Dell 2405FPW - repair or replace with what?

David C

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Jan 26, 2009
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For my photo work I use two 1200x1920 monitors - one in portrait and one in landscape. This works great for editing in sizes likely to be printed. The aged Dell 2405 rotates so is kept in portrait position. But it has started getting dim fairly rapid lately, even using brightness at 100%. I doubt if any repair work today would be less than $200 no matter what and could go considerably higher if something major involved.

So I am just fishing for any comments on repair vs replace. If replace I still need 1200x1920 with vertical rotation. Could go larger size but feel 29" is a large as this resolution should be pushed for quality. If price is right, would consider getting two monitors to continue the match in a larger size. I have a 32" in 1080 and it is just not as sharp for photo work but okay for general work. Using an older flat screen CRT temporarily as substitute.

It will probably be three years before I build another computer and consider going to ultra wide monitors. I do not watch movies on my computers, nor play games, but I may get into video editing for travel journals. [ Apologize my signature is two builds behind current office equipment. ]
 
As a replacement you could look at the DELL U2415 but this would be the same size/resolution and after so many years maybe you want something different?
The DELL u2515h is a nice screen. 25" and 2560x1440 and only slightly more expensive
 
Thanks for comment. I briefly checked out the Dell u2515h online and it will remain in consideration. Notice though at 25" diagonal and its 16:9 resolution ratio, when turned landscape I would lose an inch of maximum vertical height compared to a 24" at 16:10. Although pixel size may create a sharper image. I will try to examine one in person if possible.
My video cards will handle about any resolution out there, so single monitor purchase is only immediate need, but yeah, maybe a upsize would be enjoyed.
 
This brings back good memory. I really enjoyed my good old 2405FPW which costs $1,000 at the time. In comparison, you can get a Dell u3415w for a similar price nowadays...

In my opinion, apart from larger size and resolution, LCD technology has not much improved in the last 10 years.
 
I'm curious how the BenQ BL3200PT stands up to my 2405FPW.
I'd hate to "upgrade" to only find out my 2405 looks better.
Go all out and try the LG 34UM95? Better than 2405?
 
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I'm curious how the BenQ BL3200PT stands up to my 2405FPW.
I'd hate to "upgrade" to only find out my 2405 looks better.
Go all out and try the LG 34UM95? Better than 2405?

I took that route last week, replacing my 2405 with the BenQ 3200. I havent done a back to back comparison but I like how its scaling the same as my 2405 so that text wont get smaller.

Mine had some stuck pixels so im about to contact BenQ to see if they will replace it. But other than that im happy with it. Coming from a 2405 I didnt notice any increased lag in games either.

Review from tftcentral:
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/benq_bl3200pt.htm
 
If you're looking in the same price range as the 2405 was, I'd consider upgrading to an Asus PG278Q. It makes a fantastic productivity monitor, has a higher resolution which will make working with photos a breeze, and is in the same price range as the 2405 originally was (I bought my 2407-HC's for ~$400 years ago, the Asus is around $400 as well).

Alternatively, I'd be willing to sell one of my 2407WFP-HC's if you're interested.
 
I took that route last week, replacing my 2405 with the BenQ 3200. I havent done a back to back comparison but I like how its scaling the same as my 2405 so that text wont get smaller.

Mine had some stuck pixels so im about to contact BenQ to see if they will replace it. But other than that im happy with it. Coming from a 2405 I didnt notice any increased lag in games either.

Review from tftcentral:
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/benq_bl3200pt.htm

How would you rate the image quality/colors? Contrast shift and blacks about the same?
 
Im no expert at all so I really couldnt give advice but I dont regret buying it, thats for sure.
There is a bit of contrast shift due to the monitors size, maybe such wide VA-panels would benefit with a curve?
AH-VA panel type is known for good black levels so I guess it shares that with the PVA-panel in the 2405.

I like the fact that it also got a card reader and twin USB ports at the side. VGA input was also a perk for me so I could hook up my server.

Mostly use mine for development/coding, gaming and some photo editing but im just Learning Photoshop and still havent calibrated the display other than changing the settings to the ones provided in the tftcentral.co.uk review.

To me its like a grown up 2405, I you like I could put it back to back with my 2405 but that would have to wait until the weekend.
 
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Wow, I did not realize that in this 'disposable world', that so many still had these older monitors. I have never had a problem with this monitor until recent weeks, and everyone who has seen it loves the image quality for photo work. And the 1200 resolution is a big plus in useable space for most tasks.

A special thanks to spinx99... that reference to a possible repair for the power system is enlightening. I have noticed that beyond just a dimmer image, unit is slow to come on. When I first press the power button, the 'power on' light just blips and remains off (as does the monitor). After about 3 to 5 minutes, I hear a quiet "bleep" through the sound system. After I hear this, when I press the power button the unit comes on and I can put it to use. I plan to soon send an email describing my current situation and see if the repair service seems appropriate. The slow turn-on seems it could be power related but I am not so sure about the dim image.

I will be considering both repair (based on cost info in the link) of this unit and purchase of another 24" 1200x1920 unit for portrait mount in near future, perhaps before any repair is done. The 2405 cost a little over $1000 when new and do not want to spend that much for a single replacement. Several 27-29" Dell, Asus, Samsung, and LG models sound interesting in their frequent sale prices of $300 to $450. If I go at least 27" size I guess I could go with a pair of 1080x1920 (or 1440x2560) and not loose actual vertical height of work space. Absolutely I do not want to have reduced vertical height regardless of scaling factor.

Enjoying all the comments on the available monitor choices.
Edit:
Just turned it on for today. It is too dim to continue photo work, but quite useable for text work against the off-white background of word processing programs. I guess time is counting down now...
 
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I sympathize with your predicament. I'm still happily using the Samsung 244t, which uses a similar panel (the Samsung LTM240M2 S-PVA panel). As you have found, one of the compromises required by "progress" has been to give up height or accept about another two inches of lateral width in order to get the same vertical dimension. My DSLR produces 1.5:1 ratio images. I usually can edit these to 1.6:1 without doing too much damage. 1:77:1--no way.

You'll get plenty of advice about how VA panels have advanced since S-PVA. No doubt true, a lot of it, if you can accept the 16:9 ratio. Personally, I like to be able to look around the corner of the screen and watch the bluejays divebomb insects off the deck (in the summer).
 
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Brief note to close out my post. I decided for now that I needed to stay with a 1200x1920 monitor, so ordered and received already a Dell U2415. Set it up today and very impressed so far. Image is sharp and looks much better than the Acer that I am using in landscape mode. No bleed and esentially no glow - since I am in portrait mode there is just a modest amount when you get way off to side. The best viewing angle is a little less than when in landscape mode. I am pleased so far and expect it to be a keeper, I may go for a pair of 27" 1440x2560 monitors after summer vacation expenses come to an end.

A side note - the 2405 is still a little slow in coming on, but while moving monitors around and swapping out cables per graphic cards needs, I found the brightness improved greatly when I exchanged DVI cable out for an HDMI cable. If it continues to come on - even if sluggish start - I will get more use out of it on a different computer, then try to get the power board rebuilt this summer while I am traveling.

Thanks to all.
 
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