Dell U2412M Review - The Good And Bad

For several decades traditional Cathode Ray Tube or CRT monitors were the dominant forms of display screens. In recent years, they have pretty much been replaced by flat screen displays, especially the Liquid Crystal Display or LCD screen.

However, not all LCD screens are the same. LCD screens itself continue to evolve with new technology. Some of these technologies include back lights made with a Light Emitting Diode or LED and In-Plane Switching or IPS screens.

Dell, a large and reputable company of computer product, has introduced all these new technologies with the 24 inch, wide screen, UltraSharp U2412M IPS LED computer monitor.

Basically, a larger screen allows you to be more productive. You can get more done in less time. If your work requires you to multitask or use software applications with lots of screens, then a larger 24 inch screen allows you to not waste so much time switching or moving windows around.

While a 24 inch screen may only be a few more inches than for instance a 17 inch screen, in reality it's actually much bigger than would first appear. To give you an idea how much bigger a 24 inch screen is:

• A 17 inch screen has an actual viewable area of about 838 cm²
• A 19 inch has 1047 cm² or 25% larger
• A 20 inch has 1160 cm² or 38% larger
• A 21 inch has 1279 cm² or 53% larger
• A 22 inch has 1403 cm² or 67% larger
• A 23 inch has 1534 cm² or 83% larger
• A 24 inch has 1670 cm² or 99% larger

Notice that the actual viewable area increases exponentially. Even though a 24 inch is only 7 inches more diagonally, the actual viewable area is almost twice as large.

Once you've experienced the ease of a larger screen, it's highly unlikely you will ever want to go back to working within the narrow confines of a small screen. As an added benefit, a large screen is also easier on the eyes, especially for older people.

In a regular monitor, the back light is made of a Compact Fluorescent Light or CFL. In a LED LCD monitor or simply LED monitor, the back light is made with a LED. A LED monitor tends to be slightly more expensive, but offers the following benefits:

• LED monitor use much less electricity than regular LCD monitors, which saves money.
• Unlike a LED back light, a CFL contains tiny amounts of toxic Mercury.

LED monitors are now steadily replacing normal LCD monitors. Eventually, LCD monitors will all be phased out in favor of LED screens.

An In-Plane Switching or IPS screen offers much better viewing angles than do regular LCD or TN screens. With TN screens, if you look at your monitor at an angle, the colors become washed out. The greater the angle, the worse it becomes.

IPS screens also produce more accurate looking colors than TN screens and do so consistently. Overall, IPS screens offer much clearer and better looking images.

On the other hand, the price for getting a better picture is that an IPS screen tends to have increased power consumption and are pricier compared to regular TN LCD screens. But strictly in terms of picture quality, IPS screens are vastly superior.

The U2412M includes:

• Monitor with stand
• Power cable
• DVI cable
• USB cable
• VGA Cable
• Quick Setup Guide
• Safety Information
• Drivers and Documentation media

The Dell U2412M offers a lot of screen real estate on a razor sharp screen that's a pleasure to look at. Colors are bright, vivid and accurate. They will also remain so at whatever angle you choose thanks to its IPS screen.

Since everything is much bigger, it's easier on your eyes. No squinting or trying to see what's written. You can be more productive with much less effort, especially if you're into spreadsheets, programming, gaming, desktop publishing and other applications that require a big screen.

The U2412M has a LED screen, which requires a fraction of what CRT monitors and even LCD screens needed in electricity. This helps you save money and can really add up. Especially, if you use your monitor a lot or the price of electricity rises.

The included warranty of the U2412M offers a replacement if your monitor has even 1 bad pixel. Usually, 1 or more bad pixels are considered acceptable with other models. This is a great feature, since even 1 bad pixel can be highly distracting while you're working.

Unlike most monitors, the Dell U2412M has the ability to rotate into landscape or portrait mode depending on your preference. The included stand offers almost unlimited range of tilt, swivel, pivot and height adjustments to whatever fits your needs.

Both LED and IPS technologies are premium features, which naturally cost extra. The Dell U2412M will therefore be more expensive than a regular 24 inch LCD screen without these features. If you're looking for the cheapest 24 inch monitor, then the Dell U2412M is not for you.

The IPS screen gives the Dell U2412M superior viewing angles, but comes at the cost of slightly higher electricity consumption than regular LCD screens. The IPS screen thus gives away some of the benefits gained by a LED screen. It still uses a fraction of what CRT monitors required of course, but if you're looking for the lowest power consumption, then the Dell U2412M is also not for you.

The Dell U2412M is a 24 inch screen, but not everyone may need all that real estate. If all you're doing is casually browsing the internet or some word processing, then the Dell U2412M may be overkill. You can save money by buying something smaller depending on how you use your computer.

The Dell U2412M does not come with an HDMI connector or with built-in speakers. You will need separate speakers if you require sound. Depending on whether you require space-saving built-in speakers or prefer external speakers, which usually have superior sound quality, this may be an issue for you.

Pros:

• raises your productivity with less effort on your part
• outstanding picture quality
• IPS screen allows excellent viewing angles
• LED screen is more energy-efficient than regular LCD screens
• huge 24 inch screen
• screen can orientate
• brand name monitor from reputable company
• 3-year warranty

Cons:

• costs more than regular 24 inch LCD screens
• uses more electricity than regular 24 inch screens
• no HDMI
• no speakers
• somewhat plain looking

The Dell UltraSharp U2412M offers a lot for the money. If you want its premium features and can afford its price tag, then it's an excellent acquisition.