Lots of people still rely on monitors plugged into their laptops and desktops, and most of us don’t even think about upgrading. With the release of two new models from different makers, however, now might be the right time to do just that.
Dell is first this week, updating its 27 inch monitor to the U2713HM, which now features pivot, swivel, tilt, and adjustable height action. Strong colour support is a feature too, with Dell claiming it’s able to handle above 99% of the sRGB gamut on its In-Plane Switching (IPS) display. (An IPS display typically promises impressive viewing angles).
Photographers shooting in the sRGB colour space should be pleased, then, although the new monitor doesn’t quite match the previous U2711 spec-for-spec. Contrast ratio on the new U2713HM, for instance, is down (1000:1 compared to 80,000:1 on the older one), as is refresh rate (8ms compared to 6ms) and colour range (16.7 million compared to 1.07 billion for the U2711).
There U2713HM provides a few ports for you to plug things into, though, with one DVI-D, one DisplayPort, one HDMI, one VGA, one audio out, and a USB 3.0 hub with four ports, offering some quick-stix USB 3.0 speed for hard drives and flash drives.
The differences between this 27 incher and the older Dell model represent a saving of around $100, with the Dell U2713HM coming in at $799. You can probably expect that price to change, however, given how often Dell runs discount programs.
Meanwhile, ViewSonic is this week debuting a 24 inch monitor for half the price of the Dell.
At its thinnest point, Viewsonic’s $329 VX2450h is just 6.8mm slim. The svelte profile is made possible by LED backlighting, with the LCD panel providing full HD resolution and an insane 40,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. As with all such ratings, the measurement is largely meaningless, but it does speak to Viewsonic’s confidence about the deep velvety-ness of the monitor’s blacks and the purity of its whites.
ViewSonic’s new monitor makes use of a Twisted Nematic (TN) panel, a technology that doesn’t quite offer the same wide viewing angles as IPS panels, like those used on the Dell (above), as well as the Apple iPad and Asus Transformer tablets.
For now, you can find the monitors at their respective retailers and e-tailers, with the likelihood that they will be joined by more new-model displays from other marques the next few weeks.
