Dell S2718D: one of the most beautiful monitors on the market

Presentation

The Dell S2718D shines above all by its very worked design. Its thin edges and minimalist arm give the impression of a floating slab. This is not the only originality of this model which is compatible HDR ... and more precisely compatible with the mode Dell HDR, a small nuance which has its importance (see sidebar). It also has a USB-C port which serves as a docking station for laptops using USB-C, allowing recharging in addition to the transfer of the video signal. For the rest, the monitor has a 27-inch IPS panel displaying a Quad HD definition of 2,560 x 1,440 px and operating at a conventional refresh rate, limited to 60 Hz.

The Dell S2718D is quite expensive for a 27 inch QHD monitor. It is marketed for around 700 €, while there are very good models like the Iiyama ProLite B2783QSU for around 330 €. It is the price of an original design.

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Ergonomics

The all-metal assembly (chassis, arms, base) is magnificent. The finishes are impeccable and the different elements are well adjusted. On the other hand, the anti-reflective treatment of the glossy panel is not really effective and the reflections are clearly visible.

The rear design is extremely refined.

This system is certainly elegant, but it has a major defect: it prevents the height adjustment of the monitor. The pivot on 2 axes only manages the tilt between -5 ° and + 20 ° and the rotation on ± 45 °. The various adjustments are made smoothly and without squeaking. The whole seems quite robust.

The connection is rather light. There is an HDMI 2.0a input, a USB-C port that manages charging up to 45 watts and the DisplayPort signal, two USB 3.0 ports and an audio output. This monitor acts as a docking station for laptops with a USB-C port, ensuring charging, video transmission and duplication of USB ports via a single cable. Too bad Dell has not placed a USB port on the edge to facilitate the use of removable USB devices such as USB keys or external hard drives. Finally, the screen does not carry speakers. So you have to go through a PC speaker kit.

The five buttons on the front panel allow you to turn on the screen and access the settings. This system is not the most practical and handling errors are frequent. Fortunately, the menus are clear and the proposed settings are numerous (brightness, contrast, blue light filter, overdrive ...).

We measured consumption at around 17 watts with a white set at 150 cd / m². Relative consumption thus reaches 85 W / m². This is less than the average of the last screens tested (100 W / m²). For use 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, this represents just over € 5 per year. At maximum brightness (312 cd / m²), it consumes 28 W and at least 12 W (48 cd / m²). Of course, consumption increases drastically when recharging a laptop connected via USB-Ci. Connected to the MacBook, the monitor then consumes 44 W.

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Colors and contrast

Default: average gray temperature: 5.870 K

Default: gamma curve at 2.1

Default: Delta E average at 2.6

By default, the Dell S2718D monitor displays a fairly well calibrated image. Only the temperature curve should be reviewed, in particular because the average measured at 5,870 K is too far from the 6,500 K reference. This results in a slightly too hot rendering. The gamma curve is slightly better with an average of 2.1 and stability maintained perfectly up to 50% of the spectrum. Finally, the average Delta E is excellent (2.6); only green, red and blue are above 3 and only the drift of red is really noticeable.

Manual adjustment: average gray temperature: 5.890 K

Manual adjustment: gamma curve at 2.1

Manual adjustment: Delta E medium at 2.6

By lowering the brightness to 32, we obtain a white at 150 cd / m² on our test pattern. The decrease in brightness does not change the behavior of the screen, which always offers the same rendering. The screen offers many other display modes, but none offers better rendering by default than the standard mode used here.

Calibrated: average gray temperature: 6,180 K

Calibrated: gamma curve at 2.2

Calibrated: Average Delta E at 1.7

As often, calibrating the monitor to the probe helps stabilize the gamma and temperature curves. The latter dates back to an average of 6,180 K and therefore closer to the 6,500 K reference. The gamma is perfectly stable on the reference value (2.2). Finally, if the average delta E falls below the bar of 2, the red, green and blue remain above 3. The color profile can be downloaded by following this link.

The contrast of this IPS panel is medium (890: 1). Most IPS monitors exceed the rate of 1000: 1 and some models, notably in PLS (Philips 276E7), sometimes do better (1300: 1). As with all IPS monitors, blacks lack depth. This has no impact when used in daylight, but in the dark, blacks appear gray. For better contrast, you should turn to monitors using a VA panel, such as the Eizo Fortis FG2421 or the BenQ BL2410PT whose contrast exceeds a rate of 3000: 1.

We measured the average difference in brightness uniformity at only 7% over the entire 27-inch panel; very good value. We did not see any clouding phenomenon on the model we tested. Finally, as always with IPS panels, the viewing angles are exemplary and there is very little variation in brightness when you are positioned at 45 ° from the display axis.

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Reactivity

The Dell S2718D does not use Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) to adjust the brightness. There is therefore no flickering when the brightness is reduced and this does not cause headaches for the most sensitive people. It also offers a blue light reduction mode called ComfortView.

We measured the remanence time at 11.5 ms with the default overdrive setting ("Normal"). This setting reduces the ghosting effect without causing reverse ghosting, unlike what happens with an even more advanced setting ("Faster" mode).

We measured the delay in display (input lag) at 10.5 ms, an excellent value. There is thus no lag between the action performed on the keyboard or the mouse and its repercussion on the screen.

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Conclusion

The Dell S2718D is above all pleasant by its very neat design. The slab with thin edges seems to float in the air and the ball joint makes its small effect. The screen is fairly well calibrated at the factory, but it is handicapped by its low contrast. Finally, HDR mode is anecdotal on this 8-bit panel whose light peak is limited.

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