24" LCD Roundup

by Jarred Walton on May 1, 2008 8:00 PM EST

Dell 2408WFP Specifications and Appearance

Dell 2408WFP Specifications
Video Inputs 2 x DVI with HDCP support
HDMI
DisplayPort
Analog (VGA)
Component
S-Video
Composite
Panel Type S-PVA (DELA02A)
Pixel Pitch 0.270mm
Colors 16.7 million (8-bit)
110% color gamut
Brightness 400 cd/m2
Contrast Ratio Up to 3000:1 Dynamic
Response Time 6ms GTG
Viewable Size 24" diagonal
Resolution 1920x1200
Viewing Angle 178 vertical/horizontal
Power Consumption <130W max stated
90W max, 45W min measured
Power Savings <2W
Screen Treatment Matte anti-glare (non-glossy)
Height-Adjustable Yes - 3.9 inches
Tilt Yes - 21 degrees back/3 degrees forward
Pivot Yes
Swivel Yes - 45 degrees left/right
VESA Wall Mounting 100mm x 100mm
Dimensions w/ Base (WxHxD) 22.04" x 15.62" x 8.17" lowered (WxHxD)
22.04" x 19.56" x 8.17" raised (WxHxD)
Weight w/ Stand 21.74 lbs.
Additional Features (2) USB 2.0 - left, (2) USB 2.0 - back
9-in-2 Flash reader
(USB connection to PC required)
Audio Audio out
Optional speaker bar
Limited Warranty 3-year parts and labor (when purchased from Dell)
4-year ($39) and 5-year ($59) optional upgrades from Dell
Price MSRP $699
Online starting at ~$580

The Dell 2408WFP follows in the footsteps of Dell's successful 24" LCD line. The 2405FPW was one of the first 24" LCDs to hit the market, and early adopters loved it. The 2407WFP changed the appearance slightly and added a few extra features like HDCP support, while the 2407WFP-HC offered an improved color gamut. The 2408WFP looks nearly identical to the 2407WFP, but it improves the color gamut again -- this time to 110% -- and it also adds additional input options. It has two DVI inputs, and HDMI input, and it's one of the few current LCDs to support DisplayPort. (As we did not have an appropriate graphics card, we were not able to test the DisplayPort input.)

Besides the improved color gamut and the additional inputs, very little has changed relative to the 2407WFP. That's not a bad thing however, is that remains one of the better LCDs on the market. In the features department, you get a fully functional base stand with pivot, swivel, and height adjustment. You also get a 9-in-2 flash reader and four USB ports. Our only complaint with the stand is that even at maximum height it can be a bit difficult to pivot the LCD into portrait mode; you'll need to tilt the LCD all the way back before you can properly pivot the panel. As far as complaints go, that's a truly minor nitpick.


Like the previous Dell 24" LCDs, the 2408WFP uses an S-PVA panel. That means you get all of the good features like better viewing angles and reasonable response times. However, as we'll see later, the S-PVA panels also seem to suffer from input lag -- more so than any other panel type. Whether that's something inherent in the technology were simply a delay caused by the video processing engine, we can't say for sure, and we were never really bothered by the input lag. More demanding gamers however might be put off, as there appears to be a 2-3 frame lag.

In our subjective opinion, Dell's LCDs continue to be some of the most attractive offerings on the market. Some people like glossy panels or bezels; we prefer a matte finish that won't immediately pick up fingerprints. Again, outside of the changes to the connections on the back of the LCD, the 2408WFP looks identical to the 2407WFP.

ASUS MK241H Evaluation Dell 2408WFP Evaluation
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  • Dainas - Friday, May 2, 2008 - link

    Well, it would not be as much fun as if they had done it 3 months ago. All the sub-$500 'jewels' have been dissapearing from the market. Just as well though, might as well review something that will still be easy to buy +6 months down the road.
  • JarredWalton - Friday, May 2, 2008 - link

    It shouldn't be too much of a surprise that the cheapest LCDs often have much lower quality. That being the case, most of the manufacturers of cheap LCDs are unwilling to send us review units. Hence, we end up with 24" roundups (and some upcoming 27 and 30" units as well).

