Dell P2424HT review: An office monitor built for touch

Price When Reviewed

$519.99

Best Prices Today: Dell 2424HT

Windows’ touchscreen assist has improved radically because the bad-old-days of Windows 8, and whereas it’s nonetheless not a substitute for a mouse in all conditions, it really works effectively with fashionable apps and web sites (which are likely to have a mobile-friendly design). Unfortunately, those that favor a desktop PC usually can’t benefit from Windows’ contact performance—however Dell’s P2424HT touchscreen monitor makes it an possibility.

Further studying: See our roundup of the best home office monitors to find out about competing merchandise.

Dell P2424HT specs

Matt Smith

The Dell P2424HT has a 24-inch IPS touchscreen with a decision of 1080p. This is an uncommon function for a 24-inch monitor: Quite a lot of touchscreen shows can be found, however most are smaller transportable displays. Dell additionally provides vital USB-C connectivity and Gigabit Ethernet, which is a pleasant bonus.

• Display dimension: 24-inch widescreen
• Native decision: 1920×1080
• Panel kind: IPS edge-lit touchscreen
• Refresh fee: 60Hz
• Adaptive Sync: None
• HDR: None
• Ports: 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort, 1 USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 with DisplayPort Mode and 90-watt USB Power Delivery, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 with 15-watt USB Power Delivery, 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, Ethernet (RJ-45), 3.5mm audio-out
• VESA mount: 100x100mm
• Speakers: None
• Price: $519.99 MSRP

There’s one other level that leaps out: the value. Dell’s MSRP is a steep $519.99 — costly for a 24-inch workplace monitor with 1080p decision. The value is comprehensible, given the P2424HT’s uncommon options, but it surely’s effectively past the $300-or-less pricing of comparable shows.

Dell P2424HT design

The Dell P2424HT doesn’t instantly stand out from a typical workplace monitor. It has slim bezels, a matte-black rear panel, and silver metallic stand, all of which strike a reserved, skilled tone.

Matt Smith

Take a better take a look at the stand, nevertheless, and also you’ll discover one thing odd. The stand isn’t a straight, inflexible neck however as an alternative sits at an angle with pivot factors on each the underside and prime of the stand neck. This makes it potential to tilt the monitor ahead for simple touchscreen entry. There’s even a pair of rubber bumpers hid alongside the decrease lip. They assist the monitor grip the floor of your desk when it’s in full tilt, which prevents undesirable motion whereas the touchscreen is in use.

Cable administration is a matter, although one Dell has largely solved. The monitor features a cable information on the rear of the monitor and a second information within the base of the stand neck. Together, these guides preserve cords managed whereas the monitor tilts ahead and again. Routing the cables by means of these guides can show a bit annoying, although.

It’s a wise design, however not with out disadvantages. Adjusting the stand’s top additionally means adjusting how far the show sits from you, which will be limiting. The most top is a bit low and should show an issue for tall customers.

The monitor helps a 100x100mm VESA mount, so third-party stands and arms are an possibility. Most stands gained’t work effectively with the Dell P2424HT’s touchscreen, since few supply vital contact adjustment, however an easy-to-use monitor stand just like the Herman Miller Flo may pair effectively with this monitor.

How is the Dell P2424HT’s touchscreen?

Matt Smith

The Dell P2424HT’s standout function is, after all, the 10-point multi-touch touchscreen. It’s simple to overlook the touchscreen in case you don’t realize it’s supported. Most touchscreen displays have a shiny panel, however this show has a semi-gloss coat that appears similar to a non-touch workplace monitor.

Once in use, nevertheless, the Dell P2424HT’s touchscreen doesn’t disappoint. It responds shortly to enter and offers a {smooth}, nice floor for navigating throughout the show. The P2424HT doesn’t require particular drivers or software program to perform, although homeowners have the choice to put in Dell’s Display Manager (which offers entry to many monitor options inside Windows).

You might want to connect with the monitor’s USB-C port to make use of the touchscreen, however the USB-C connection doesn’t have to be the energetic video enter. You can use the touchscreen over HDMI or DisplayPort so long as USB-C is linked, too.

I don’t have a lot else to say in regards to the touchscreen, and that’s a praise. It labored exactly how I anticipated straight out of the field with zero problems.

However, customers ought to respect the monitor’s intent. This is an workplace monitor for individuals who desire a touchscreen—not an inexpensive Wacom graphics pill substitute for digital artists. The monitor doesn’t ship with a stylus and doesn’t formally assist any energetic or passive stylus, together with Dell’s personal fashions.

Dell P2424HT connectivity and menus

While the touchscreen is the headliner, the Dell P2424HT additionally packs vital USB-C connectivity together with a USB-C enter with DisplayPort Alternate Mode. This enter drives three USB-A downstream ports, an extra USB-C port, and a Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) port for wired community connectivity.

A hidden panel tucked on the monitor’s left facet offers fast entry to one of many downstream USB-A ports and the one downstream USB-C. The Dell P2424HT is an effective possibility in case you personal a laptop computer with USB-C, as you should utilize the monitor to increase the laptop computer’s connectivity whereas concurrently charging the laptop computer.

