Dell 2409W vs 2408WFP

dubcat · 20 Aug 2009 at 14:05

I play a few games on my PC now and then but mostly use the machine for editing photo's taken with my Canon 50d dSLR camera and video taken with my hi def camcorder (home movies - nothing commercial). I must stress none of my photography or video work is professional - however I am a keen amateur.

I read a few reviews on the Dell 2409W and the 2408WFP. I understand that the 2409 does not have the same ergonomic options as the 2408 and I think I could live with that. I also understand that the 2409 is a little less steady on its stand than the 2408, again I can live with that.

I am interested to know whether there is a massive performance difference between the two and more importantly whether for my use as stated above the 2408wfp is worth the extra money. Everything i read about the different types of IPS panels and TN left me really confused.

Cheers,
Dub

kevpuk · 20 Aug 2009 at 14:15

Panel type (basic summary) :

TN - Fast response rate, cheap(er), poor viewing angles and colour reproduction
VA - Better colour reproduction, fair response rate, better viewing angles - dear(er)
IPS - Slower response rate, superior colour reproduction and viewing angles - dear(er) still !

Of the 2 monitors you mention, the 2408WFP is a better beast all round, but with a price premium. That said, unless gaming is your foremost use (which it does not seem to be) then the better quality panel will likely be more satisfying - especially in terms of colour reproduction et al. from photo/video work

Of course, for 2408WFP money, you should really shortlist the HP LP2475w (IPS) as this is arguably the best currently available, sensibly priced 24" monitor......and then - for more money

- Dell have just announced the U2410 which seems to be stunning

cmndr_andi · 20 Aug 2009 at 14:21

For your use, the 2409w will do the job you give it perfectly well. This monitor uses a TN panel and has a resolution of 1920x1080.

The 2408WFP actually has a few more pixels (1920x1200) and uses the superior S-PVA panel technology (this gives better image quality (especially blacks) and viewing angles). So it will also do the job, but your viewing experience will be much improved, but this comes at a high cost. I suppose you have to weigh all this up yourself and decide what you want.

Though I probably should throw this out there: this monitor is also 1920x1200, but it uses an s-ips panel (tbh, these are superior to s-pva in most things) and is a full 26 inches in size. Here is a review of it, it seems to be a great screen and at a price between those two dells you suggested (£300).

dubcat · 20 Aug 2009 at 14:23

Yes i've been reading about the U2410. To be honest it really comes down to the 2409W versus the U2410 actually. I can't make my mine up. The price difference is massive.. but since I will keep the monitor at least 3 years I could stump up the extra money if it is really worth it.

I love the way colours pop out on the Apple LED screens. Is the U2410 closer to that then the 2409 or can the 2409 get close?

Dub

dubcat · 20 Aug 2009 at 14:24

cmndr_andi said:
For your use, the 2409w will do the job you give it perfectly well. This monitor uses a TN panel and has a resolution of 1920x1080.

The 2408WFP actually has a few more pixels (1920x1200) and uses the superior S-PVA panel technology (this gives better image quality (especially blacks) and viewing angles). So it will also do the job, but your viewing experience will be much improved, but this comes at a high cost. I suppose you have to weigh all this up yourself and decide what you want.

Though I probably should throw this out there: this monitor is also 1920x1200, but it uses an s-ips panel (tbh, these are superior to s-pva in most things) and is a full 26 inches in size. Here is a review of it, it seems to be a great screen and at a price between those two dells you suggested (£300).

I read some comments somewhere on the internet saying that the 300 pound price is for the TN version of the screen. If this is really the IPS version is there any reason NOT to buy this 26 incher if the only thing I will ever connect to it is my PC (i.e. i don't need additional inputs)?

cmndr_andi · 20 Aug 2009 at 14:27

- Screen Size: 26" S-IPS Widescreen
- Resolution: 1920x1200
- Contrast Ratio: 5000:1

Well the description says S-IPS right there, so if you get a TN one you sure have rightous cause to kick up a big fuss. But being OCUK, i'm sure they wouldn't misrepresent a product like that. Therefore I feel confident that it is the S-IPS version of the screen.

As for inputs, it uses DVI-D and analogue - so you should have no trouble connecting it to our PC. It may not have the huge array of inputs like the £400 screen, but if you are just hooking it up to a PC then they aren't required.

dubcat · 20 Aug 2009 at 14:36

Andi - im having one of those 'it almost seems to be too good to be true' moments since its about 200 pounds cheaper than anywhere else.

It's a bigger screen and a lot cheaper than the better of the two dells - but do you know if the real world performance is as good? Realistically I wont get a chance to see any of these in the flesh before i order...

The single DVI input is fine for me - it's really all I need.

D D Danneh · 20 Aug 2009 at 14:40

cmndr_andi said:
But being OCUK, i'm sure they wouldn't misrepresent a product like that.

It's happened before. AM3 motherboards being specced as AM2, DDR3 as DDR2, etc. Bit me in the arse because I specced a build, only for him to buy it and find out it was AM2, or something.

Got to admit, £300 for a 26" S-IPS screen does seem a little fishy, but then, the NEC 24WMGX3 was a £600+ monitor and OCUK had it for £400, so I don't know.

cmndr_andi · 20 Aug 2009 at 14:50

dubcat said:
Andi - im having one of those 'it almost seems to be too good to be true' moments since its about 200 pounds cheaper than anywhere else.

It's a bigger screen and a lot cheaper than the better of the two dells - but do you know if the real world performance is as good? Realistically I wont get a chance to see any of these in the flesh before i order...

Hehe, I know what you mean. I'm almost regretting getting this 2709w. Almost.

From that review on prad.de the monitor sure does look fantastic. That is all the only review I have seen of it to be honest, but it is rather in-depth.

If you want to 100% confirm that it is the IPS model, you probably should send a webnote and ask that very question.

dubcat · 20 Aug 2009 at 15:00

I phoned - it IS ips.. so i guess this is the one to go for. It's a bargain compared to the normal price for it.

Regret and 2709w in the same sentence is not allowed. That's a MONSTER monitor

cmndr_andi · 20 Aug 2009 at 15:17

That is good to hear, I thought it would be as it was so explicitly stated, but to actually have them confirm it makes it rock solid. Looks like you are going to get a wonderful monitor

I guess I don't regret getting the Dell 2709W, it certainly is a perplexingly beautiful monitor and I was perfectly happy buying it at the time - was upgrading from a 2408WFP which I sold.

EsaT · 20 Aug 2009 at 15:23

dubcat said:
Regret and 2709w in the same sentence is not allowed.

High input lag and VA LCD's horizontal gamma shifting?
Anything other than IPS is perfectly compatible with regret...
Regrettably used S-PVA for four-five months before getting IPS which can decently replace CRT. (then again CRT might have given up the ghost totally before having chance to get affordable IPS)

cmndr_andi · 20 Aug 2009 at 15:28

Lol, sounds like its got a disease or something

But seriously, this monitor is nice and watching films and TV shows (which I often do) it looks beautiful. I play a good few games and all I can see is wonder. I'm sure If I used a high end IPS for a while I would see whatever it is this screen is lacking, but as it stands i'm perfectly happy where I am.

kimps_07 · 21 Aug 2009 at 21:16

2408WFP?

Man i just ordered a 2408WFP this afternoon. I spent weeks looking into forums and doing research about whether this monitor was the right one for me. In the end i thought sod it!
You generally get what you pay for so i'm hoping this lives up to my standards.

I'm basically using it for bluray and the odd game, it should be a damn site better than my 20" LG running on VGA 1050 res anyways.