    That said, I think more people should bite the bullet and splurge on a really nice display. I couldn't imagine running an SLI or CrossFire system without at least a 24" monitor, and having upgraded to a 30" LCD 18 months back I've never regretted the decision. I hope to continue to use my 30" LCD for at least another 5 years; try saying that about the rest of a PC. $500 sounds like a lot, but a good display can last through several PC upgrades.
  • Basilisk - Friday, May 2, 2008 - link

    I have to agree with the original poster on this sub-thread. There's nothing about these four units that command my interest yet. If you're not shipped the units, I still find it surprising that you don't know folks who've bought the cheaper units -- I do -- or a store manager who might loan them. Whatever, you have your criteria, even if they edge your review towards irrelevance for me.

    "That said, I think more people should bite the bullet and splurge on a really nice display." Well... that's been my strategy in life, but I've now retired and the economic picture has changed; others haven't the coins to spare or a need that justifies the extra bucks. I game, but nothing requiring high speed LCDs; I work with pictures, but nothing that justifies full color gamut monitors. So... what is there beyond elitism to recommend spending an extra $200-$400 for something I won't use? Some might call that an immature purchase decision, not splurging. I'd have loved to see the OfficeMax Soyo 24" monitor -- recurringly sold at $275 -- included so I'd know why NOT to buy it, or to.

    Well, I'll probably skip the 24" size and make a 28" my next purchase anyway: at my age, size matters. :) The old orbs are becoming challenged using my 21" CRT and 22" WS LCD on detailed web pages.
  • strikeback03 - Tuesday, May 6, 2008 - link

    For our lab we have bought a few of the Westinghouse 24" monitors Newegg sells for ~350 (After rebate) and for the price I'd assume they use a TN panel, but it has very good viewing angles.
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/strikeback0...">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/strikeback0...

    Have not had a chance to try color calibration. Seems it's biggest problems are 1) no DVI, and over HDMI it goes to blue screen instead of sleep when the signal is cut; and 2) the controls for the OSD are awful, they are on the side of the monitor so you have to try and look at their tiny labels and look around at the screen to do anything.
  • Dainas - Thursday, May 1, 2008 - link

    Well its partly bullshit, there is a lolair MVA (different take on PVA) that has zero input lag and is lighting fast even among TNs.

    I can assure you of one thing, the lag in the PVA 2408WFP and LaCie is however definitely not due to the panel. Just as the 3008WFP IPS is as slow as mud next to the 3007WFP IPS due to its built in scalar. But Dell panels were never fast and I'm sure a PVA could be made as fast as the fastest MVAs, which are as fast as TNs as any sane gamer could be concerned.
  • Dainas - Thursday, May 1, 2008 - link

    No edit function, ugh.
  • JarredWalton - Friday, May 2, 2008 - link

    I'm not at all sure that PVA can be made as fast as TN. If it can, then why do the Gateway LCDs behave so differently? The interface is practically the same and they both use Faroudja video processors. Why would Gateway use one scaler on their S-PVA and a different one on the TN - particularly if the TN scaler appears better?

    I don't doubt that they can reduce the lag, but you'll notice out of nine LCDs five have lag of 18ms or more and four have virtually no lag; the four without lag are TN and the five with lag are S-PVA. The circumstantial evidence is pretty significant.
  • Pirks - Thursday, May 1, 2008 - link

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...

    Dying to see this reviewed!

    Puhleeeasseee with sugar on top

    Okay? :D
  • timmiser - Monday, May 5, 2008 - link

    This is my monitor I've been using for the past 6 months and I absolutely love it. I bought mine at Costco.com for the same price that most of those 24" were selling for at the time. One thing about is the fact that is has the same resolution as the 24" screens so everything is a bit larger but to me, that is a good thing. I had one 19" Hanns-G monitor prior to this and can agree on the cheapness but this one I feel is of very high quality and no complaints yet.
  • Googer - Friday, May 2, 2008 - link

    I have read multiple HANS-G monitor reviews from other hardware sites in the past and the consensus is that HANS-G monitors are cheaply made to match the cheap price tag, typically resulting in a poor review.

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