Pros:
- Very Affordable USB-C Monitor
- Accurate IPS Panel
- Good Contrast
- Plenty of Connectivity Options
- Superb Build Quality
Cons:
- Uniformity Could Use Some Improvements
- OSD Buttons
- Slow Response Time
The Dell P2419HC is the cheapest USB-C monitor you can get that’s from a brand that has an excellent track record when it comes to business monitors. The company has an extensive portfolio for every niche and budget, but we’re glad that they are now offering USB-C connectivity outside the premium category. The Dell P2419HC is very attractive since its so practical, but can it provide a performance that punches above its price point?
Dell P2419HC Specifications
- Screen Size: 24 Inches
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080p
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Response Time: 5ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 250 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: No
- Stand: Height -Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot– Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2, DP Out x 1, HDMI 1.4 x 1, VGA x 1, USB 3.0 x 4, USB-C x 1 (HC variants) 3.5mm Audio Jack
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 24.01” x 15.52” x 7.28”
- Weight: 16 lbs
Design and Features
The Dell P2419HC is dressed like most Dell monitors, except its now slimmer with cleaner lines which makes it ideal for sophisticated environments. The black and gray scheme has always worked for the majority of aesthetic tastes compared to garish or aggressive attempts at making a display product look cool. This model also has the InifinityEdge design which eliminates thick bezels, but you will still see very thin panel borders on the side.
Build quality is excellent for the Dell P2419HC which did not show any signs of fragility or cosmetic issues when it was unboxed. The materials are durable and thick enough to withstand nominal force, while the sections of the chassis fit each other perfectly. The monitor also stands stable once fully set up, so you don’t have to worry about accidents at all.
One thing we dislike about the Dell P2419HC is its use of buttons for the OSD instead of an easy-to-use joystick. It’s not an excuse that the monitor is more affordable since other brands like Samsung are already using a single JOG button on their entire display line. Manipulating the OSD and its submenus take a bit of practice or familiarization here, especially when you are computing in the dark.
The Dell P2419HC comes with a fully adjustable stand that will allow you to set your favored view angle easily. You can tilt, swivel, pivot, and adjust the height of a display, unlike most office or business monitors which offer very limited ergonomics. You can also opt for VESA mounting with this model, but it’s not immediately necessary unless your desk space is limited.
We’d only recommend spending the extra on a VESA arm if you are planning on dual or triple setups. The Dell P2419HC is very reasonably sized by today’s 24-inch monitor standards, so we imagine most desk sizes can easily accommodate it. The base is slightly larger than on other models, but it is flat so you can place some of your doodads on top of it.
One of the special features of the Dell P2419HC is its connectivity layout which was designed for enterprise-level applications. The I/O includes DisplayPort 1.2 and a DP 1.2 Out for daisy chaining, an HDMI 1.4 port, and a USB-C slot with up to 65 Watts of power. There is also a total of four USB 3.0 slots on the device with two positioned at the side for easy access.
We know 65 Watts from a single port isn’t a lot, but it should be sufficient in keeping modern notebooks like the MacBook Air or Chromebooks topped up as you use it. The more powerful laptops usually need 80 Watts or more, but you will still be able to charge them with this monitor if they are on standby or not doing any heavy tasks.
Display and Performance
The Dell P2419HC sports a 24-inch IPS panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, and 5ms minimum response time. The backlight is weaker than the 27-inch variant at 250 cd/m2, while rated contrast is the same at 1000:1. These specs are not designed for specific uses such as gaming or editing, but they are suitable for everyday tasks such as browsing and document processing.
The Dell P2419HC’s 24-inch display is perfect for a 1080p resolution since it doesn’t stretch out the pixels or make it too sharp. Viewing small objects will be easy on your eyes, so you won’t need to use Windows’ scaling tool. It’s also GPU-friendly, so it’s fairly easy to max out the refresh rate with just about any GPU on the market.
The Dell P2419HC produces decent performance in color quality, starting with 97% coverage of the sRGB gamut. Color temperature is slightly warmer than the 6500K point, but it’s not as disturbing compared to other sRGB monitors. The DeltaE average sits at 1.9 using the default settings, but you can calibrate it to a DE of only .5 if you have the right tools.
The Dell P2419HC is able to hit its max backlight rating with its 252 cd/m2 output, but what we like about it is its good contrast which reached as much as 1050:1 at 30% brightness settings. This characteristic provided better grayscale performance, but the grayish look of IPS displays, when used in the dark, is still there.
Panel uniformity, on the other hand, could use some improvements since the upper quadrants of the screen were dimmer than the rest. Some discolorations can become noticeably, especially when viewing brightly colored media. There were no backlight leaks or clouding of any kind but do take note that this aspect is affected by manufacturing tolerances as well.
The Dell P2419HC is not as responsive as some of the similarly priced gaming monitors we have tested since it showed some blurring in fast-paced sequences. That’s understandable since this model only goes to 60Hz, and you most probably won’t be buying this for competitive gaming. You can use the overdrive feature in the OSD, but we recommend using its moderate setting since the max will induce overshoot.
The Dell P2419HC doesn’t have FreeSync, so naturally, G-Sync compatibility is out of the question. It’s easy to run games at max settings with this monitor, but you still have to optimize the in-game settings if you experience stutters. Input lag sits at 12ms which is higher than the usual, but delays won’t be felt by the majority of users.
Thoughts on the Dell P2419HC
What makes the Dell P2419HC a must buy is its excellent connectivity and the very reasonable price point. USB-C tech used to be exclusive to four-digit monitors, and we’re glad that Dell decided to crack the pricing mold with their value offerings. You get excellent image quality and functionality with this monitor, so its well worth every dollar you need to spend.
There are a few limitations, of course, such as the uniformity issues and the OSD button layout which should be updated to a joystick. However, we consider these to be minor, especially when compared to what you are getting for the price. Overall, the Dell P2419HC is a great buy, especially if you want an affordable display solution for your USB-C laptops and workstations.
About the Author:
Paolo is a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since his junior high years. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations and he believes that it’s every citizen’s right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear to create reviews that accentuate the seldom explained aspects of a PC monitor.
Rob says
Just set mine up as a second to my MacBook Pro 13″. Not to be a downer, but the display quality is really lacking compared to the Mac. Not a complete surprise as the Mac has an excellent screen but really a huge difference. That said, for the price and connectivity options, not a bad deal and may not seem bad if not sitting next to a MBP.
Paolo Reva says
Hi, Rob! We’re not surprised you feel that way. One of the Mac’s main selling points is its gorgeous screen which many brands struggle to match. The Retina displays have always provided excellent clarity and color quality, and you would have to spend more to find a monitor that’s comparable to it.