Dell 2209WA or Samsung SM2443BW

Credo · 28 Sep 2009 at 13:02

After much deliberation, I have rounded my choice for a new monitor down to these two. In the blue corner - the Dell 2209WA, 22 inches of e-IPS quality, and in the red corner, the 24" Samsung SM2443BW, with a lesser panel but more room and a higher res.

Which one folks? I'm upgrading from a three year old 19" Viewsonic VX922, which in one aspect is still very impressive, namely low lag with 75Hz refresh.

My viewing needs / situation is as follows:

Reason for upgrade - more space needed for desktop usage, and to enhance my gaming experience.
Viewing angles not an issue, the monitor will be located in a recessed area, and will only ever be viewed straight on.
Usage will be gaming - fast FPS mainly, and email / browsing. I enjoy photography, and do a bit of graphics / photo editing on occasion. A bit of iPlayer is likely too.
Interfaces not an issue, happy with DVI, anything extra is a bonus.
Graphics are courtesy of a 1Gb 4870.

I'm very much drawn towards the Dell, it seems to have low input lag and that high quality panel. My only concern is, will I sit in front of it and think "damn, should have gone for a 24"..."?

Will my viewing situation make the 'shortcomings' of the Samsung's TN panel less of an issue - especially as it has a very adjustable stand?

Is my 4870 up to 1920 x 1200?

Does the Samsung have worse input lag than the Dell despite being a TN, as it's a 24"? I would choose what seems to be the Samsung monitor that is the not so well known model in the range! I can't find any really good online reviews of the SM2443BW, although I assume it's panel is the same as the T240.

Any opinions are welcome, and I do understand that monitor advice is a very individual thing...

Credo · 28 Sep 2009 at 14:10

cmndr_andi said:
The dell is a rather awesome gaming screen, as you said low input lag and response time - also the colours are fantastic. It would certainly be (and was) my pick. Of course it isn't quite as big as the Samsung, but its the old balance of Quantity vs Quality.

Also to bear in mind, the Dell comes with a "premium pixel guarantee" and a dell next working day replacement program, so if you have any problems dell send a guy to swap the monitor on your doorstep the next day.

I'm swinging in this direction...!

Credo · 28 Sep 2009 at 14:43

Jimbo Mahoney said:
I have the Samsung and I've been very happy with it (this is coming from a 22" CRT owner who used to play Quake II rather a lot at tweaked framerates for railgunning).

The input lag is non-existent, as is ghosting.

There was a review somewhere showing it had very low input lag, but I forget where.

Sounds promising too, looks like both monitors are good in their respective ways. Keep opinions coming if you have them, I've not agonised over a hardware purchase as much as this one, probably because everything else is more "measurable" than monitors, which are more subjective...

Credo · 28 Sep 2009 at 15:32

Interestingly, Samsung's UK site doesn't list the SM2443BW, only the NW :confused:

Credo · 28 Sep 2009 at 16:05

Plec said:
But as you've stated it's a subjective matter – ideally you would compare them before you bought, but the reality of achieving this is improbable :/

Decisions decisions…

(Oddly enough I upgraded from a ViewSonic 17” (great monitor) so the size jump was significant for me. I can see why you’re hesitant about jumping from a 19” to a 22” but if size isn’t an issue then the DELL makes an overall compelling argument to be bought.)

You sum up my predicament perfectly, the only thing stopping me buying the Dell is the not-massive jump in size, which is one of my main reasons for wanting to upgrade. I've tried many times to find some quality screens in the high street to compare, with no success.
I don't think I've seen an IPS screen in the flesh - unless Apple's use them (Apple screens do look nice, so maybe?).
Therefore it's harder for me to visualise the advantage of the Dell, as it's superior image quality is the factor that would swing me from the Samsung, if you see what I mean?
The fact is ideally I'd go for a 24" IPS, but just can't justify the extra cash required. That and the fact that in a year or two I expect panel technology to have moved on and 24" 120Hz IPS displays to be available...
I'd love a link to an SM2443BW review if anyone can dig one out?

