GadGets

Wanted to give 5 stars but the gradient slight pink tint starting around the middle of the screen to the right spoils all the fun. It is only obvious when the background is white. Sometimes, it is quite annoying when I read text with white background. Too bad, can’t return it to Dell anymore: [...]

Other than that, the text is reasonably sharp, sharper than Samsung bx2440x I had but I like the “more solid” sharpness of text from my other older Samsung monitors 245bw and 2443bw. Menu is easy to use. plenty of connection options. Photos still look beautiful from my non-professional eyes even I know they are casted by the slight pink tint.

Rating: 3 / 5

New out of the box the monitor had a yellow tint. I tried all the various adjustments and none would fix the problem.

When I tried opening pictures in photoshop, it said the monitor had no calibration data (do you want to open anyway?). I then tried to calibrate the monitor using a Spyder Pro and got the same error message as Photoshop gave. This monitor came with a graph showing its performance from the factory. How can this mean anything. The picture was garbage! I did a search and found someone else complaining about the same problems I had, so I know that mine wasn’t a 1-off problem.

Called tech support and they didn’t know what the problem was and said they would send me a new monitor. I said no thanks. To Dells credit they took it back. I replaced it with a world-class Eizo which I am thrilled with.

One other note is that I posted a review on the Dell site and they wouldn’t publish my review. So those glowing reviews are nothing more than Dell advertising. At least here on Amazon you can be honest and get your review published.
Rating: 1 / 5

It’s not often that you need to reboot a monitor – but this one you will need to.

On occasion the pixels will become unfocused which makes the entire screen very fuzzy. You then need to turn off the monitor, wait for it to cool down and then turn on the monitor again.

While TFT monitors aren’t the best for gaming – this one especially is not good for it; and forget attempting to hook up an XBox as the monitor can’t display even the most basic XBox game well.

When it works; it’s not too bad for graphic design or using other tools that do not have much screen movement (even flash sometimes gives it issues – and forget trying to record the screen).
Rating: 2 / 5

Let me start by saying I am very picking about my display. I look at my display for roughly 6-10 hours a day and sometimes without a break. I use my monitor for mainly development so I am looking at a screen with a white background most of the day. Sometimes I like to play games and I do use Photoshop occasionally but I have access to an Epson printer for my proofs so color is important but I don’t need it to be dead on. Presently I have a couple of Sony SDM-HS73 with XBright technology and access to many other monitors since I have a small business.

So… I get the monitor and I can immediately tell something is not right. My eyes start to hurt within the hour. Comparing this monitor to my Sony (roughly 6 years old), I can see something is not right. Basically the background of the Dell U2410 looks shinny, crystal like, or grainy, as if I am looking through something to see my screen. This effect is worse on white backgrounds. It is almost like a spray pattern of silver, black, white.

So my journey begins. First I do a little research to find out what Sony is doing right and I found some information on something called XBright technology or similar, TruBrite, TrueLife. This technology, as I understand it, has to do with the way the monitor handles reflection. So with the new information in hand, I find out what monitors my local retailer has that use this technology and I head to the store. First it was the HP w2338h, too glossy. Next I looked at a Gateway FHX2300, too glossy. Then I looked at a Dell S2309W which I’m not sure if it has the TrueLife technology or not since the model number I was looking for was Dell SP2309W (the only monitor, aside from Dell laptops that has TrueLife).

After leaving the store to no avail, I check at work and look at another Dell there, forget the model number but it was older, and it looked pretty good against the Sony. I then looked at a Samsung 2343BWX. At last, a monitor that not only looked as good as my Sony, but exceeded it in color. Now my only problem was the Samsung does not have a height adjustment on the stand so I am looking at ordering the Samsung 2443BWT after Christmas and I will be returning the Dell U2410. I hope the 2443BWT looks as good as the 2343BWX.

In conclusion, I love the Dell U2410 ergonomics. The pivot, height, rotate… second to none and I’m told that only certain people can see the grainy effect due to difference in color wave length and our eyes, not sure if this is true or not. At the end of the day, my eyes our far more important and I need a monitor that has a great screen and I can live with the lack of ergonomics. As a side note, I didn’t like the Apple Cinema display 24′ monitor either (matte finish), it had the same effect and our ad guy switched from the Apple to the Samsung 2343BWX or I wouldn’t have even gone that route myself. However he has the ability to color proof on the Epson printer so he does not need it dead on either.

I hope this helps others. From what I could tell, many other people had the same issue with white grainy background but were having a hard time identifying what it is so I hope this helps in those regards. Would I buy a Dell product again, absolutely. We have 4 blades, and a couple of older monitors. Dell is a great company, great customer service (in my experience), but this monitor just did not do it for me. It did look great playing L4D2 though . I’ll try to edit this post after I get the Samsung 2443BWT and let you know how that goes.

Rating: 2 / 5

When looking at this, it’s like seeing a LCD monitor for the first time again. With that out of the way, this sells for $550 with a $50 instant discount on the Dell website (yes with the premium warranty included). This monitor is gorgeous and tuned from the factory!
Rating: 5 / 5