Dell U2713HM Design, OSD, and Specs

The U2713HM is an LED-backlit display that offers the sRGB colorspace and a resolution of 2560x1440. It uses an IPS panel that is 8-bit, but unlike the U2711 doesn’t support AFRC for simulated 10-bit color. Like all Dell monitors I have seen so far, it has a base that supports height, tilt, pivot, and swivel adjustments. Installation is a snap with Dell’s standard mounting system where you just slip the monitor onto the stand and it clicks into place. The front is nice and clean, lacking any stickers or text aside from the Dell logo, and all the OSD controls are handled by a set of unlabeled buttons on the right-hand side.

I have to complement Dell on the packaging for this monitor as well. Totally forgoing Styrofoam and only using a simple cardboard design, similar to recent Sony Blu-ray players, it both keeps the display safe and doesn’t fall apart, making it easy to reuse the packaging later. If you aren’t keeping the packaging, it also makes recycling the included materials much easier. I appreciate both the eco-friendliness and the ease of removing the monitor from the box. Dell thankfully puts a page detailing the monitor setup at the very top of the box, something other vendors would be wise to start doing.

Dell's U2713HM also offers 2x USB 3.0 ports on the side, and two more on panel with the video connections. The panel offers DisplayPort 1.2, VGA, DVI, and HDMI inputs, as well as a connection for Dell’s soundbar speaker. The PSU is integrated into the display so there is a standard 3-prong IEC socket rounding out the connections. Nothing on the U2713HM is flashy or groundbreaking; it's just very utilitarian. It’s not going to stand out in a way that makes you remember it at first glance, but after using so many other displays I also find there isn’t anything poorly designed that stands out either. Overall the design of the Dell U2713HM is clean and well done.

I have always given Dell high marks for their OSD and I will continue to do so here. With four buttons to control it, none of which are labeled, you would think it might be tricky but it is not. With clear on-screen labels and descriptions of the controls, as well as avoiding the common mistake of having keys labeled with arrows control menus that move the other direction, Dell does a good job here of making it easy to navigate and control. The menu options are clear, with your standard preset modes, brightness and contrast, input selection, and more display settings. One missing item is an option for an overdrive or gaming mode to improve pixel response, though in practice we haven't seen major improvements from such modes on other displays. Another missing feature is the ability to automatically select an input, which makes using it with multiple devices a little harder. The OSD remains essentially unchanged from previous Dell displays, but they have no reason to go back and reinvent it either.

Viewing angles are good for an IPS as we expect them to be. There is a light coating of anti-glare, but nothing that I find to be objectionable or that caused issues with the image for me. Unless you're trying to look at the U2713HM from a 170 degree angle or so, you shouldn't have any issues viewing it and seeing color or contrast shifts in normal use.

Dell U2713HM
Video Inputs DisplayPort 1.2, DL-DVI, HDMI, Dsub
Panel Type IPS
Pixel Pitch 0.23mm
Colors 16.7 Million
Brightness 350 Nits
Contrast Ratio 1000:1
Response Time 8ms GTG
Viewable Size 27"
Resolution 2560x1440
Viewing Angle 178/178 Horizontal/Vertical
Backlight LED
Power Consumption (operation) 42W Typical
Power Consumption (standby) 0.5W
Screen Treatment Light Anti-Glare coating
Height-Adjustable Yes, 4.5" of range
Tilt Yes
Pivot Yes
Swivel Yes
VESA Wall Mounting Yes, 100mm
Dimensions w/ Base (WxHxD) 25.17" x 7.89" x 16.70"
Weight 12.44 lbs. without stand
Additional Features USB 3.0 hub (4 port), Dell Soundbar Power Connector
Limited Warranty 3 years
Accessories DVI Cable, VGA Cable, USB Cable
Price $799

The design and user interface of the Dell U2713HM seem to be up to the task, but how does it perform relative to other 27" models that have recently come through for testing?

Dell U2713HM Brightness and Contrast
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  • cheinonen - Thursday, October 4, 2012 - link

    In that case, you're still using the monitors internal scaler, which is what is causing the lag. You need to have them at the same identical resolution to have an apples-to-apples comparison.
  • p05esto - Thursday, October 4, 2012 - link

    Great review! I'm in the market for a 27" LED/IPS professional monitor. A tad for gaming, but mostly programming and graphics. This monitor was on my short list, so I'm thrilled you reviewed it.

    In my research the only other monitor really on my list is the Asus PB278Q which will be released on 10/8. I've been hearing some good rumors about this one (and for $699).
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...

    How great would it be if you reviewed this guy as well :) For me the brightness and color uniformity are a couple of the biggest details. I saw some pictures of this Dell in a dark room with a black screen and there was too much light bleed, horrible really. I'm not sure if in real life you would notice that, but it put a bad taste in my mouth. I have other Dell IPS monitors that I still love!
  • cheinonen - Thursday, October 4, 2012 - link

    I ran the benchmarks on the ASUS today, so the review is a bit out as I haven't written anything on it yet, and still have a couple tests to do, but it's coming shortly.
  • p05esto - Thursday, October 4, 2012 - link

    Great news! I will be patiently waiting (would wait for a sale anyhow).
  • lukechip - Thursday, October 4, 2012 - link

    In Australia, Dell have these on special at 559 AUD until Oct 5 (about 250 AUD discount). I snapped one up yesterday, and it arrived today. Haven't hooked it up yet. It feels good to read a good review of it the very next day !
  • peterfares - Thursday, October 4, 2012 - link

    For some reason Dell monitors are far cheaper in Australia than in the United States.
  • ComputerGuy2006 - Thursday, October 4, 2012 - link

    Im tired of 1440p and im tired of 60hz.

    Time for 1600p at 120hz.... or better.
  • JarredWalton - Thursday, October 4, 2012 - link

    Problem is you need basically quad-link DVI-D to do 1600p at 120Hz (or 1440p at 120Hz). I think DisplayPort can handle it, but no one has made such a display that I'm aware of (overclocking/hacking of Korean panels notwithstanding).
  • Ryan Smith - Thursday, October 4, 2012 - link

    DisplayPort 1.2 could in fact do it. It has almost exactly twice the bandwidth of DL-DVI.
  • EnzoFX - Thursday, October 4, 2012 - link

    I don't understand why obvious comparable monitors are left out sometimes in these graphs. I notice this a lot. Why isn't the U2711 in the input lag?

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