Dell U3415W 34" Monitor First Impressions

Thought I would just add my $0.02.

Overall I really like the Dell 3415W. Size wise it is nearly the same exact height as my HP ZR2740w (2560x1440), just 50% wider. So when using with work, its great being able to have IE & Office split on the Dell then SQL on the HP. I don't really notice the curve, so not nearly the distraction some had complained about with curved displays.

As far as functionality, the Dell scores a solid 8/10. With the numerous inputs & the dual upstream USB (3.0) ports, it's just bliss when switching from my gaming PC (DP->mDP) to work (DP->DP) and not having to swap keyboard/mouse. The usb acts as though it's a KVM switch. This gets a 10/10.

The downside, is from the DP Out / Daisychain / MST not working correctly (2/10). Ideally I should be able to plug in the HP to the Dell DP Out, then simply swap inputs ( mDP -> DP) then be able to work on work PC using BOTH displays. Unfortunately this does NOT work. The DP out only recognizes the HP as a Generic non-Plug & Play display then limits the output as 640x480. I've tried several solutions from Dell.community and non of them work. Seems to be a widespread issue with Dell's implementation of Daisychaining/MST. (Google: Dell daisychain mst "640x480")
There is a "potential" +Plus in that Dell advertises the U3415W as being upgradeable via Firmware update.
From: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&sku=210-ADTR
Enjoy hassle-free convenience as you update your monitor’s firmware with the new Firmware Update Utility software.
Click to expand...

Again, overall a great display for work/productivity, though lacking on some promised key features (DP out, lack of firmware updates). I understand I am nitpicking.. however when spending this much on a display, I think it is fair to be Ultrapicky.
 
Macro said:
Now people have had some time with these monitors does anyone have a feel for how it might compare to my existing Dell2711 in terms of quality, IPS glow etc? I know there have been some concerns but I've been happy with my 27 so if the IPS glow etc are of a similar magnitude I could probably live with it just fine?

I could just order one and DSR but I'd rather not do that to OCUK if it turns out general opinion is the 3415 is much worse. My other option is to wait for the Acer but that could have it's own challenges and a significantly higher price point by the look of it. General desktop use and some gaming - not doing any colour sensitive photoshop etc. One caveat is I have it in a VERY bright room so tend to have backlight etc turned all the way to "11" :)

PCM/Badass - any thoughts? Give it a try or wait for the Acer?
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It would be quite a different experience to your U2711. On the plus side, I reckon you'd really enjoy the extra screen space and resolution. The pixel density will actually be the same as what you're used to, so you don't have to adjust to that aspect. The screen surface is also significantly lighter (less grainy), so you should find the overall clarity really nice.

The colour reproduction is a bit different, though. Notably the U2711 is wide gamut. If you enjoy how it produces colours natively (i.e. not using the 'sRGB' mode) then you may feel the U3415W looks 'washed out'. It's possible you'd adjust to the weaker saturation, but certainly you'd have to appreciate that colours would generally be represented in a more accurate way.

IPS glow is a bit more noticeable on the Ultrawide models, from a normal viewing position, simply due to the sheer width. It's not a massive difference really and generally if IPS glow is fine to your eyes on the U2711 then it will be on the U3415W. Backlight uniformity is another matter and unfortunately seems to be a bit hit and miss on the U3415W and comparable Ultrawides. There is no specific reason to think the XR34 or XR341CK would be any different in that regard. It uses the same panel and I don't think Acer have performed any miracles with the panel placement - plus Dell are far better to deal with if you do fancy a replacement for any reason outside the CCR (new name for DSR) window.
 
PCM2 - thank you so much for the update, really, really appreciate it as I've been dithering about this for quite some time. I've had a string of Dell monitors for a few years now and always got on well with them. I just didn't want to invest in a 3415, be wowed by the ultrawide and then disappointed by the picture being poorer than my 2711.

Really appreciate the advice as I didn't want to start messing the good folks at OCUK around ordering and then returning under CCR without at least getting a general view of if I'd be happy with the new monitor.

