Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
On the open , the $ 400 DellS2740L — an lead - backlit , 27 - inch exhibit with a eminent - qualityin - plane switching(IPS ) LCD control panel — take care like a expectant deal .
Dig deeper , though , and the reason for its attractive damage becomes apparent . Yes , it does use in high spirits - lineament components , but the resolution is substantially lower than that of Dell ’s ownU2713HM($799 ) or of Apple’sLED Cinema Display , which is available only as a refurbished product for $ 829 .
It get down topixel pitch . For a 24 - column inch exhibit , 1920 by 1080 pel is not a broken resolution , but when you spread those pixels out over a 27 - inch display such as the S2740L , on - screen component look much larger than they do on a 27 - inch display with a 2560 - by-1440 - pixel resolution , such as the aforementioned U2713HM and LED Cinema Display . In some instances — or I should say , at some distances — larger elements can be beneficial . presentation and games look better when you ’re sitting a few foot or more from the screen . When I sit directly in front of the S2740L , as one does in a traditional desktop - computer setup , my first inherent aptitude was to back up . The individual pixels are seeable , which can make text look a little jaggy . In many ways , it ’s the opposite of aRetina exhibit .
The trade - offs do n’t terminate with the resolution , though . While the S2740L offers VGA , DVI , and HDMI connexion options , only an cheap VGA cable system ships with the display . To use this monitor with a Mac , you ’ll necessitate to grease one’s palms the appropriate adapter , depending on the video output connector on your Mac .
The S2740L ’s stand is limited to a few grade of tilt , while the more expensive U2713HM go height adjustment and the ability to pivot the screen into portrait mode . And even though it ’s just a one - time issue , I have to observe that the S2740L ships in a box full of styrofoam and that its sales booth needs assemblage before you attach it to the monitor .
I should also point out that the S2740L has a glossy covert . I do n’t take care glossy screens , but you do need to take that into account when you ’re deciding where to place the monitor . Glossy screens can help photographic images come out to have more depth , but glare can be an issue . The display did well in our on - screen door tests , showing unruffled slope , a very good consider angle , and middling in force text .
Bottom line
The Dell S2740L has some good things going for it . Its IPS panel have it a full view angle , its glossy screen helps to give photographic image depth , and its LED backlighting conserves some muscularity and blank . The fairly low resolution might be suitable for some mass , but it makes screen elements too large for me to need to use the S2740L as a screen background - computing filmdom .
