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Dell U2312HM Monitor Review

Introduction

In the home computer system, monitors have always played a special role. It is on them that the level of perception of information by the user largely depends - processing of graphics and printing, publishing layout is simply impossible without a high-quality monitor. For the average user, screen indicators such as diagonal, color quality and apparent viewing angle are equally important - most computers are used as entertainment centers.

Back in January 2009, Dell introduced one of the world's first models based on e-IPS technology - Dell 2209WA.

This model almost immediately took the lead in sales lists and received an award from one of the world's leading information resources, CNET.

Today, displays based on modifications of the IPS matrix are produced, perhaps, by all well-known manufacturers, but there are quite a few high-quality monitors at a low price among them. One of them is the hero of our review - Dell U2312HM.

General information

Dell U2312HM is a business-oriented solution in the class of e-IPS monitors. Diagonal - 23 inches (58.4 centimeters).

In this model, you will not find an integrated audio system, card reader and HDMI connectors - the model is not a universal "TV". On the other hand, the monitor has good technical characteristics:

  • screen resolution - 1920x1080 pixels;
  • response time - 8 ms;
  • the presence of built-in connectors D-Sub, DVI, USB 2.0 (4 ports).
  • In addition, the manufacturer, with its proprietary "Premium Panel" technology, guarantees the complete absence of blown-out pixels on the screen. On the display we tested, there really were no such problems.

    Contents of delivery

    The monitor comes in a cardboard box. Judging by the texture and color, the cardboard is made in the spirit of modern traditions of fighting for the environment - from recycled materials.

    The packaging looks impersonal and uninteresting. It has a sticker with information about the release date and version. This can be useful in case of detecting any defects, which will be eliminated in the next versions. We did not find any more informative data on the box - neither useful nor advertising.

    In the package with the monitor, we found a power cable, S-Sub and DVI connecting wires, a USB extension cable for connecting built-in connectors, a CD with drivers and applications, and a user manual.

    The power adapter is built into the case and is absolutely silent in operation at any level of settings. The temperature also pleased it - the case is slightly warm.

    Appearance

    The monitor case is made of matte, rough plastic. The user is given a choice of body color - gray or black. All components of the body are very precisely connected to each other. There are no gaps. Despite its impressive appearance, the body without a stand weighs a little - 2.96 kg. Monitor dimensions without stand:

  • width - 546.4 mm;
  • height - 323.3 mm;
  • depth - 59.5 mm (maximum).
  • Dimensions with stand:

  • height - 365.0 mm (minimum);
  • depth - 185.4 mm;
  • width - 546.4 mm.
  • The thickness of the screen (6 cm) is not a record low, but the monitor looks very attractive and elegant.

    The wide stand is shaped like an envelope. In the center is a swivel base disc that connects to the monitor using a tall black and gray stand that allows the monitor to be raised from 365.0 to 493.9 mm.

    The rack has an oval slot for hidden wiring. However, at the maximum level of lifting the screen, the wires become visible, which could be avoided with the help of clamps.

    The monitor is fastened to the stand using latches.

    At the request of the user, the screen can be mounted using a VESA wall mount 100x100 mm.At the back of the case there are connectors for connecting proprietary acoustics - Dell AX510. Its sound is sufficient for accompanying presentations and playing background music.

    There are two USB 2.0 ports on the left side of the monitor. Their operation requires an additional connection of the system unit with the display using a special complete cable.

    To connect the monitor to a computer, the user has a choice between D-Sub and DVI ports. Four USB 2.0 ports allow you to connect appropriate devices directly to the display, greatly simplifying the process.

    A distinctive feature of the monitor is the ability to adjust it.

    So, it can be raised 130 mm and rotated 45 degrees to either side, and the panel can be tilted up to 21 degrees.

    In addition, you can completely change the screen orientation from landscape to portrait by rotating the display 90 degrees. This also changes the orientation of the OSD.

    At the bottom of the stand there are six feet made of very hard rubber that does not provide sufficient grip. So, when you rotate the screen, the stand often rotates with it. In order to rotate only the screen, the base must be supported with the other hand.

