the text saying your email address will not be displayed with your reply is accurate, and the way the site now operates.
Toffa - October 18, 2007 4:21 pm
Does anybody know why my 2405fpw displays a blank screen when i connect my Xbox 360 elite to it via HDMI to DVI cable?
i am able to play through component. can anyone help?