Dell U2311H: E-IPS, Full Adjustments, and DisplayPort
by Chris Heinonen on September 27, 2011 12:20 AM ESTPower Consumption
Since the Dell still uses a traditional CCFL backlight and not an LED backlight, the power consumption falls in line with other traditional 23” displays. At max brightness the Dell consumes 41 watts while at minimum brightness it only consumes 18 watts of power. Heat didn’t seem to be an issue, and while I have no way to measure it, even after sitting here at the display for 2+ hours while I work on this review, neither the screen nor the rear of the panel was very hot to the touch.
Conclusions
Overall the Dell U2311H did a good job as a display, especially when you consider how affordable you can find it available for. The backlight uniformity leaves a bit to be desired, but the dE level was capable of getting to a level that was suitable for print work. The contrast ratio of 1000:1 was very nice compared to other monitors in the same price class as well. While an HDMI input would be nice for those looking to have it serve double duty as a display for gaming or movies, a simple HDMI to DVI adapter will resolve that since it lacks speakers anyway.
We have no problem recommending the Dell U2311H as a step up from the numerous mediocre TN-based LCDs that currently sell for under $200. However, there are other E-IPS LCDs available for under $200, so what you're really paying for here isn't E-IPS but instead it's the other features. What might those be? For one, getting a 23" display with height/swivel/tilt adjustments usually bumps the price up around $50. The other major "extra"? DisplayPort.
Ironically, the royalty-free DisplayPort tends to only show up on more expensive LCDs—a quick search at Newegg for instance shows that the pricing of the U2311H is right in line with other offerings that feature full adjustability and DisplayPort. If you happen to need/want DP support rather than HDMI, it's an important distinction, but you'll pay for the privilege.
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pjfan75 - Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - link
Can you post the calibration settings you used?Thanks!
cheinonen - Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - link
I will grab the settings I used when I hook it up for the input lag test, but since the majority of the work is done with the LUTs in your graphics chip, and not in the display itself, it really won't get you that much of an improvement over the stock settings unfortunately.Zoomer - Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - link
How about a review of HP's line, the ZR24w, etc, or maybe even a comparison?Makaveli - Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - link
I own a ZR24w and I would love to see this. From what I have researched the HP screen uses a real 8 bit panel and would love to see this compared to the 6bit+AFC in this. I'm sure if the Dell 24 inch version is also a non 8 bit panel?TegiriNenashi - Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - link
EOMthe_engineer - Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - link
I Love these monitor reviews. Thanks for working hard on this! I would REALLY love to see a comparison of the current monitor technologies (H-IPS; E-IPS; Samsung's newest tech; TN Panels; Discussion of diffrent styles of LED backlights etc....) and which monitor lines we can find each tech in. This is a very complex issue and actually very pressing for those of us amateur turning-pro photographers and graphic designers on a budget. I've even seen some 40"+ LED backlit Televisions that claim to use IPS technology that i've considered for a display mostly for the price per inch ratio seems so good. Any thoughts on why that might be a bad idea if they are IPS panels?fausto412 - Wednesday, September 28, 2011 - link
yes, i would like to see comparison of technologies...TwinIon - Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - link
I own three of these. Great monitors for the price, but wait for a Dell sale. I got mine for closer to $250 each.Displayport was a real benefit for me since I wanted to use the screens for eyefinity, which requires DP for at least one monitor. The ability to adjust the screens has also proved very important for eyefinity.
xi1inx - Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - link
I remember in the last 12 mouth, another Dell IPS screen was reviewed here. I recall this monitor have also the same price and have a Genesys board inside to drive the lcd. It's perhaps the same monitor with the dvi port instead, So, I saw many reader comments say this ips lcd is bad. I prefer at this point to pursage a nice and bright used Apple Cinema Display HD 23" for the same price. I very happy with this screen and I'm not regrating to don't have buy the Dell one.I think the Apple Cinema Display HD 23" could be a good comparison monitor to compare with new incomers, if you could found one like new. It perhaps an old monitor but it certainly clash with the Dell offers.
Despoiler - Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - link
Check out the NEC EA231WMi. It has since been discontinued for a newer model with a LED backlight, but I got it just south of $300. It suffers none of the issues Dell's E-IPS panels do. It can be calibrated to be quite accurate. In fact you can download a calibration file from TFT Central from their review. You can get .inf files for 75hz and 83hz over display port. There is no input lag or ghosting that I can detect and I play a lot of video games. The stand on it is epicly good. Simply put there are a lot better and cheaper E-IPS panels than what Dell offers. NEC is worth the look.