Dell U2311H: E-IPS, Full Adjustments, and DisplayPort
by Chris Heinonen on September 27, 2011 12:20 AM ESTPower Consumption
Since the Dell still uses a traditional CCFL backlight and not an LED backlight, the power consumption falls in line with other traditional 23” displays. At max brightness the Dell consumes 41 watts while at minimum brightness it only consumes 18 watts of power. Heat didn’t seem to be an issue, and while I have no way to measure it, even after sitting here at the display for 2+ hours while I work on this review, neither the screen nor the rear of the panel was very hot to the touch.
Conclusions
Overall the Dell U2311H did a good job as a display, especially when you consider how affordable you can find it available for. The backlight uniformity leaves a bit to be desired, but the dE level was capable of getting to a level that was suitable for print work. The contrast ratio of 1000:1 was very nice compared to other monitors in the same price class as well. While an HDMI input would be nice for those looking to have it serve double duty as a display for gaming or movies, a simple HDMI to DVI adapter will resolve that since it lacks speakers anyway.
We have no problem recommending the Dell U2311H as a step up from the numerous mediocre TN-based LCDs that currently sell for under $200. However, there are other E-IPS LCDs available for under $200, so what you're really paying for here isn't E-IPS but instead it's the other features. What might those be? For one, getting a 23" display with height/swivel/tilt adjustments usually bumps the price up around $50. The other major "extra"? DisplayPort.
Ironically, the royalty-free DisplayPort tends to only show up on more expensive LCDs—a quick search at Newegg for instance shows that the pricing of the U2311H is right in line with other offerings that feature full adjustability and DisplayPort. If you happen to need/want DP support rather than HDMI, it's an important distinction, but you'll pay for the privilege.
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DaFox - Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - link
This reads like E-IPS is this new thing and as if this monitor was the first to ship with it. Unfortunately it's over a year or two old at this point and is pretty common in the lower end IPS monitors.Paulman - Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - link
I was thinking that this seemed a little late for a U2311H review. Didn't Dell just release a whole new line of IPS displays? It seemed to me like they were planning on phasing out the U2311H generation.See U2412M and U2312M:
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.a...
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.a...
In fact, here in Canada, the U2412M is back on sale again for $349 CDN (and that's 24" at 1920 x 1200 [16:10])
Paulman - Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - link
Correction: the 23" model's name is U2312HM (and it's 16:9, unlike its 24" brother)Ralos - Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - link
Indeed, the U2312H has been available for a few weeks now, and, just like the U2311H before it, is often in special. About once every two months there is a 90-110$ special on it and you can have it at 219$. I bought one for myself, and made 3 friends buy one too (always with the 90-110$ special). I now have the 30" version and love them all.Can't ever go back to TN panels now.
TacticalToast - Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - link
You're right about the specials. Got the U2311H for ~$219 a year ago and haven't looked back. Picked it over the U2410 because of the multitude of complaints over the pink-green tinting on the diagonal. Nary a problem with my monitor.nirolf - Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - link
I think you are right, U2311H seems EOL, it's out of stock around here. I hope the U2412M will be reviewed soon.alfredska - Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - link
Agreedsean.crees - Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - link
I agree, I would much have preferred a review of the new U2412M with IPS and LED backlight in a more traditional 16x10 aspect ratio.baker269 - Wednesday, September 28, 2011 - link
At this price point 16x9 is the standard.akse - Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - link
Just ordered U2412M here in Finland for 289 euros. Waiting it to arrive .)