Dell’s latest ultrawide UltraSharp monitor adds 120Hz to the mix, in addition to its IPS Black panel.
In just this past year, gaming monitors have enjoyed a successful jump to OLED. The technology is maturing, there are choices aplenty, and prices have even begun to drop.
But in the world of productivity- and creator-based monitors, the choices remain a bit more stagnant. Dell has hoped to entice buyers with its IPS Black technology, which enhances contrast above standard IPS panels. Combined now with a faster 120Hz refresh rate, and it’s time for a refresh.
That’s the Dell UltraSharp 34 Curved Thunderbolt Hub Monitor (U3425WE), a curved ultrawide monitor for productivity and creators. It comes with all the bells and whistles, making it for serious productivity junkies only. But there’s lot to praise, especially with the addition of the faster refresh rate.Specs and pricing
The U3425WE costs $1,020, which is an eye-watering price compared to what else you can get for that money. Competitors like LG and Samsung don’t have an exact competitor to it out on the market, but they have pretty close options for well under $1,000. Take the 2020 LG 38WN95C Ultrawide, for example. It uses a brighter panel, faster at 144Hz, has similar port options, and is currently selling for just $850. According to LG’s website, it originally sold for $1,600, but I don’t know how long it sold at that price.
For pricing comparisons, it’s also worth considering the lower-priced version of this same monitor from Dell, the U3423WE. This display is identical in almost every way, including having the same resolution IPS Black screen, the same exact design, and all the same ports and features. The only thing missing is the 120Hz refresh rate.
Dell says it will continue to be sold and is currently goes for $736. Is the jump from 60Hz to 120Hz worth $284? I’m not sure that it is, but that’s a big question when it comes to the value this monitor offers.Design
UltraSharps are premium in features and image quality, but lookers they are not. It’s not that they’re ugly — they’re just fairly basic. And a little clunky. To be fair, that’s what many business and home office users are looking for in a monitor – something that blends in with the environment and doesn’t draw too much attention.
As mentioned, it’s identical in design to the U3423WE and most of the other UltraSharp monitors.
That’s not a bad thing necessarily, but when you’re spending this much on a monitor, it’d be nice for it to be made of better materials or have a cleaner design. Dell ventured into sleeker designs in the past, but this form factor requires a fairly large stand and base. It’s a thick screen too. I can’t say the competition is all that more compelling though. I think the look of Samsung’s ViewFinity models are a bit classier, but the all-silver look of the UltraSharp gets the job done.
A big draw, obviously, is the curved, ultrawide screen. The 1900R curve is quite subtle, especially if you’re used to the more aggressive curves found on gaming monitors. This one wraps around you gently, providing the slightest sense of immersion and ensuring the width of the screen feels comfortable.
Setting up the UltraSharp couldn’t be simpler. The stand connects to the base with a few tightens of a screw, and the stand snaps into the VESA adapter on the back of the panel. At 25 pounds, it’s fairly light to maneuver and set up.
As is true of all 21:9 ultrawide monitors, the base is quite large, taking up a healthy amount of space on your desk to support the full movement of the monitor. The VESA adapter on the back makes it easy to swap it out for a different solution, fortunately. If you are using the stand and base, though, there’s a decent amount of adjustment to help find a comfortable position.
It takes a bit of muscle to get it moving, but it can height adjust 5.9 inches or swivel by 30 degrees. The addition of swivel is handy — and not something some of the cheaper ultrawide monitors out there have. There’s plenty of movement there, and on top of that, it can tilt down 5 degrees or up 21 degrees when needed.