Credo · 28 Sep 2009 at 17:29

Mr Paul said:
I have the Samsung, excellent monitor! BUY!

I know, I've been noting your positive comments, and you are one of the reasons the SM2443BW is in my final pair! OCUK stock is coming down, only four left, hope it's not going end-of-line!

Credo · 28 Sep 2009 at 21:02

Subtlesnake said:
I bought a Samsung SM2443BW a few weeks ago (upgrading from a 19"), and the image quality seems pretty decent to me. However, viewing angles are an issue with TN panels, vertical viewing angles especially. I find that simply changing my posture (eg. sitting up straight vs slouching) changes the (perceived) brightness of the display, which is very annoying.

Though in my case, I'd rather have the extra couple of inches, as even a 24" monitor doesn't seem very large once you've got used to using it, and coming from a (5:4) 19", you expect that extra height.

So yeah, I faced the same decision and went for the extra screen real estate, and while I do wish I had an IPS panel (like you I can't afford to spend £400 on a screen), I feel I made the right choice, overall. Though, I can't guarantee you'll feel the same way.

I would take a look some at 22" and 24" screens in a shop, if you haven't already, just to get an idea of whether you would be comfortable using a 22".

A useful post, thanks for your comments. As said above, a side-by-side comparison is what I need, but it's not likely...
Decisions... maybe This Week Only will help on Wednesday!

Credo · 29 Sep 2009 at 23:11

OK, I've had a revelation. Why agonise over these two monitors when there is... (drum roll) - buy now pay in six months! Suddenly for a mere £25.00 and 10% (and some discipline to gather the £200.00 or so balance) - I can have IPS *and* 24 inches.

So, I find my self sitting between the Dell U2410 and the HP LP2475w. A nice place to be. I'm leaning towards the Dell as it looks nicer, and has gamer mode.

Come on folks, help me spend the most I've ever spent on a single PC item

I must stress gaming is a big part of my usage, so the better gaming monitor is what I want...

Credo · 30 Sep 2009 at 10:14

Just reading this article and was slightly concerned about this comment on the U2410:

"The screen isn't far from being perfect, but it does have an input lag, a delay compared to a CRT-based monitor, of two frames. Don't worry, though, it's hardly problematic. As long as you don't plan on playing a lot of FPS games like Unreal or Quake online, then you won't notice it."

I do play FPS online - is this bad news? I don't know if the test was done using Gamer mode or not...

Credo · 30 Sep 2009 at 10:43

ejr22 said:
Can I just throw this one into the mix?

You can! I did look at that but really want 16:10 aspect ratio...

Credo · 30 Sep 2009 at 10:45

Arcane said:
If you're primarily gaming, have you considered the Samsung SM2233RZ?

I've looked at that too, and was tempted, but I have this nagging feeling that the 120Hz bit will be the only outstanding feature, and 22" is still possibly a bit small. Thanks for the suggestion though...

Credo · 30 Sep 2009 at 11:40

Thanks Plec. I see in another thread a few comments about colour tints and dead pixels - is the U2410 a bit of a lottery? If I spend £450.00 on a screen, my wife will take some convincing - if it's got colour issues yours truly will be one big fat pillock in her eyes!

Credo · 30 Sep 2009 at 12:19

Thanks for your reassuring comments, I hadn't looked at it from this angle, but you're quite correct - if you have a stonking warranty, what's the problem? I could buy the Samsung and have a faulty unit, but be more stuffed as far as customer service goes (don't know about Samsung in this respect - just an example).

In contrast to the thread title, I'm now between the U2410 and the 2209WA, the HP isn't in the equation, as I prefer the Dell looks-wise.

Hmmm - I'll have a think. I love buying stuff but do go through the mill in the process!

Credo · 30 Sep 2009 at 13:31

Sycho said:
I am using the HP and it looks very nice in person actually(be warned it's pretty damn big so make sure your desk has a lot of space) though i had a really hard time picking between the two and it just came down to me seeing more reviews about it compared to the Dell which back then had like two reviews i believe.

