The Coming of the Giant...
Now that I'm about 5 days in using the monitor, I guess I have sufficient information to let you guys know how this one actually performs. I will be as unbiased as possible (though it is very very difficult to be when reviewing my own stuff, but I'll try).
Package arrived in the famous two boxes (a small one for the usual power cable). At first it didn't look as big (considering that I need two people to lift the Z5500 packed). The box was in itself very light. Five minutes in, the box was ripped and a not-so-big monitor was out. My two bro's were like "that's it?". And I tried to hide my dissapointment.
The setup
I was actually contemplating whether or not to wait for the month that my graphics card would take to arrive just for the DVI or Analog debate. But I plugged it in anyway. Setup is a breeze, just clip it, plug it, and power it.
The rear view, with the silver-black theme emphasized
The inevitable start...
Started the PC. As soon as the display lights up, one realises its sheer size. I guess it has a lot to do with the "huge" 21inch CRT TVs that incorporate their picture tube, speakers and controls which adds to the overall size of the TV. This one is overall small (takes up less space) while the actual display is huge. Well, it is 24 inches.
Portrait Mode
Windows powered up, and I just adjusted the resolution (1920x1200) in my GMA900 control panel. Everything looks good. I thought analog would look crappy and blurred but everything appears as sharp as can be. Maybe DVI is sharper, I'll have to wait a month.
Movies:
Looked through my movies, nothing worth playing. Coldplay Live 2003 DVD. The blacks on this monitor are not upto par. My iMac 20inch displays much better black's than this display (but then again, Apple's 20 inch costs the same as this one). And the coldplay concert is almost entirely dependent on blacks. None of the idiot brothers realise this though.
About the quality of display other than blacks: It is amazing. I played MI:3, and there was absolutely no ghosting. The viewing angles are excellent. There is no banding observed (though I'm not really 'looking' for it), but some say Analog doesn't give banding. Good for me! The Brightness and contrast is very good (brightness set at 60%).
The Wide aspect ratio makes DVDs look great (I do crop them to 16:10 in VLC though). 4:3 movies are now out of my life...
I even played a HD file on my GMA900 graphics (one of them from the Microsoft HD website). Everything that I expected it to be. A bit framy though...
Gaming:
I didn't game on this cause of my GMA900(God forbid). Waiting for my 7900GT to arrive (somewhere in the month).
Windows as such:
The only crappy part is running this thing on Windows. Feels like a shabby drunkard is driving a Merc or something. Mac OS X would have been so nice. Waiting for Vista to come.
Opened Windows explorer. Everything displayed in one screen, almost no scroll bars. Everything is more accessible. Itunes, menus, among other things.
The Physical Unit:
The build quality of the unit is sub par. The Black-Silver these looks good. But the structure is a bit weak. When tilting it forward-backward, I can feel the sort of creaks otherwise noticed in a cheap laptop LCD. The turn to the side thing is smooth, but turning it into portrait mode really breaks a sweat in me (if something should happen...). But I guess since I wont be moving it much, that wont be a problem.
Comparing with CD
The OSD and buttons could use a little help, functions wise. There is a specific button for PiP/PBP, which could have been used for changing the Mode of view (Desktop, Gaming, Multimedia). The + and - buttons do nothing without invoking the menu which could have been used for say, brightness.
The buttons
The Unit also heats up a lot. I can feel heat from about 2 inches away from the display as well as its air vents at the back. Not sure if this is normal (Widescreen, Rincewind?).
All in all, a very efficient display, nice size, and I'm yet to use it to full potential (DVI is it?).
Milind
A Non-Comprehensive review of Dell 24 inch (2407wfp)
Linear Mode
