Dell UltraSharp 2407WFP review: Dell UltraSharp 2407WFP

The Dell UltraSharp 2407WFP, a 24-inch wide-screen LCD, is another solid entry into Dell's updated UltraSharp monitor line. This $949 monitor boasts plentiful features and connections, excellent image quality, and all the adjustability we could ask for in a monitor of this size. The Philips Brilliance 230WP7 and the Samsung SyncMaster 244T come close to the Dell UltraSharp 2407WFP's performance, but they both cost hundreds more and don't come close to matching the Dell's connectivity options or overall bang for the buck.

The Dell UltraSharp 2407WFP's design follows that of the other UltraSharp monitors, including its simple black-and-silver color scheme. You can pivot this display between landscape and portrait modes, tilt the panel about 20 degrees forward and 5 back, swivel it 45 degrees left and right, and raise the panel about 4 inches. All adjustments are easy to make, though when you're pivoting or swiveling the monitor, the base tends to wobble slightly. The display's inputs, located on the back of the monitor, are easy to access, especially when the monitor is in its portrait position. Inputs include one upstream and two downstream USB 2.0 ports, DVI-D and VGA (analog) signal inputs, a 12-volt audio jack for connecting an optional Dell Sound Bar speaker, plus composite, component, and S-Video ports for connecting a VCR or DVD player. Along the left side of the monitor are two more USB 2.0 ports, and a 9-in-2 media card reader. Like its UltraSharp siblings, the 2407WFP's cable management is a bit sparse: the display's slender neck has only a simple rectangular cutout through which to thread the cords.

The 2407WFP's onscreen menu (OSM) has the same horizontal configuration we saw on the Dell UltraSharp 2007WFP. The menu is set along the monitor's bottom bezel, and each adjustability option has its own submenu; you must navigate through each submenu to select settings. There's no dedicated exit button, however, which makes it difficult to make your way through the submenus. The menu lets you adjust the usual settings, including brightness, color temperature, and sharpness, and it offers three preset image modes for Desktop, Multimedia, and Gaming use. A dedicated button on the monitor's control panel launches picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture functions, and another dedicated button lets you switch between inputs.

Tested at its native resolution of 1,920x1,200, the Dell UltraSharp 2407WFP delivered excellent performance on CNET Labs' DisplayMate-based tests. Text was dark and easily legible, and grayscale tests looked terrific, showing only slight pink tints in the mid and light sections. Colors looked accurate and vivid across the board.

Dell rates the UltraSharp 2407WFP with a relatively fast 6-millisecond response time, and the monitor performed well in both of our moving images tests. DVD testing showed a bit more digital noise than average, but images were sharp and clear, with vivid colors. Gaming tests were also vivid and sharp, but we did notice minimal streaking and ghosting. The 2407WFP comes HDCP-equipped, and when we connected the display to an HDTV signal, we did see some digital noise in solid backgrounds, which is expected. Form a normal viewing distance, however, the picture was clear and vivid.

The Dell UltraSharp 2407WFP comes with an industry-standard three-year warranty on parts, labor, and the backlight. It can be extended by one year for $29 and by two years for $49. Dell also has its very handy toll-free, 24/7 tech support in addition to alternative support options, such as community forums, a searchable knowledge base, and documentation and driver downloads via its Web site.