Dell’s super sexy 22” Crystal monitor half price
Taking a browse around Dell’s website I noticed they’ve got a massive discount on their super sexy 22” display. When they first arrived I was always impressed with such a unique display design, but the price was the just to steep.
If you’ve always wanted one but didn’t want to stretch to that crazy high $1000 price, then now might be the time to pull the trigger. Until this Thursday (27th August 2009), you can get one for $499.
Whilst that is still a lot for a 22” monitor, this is really designed for people who prioritise design over the value and are happy to pay a premium. If that doesn’t sound like you, maybe you’d be better to invest in a larger monitor for the same price.
More @ Dell
Pioneer kills Plasma, No more Kuro. Proof Plasma is dead !
Widely regarded as making the best model of Plasma TV on the market, Pioneer have pulled the plug on manufacturing Plasma TVs. This of course includes the industry-leading Pioneer Kuro range, offering superior black levels. This announcement comes despite announcing a bunch of new plasma sets at this years CES only last month.
This continues a growing trend of TV manufacturers moving away from Plasma display technology in favor of LCD. Even though a number of manufacturers still have Plasma displays for sale, these are more commonly made from someone else and simply rebranded.
In the early days of large screen TVs LCD’s of large sizes were prohibitively expensive to manufacture. As the technology has evolved and volumes have increased this cost has dropped – dramatically. LCD’s even at large sizes are now down to an affordable level and with the current economic conditions, they’re set to drop even further.
Earlier this year I picked up a 52” Sony Bravia Full HD LCD for A$2,999. 2-3 years ago this set would have easily cost $6-7k.
Look for plasma TVs to die very quickly over the next 2 years.
Review: Dell 27” Monitor – 2709W
The video review is coming soon, until then.. here’s the text version.
Overview
The new 27” monitor from Dell holds the model number – 2709W. Not only does the new model come with many improvements, but a price drop as well.
The Good
Size – The massive 27 inches allows you to clearly see the display at a distance, which leaves you with plenty of available desk space.
Dual stack – I’ve experienced a number of multi-monitor setups, one of my biggest annoyances with the screens is they never sit next to each other well. Almost always creating a large gap between them.
Display – Bright, vibrant colours, no problems or glitches when gaming on them.
Inputs – This screen offers an wide range of inputs, allowing for connectivity to almost any device. HDMI, DVI x2, VGA, Component, and the new Display Port. Whilst Display Port is still very new in the PC industry, in fact you could probably count the number of graphics cards that support display port on one hand. Monitors last for many years, and within 3-5 years I’m sure Display Port will be common place.
A nice touch is the Preset Mode (Brightness / Contrast), is input dependant. This means if your running you PC through say DVI, you’d probably have it set to ‘Multimedia mode’, if you switch to a console on HDMI or component, and you have it set to ‘Game’, the screen switches automatically to the Preset Mode selected for that input.
The Bad
Touch sensitive buttons – while they look slick, they lack the responsiveness of standard buttons. This makes navigating the OSD a clumsy experience.
Changing inputs – It takes too many steps to switch inputs. While the menu allows you to customise the ‘shortcuts’, these should be available with one touch, similar to that of the input selectors found on the 24” model.
Price – unfortunately the best price point for monitors right now is still that 22-24” range. This will no doubt change in the future, we’ve already see a move in the right direction with a price drop (A $1199), in this model compared to it’s predecessor (A $1699)
The Breakdown
Overall if your in the market for a large monitor, you can’t go wrong with the Dell 2709W. It offers great value for money. I would have liked to see it share the higher resolution available in the 30” model.
Dell does include a number of cables with the display – USB, DVI to HDMI and Display Port.
If your someone who works across multiple applications and your budget can stretch, I highly recommend a setup that includes 2 x 2709W monitors, just make sure you have a desk big enough.
More @ Dell.
Dell 2x 2709W arrive, let the multitasking begin
I’ve been after a good multi-monitor setup for some time now, so after Dell’s new 2709W monitors became available earlier this week, I promptly ordered a couple for techAU. Anyone skilled in the art of multi-tasking will appreciate the extra screen real estate provided by additional monitors.
The production of the techAU podcast requires the use of around 4-5 different applications, the most common being Adobe Premiere for the video editing, while image overlays etc, are created in Adobe Fireworks or Photoshop.
Even for monitoring tech news gets easier on the new 2×27” setup. It allow for a couple of browsers sessions (feeds + Digg bigspy), a twitter client, IM conversations, Live Writer (blogging) to all be displayed simultaneously.
I’ll be doing a full review of the new screens shortly, but initial impressions are very good.
New Dell 27” Monitor (2709W) hits Australian website.
The new model – 2709W of Dell’s 27” Monitor has finally arrived in Australia. Appearing today for the first time on www.dell.com.au.
There’s no option to buy the screen at the moment with the instructions simple “Please call for latest prices”. Hopefully online purchasing is enabled very soon.
Strangely whatever the price of the display, you can get A $200 off when buying online.
More @ Dell.com.au
Australian’s left waiting for Dell 2709W
After Dell released their hot new 27” LCD Monitor to American consumers this past week, Australians are still without the option to buy as Dell run out stock of the previous model – the 2707W.
The upgrades new model are actually fairly impressive, so much so I’m considering upgrading my setup. Two of these would fit nicely on the top of my desk.
More @ Dell and Dell Australia
Dell 27" to become affordable ?? CNET reviews 2709W before it’s announced
CNET have reviewed Dell’s new 27″ monitor, 2709W. Only problem is, Dell haven’t even announced it. With that strange anomaly out of the way, it’s also worth noting the current 27″ model is the 2707W. Does this mean the 2708W got left out in the cold ?
Assuming things are correct in the CNET review, the display features a number of input options – VGA, DVI, Component, HDMI and the new DisplayPort. Unfortunately the screen res is still the same as it’s smaller sibling the 24″ (1920×1200), I would have really liked to see them increase it to that of the 30″ (2560×1600), on the up side, contrast ratio is up from 1000:1 to 3000:1.
The good news is we won’t have to wait long – “The Dell 2709W should be available on Dell Australia’s website on June 20, 2008.” Additionally the new model will actually be $200 cheaper, down from AU$1399 to AU$1199.