Dell Ultrasharp U2711 Questions

Akermay · 24 Nov 2011 at 09:43

Hi

I have been looking for a 27" monitor with 2560 x 1440 resolution to accompany my 27" iMac (and also act as my PC monitor).

There doesn't seem to be a huge offering, but I am being pulled towards the Dell Ultrasharp U2711 and have a few questions.

1. There seem to be multiple revisions, which most retailers don't make clear which they are selling to you, is it important for me to get a specific revision (or avoid certain ones)?

2. Is the stand height adjustable?

3. It could be a huge matter of opinion, but are the arguments towards the anti-glare coating often over stated? Will having it with my iMac simply let me in for disappointment? Naturally I would like a monitor of similar quality.

4. I can only ever see U2711 for sale but I have heard references to U2711H, any difference?

Anything else I should be aware with that this monitor as well?

And, would you strongly recommend another monitor over this one and why considering my circumstances?

If any of these could be helped with it will be super appreciated.

Thanks.

Axeia · 24 Nov 2011 at 13:18

1) Don't think there's a "bad batch" among them so I'd say just go with some company that sells enough of them not to sell you one that's been in the storeroom for years. Shopping for a specific version is near impossible anyhow.
2) Yes
3) It is a matter of opinion - and if you're asking for mine, it's totally ruining the monitor (yet some people hardly notice it unless told what to look for). Go for a Hazro if you want a similar image, putting a matte monitor next to a nearly identical glossy panel is just going to make the matte monitor look bad.. if you don't notice the sparkly whites caused by the AG-coating the Glossy monitor is still going to look more vibrant. Besides that the iMacs have a LED backlight while the u2711 is CCFL backlighted, which might lead to slightly different properties (for one that u2711 being wide gamut while the iMac is standard gamut)
So I'd say go for a Hazro HZ27WC, same panel, same LED backlight. Not to mention that it is so much cheaper that with the money spared you could buy both a Ergotron MX Desk Mount and one of the cheaper calibrators (such as a spyder3express) to get the colours to match.
4) No idea.

Akermay · 24 Nov 2011 at 13:26

Thanks for the response Axeia.

I have thought about the Hazro, but it looks cheap (as it is) and the stand looks pretty limited in functionality as well, I haven't found any info on that yet though. I'll go check but while Im here I'll ask, presumebly the screen dimensions are identical?

This photo shows the 27" iMac (which I have) and the U2711 and they seem a perfect match in terms of proportions: http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/651/p1030610.jpg/

This is always attractive, having it nicely lined up with my iMac and the pixel warranty Dell offer is attractive as well.

Is the Dell overpriced? I am naturally turned away from the Hazro due to its price, I can't help but think something will be lacking with it.

Axeia · 24 Nov 2011 at 13:38

looks like that Dell is using a monitor arm as well (the black thing in the back looks like it's a clamp that holds the arm in place - There's no foot below the dell). Not only does the Hazro have the same proportions as the iMac screen, it's the same panel. Just look up the panel on tftcentral. That link also provides a nice alternative if you don't trust or Hazro or see their pixel policy as a problem - The HP ZR2740w also uses the same panel and comes with warranty and such similar to Dell, unlike the Dell but like the Hazro and Apple cinema display it's also LED backlighted/standard gamut.
The HP also features a AG-coating although from what I've read it's lighter than that off the Dell. Still, the screen that best matches that of the iMac (after an Apple Cinema screen) is the Hazro. Besides having a DVI-DL input rather than a Thunderbolt connection technically it's basically equal to an Apple Cinema screen (you can even get an extra-glare™ glass model).

Akermay · 24 Nov 2011 at 13:50

So..many...dilemas...

This is proving to be a really hard choice, to say the least. I was going to get a cinema display, but it doesn't have the required inputs to connect it to my PC and iMac.

The HP monitor is sounding like some interesting middle ground between the Hazro and Dell, time for more research!

PCM2 · 24 Nov 2011 at 13:57

I agree with all that Axeia has said but would just like to clarify some things (pun intended). The screen surface mismatch between your iMac and the Dell would be very noticeable I'm sure. You get varying degrees of sensitivity to the matte screen surface. There are some people who simply accept that their laptop screen is glossy - and perhaps they don't like it as they can't take it outside or use it infront of their large living room windows without seeing their own face. They would have first seen LCD monitors at work or in their home when they were all pretty much the same - small squares with a matte screen surface. That was different to their CRTs but that's something that has long been associated with the desktop PC monitor. They don't necessarily appreciate that the antiglare surface works by its light diffusing properties - this works not only on light hitting the monitor but also light coming out of the monitor. This does affect the clarity, vibrancy and 'pure look' of the image and is especially noticeable on whites and light colours - the difference this makes is covered in some depth on some of our recent monitor reviews.

