Dell 2407WFP and 3007WFP LCD Comparison
by Jarred Walton on March 2, 2007 11:30 AM EST- Posted in
- Displays
Introduction
Originally founded in 1984, Dell is one of the largest computer electronics companies in the world, currently ranking a strong #2 to HP in terms of computer systems shipped. When you sell that many computers, it's not at all surprising that you also sell quite a few displays. A large portion of Dell's sales come from the business sector, and businesses were one of the first areas that really pushed for the more compact LCDs. One of the goals with any successful business is to try and reduce your costs and increase your profit margins, and one way to accomplish that is by bringing manufacturing in-house. Back in the days of CRTs, many large OEMs would simply take a proven display and brand it with their own name, but with LCDs they've taken that a step further. What started as merely one component to be sold with any new computer system has grown into a sizable market all its own, and nearly every large OEM now has a line of LCDs that they manufacture and sell with their systems.
Apple was one of the first companies to come out with very large LCDs with their Cinema Display line, catering to the multimedia enthusiasts that have often appreciated Apple's systems. Dell followed their lead when they launched the 24" 2405FPW several years ago, except that with their larger volumes they were able to offer competing displays at much more attractive prices. In short order, the 800 pound gorilla of business desktops and servers was able to occupy the same role in the LCD market. Of course, while many enthusiasts wouldn't be caught running a Dell system, the most recent Dell LCDs have been received very favorably by all types of users -- business, multimedia, and even gaming demands feel right at home on a Dell LCD. Does that mean that Dell LCDs are the best in the world? Certainly not, but given their price and ready worldwide availability, they have set the standard by which most other LCDs are judged.
In 2006, Dell launched their new 30" LCD, matching Apple's 30" Cinema Display for the largest commonly available computer LCD on the market. Dell also updated most of their other LCD sizes with the xx07 models, which brought improved specifications and features. These displays have all been available for a while now, but we haven't had a chance to provide reviews of them until now. As we renew our LCD and display coverage on AnandTech, and given the number of users that are already familiar with the Dell LCDs, we felt it was important to take a closer look at some of these Dell LCDs in order to help establish our baseline for future display reviews.
We recently looked at the Gateway FPD2485W as our first LCD review in some time, and we compared it with the original Dell 24" LCD, the 2405FPW. In response to some comments and suggestions, we have further refined our LCD reviewing process and will be revisiting aspects of both of the previously tested displays. However, our primary focus is going to be on Dell's current 24" and 30" models, the 2407WFP and 3007WFP. How well do these LCDs perform, where do they excel, and where is there room for improvement? We aim to provide answers to those questions.
Originally founded in 1984, Dell is one of the largest computer electronics companies in the world, currently ranking a strong #2 to HP in terms of computer systems shipped. When you sell that many computers, it's not at all surprising that you also sell quite a few displays. A large portion of Dell's sales come from the business sector, and businesses were one of the first areas that really pushed for the more compact LCDs. One of the goals with any successful business is to try and reduce your costs and increase your profit margins, and one way to accomplish that is by bringing manufacturing in-house. Back in the days of CRTs, many large OEMs would simply take a proven display and brand it with their own name, but with LCDs they've taken that a step further. What started as merely one component to be sold with any new computer system has grown into a sizable market all its own, and nearly every large OEM now has a line of LCDs that they manufacture and sell with their systems.
Apple was one of the first companies to come out with very large LCDs with their Cinema Display line, catering to the multimedia enthusiasts that have often appreciated Apple's systems. Dell followed their lead when they launched the 24" 2405FPW several years ago, except that with their larger volumes they were able to offer competing displays at much more attractive prices. In short order, the 800 pound gorilla of business desktops and servers was able to occupy the same role in the LCD market. Of course, while many enthusiasts wouldn't be caught running a Dell system, the most recent Dell LCDs have been received very favorably by all types of users -- business, multimedia, and even gaming demands feel right at home on a Dell LCD. Does that mean that Dell LCDs are the best in the world? Certainly not, but given their price and ready worldwide availability, they have set the standard by which most other LCDs are judged.
In 2006, Dell launched their new 30" LCD, matching Apple's 30" Cinema Display for the largest commonly available computer LCD on the market. Dell also updated most of their other LCD sizes with the xx07 models, which brought improved specifications and features. These displays have all been available for a while now, but we haven't had a chance to provide reviews of them until now. As we renew our LCD and display coverage on AnandTech, and given the number of users that are already familiar with the Dell LCDs, we felt it was important to take a closer look at some of these Dell LCDs in order to help establish our baseline for future display reviews.
