Dell Ultrasharp U3824DW evaluate: A monitor that’s all work, no play

Large ultrawide screens usually prioritize picture high quality to fulfill avid gamers, however Dell’s U3824DW takes a unique tactic. It’s a beefy 38-inch show that mixes good picture high quality with intensive USB connectivity, respectable audio system, and easy-to-use image-quality customization. The monitor makes important sacrifices, however its perks are certain to please buyers seeking to join many gadgets and peripherals to a single show.

Additional studying: See our roundup of one of the best ultrawide screens to study competing merchandise.

What are the Dell U3824DW specs?

The Dell Ultrasharp U3824DW’s connectivity leaps out. The monitor has an unbelievable vary of ports (14 in whole), which help quite a few show inputs, USB-C, USB-A, and Ethernet. It additionally has an IPS Black show panel that roughly doubles the distinction ratio of older IPS shows.

• Show measurement: 38-inch 21:9 ultrawide
• Native decision: 3840×1600
• Panel kind: IPS Black LCD
• Refresh fee: 60Hz
• Adaptive Sync: None
• HDR: None
• Ports: 2x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB-C with 90 watts Energy Supply and DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 upstream (knowledge solely), 4x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 downstream, 2x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 downstream with 15 watts Energy Supply, 3.5mm audio-out, RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet
• Audio system: Included, twin 9-watt
• Value: $1,529.99

Nonetheless, Dell skips quite a few leisure options comparable to HDR, an enhanced refresh fee, and Adaptive Sync. These omissions are annoying given the monitor’s excessive value, however its perks outweigh its issues.

Dell U3824DW design

The Dell UltraSharp U3824DW depends on the corporate’s acquainted design language to supply a subdued {and professional} look. A sweeping silver rear panel is paired with white accents and a slim black bezel surrounding the show. It’s easy but basic, and will work effectively in any dwelling or company workplace. Dell’s rivals, such because the Asus ProArt and Viewsonic VP/Elite Collection, are enticing however much less luxurious, as they have a tendency to depend on black or grey plastic with a rougher really feel.

Although curved, the U3824DW’s curve is modest. That is sensible given its deal with productiveness. A extra pronounced curve might be extra immersive in leisure however distorts the looks of the picture, which might be distracting when modifying a photograph or video. This can be a matter of private style, after all, however I feel the U3824DW’s refined curve is suited to its goal.

Plastic is used throughout all show panel surfaces, however as with most Dell screens, the supplies really feel sturdy and don’t enable a lot flex when the monitor is dealt with. The monitor is comparatively heavy for its measurement at almost 20 kilos with out the stand, so that you’ll want a high-quality monitor arm when you intend to make use of one.

Fortuitously, the bundled stand is great. It feels sturdy, retains the monitor planted, and takes minimal desk area regardless of the monitor’s massive general measurement. It additionally adjusts for top, swivel, and tilt, although it doesn’t rotate right into a vertical orientation. A 100x100mm VESA mount is out there for third-party monitor arms and stands.

Dell U3824DW options and menus

Matt Smith

Connectivity is arguably the explanation to purchase the Dell UltraSharp U3824DW over its rivals. The monitor has intensive USB connectivity and loads of video inputs.

Let’s begin with video: The monitor has two HDMI ports, one DisplayPort, and one USB-C with DisplayPort Alternate Mode, for a complete of 4 video inputs—a wholesome quantity for any monitor.

The USB-C port additionally extends connectivity to 4 further USB-A downstream ports, in addition to two USB-C downstream ports. Gigabit Ethernet and audio out are additionally out there. These downstream ports might be pushed by both the USB-C port with DisplayPort Alternate Mode or a second USB-C upstream port. Due to this, the monitor gives a KVM swap mode, which lets you simply swap between two linked computer systems.

One factor the monitor doesn’t have is a USB-B upstream port, and this implies that you’ll want a USB-C port in your laptop or an adapter to entry the monitor’s downstream USB connectivity. This seems like an indication of the instances as previous Dell UltraSharp screens have included USB-B.

Matt Smith

The U3824DW gives intuitive, easy-to-use menus managed by a joystick on the monitor’s proper flank. Picture-quality choices span the same old, like brightness and distinction, but in addition supply a number of coloration temperature modes and a customized coloration mode that permits for personalisation of coloration saturation, hue, achieve, and offset. The image-customization choices listed below are appropriate for many content material creators. The monitor additionally gives a picture-by-picture mode which successfully turns the monitor into two screens, every displaying a unique enter.

Whereas the joystick is clean and responsive, the monitor can be managed with Dell Show Supervisor, a Home windows utility that has entry to many of the monitor’s options and may change them on the fly. Show Supervisor is a helpful addition, and one not discovered on most productiveness screens.

