Dell Ultra Sharp 2407WFP
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Over the past few years, Dell has really made an impact in the TFT flat panel monitor wars that have been traditionally led by companies like HP and Samsung. This is in large part due to the Ultra Sharp line of flat panels which has revolutionized the industry with greater connectivity, faster response times, and better usability. Keep reading as we check out one of the best of the line.
Introduction
The Ultra Sharp line of LCD monitors has won multiple awards for their quality and performance from websites such as PC World and PC Magazine. So when Dell released the Ultra Sharp 2407WFP in spring of 2006, the bar was already set high for a line of TFT computer monitors that had a reputation of great image quality, fast response, and great design.
The 2407WFP does live up to the Ultra Sharp reputation, as it delivers positive results in every way. This is one of Dell's largest flat panels available, as of the date of this writing, with a huge 24 inch wide-screen face. This model was introduced back in 2006 with a price tag of just under $1000, which is a little steep. Today, you can find this great flat panel for around $600 with a little searching online. I believe it is worth the money, although there are some less expensive alternatives out there, such as the Samsung 226BW which is half the price but features a screen that is 2 inches smaller. If you are looking for a 24 inch flat panel, or larger, then the 2407 WFP will probably give you the best bang for your buck in terms of value.
Design and Cosmetics
The design of the 2407WFP is somewhat straightforward, and it does not push the envelope with style points. This is not to say that it is not a stylish flat panel, I just think it is typical Dell styling in a black and silver finish. As a matter of fact, I enjoy the design and styling of this flat panel as it is ergonomic and easy to use. The 2407WFP weighs in at 18.3 pounds, and its dimensions are 22 x 7.7 x 15.3 inches.
The 24 inch screen sits atop a v-shaped base that can, at times, get a bit wobbly. This is pretty common in large wide-screen flat panels, though, so I do not think this is a big issue. The screen is fully adjustable, so that you can get the best view possible from where you are sitting. What is nice about the mount on this panel is that it can be raised 4 inches for better viewing. An additional desk mount arm may be purchased separately for around $150, if even more control of the screen is needed, although I don't think that is necessary in most cases.
The controls for this monitor are located at the bottom-right corner of the screen, which is pretty much standard. The controls include zoom, phase, contrast, sharpness, brightness, H/V position, color balance, and color temperature. These controls are all standard, and they work sufficiently in this flat panel. One minor gripe that some may have with the 2407WFP is the fact that there is no exit button to get out of the menu system, so you must navigate backwards through the menus instead.
The 2407WFP has an extensive number of inputs, although it is disappointing to not see an HDMI input. This monitor offers a total of 3 USB 2.0 ports, DVI-D and VGA signal inputs, an audio jack for external speakers, composite input, component input, and S-Video input. This monitor also offers a 9-in-2 media card reader. The inputs in this monitor give the user the ability to hook up a DVD player, Xbox 360, PS2, VCR, among others. The high definition gaming on this flat panel is amazing.
By the way, there is a cutout in the neck of the 2407WFP which is used to run all of the wiring down to the peripherals, which makes for a cleaner look on your desktop.
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