As stated you will be completely happy with either as their image quality is superb but any IPS panel is really good to be honest.(1920x1200 resolution is lovely to play at too and if you buying a DX11 card you will want that resolution.)

I've had zero issues in games and films look incredibly good so i am extremely happy with mine.

If I do buy one it will sit in an alcove in a cabinet with 2" to spare either side, just hope that it's not too overpowering from about two feet away... Any comments about viewing from this distance would be welcome!

Credo · 30 Sep 2009 at 14:59

Ooooh, the U2410 is on This Week Only... :eek:

Credo · 30 Sep 2009 at 23:32

pageboy81 said:
I got my 2209WA from OcUK this morning, I mainly use PC for gaming and I'm loving it. The e-IPS panel is so much better than TN.
My Dad wants a new monitor so I took it round his, hooked it up, and within 1 minute he'd asked me to order one for him!
A 24" would be nice but I plan to go for a tri monitor set up with a 5870 (when they get the displayport thing sorted) and don't have enough room on my desk or money for 3x 24".
But I recommend the 2209WA.

Thanks for your recommendation, I'm swaying towards the 2209WA again, looking at the issues some are having with the U2410. I can't justify £440.00 and it not be perfect!

Credo · 1 Oct 2009 at 16:17

You're not kidding, I swear I had a monitor-related dream last night. I appreciate the info on the 2209WA being rev. A01, I don't like 1st revisions of anything. Which brings me on to the U2410. Reading the other big post on this monitor, I'm avoiding it at the moment, just too much of a worry for that money.

It sounds a bit "Blue Peter", but I'm going to cut some paper to the size of the 2209WA and 2443BW's screens, and sellotape them over my 19", and see what looks like an upgrade in terms of size, and make my mind up from that.

By the way - if any 2209WA users can measure the actual monitor bit (including bezel) and post the dimensions I'd be very grateful. Samsung do it for the 2443BW, but not Dell.

Many thanks!

Credo · 2 Oct 2009 at 08:21

Plec said:
Width 51cm, Height 33.2cm (measurements of screen including bezel)

Superstar, cheers!

Credo · 5 Oct 2009 at 10:38

niko said:
is that decision made?

It just made things worse, I drew the outline of the 2209WA inside the SM2443BW, and didn't think the 22" gave me enough of a screen real estate upgrade over my current 19", especially when taking the extra resolution of the 24" panel into account. I know the 2209WA is a better monitor, but the SM2443BW is also nice, and is the size I want. If the U2410 was a new revision without all this pink tinting malarkey, I'd have one of them on buy now pay in six months, but it isn't. And the SM2443BW is out of stock on OCUK

Credo · 5 Oct 2009 at 14:25

Plec, you're putting in a lot of effort with your replies, it's much appreciated, helping me with my girly-indecision!

You sum things up very well. Apart from some Apple displays in shops I have never seen better than TN panels to my knowledge. Therefore you're right, in theory, the Samsung should be fine, and probably better than my Viewsonic as I do see banding on graduated colours, user reviews I've read of the Samsung say it's good in this respect.

However, I do actually have more concerns about the Samsung than the Dell (get your gun ready):

1. I hear reports of buzzing at less than 100% brightness
2. It's not as fast as my Viewsonic, looking at a similar panel (T240HD) on Digitalversus.com, the 2209WA is damn close...
3. It's TN.
4. Dead pixel warranty isn't as good as the Dell.
5. Gaming performance at 1920x1200 - I will update my 1Gb 4870, but not until next year, and I do love a late night frag fest...

I think the frustrating lack of proper reviews of the SM2443BW have not helped one bit. I'm assuming the T240 and SM2433BW use the same panel and have based my opinion partly on that fact and related reviews.

See? I nearly talked myself into the Dell there...

Where my concerns about the Dell are:

It's 22".

Christ, I've bought cars so much easier than this...

Pass me that blindfold, I'll see you out back!