The U3824DW’s intensive function set is rounded out by a pair of 9-watt audio system that are competent, if not superb. They supply robust, clear audio that may deal with podcasts, YouTube, informal gaming, and music at decrease volumes. BenQ’s EW3880R has a built-in woofer that beats the Dell U3824DW’s audio high quality, however the U3824DW is in any other case superior to its rivals.

How is the Dell U3824DW’s SDR picture high quality?

The Dell UltraSharp U3824DW is a dear monitor designed to deal with each workplace productiveness and content material creation, so its SDR picture high quality must be as much as par. Fortuitously, it has an IPS Black panel that delivers robust outcomes.

Matt Smith

Admittedly, the monitor doesn’t get off to one of the best begin with brightness, because it achieved a most of solely 239 nits. That’s advantageous to be used in a typical workplace with blinds to regulate exterior gentle, however it will probably look a bit dim in shiny rooms. Rivals just like the Asus ProArt PA348CGV and Philips Evnia 34 7000 are extra succesful right here.

Matt Smith

Dell strikes again in distinction because of the IPS Black panel, which might attain decrease black ranges than typical IPS panels. That interprets to an improved distinction ratio of 2080:1. The Philips Evnia 34 can do higher, because of its Mini-LED backlight, however most IPS screens lag far behind the U3824DW.

The monitor’s superior distinction supplies higher ends in darkish content material, the place shadowy scenes present extra element. IPS glow, an issue that creates a hazy grey look in darkish scenes, just isn’t eradicated however noticeably much less seen than with most IPS screens.

Matt Smith

Dell’s coloration gamut is extraordinarily robust for this class, masking as much as 97 % of DCI-P3 and 90 % of Adobe RGB. These outcomes are just like the Philips Evnia 34 7000 and a bit higher than most comparable screens. The monitor’s coloration gamut is appropriate for {most professional} pictures, videography, and different content material creation duties, and lends a vivid, vibrant look in day-to-day use.

Matt Smith

Coloration accuracy is merely okay out-of-the-box. The U3824DW gives a variety of picture customization choices, so errors within the monitor’s coloration ought to be manageable with calibration. Nonetheless, I feel Dell ought to step up its sport on its manufacturing unit coloration calibration. A monitor of this caliber shouldn’t be defeated by inexpensive alternate options.

The U3824DW achieved a default gamma of two.2, which is exactly what we prefer to see. It signifies content material ought to look about as shiny as its creator meant. Coloration temperature got here in at 6300K, which is a bit heat, and the monitor’s default picture is a tad reddish in comparison with most of its friends.

Sharpness is stable, because the monitor’s 3840×1600 decision supplies a pixel density of 109 pixels per inch. That’s basically equivalent to a 27-inch 1440p monitor or a 34-inch ultrawide with 3440×1440 decision. Sadly, native 4K content material stays out of attain, as that requires a decision of 3840×2160, however the U3824DW stays lots sharp for productiveness, internet searching, and gaming.

The Dell U3824DW’s general picture high quality is well-suited for each day-to-day workplace productiveness and extra demanding content material creation duties. Whether or not it’s ok to justify the value relies on your wants. Mini-LED screens, just like the Philips Envision 34, will ship a lot better brightness and distinction at a comparable value—however they lack the U3824DW’s intensive connectivity.

How is the Dell U3824DW’s HDR picture high quality?

Matt Smith

The Dell U3824DW doesn’t help HDR. This can show an issue for content material creators who plan to work on HDR content material. Nonetheless, it’s clear that this monitor just isn’t well-positioned to supply a superb HDR expertise, so I don’t suppose the dearth of HDR will disappoint most house owners. Simply maintain it in thoughts when making your choice. If you would like HDR, you’re going to need to have a look at a Mini-LED or OLED monitor.

How is the Dell U3824DW’s movement efficiency?

Avid gamers ought to give the U3824DW a go. It supplies a most refresh fee of simply 60Hz and lacks Adaptive Sync. Video games look fairly good on the monitor because of its large coloration gamut and stable sharpness, however fast-paced titles present a variety of movement blur. It’s one other trade-off for the monitor’s intensive connectivity.

Is the Dell U3824DW value it?

The Dell Ultrasharp U3824DW goals squarely at workplace productiveness, and that’s the place it excels. It delivers a one-two punch of nice picture high quality and intensive USB connectivity. These key options are supported by an easy-to-use menu and plenty of image-quality customization choices. Some nice-to-have options like HDR, an enhanced refresh fee, and Adaptive Sync are sacrificed, and that limits the monitor’s attraction. Nonetheless, these on the lookout for an enormous ultrawide particularly constructed for work will discover the U3824DW supplies a wealth of connectivity and performance unavailable from most rivals.