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

Price When Reviewed

$1,529.99

Best Prices Today: Dell U3824DW

Big ultrawide displays typically 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 in depth USB connectivity, first rate audio system, and easy-to-use image-quality customization. The monitor makes important sacrifices, however its perks are certain to please customers trying to join many units and peripherals to a single show.

Further studying: See our roundup of the best ultrawide monitors to find out about 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 assist 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.

• Display dimension: 38-inch 21:9 ultrawide
• Native decision: 3840×1600
• Panel kind: IPS Black LCD
• Refresh price: 60Hz
• Adaptive Sync: None
• HDR: None
• Ports: 2x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB-C with 90 watts Power Delivery and DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 upstream (information solely), 4x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 downstream, 2x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 downstream with 15 watts Power Delivery, 3.5mm audio-out, RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet
• Speakers: Included, twin 9-watt
• Price: $1,529.99

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

Dell U3824DW design

Matt Smith

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 nicely in any house or company workplace. Dell’s opponents, such because the Asus ProArt and Viewsonic VP/Elite Series, are enticing however much less luxurious, as they have an inclination to depend on black or grey plastic with a rougher really feel.

Though curved, the U3824DW’s curve is modest. That is sensible given its deal with productiveness. A extra pronounced curve could be extra immersive in leisure however distorts the looks of the picture, which could be distracting when modifying a photograph or video. This is a matter of non-public style, in fact, however I feel the U3824DW’s delicate curve is suited to its function.

Plastic is used throughout all show panel surfaces, however as with most Dell displays, the supplies really feel sturdy and don’t permit a lot flex when the monitor is dealt with. The monitor is comparatively heavy for its dimension 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.

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

Dell U3824DW options and menus

Matt Smith

Connectivity is arguably the rationale to purchase the Dell UltraSharp U3824DW over its opponents. The monitor has in depth 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 accessible. These downstream ports could be pushed by both the USB-C port with DisplayPort Alternate Mode or a second USB-C upstream port. Because of this, the monitor affords 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 pc or an adapter to entry the monitor’s downstream USB connectivity. This seems like an indication of the occasions as previous Dell UltraSharp displays have included USB-B.

Matt Smith

The U3824DW affords intuitive, easy-to-use menus managed by a joystick on the monitor’s proper flank. Image-quality choices span the standard, like brightness and distinction, but in addition provide a number of shade temperature modes and a customized shade mode that permits for personalization of shade saturation, hue, acquire, and offset. The image-customization choices listed below are appropriate for many content material creators. The monitor additionally affords a picture-by-picture mode which successfully turns the monitor into two displays, every displaying a unique enter.

While the joystick is easy and responsive, the monitor may also be managed with Dell Display Manager, a Windows utility that has entry to a lot of the monitor’s options and might change them on the fly. Display Manager is a helpful addition, and one not discovered on most productiveness displays.

The U3824DW’s in depth function set is rounded out by a pair of 9-watt audio system that are competent, if not wonderful. They present 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 opponents.

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. Fortunately, it has an IPS Black panel that delivers robust outcomes.

Matt Smith

Admittedly, the monitor doesn’t get off to the very best begin with brightness, because it achieved a most of solely 239 nits. That’s high-quality to be used in a typical workplace with blinds to manage exterior gentle, however it could possibly look a bit dim in brilliant rooms. Competitors just like the Asus ProArt PA348CGV and Philips Evnia 34 7000 are extra succesful right here.

Matt Smith

Dell strikes again in distinction due to the IPS Black panel, which may 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, due to its Mini-LED backlight, however most IPS displays lag far behind the U3824DW.

The monitor’s superior distinction offers 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, isn’t eradicated however noticeably much less seen than with most IPS displays.

Matt Smith

Dell’s shade gamut is extraordinarily robust for this class, overlaying 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 displays. The monitor’s shade gamut is appropriate for {most professional} images, videography, and different content material creation duties, and lends a vivid, vibrant look in day-to-day use.

Matt Smith

Color accuracy is merely okay out-of-the-box. The U3824DW affords a whole lot of picture customization choices, so errors within the monitor’s shade ought to be manageable with calibration. Still, I feel Dell ought to step up its recreation on its manufacturing facility shade 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 wish to see. It signifies content material ought to look about as brilliant as its creator supposed. Color temperature got here in at 6300Okay, 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 offers a pixel density of 109 pixels per inch. That’s primarily an identical to a 27-inch 1440p monitor or a 34-inch ultrawide with 3440×1440 decision. Unfortunately, native 4K content material stays out of attain, as that requires a decision of 3840×2160, however the U3824DW stays a lot sharp for productiveness, net shopping, 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 it’s adequate to justify the value is determined by your wants. Mini-LED displays, just like the Philips Envision 34, will ship significantly better brightness and distinction at a comparable value—however they lack the U3824DW’s in depth connectivity.

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

Matt Smith

The Dell U3824DW doesn’t assist HDR. This will show an issue for content material creators who plan to work on HDR content material. However, it’s clear that this monitor isn’t well-positioned to supply a very good HDR expertise, so I don’t assume the dearth of HDR will disappoint most homeowners. Just maintain it in thoughts when making your choice. If you need HDR, you’re going to wish to have a look at a Mini-LED or OLED monitor.

How is the Dell U3824DW’s movement efficiency?

Gamers ought to give the U3824DW a cross. It offers a most refresh price of simply 60Hz and lacks Adaptive Sync. Games look fairly good on the monitor due to its huge shade gamut and stable sharpness, however fast-paced titles present a whole lot of movement blur. It’s one other trade-off for the monitor’s in depth 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 in depth 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 price, and Adaptive Sync are sacrificed, and that limits the monitor’s enchantment. However, these in search of an enormous ultrawide particularly constructed for work will discover the U3824DW offers a wealth of connectivity and performance unavailable from most opponents.