The Dell P2424HT’s connectivity is a significant enchancment over most various touchscreen displays. Several various 24-inch touchscreen displays, such because the Viewsonic TD2423D, Philips 242B9T, and Dell 2418HT, can be found at a extra inexpensive value (often $300). These displays lack USB-C, nevertheless, so that they’re not a helpful USB hub. They additionally lack Power Delivery for charging units and Gigabit Ethernet for including wired community connectivity.

Additional video connectivity is supplied by one HDMI and one DisplayPort enter, for a complete of three video inputs. A 3.5mm audio-out port rounds out connectivity. You may have it, as audio system aren’t included.

The Dell’s P2424HT menu system, in the meantime, is extra mundane. It makes use of a single energy button alongside a joystick management for navigating the on-screen menu. The joystick management is speedy and responsive, however its picture high quality choices are restricted.

How is the Dell P2424HT’s SDR picture high quality?

The Dell P2424HT is the right instance of a monitor you may purchase with out a lot thought of its picture high quality. It’s constructed to view paperwork, spreadsheets, and web sites — not high-resolution photographs, 4K HDR films, or PC video games. But that doesn’t imply Dell has ignored picture high quality.

Matt Smith

We kick issues off with brightness, the place the Dell P2424HT delivers a mediocre most brightness of 254 nits. This is typical for an workplace monitor, although not wonderful when in comparison with all displays out there — displays that concentrate on content material creators and avid gamers are likely to hit 300 nits and past.

The Dell P2424HT’s brightness is greater than sufficient to be used in a typical workplace, but it surely may look a bit boring in rooms which have little to no mild management. This is a degree customers ought to keep in mind: The Dell P2424HT is the kind of monitor you may purchase if you wish to simply transfer the show to share it with a colleague or consumer, and the P2424HT won’t be superb for that state of affairs in case you can’t management mild within the room.

Matt Smith

The Dell P2424HT comes again swinging in distinction with a measured distinction ratio of 1540:1. That’s an especially good outcome for a price range monitor, and for IPS displays total—it’s truly not that far off Dell displays with the brand new IPS Black panel, which the Dell P2424HT doesn’t have.

This result’s because of the P2424HT’s comparatively good darkish scene efficiency. The show should look hazy and grey when considered in a darkish room, however the show’s minimal luminance is commonly low sufficient to show convincing darkish shades in films and video games, and shadow element is well-preserved.

Matt Smith

Color gamut is one other win for the Dell P2424HT, although the margin is slim. The P2424HT achieves 100 % of the sRGB gamut, 85 % of DCI-P3, and 79 % of AdobeRGB. That’s higher than related workplace displays — however nonetheless not superb for content material creators, who will often desire a minimal of 90 % of DCI-P3 (and the upper, the higher).

Matt Smith

I used to be dissatisfied by the Dell P2424HT’s colour accuracy. It’s usable, to make certain, and most of the people gained’t discover something incorrect — however, given the value, higher out-of-box colour accuracy must be anticipated. I seen the Dell P2424HT offered with a considerably oversaturated look in reds and blues, which may make content material look exaggerated.

The Dell P2424HT achieved an out-of-box gamma results of 2.3 (off a goal of two.2) and a colour temperature of 6800Okay (off a goal of 6500Okay). Content tends to look a tad darker and cooler than anticipated however, as soon as once more, it’s a slim distinction that many gained’t discover.

Sharpness is mediocre. The Dell P2424HT is a 1080p monitor with a pixel density of roughly 92 pixels per inch. That’s ok for crisp textual content in most conditions, however small fonts can look pixelated and poorly outlined towards their background. Video and photographs additionally look a bit comfortable — although, happily, the monitor’s wonderful distinction tends to make up for this, and video/photograph content material seems higher total than on most workplace displays.

In abstract, the Dell P2424HT seems positive — even good, for its class. It gained’t knock your socks off however delivers sturdy outcomes throughout the board and avoids main errors. The monitor can even outperform cheaper 24-inch touchscreens such because the Viewsonic TD2423D, Philips 242B9T, and Dell 2418HT. While I haven’t examined these displays personally, outcomes from different reviewers present they obtain a a lot decrease distinction ratio and have a extra slender colour gamut.

How is the Dell P2424HT’s HDR picture high quality?

The Dell P2424HT doesn’t assist HDR. That’s simply as effectively, given its restricted SDR brightness. HDR isn’t vital for workplace productiveness, both, which is the P2424HT’s focus.

How is the Dell P2424HT’s movement efficiency?

Gamers are unlikely to seek out the Dell P2424HT interesting. Its picture high quality is best than many price range gaming displays, however the show lacks Adaptive Sync and sticks to a humble 60Hz refresh fee. Games lack the buttery-smooth really feel out there on a show with a better refresh fee.

Should you purchase the Dell P2424HT?

The Dell P2424HT is a strong touchscreen workplace monitor with wonderful USB-C connectivity and good picture high quality. It’s undeniably costly for its dimension and determination, which makes the monitor tough to broadly advocate. But in order for you a 24-inch touchscreen monitor, the P2424HT delivers precisely what it guarantees: an intuitive, practical touchscreen expertise.