Dell UltraSharp U2412M 24" Full HD 1920 x 1200 60Hz 8ms DisplayPort VGA DVI-D 4xUSB 2.0 Pivot Swivel Height Adjustable LED Backlit IPS Widescreen LCD Monitor

Pros: We have half a dozen of these monitors in our office. Newegg's latest price reduction spurred another buy. We are a photography shop, and use these panels as second or third displays for holding palette panels, open documents, etc. The U2412M is getting to be old and is being replaced by the U2415. Expect more screaming deals as the U2412M is phased out.

The U2412M offers excellent viewing angles and color fidelity (after calibration). Black levels are very low, giving superb contrast at useable brightness levels. Five of the displays we own (including the one purchased last week) show very little backlight bleed. The sixth is worse, but still at a comparable level to similarly priced monitors from HP or NEC.

The aspect ratio of the display is 16:10 rather than the more popular 16:9. This gives more useable desktop area for actual work. Unless you use your monitor mostly for watching videos, this is a good thing.

If you use a hardware-based monitor calibration tool, the U2412M supports DDC calibration. All adjustments are carried out automatically in the monitor itself, minimizing banding and other visual artifacts.

Lag is middle of the pack. This likely reflects the age of the design. Lag performance was very good by 2011 standards, not so great in 2015.

Finally, the adjustability of the U2412M is very good with the exception of not going high enough for taller people.

Cons: Out-of-box color and gamma calibration are all over the place. As mentioned above, this isn't an issue if you have a monitor calibration tool available.

The panel in the U2412M is a 6-bit one rather than 8-bits as are found on better quality displays. This leads to some visually jarring transitions if you are editing pictures or videos. This is the main reason that none of our 2412M displays are used for actual editing. Compounding this issue is that backlight uniformity is not a strength of the U2412M. Luminance varies significantly across the screen.

As other reviewers mention, there is no HDMI port. If you have a free DVI or DisplayPort outlet on your video card, this isn't a real problem.

The stand provides excellent adjustment except if you are tall enough to want the screen fairly high off your desk. The maximum height is on the short side.

Overall Review: Even at four years after it was introduced, the U2412M remains an excellent overall performer in its price range. It is a comfortable screen to work with. Color accuracy and useable contrast are good, and viewing angles excellent. A 1920x1200 resolution is superior to the 1920x1080 usually found with similarly priced monitors.

You can find sub-$250 monitors that outperform the Dell U2412M in any single area. Besting the combination of features requires more cash.

I would not recommend using the U2412M for critical photo or video editing unless you are on a student budget.

Pros: This is a great monitor... when it works.

I previously had a Dell ultrasharp 20" monitor and decided that during my last system upgrade I would upgrade my monitor to 24". Since I was happy with the performance of my last Dell, I felt confident that I would experience the same level of performance out of another one.

I have been using this monitor for 6 months and during that time I have been gaming, editing photos, and working with 3D rendering. This monitor has performed fabulously! The color was clear and bright and the performance was as I expected, until today. (see cons below) I would have rated this monitor 5 eggs if not for my experience in trying to get warranty service on it.

Cons: Heaven forbid you should have a problem with a Dell monitor as Dell's customer support has fallen to levels even Sprint would chuckle about.

I was working with this monitor today and stepped away for about 30 minutes. When I came back the monitor was black and the power button was slowly flashing on and off.

After checking my video cards (EvGA gtx 680 ftw) and determining that the problem was indeed the monitor, I turned to the Dell troubleshooting guide.

Low and behold, this particular problem was not listed in the troubleshooting guide for the monitor so I turned to Dell Support. What a mistake.

Dell's customer support wants a service tag, but (as they tell you on their own web site) Dell monitors do not have service tags. So contacting them through the web site is useless.

Now call the 800 service number and after arguing with the automated system (that also wants a service tag and account phone number) you are finally routed to an overseas call center who also wants a service tag.

Now having no service tag, the call center personnel now want the order number, what? you ordered it from Newegg? please contact Newegg for their order number for the monitor because without a service tag, or order number they cannot do anything to help you.

What is the point in offering a 3 year parts and labor warranty on your product when your customer cannot get through your customer service system to take advantage of it?

Overall Review: I really did like Dell products and have purchased many items from them, but this experience (which is no reflection on Newegg's customer service) has soured me so much that I will NOT be purchasing items from Dell any longer. I caution any one seeking to purchase this or any other non-service tag item of Dell's that your road to Dells customer service will be a bumpy one at best.