Lastly anything to look for? Has there been a recent A0X revision?
 
@md_guy said:
Thought I would just add my $0.02.

Overall I really like the Dell 3415W. Size wise it is nearly the same exact height as my HP ZR2740w (2560x1440), just 50% wider. So when using with work, its great being able to have IE & Office split on the Dell then SQL on the HP. I don't really notice the curve, so not nearly the distraction some had complained about with curved displays.

As far as functionality, the Dell scores a solid 8/10. With the numerous inputs & the dual upstream USB (3.0) ports, it's just bliss when switching from my gaming PC (DP->mDP) to work (DP->DP) and not having to swap keyboard/mouse. The usb acts as though it's a KVM switch. This gets a 10/10.

The downside, is from the DP Out / Daisychain / MST not working correctly (2/10). Ideally I should be able to plug in the HP to the Dell DP Out, then simply swap inputs ( mDP -> DP) then be able to work on work PC using BOTH displays. Unfortunately this does NOT work. The DP out only recognizes the HP as a Generic non-Plug & Play display then limits the output as 640x480. I've tried several solutions from Dell.community and non of them work. Seems to be a widespread issue with Dell's implementation of Daisychaining/MST. (Google: Dell daisychain mst "640x480")
There is a "potential" +Plus in that Dell advertises the U3415W as being upgradeable via Firmware update.
From: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&sku=210-ADTR


Again, overall a great display for work/productivity, though lacking on some promised key features (DP out, lack of firmware updates). I understand I am nitpicking.. however when spending this much on a display, I think it is fair to be Ultrapicky.
Click to expand...
Great update, thank you
 
Macro said:
PCM2 - thank you so much for the update, really, really appreciate it as I've been dithering about this for quite some time. I've had a string of Dell monitors for a few years now and always got on well with them. I just didn't want to invest in a 3415, be wowed by the ultrawide and then disappointed by the picture being poorer than my 2711.

Really appreciate the advice as I didn't want to start messing the good folks at OCUK around ordering and then returning under CCR without at least getting a general view of if I'd be happy with the new monitor.

Lastly anything to look for? Has there been a recent A0X revision?
Click to expand...

No problem. I'm not aware of any new revisions that specifically reduce the likelihood of backlight bleed. It would be nice if something had been done to reduce the chance of 'bad backlight bleed' but I'm not confident that it would be down to Dell alone to do that. I suspect the panel itself is just susceptible to that sort of thing. :)
 
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If you're sensitive to BLB I'd watch out, at the very least. Plus, my experience with QC across 3 monitors (2 replacements) weren't the best, as I detailed in another thread. :(
 
I am also a Web Designer and use the PB278QR at work. I was interested in this monitor as it has the KVM feature so i could use my one mouse and keyboard with my pc and MBP.

I have done a side by side comparison and the dell and asus PB278QR are almost identical in colourspace, both are 8bit and flickerfree.

My Asus is calibrated with a tool for best output and if the dell is anything like this then I cannot wait.

Sounds to me like you have had your 30" monitor set so saturated that any other monitor will feel dull compared to it. You also have to remember that colours can vary on the screen space that is visible by the eye.

The only place the dell lacks is in gamma slightly which will stop you from getting those "Bleeding from your eyeballs" bright colours you are use to.
 
Got this monitor yesterday. I love it.

Is this bleed acceptable at 37% brigthness ?

15mlhyu.jpg
 
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Regarding colours, my U2711 came defaulted to a bright, very saturated image which looked very vibrant and made the colours really pop. I'm not a photographer or graphic designer; I was just looking to make my films and such look a bit more realistic in colour so I calibrated it and, while the colours initially looked very washed out and the image too dark, my eyes adjusted to it and now the default settings look garish and awful. As others have said, comparing it using your eyes is really no good as the calibrated image looked a bit off to me at first.

As for that monitor, the uniformity looks excellent to me. The bottom left corner could be a little better really, but I wouldn't be returning it for that unless there's evidence that that amount of bleed is excessive for the panel...
 
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