The Dell U2724DE is a very attractive monitor for snappy professionals who want a fantastic monitor for work and play. It’s designed for sophisticated machines with Thunderbolt connectivity but has enough juice for some gaming chops. Let’s look closer to see if this is the next mixed-use king in the 1440p display segment.
Dell U2724DE Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 WQHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS Black)
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz
- Response Time: 5ms
- Contrast Ratio: 2000:1
- Brightness: 350 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: None
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes, 100 x 100
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, DP 1.4 Out x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 1, USB-C Thunderbolt 4 PD90W x 1, USB-C Thunderbolt 4 PD15W x 1, USB 3.2 x 3, USB-C Downstream x 1, USB 3.2 x 4, RJ45 x 1, 3.5mm x 1
- Dimensions With Stand(WxHxD): 24.10″ x 21.09″ x 7.57″
- Weight: 16.25 lbs
Design and Features
The Dell U2724DE uses the same aesthetic as the other new models from Dell, so it looks sleek and sophisticated. The monitor has a matte silver finish which would look great with premium devices like MacBooks or even a themed gaming setup. The display has a bezel-free design, although it still has inner borders like most modern offerings.
Dell has been reducing its environmental footprint, so it has made its products sleeker and made out of fewer materials like plastic. It only needs 7.57 inches of depth from a desk, so it works great with shallow tables or for those with a lot of peripherals. The whole thing weighs in at 16.25 pounds, so its not the lightest of the bunch.
Its build quality is fantastic, just like with every Dell monitor we’ve reviewed in recent years. It uses mostly plastic, but everything looks and feels precise. We didn’t see any cosmetic defects or imperfections on any of its main parts. The included stand is firm and stable, so the screen won’t wobble or topple over just like that.
The Dell U2724DE has a joystick for easy access to its settings and features. It’s tucked neatly under the bottom bezel, so you won’t have to reach in to use it. Other monitors have remotes, but Dell’s OSD layouts are easy to use, so you won’t require anything special to master it.
The included stand offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for your convenience and comfort. Older Dell monitors in the same category used to have more limited builds, but that’s a thing of the past, even if the specific model is at a lower price tier. You can still use VESA mounts for this model, but there is very little reason to spend more money.
What separates the Dell U2724DE from the simpler U2724D is its connectivity layout. This model has DisplayPort 1.4 and an HDMI 2.0 slot, but it also includes a 90-watt Thunderbolt 4 port for the latest devices. You also get a TB 4.0 output slot and a DisplayPort Out MST slot with it for daisy chaining.
It also has four USB 3.2 Gen2 slots for fast transfers, an RJ45 port, and a 3.5mm jack for headphones. It doesn’t have speakers, but that’s fine since headsets or desktop variants are more valuable when it comes to audio quality. We’d love to have a usable extra, but getting something free is still an uncommon occurrence in the monitor world.
Display and Performance
The Dell U2724DE sports a 27-inch IPS panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 5ms response time. The backlight has a 350 cd/m2 output, while the contrast listed is at 2000:1 thanks to its IPS Black technology. No HDR certifications are advertised for this model, but that’s fine since it’s not equipped for that anyway.
1440p monitors are great for all types of use since they are more balanced than a 4K option. They are not too sharp, so it’s easier to read and process documents on them, and they are not as demanding when it comes to games. However, that’s also the complaint with this model since it has a lower pixel density than the 4K versions.
The Dell U2724DE covered 100% sRGB and 95% DCI-P3 for stunning color in games and movies. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of 1.49, so it’s already balanced and accurate out of the box. Most users won’t need to calibrate it right away, so it’s good for those who want to be troubled with that.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to 0.6, making it highly suitable for color-critical work. The downside is that you will need a colorimeter to get similar results, and those are not cheap for most users. We can only recommend the purchase if you are into color-critical work, but it’s a waste otherwise.
The Dell U2724DE’s backlight reached 331 cd/m2 at 100%, so it’s a bit under the manufacturer’s specifications. However, its contrast peaked at 1944:1 at 35% brightness, enabling it to produce deeper black luminance than other IPS models. This invalidates the argument that IPS modules are not great for dark scenes and gradients.
Panel uniformity for the test sample was great since there were no major backlight leaks on any of its quadrants. There is some variance in the backlight’s spread, but it is mostly noticeable if you look closely enough. Note that this may vary with every monitor made due to tolerances, so there are worse units out there.
The Dell U2724DE has a slower pixel response time than models that are labeled for gaming. However, that 120Hz refresh rate is a big boost in making its motion handling considerably better than most productivity monitors. You won’t need to max out its overdrive to get the best results, especially since it will replace blur reduction with overshoot.
The Dell U2724DE is also compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync for stutter and tear-free gaming. Most productivity monitors do not have VRR, so this is a big bonus in our eyes. Its input lag sits at 5ms at 120Hz, making it responsive enough for most gaming genres.
Thoughts on the Dell U2724DE
The Dell U2724DE is a fantastic mixed monitor in an era where specialized displays for specific usages are prevalent. It is fantastic for professional and gaming purposes, unlike so many that are labeled and designed for mixed use. It offers decent responsiveness with fantastic colors and contrast, making it a must-have for pros who want to enjoy gaming after a hard day’s work.
The only complaint we have is its high price, which is somehow justified by what this model has to offer. If it suits your needs, it’s a fantastic buy, but you can get a more focused editing or gaming display for that kind of money.
Pros:
- Fantastic Colors and Contrast
- 120Hz with VRR
- Plenty of Ports Including TB4
Cons:
- Expensive
- No Speakers
About the Author: 
Paolo has been a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since junior high. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations; he believes that every citizen has the 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 and create reviews that accentuate the seldom-explained aspects of a PC monitor.
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