- overall
The Dell P3418HW is a suitable display solution for users who require the extra screen real estate while having limited desk space. Ultrawides are popular with hard-working multi-taskers since it’s display allows multiple applications open at a single instance to eliminate alt-tabbing. Of course, gamers can still enjoy the Dell P3418HW for the wider in-game FOV it provides along with its gentle curve that’s meant to immerse.
Dell P3418HW Specifications
- Screen Size: 34 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 X 1080
- Aspect Ratio: 21:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
- Response Time: 5ms
- Brightness: 300 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 9 Watt)
- Stand: Height –Yes (4.5 Inches)
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes 100 x 100
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, Mini DP x 1, HDMI 1.4 x 2, USB 3.0 x 5, 3.5mm Audio Jacks
- Dimensions with Stand(WxHxD): 31.48” x 20.97” x 8.91”
- Weight: 18.3lbs
Design and Features
Like all of the firm’s monitors, the Dell P3418HW sports a minimalist aesthetic which places the monitor in an office setting more than a gaming room. The chassis comes in matte black and gray and is mostly bezel-free, save for the dual-stage borders on the side and the thicker bottom strip. This model is strikingly identical with the Dell U3417W which was impressive at its designated tasks, save for the native resolutions.
The rear panel of the chassis is predominantly finished in matte black all the way up to the indent of the I/O panel. The smooth material feels nice to the touch, giving off that premium quality most Dell monitors are known for.
The Dell P3418HW also includes the company’s other signature elements such as the flexible stand that’s very sturdy and reliable. Users can adjust height with a travel of 4.5 inches while also being able to tilt and swivel the massive display. The whole mechanism is also easily removable so you can attach a VESA armature for mounting.
Since the Dell P3418HW emphasizes on multitasking, it does come with a wide array of connectivity options to cater to professionals and gamers. The layout includes DisplayPort 1.2, Mini DP 1.2, two HDMI 1.4 slots, and a total of five USB 3.0 receptacles. Two of the latter are placed at the side in a hub for easy access so you can connect your peripherals or thumb drives.
The Dell P3418HW is then rounded off by a pair of 9-watt speakers which provide a decent soundstage for listening to music or watching youtube videos. While it isn’t as clear and as powerful as a separate set, we would recommend you consider this model if in-builts are a concern.
Display and Performance
The Dell P3418HW sports a 34-inch Ultrawide IPS panel with 2560 x 1080 resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, and 5ms response time. The display is backed by a 300cd/m2 backlight which is bright enough for most users but feels less refined when adjusting the levels. The screen’s 3800r curvature isn’t as aggressive as those on gaming variants, but it does provide a pleasing aura of envelopment without distorting the image.
The immediate complaint about the Dell P3418HW most would have its low pixel density due to the large screen and 1080p resolution. For most users, this shouldn’t be an issue since images and videos appear clear, but some may notice the absence of sharp edges and clean lines. 34-inch ultrawides are more suited to a 3440 x 1440 resolution for that extra crispness we all desire.
At least, the Dell P3418HW does well in our image quality tests. The IPS panel is capable of producing the full sRGB gamut to make images appear lifelike and vibrant. Accuracy is superb at DeltaE .1, making this model suitable even for photo editing endeavors in the sRGB spectrum. Games are movies are also pleasing to view on the screen, however, the former looks way better on a QHD model than the 1080p resolution on this one.
The excellent IPS panel used in the Dell P3418HW is then supported by a myriad of options such as six color presets and six-axis hue and saturation settings for fine-tuning the output. You can also divide the screen equally for PIP operation to maximize the P3418HW’s size and multiple inputs.
Gaming feels good on the Dell P3418HW since input lag averages at 10ms which makes the monitor ideal for competitive titles. However, we can only recommend this option for casual applications since the refresh rate is only 60Hz which, by today’s standards is lacking for E-Sports gaming. Our quick playthrough using FarCry 5 was generally pleasing with lush graphics and engrossing visuals, but the limited refresh presented blurs and while the lack of Adaptive-Sync support induced tearing at some points.
Thoughts on the Dell P3418HW
The Dell P3418HW is an ideal ultrawide monitor for professionals or home users who wish to have multiple application windows open at the same time. Image quality is excellent for a mid-tier display, but photo editors and content creators may want to check out other wide-gamut options. It’s also nice to have a bespoke feature set which lets you take advantage of every aspect the P3418HW can provide.
Entertainment and gaming are also enjoyable on this monitor, but you can get better spec models like the LG 34UC79-G for around the same price. 2560 x 1080 is passé to most despite being easier on the GPU due to the low pixel count which creates an image that is less sharp. We recommend checking out a 3440 x 1440 option like the U3417W which is more expensive but satisfying to view.
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