We recently looked at the Gateway FPD2485W as our first LCD review in some time, and we compared it with the original Dell 24" LCD, the 2405FPW. In response to some comments and suggestions, we have further refined our LCD reviewing process and will be revisiting aspects of both of the previously tested displays. However, our primary focus is going to be on Dell's current 24" and 30" models, the 2407WFP and 3007WFP. How well do these LCDs perform, where do they excel, and where is there room for improvement? We aim to provide answers to those questions.
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Renoir - Monday, March 5, 2007 - link
Yeah I imagine you're right about the dell being able to scale the HDCP content to full screen. Was just wandering given that the review of the http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2078203...">HP LP3065 specifically states that it doesn't have a video processor and also suggests neither does the dell 3007. Also the editor spoke to HP after I brought up the issue of HDCP only being supported via single-link DVI which I got from this site http://www.anandtech.com/guides/showdoc.aspx?i=288...">Few paragraphs down and they told him the monitor DOES support HDCP over dual-link. So it would appear that not all lcd's have scalers which is the source of my confusion.TheUsual - Saturday, March 3, 2007 - link
I have experienced the input lag. I had an Acer 24", I think it was the 2416WD. The lag was very noticible when playing UT2004. My brother's 19" Hyundai and my crt had no such problem. Maybe you could find someone on your staff who does notice the lag to report on this aspect.musicalfruit - Saturday, March 3, 2007 - link
How 'bout doing a shootoff between the Dell displays and the Apple Cinema Diplays?The Mac guys at work want ACDs because they're "better" than the Dells. And naturally, I want to save money by buying Dells. Any benchmarks to support either argument would be great!
JarredWalton - Saturday, March 3, 2007 - link
I actually asked for a review sample from Apple a while ago; they declined. I'd like to see if they are any better myself!aixkan - Thursday, March 15, 2007 - link
I have read many comparisons when I worked in Germany 2 years ago – while not perfect, the ACDs consistently were voted the best by the editors of a (neutral) major PC tech magazine (named "c't"), although they always remarked that they were substantially more expensive. Apple does seem to make a good product.I saw a side by side test of a 23" ACD beside the $5000 color calibrated EIZO CG221 at the CeBIT '05. The ACD was obviously not comparable at less than half the price, but you really had to look closely to see the differences.
TheUsual - Saturday, March 3, 2007 - link
My brother has the 1080P Westinghouse TV and I must say the pc looks stunning on it at 1920x1080. I would really like to see a comparison between the Dell 24" and the WH 37". The WH allows you to do PIP with TV and Computer and swap it back and forth. This is a great feature. I was checking out Sony LCDs and I don't believe they support PIP and the new Sharps do now have rbg inputs. So plese, a WH 37" review?orion23 - Saturday, March 3, 2007 - link
Yeah...Loving the new Anandtech with some cool reviews....
I should get my 24-inch Dell LCD by Tuesday / Wednesday of next week, which will replace a Dell 20.1 Inch LCD. Let's see how it does!
asusk7v001 - Saturday, March 3, 2007 - link
Thanks anandtech for a Comparison like thisHowever, for some people like me who want an "All In One" TV/PC monitor which been looking for 2 years now. Recently, there are companies start making 32" 1080p TV. I really would like to see how these TVs compare to PC monitors and some lower resolution
TVs such as 1366 x 768. Lastly, what are the best viewing distance for those TVs as PC monitors
Thanks
hwac
qwerty3788 - Saturday, March 3, 2007 - link
These monitors have a builtin power transformer that is noisy. I had to return my 3007wfp (tried two) because of the noise. If you are working in a silent environment I suggest you buy something else...http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?s=d5286df8...">Many others have reported the same problem, so it's not just me.
Zebo - Friday, March 2, 2007 - link
Another issue I have is when you say motion is fine with these and no one will notice. I think everyone will notice this:http://www.veoh.com/videos/v270495J23AR3RZ">http://www.veoh.com/videos/v270495J23AR3RZBetter yet: In your testing..
Try running Titan Quest, kill some enemies and hit the alt key to see what they have laying on the ground after death while you are moving/walking - I bet you can't read what those items are because of the blur with any PVA. You must stop to ID them.
I'm very picky and notice blur 100% of the time even with he fastest LCD's like LCD20WMGX2 and Viewsonics 922 but the PVA's inside the Dell and GW are the slowest tech out and it's not right to tell people they wont notice when most will. Forum thread complaints bear this out.