Are you looking for a Dell U2718Q Review you’d love to read? Here’s one for you.
You know, there’s something truly exhilarating about getting your hands on a groundbreaking piece of tech like the Dell U2718Q 4K monitor. The anticipation of unboxing it for the first time, knowing that it’s a rarity in the world, and having the privilege of incorporating it into my desk setup, even if just for a fleeting moment.
As it sat there, though, I couldn’t help but wonder if my modest system was up to the task. Truth be told, it wasn’t. So, I’m giving you a heads up here: if you’re aspiring for flawless 4K visuals, you’d better come prepared with some serious computing muscle.
My setup, featuring an Intel i7-4790, 32GB RAM, and a Radeon R9 280X, was unfortunately not quite up to snuff for handling 4K gaming. Here’s my Dell U2718Q Review and everything there is to know about this monitor and why it will be a great option for you.
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Dell U2718Q Review
Dell’s U2718Q is on a mission: to bring stunning 4K HDR visuals within reach, all while serving as a sleek, reliable, and modern display.
As one of the most proactive brands in the game, Dell offers a variety of models in all shapes and sizes, each featuring the highly anticipated color standard that, until now, has seen limited success.
But what really sets the Dell U2718Q apart is its attractive price tag, making it an incredibly appealing option for the everyday consumer.
So the question remains: how does this display hold up against a market and technology landscape that still has some growth and evolution before reaching its full potential? Let’s find out.
Design and Features
The Dell U2718Q embodies the brand’s signature style, boasting a sturdy build and minimalist design with a bezel-free facade and a sleek black and silver finish. In contrast to its higher-end counterpart, the Dell UP2718Q, this model ditches the plastic strips on the face while still retaining panel borders.
Regardless of the angle, the U2718Q exudes a sense of elegance, making it a visually appealing monitor that seamlessly blends with its surroundings.
From a side view, the Dell U2718Q is impressively slim, allowing easy flush mounting on a wall without excessively protruding.
While its modest dimensions have their perks, it does mean that full-array local dimming (FALD) isn’t part of the package.
This omission takes a toll on the monitor’s HDR capabilities, leaving it to rely on a simulated implementation due to its hardware constraints.
On the left side, you’ll find a convenient built-in hub with two USB 3.0 slots for quick charging or connecting USB peripherals.
The Dell U2718Q also has a well-equipped I/O panel, making it an ideal all-in-one display. It includes DisplayPort 1.2, Mini DP 1.2, an HDMI 2.0 slot, and three additional USB 3.0 ports for all your accessory needs.
Staying true to the company’s standard design, the Dell U2718Q’s stand features a slim yet robust upright with a cable management hole and a low-profile base.
And there’s no need to worry about flexibility, as the stand offers up to 5 inches of height adjustment and the ability to tilt, swivel, and pivot the screen as needed.
The build quality is top-notch, but if you prefer a different aftermarket option, you can easily remove the stand to reveal VESA mounting holes.
In summary, the Dell U2718Q strikes the perfect balance between form and function, offering a visually pleasing yet highly capable 4K HDR monitor that fits right in with any modern setup.
Just keep in mind its HDR limitations due to the lack of full-array local dimming, but overall, it’s a solid choice for those seeking an affordable, feature-packed display.
Dell U2718Q Performance
The U2718Q has garnered a range of reviews, with some people absolutely adoring it and deeming it the best thing ever, while others take issue with the greens.
When I first unboxed it and hooked it up, I was taken aback by the intense lime green hues. Almost every green on the screen seemed to range from an overly vibrant key lime to a striking highlighter green.
However, calibrating the monitor did help, although it required some fine-tuning. I found myself dialing back the greens a bit more than usual.
Calibration often dims monitors beyond my personal preference, so I tend to brighten them up slightly.
This particular monitor required a bit more tweaking, possibly because the software was trying to tone down the excessive greens.
That being said, I hope this doesn’t completely deter you from considering this monitor. Once calibrated, it has been nothing short of fantastic.
For those who don’t do a lot of printing, the 99.9% sRGB coverage should suffice. The display is sharp, with excellent uniformity and no discernible backlight bleed, showcasing its solid build quality. However, that’s about where the perks end.
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Dell U2718Q Specs
In order to accurately reproduce any HDR standard, a display panel needs to have a broad native dynamic range. This means it should be capable of producing intensely bright whites and deep, rich blacks.
The industry has set a goal of achieving a peak output of 1000 nits (or 1000 cd/m2), but very few panels have managed to attain this level, and currently, none can do so across the entire screen area.
With the technology available today, only two types of displays can truly do justice to HDR: OLED panels and zone-array LCDs.
The UP2718Q falls into the latter category. Instead of using a backlight with LEDs arranged along the edges, it features 384 individual lighting sources located directly behind the TFT layer.
Each of these sources can be individually controlled, allowing power to be directed to a specific subset, thereby achieving the required 1000-nit peak.
The panel employs a traditional IPS design, so its black levels are on par with other monitors. However, the high output and zone-dimming feature enables the UP2718Q to reproduce HDR10 content properly.
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