    Menu and control

    On the right side of the front of the Dell U2312HM are four hardware buttons for navigating the OSD. There are no labels next to them - their functions depend on the currently open menu tab. For the convenience of the user, an icon indicating the current function is displayed in front of each button at any time.

    To call the menu, press any of the four buttons and select the desired section. In addition, there is a possibility of independent programming of two "quick" buttons.

    Initially, the user is asked to select one of the automatic presets, either manually change the brightness and contrast level, or go to the main menu, where the "advanced" screen settings are located. There are many settings - with their help, you can fine-tune the behavior of the screen.

    In the "Color Settings" section, you can select the type of input signal, adjust the color gamut, select one of the preset image modes. The only difficulty was caused by the impossibility of choosing a color temperature for each of the presets. But the problem was solved with the help of a special “Color Temp” profile. It allows you to select the desired color temperature in the range from 5000 to 10000 degrees. In addition, you can select the desired mode in the service menu, but we will write about this a little below. For completely manual color adjustments, there is a “Custom Color” profile. A separate function is a forced reset of the settings in this section to the factory settings.

    The next section is "Display Setting". Here you can find the settings for the aspect ratio of the image (16: 9, 4: 3, 5: 4), settings for sharpness and clarity, the switch for the dynamic contrast function. As in the previous section, there is a reset function.

    The "Other Setting" section allows you to customize the OSD menu and use some of the proprietary functions. Here, the user is given the opportunity to select the language of the on-screen menu. Russian is also available in the list. Of the other useful menu settings, we note the ability to set the transparency of the menu and forced rotation to portrait mode.

    The proprietary options are interesting. They allow you to control the power saving mode and the DDC / CI protocol. But most importantly, the list contains functions for checking the screen for backlight uniformity and overexposed pixels - the user no longer needs to carry the monitor to the service center for diagnostics or use special utilities.

    The last item is "Factory Reset", which allows you to reset all monitor settings.

    The final section of the menu allows you to select the functions of the pair of upper buttons from the following list:

  • Preset Modes - quick preset selection
  • Brightness / Contrast - brightness and contrast level;
  • Auto Adjust - automatic settings;
  • Input Source - selection of an input signal source;
  • Aspect Rate - selection of aspect ratio;
  • Menu Rotation - forced selection of menu orientation.
  • If, when turning on the monitor, hold down the two upper buttons, and then press the first of them again, then we get to the service menu. Most of the information and settings remained incomprehensible to us and it is intended, apparently, exclusively for technical personnel.

    Of the functions that we managed to understand, we note the following: the choice of the color temperature for each of the presets and the amplification of the RGB signal.

    An interesting and extremely useful feature of forced response time reduction is also located in the service menu and is called Overdrive. This mode is activated by default and allows you to significantly speed up the response time of the matrix. When using it, the monitor visually works no slower than matrices with a response time of 5 ms, which is especially critical in games and when watching movies.

    Test results

    The screen is based on an e-IPS matrix. We will not give full and detailed test results in this review. We only note that the levels of contrast and brightness allow you to work comfortably behind the monitor in almost any ambient light conditions. At the same time, the response speed of the matrix is ​​forcibly reduced from 14 ms (this value is indicated in the specification by the developer - LG) to 8 ms. Overclocking was carried out in production using the "Overdrive" technology we have already mentioned. So, visually, the response speed of the monitor surpasses most screens that we have come across. When the Overdrive function is turned off, there is very little degradation in the dynamic image. However, by default, the technology is active and users are unlikely to turn it off, so there is no need to worry about any time delays.

    The viewing angles are excellent, but, like all matrices made using e-IPS technology, with a significant deviation of the angle of view from the perpendicular, blue appears along the edge of the screen. There is also a general unpleasant "Glow" effect, which is expressed in the fact that at high viewing angles, black turns into gray. But both of these drawbacks are expressed only when viewing images at angles above 130 degrees, that is, in real life, they are practically invisible.

    Conclusion

    Despite the shortcomings inherent in the e-IPS matrix, the monitor fully justifies the tasks assigned to it, and we can safely recommend it for purchase. This solution is supported by the stunning ergonomics, which allows you to fully adjust the viewing angle, and a wide range of screen settings, and a well-developed design.

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