Skip to main content

Dell’s new ultrathin displays bring HDR to your PC without emptying your wallet

Dell
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Dell introduced two new desktop “S” displays for the mainstream market this week during the Consumer Electronics Show: The 27-inch S2719DM and the 23.8-inch S2419HM. They’re nearly identical in nature outside their obvious size differences, packing extremely high brightness levels, deep color support, and wide viewing angles. They’re extremely thin from front to back, and rather elegant, sporting a black and silver design.

That said, Dell is claiming the “world’s brightest ultra-thin monitor” torch with the release of these two displays. At their thinnest, they measure 0.21 inches thick, and are complemented by Dell’s InfinityEdge design (read: narrow bezels). Both are based on in-plane switching technology and Dell’s own ComfortView design for flicker-free viewing, and low blue light levels.

Recommended Videos

“Dell’s Ultrathin Monitors are the brightest in the world,” the company says. “Corning Iris Glass is a glass substrate used as a light-guide plate (LGP) in Dell monitors. This best-in-class material enables an ultra-thin form factor, boosts brightness, and delivers brilliant pictures.”

Please enable Javascript to view this content

According to Corning, Iris Glass essentially distributes light evenly across ultra-thin displays so you’re not viewing dull colors or see low brightness in some spots. The typical light-guide plate can warp due to heat and humidity, thus manufacturers are forced to create displays with a thicker backlight and wider bezels to handle the physical changes. Corning’s Iris Glass solves the problem with “superior” stability and optical performance, enabling thinner displays.

Dell 27 Ultrathin Monitor

Dell
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Key Specs

  • Model: S2719DM
  • Size: 27 inches
  • Panel tech: In-plane switching
  • Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440 @ 60Hz
  • Pixel pitch (mm): 0.233 x 0.233
  • Max brightness: 600 nits
  • Response time: 5ms Fast Mode / 8ms Normal Mode
  • Release date: January 30
  • Price: $500

This is the largest model of the two, sporting a 27-inch screen packing a 2,560 x 1,440 resolution. It’s based on in-plane switching technology that pushes deep, rich colors and wide viewing angles. The result is a desktop monitor supporting 99 percent of the sRGB color space, and 85 percent of the DCI-P3 color space. It also serves up 178-degree horizontal and vertical viewing angles, and a color depth of 16.7 million colors.

According to the specs, this panel has a typical contrast ratio of 1,000:1, but a dynamic contrast ratio of 8 million:1. It’s HDR-ready, and the only model of the two that’s actually certified by VESA with a DisplayHDR 400 classification. That is a new standards system measuring the level of a panel’s HDR capabilities, placing capable displays in three brackets: 400 (low), 600 (medium), and 1,000 (high).

As for other features stuffed into Dell’s new monitor, it has a typical brightness of 400 nits, but a peak brightness of 600 nits, both of which are still rather high. There are two response times as well: 8ms when the panel is set to Normal Mode, and 5ms when moved to Fast Mode. Port-wise, you will find two HDMI 2.0 ports, one audio jack, and surprisingly no DisplayPort connections. Given you’re paying $499 for a display, you’d expect at least one DisplayPort option.

Dell 24 Ultrathin Monitor

Dell
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Key Specs

  • Model: S2419HM
  • Size: 23.8 inches
  • Panel tech: In-plane switching
  • Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 @ 60Hz
  • Pixel pitch (mm): 0.2745 x 0.2745
  • Max brightness: 600 nits
  • Response time: 5ms Fast Mode / 8ms Normal Mode
  • Release date: January 30
  • Price: $300

Overall, this model is identical to its 27-inch sibling, save for the obvious size difference. Everything you see here is packed into the larger version: The same brightness levels, response times, color depth, color space support, and so on. But it has a lower resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 at 60Hz, and it’s not certified by VESA as an HDR-class product even though its HDR-ready. The price is lower too at $300versus the 27-inch model’s $500 price tag.

According to Dell, both panels have a maximum thickness point of 1.14 inches while their thinnest point measures just 0.21 inches. All four ports are aligned in a vertical strip just below where the metal stand connects to the back of the display. In turn, the stand includes a vertical opening, so your connected cables are strung through the opening, and down along the stand for clean cable management.

Given the panel includes two HDMI ports, there is no sign that the displays support simultaneous, side-by-side inputs on a single screen. Instead, Dell’s notes show that customers instead toggle input sources. Other notable features in both products include thin “InfinityEdge” bezels for more screen and less frame, a clean curvature across the entire back, and a tilt ranging from five degrees to 21 degrees.

Kevin Parrish
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kevin started taking PCs apart in the 90s when Quake was on the way and his PC lacked the required components. Since then…
40 years ago, Apple cemented its place in desktop publishing history
An old photo of Apple's LaserWriter, one of the first laser printers.

Apple launched the LaserWriter printer in March 1985, nearly 40 years ago. Combined with a Macintosh computer, Adobe Postscript technology, and Aldus PageMaker software, it made desktop publishing a reality.

Apple’s earlier printer, the ImageWriter was a dot-matrix printer with limited speed and resolution. Adding the option of a laser printer was game-changing. Suddenly, professional print layout and printing were possible with a personal computer system you could fit on a desk.

Read more
Quick! This Dell 27-inch curved gaming monitor is only $130
Dell 27-inch Curved Gaming Monitor on white background.

Dell is home to some of the best monitor deals. That's especially true today, as Dell has discounted a 27-inch curved gaming monitor to just $130, reduced from $230. This is a clearance deal, so stock will be strictly limited -- once the allocation runs out, you’ve missed out. That means you’ll need to be quick with the buy button so you don’t miss out on the $100 saving. Have a quick read of what we have to say about it below, then get straight to buying if you want a more immersive experience for less.

Why you should buy the Dell 27-inch curved gaming monitor
Dell is a great option for monitors, whether you’re seeking out the best monitors for your home office or the best gaming monitors for your downtime. When it comes to gaming, you want a high refresh rate, high resolution, and some great adaptive sync features -- all of which the Dell 27-inch curved gaming monitor offers.

Read more
Dell has cut the price of this Dell XPS 13 by a massive $750
Dell XPS 13 9345 front view showing display and keyboard.

For great laptop deals, head to Dell and reap some considerable benefits. Right now, one highlight is a huge $750 discount on a Dell XPS 13. This particular model is ideal for multitasking on the move. It normally costs $2,299 but it’s down to $1,549 for a limited time as one of Dell’s clearance deals. Since it's a clearance deal, stock will run out soon -- you’ll need to be quick to avoid missing out. Want to learn more first? Let’s take a look at what it has to offer.

Why you should buy the Dell XPS 13
As one of the best laptop brands out there, you can’t go wrong with what Dell has to offer. We’ve been big fans of the Dell XPS 13 over the years, with our recent review of one model calling it a “great laptop” but with the “wrong chip.” Fortunately, this configuration has a far better chip than our review model. That means fast performance, “excellent build quality” and an “ultramodern appearance” paired with a "good keyboard and touchpad."

Read more