Dell 2408WFP (Rev02 - 2009)

The 2408WFP has been updated.  Between the version released in 2007 and the model we're testing, the name has stayed the same but some of the components have changed.  That's why we're testing it again, in the hope that some of the problems we found last time--including input lag and inaccurate colours--have been corrected along the way.

Dell has had two years, but has the manufacturer made the most of them?  Note that the name we've given the test is more detailed than Dell's as we wanted to make it clear that this is the second revision of the monitor, dating from 2009.

At first sight, the basic design and connectivity haven't budged.  That means you still get a frame in matte black and metallic grey and a very impressive list of video inputs, including HDMI and DVI but also DisplayPort.

As with the previous version, the inputs and outputs aren't this monitor's only strength.  It also offers a number of accessories, including a four-port USB hub and a 9 in 2 memory card reader.  Even the stand hasn't been left out.  It's on a separate base which allows it not only to rotate, but to move up and down as well.  The five stars this screen gets for handling are entirely deserved.

That said, the total absence of audio connectivity is also a problem.  You can connect headphones using one of the USB ports, but that all depends on the quality of your sound card.  If yours is good, it would be a shame to spoil that by using USB. 

Colours

Default Colours

Ideal Colours

One of the main faults of the first version of the 2408WFP was the lack of accurate colours.  Without trying to make excuses for it, providing the right colours can be a bit of a challenge for wide-gamut monitors.  Often, the only way out is using their menu to switch to sRGB mode, although it rarely works miracles.

We had hoped that this second version of the screen would have improved colour handling, but we can only look at the facts, and no combination of settings that we tried improved on the default configuration, which was itself pretty mediocre.  Calibrating this monitor properly is therefore highly recommended--if not essential--if having the right colours is in any way important to you. 

Contrast, on the other hand, leaves nothing to worry about, at almost 1200:1 with brightness at 200 cd/m².  That's actually pretty exceptional for a monitor when we know that the average screen doesn't make it past 800:1.

Responsiveness

Coloured    Transparent
Average ghosting over ten frames

With a 6 ms PVA panel, we can expect a very responsive screen, as long as it doesn't suffer from reverse ghosting.  And the good news is that this version, just like the last one, is very responsive.  It's even better, in fact.  The 2408WFP won't have any trouble at all displaying even the most rapid movements.

However, the first version of this monitor was known for having a very significant input lag that could seriously hamper playing multiplayer games.

 

Dell has since solved this problem, and the input lag is now under two frames per second, meaning the manufacturer has halved it.  As a result, you won't be able to blame your monitor if your performance drops suddenly in the middle of your next LAN party.  This combination of a fast response time and low input lag make this screen a great choice for gamers.

Films

It's quite a rarity for monitors, but blurriness is kept to a minimum when watching films.  However, you need to be about 1.5 metres away to not notice the problems caused by upscaling.  The 2408WFP is nothing exceptional, then, but in an area where there's still plenty of work to be done, any small progress is still welcome.