Now baring this first 'group' of people in mind and taking things to 'another level' which is the rather heavy antiglare surface and tight pixel pitch of the U2711 and things change. You get people who normally don't have a particular 'problem' with matte antiglare surfaces commenting that the image looks dirty - as if somebody has smeared moisuriser over the screen surface or some dirt that they can't get rid of. I have a lovely Lithuanian cleaning lady who cleans my house (and pretty much everything in it) and when I had a U2711 around this time last year I left it showing a nice winter wallpaper as she was cleaning. She reported to me that the screen was dirty and that she dried to clean it but couldn't - and that is absolutely 100% no joke, although even to this day I find it hilarious. I have other stories which are slightly less hilarious but go to show how noticeable this is to some people if you need anything else.

It is certainly true that preferences come into play but if you have this next to a glossy screen surface (obviously reflections aren't a problem for you if you're able to use a glass-coated screen in your environment) you are absolutely guaranteed to notice a difference in image clarity, vibrancy and sharpness and will want to keep on cleaning your screen even though it isn't dirty.

In the image you showed the match is simply due to the screen size being the same - it is mounted on a monitor arm of some sort which is a a possiblity on the Hazro monitors too if you don't like the stand.

P.S. There is no U2711H, just people mistyping as the other monitors in the '11' range have an H at the end (U2211H and U2311H).

Akermay · 24 Nov 2011 at 14:31

Hahaha, I can't believe the cleaning lady story! Seems far fetched but seems to prove a point that I should take in.

Yeah, the image was more of an example of dimensions, that satisfaction would be a plus.

Just discovered the Samsung SA850 as well, or will I see similar anti-glare issues? Where would you place this one among the few available 1440p 27" monitors?

What frustrates me about the Hazro, is that I would get he 8-bit model, I would really prefer the extra connectivity and it such a big price jump to the 10-bit model just for some extra connections more or less.

PCM2 · 24 Nov 2011 at 14:43

The S27A850D offers a comfortable medium between glossy and your usual IPS matte surface. It isn't quite at the level of clarity and 'purity' that your iMac has but it is a massive improvement on the U2711 et al. You can read more about the performance and the screen surface on this review of the monitor. Incidentally - which connections do you require for your setup?

Akermay · 24 Nov 2011 at 14:48

I will be using a Mini Displayport to Displayport cable to connect my iMac (the Dual Link DVI adaptors simply costs far too much, approx. 7x more), so a display port connection and then either a second display port connection to my PC (haven't seen any which offer two) or just DVI. Of course any additional ports is a bonus for future proofing.

On a side note, what also concerns me about the Hazro is the sea of problems people seem to have, dust under the glass, stuck/dead pixels, glue attaching the glass panel dissolving, they seem far too common, it feels like such a risk.

Akermay · 24 Nov 2011 at 17:19

As much as the cost pains me. I feel like I need uniformity. I may end up saving for an Apple Cinema Display and getting a display port switch so I can use it with both my PC and iMac. That will cost approximately £900 though.

PCM2 · 24 Nov 2011 at 17:37

Firstly ouch, but secondly it's probably the best solution.

Axeia · 24 Nov 2011 at 17:45

Finding a dual link dvi switch is near impossible as well.. I tried some time ago, only one I could find was on an australian site. Every other switch couldn't handle the resolution or was in the hundreds of dollars range.
Well there is the discontinued belkin flip switch still floating around on ebay.. but I've seen a lot of bad news about it. Still it's the best solution I could find a few months back so if you're going to walk that path google for 'belkin dual link flip switch'.

The Hazro's might be a bit of a gamble but they're all problems you can find in the first 7 days, as long you buy the monitor online you have the right to return it/get a full refund. So the gamble is just the costs to ship it back, which if you live in the UK shouldn't be that much.

And holy hell it has indeed become expensive, OC UK is changing the price like every 3 days sometimes. It was £599 a while ago, got my HZ27WD during a "weekend madness" special for €499 + shipping. So just wait for a discount big enough to make it attractive (some form of discount seems to happen at least once every 3 weeks). If you're not happy with it, return it.
The thread here isn't very representative, it's pretty much where everyone with problems goes to

Snapshot · 24 Nov 2011 at 21:19

Axeia said:
Finding a dual link dvi switch is near impossible as well.. I tried some time ago, only one I could find was on an australian site. Every other switch couldn't handle the resolution or was in the hundreds of dollars range.

I've just installed an Aten CS1784A which is a 4-port dual-link KVM and cost me £145 from a competitor. It's currently feeding my SA850 so it definitely does the job. Just a small funny with one mouse on the mouse USB port but I think that's Windoze rather than the switch.

PCM2 said:
The S27A850D offers a comfortable medium between glossy and your usual IPS matte surface. It isn't quite at the level of clarity and 'purity' that your iMac has but it is a massive improvement on the U2711 et al. You can read more about the performance and the screen surface on this review of the monitor. Incidentally - which connections do you require for your setup?

Thanks for the reminder of the review. I've unashamedly used your suggested settings and first impressions are good, apart from needing to move it closer so I can see the tiny text....