14 DAY TRIAL // Dell has just started shipping its first computer monitor to come with the new DisplayPort digital interface. As if this was not enough, the monitor also includes the HDMI interface that allows home theater enthusiasts to connect the monitor to any HDMI-enabled device they may have.
The 30-inch 3008WFP model was world's first LCD monitor to feature the "infamous" DisplayPort interface. It was announced in early December last year, but started shipping after it was formally introduced and demonstrated during this year's Consumer Electronics Show.
The newer 2408WFP was also introduced in December, but started shipping earlier this week. The two DisplayPort-ready monitors merely share the same technical specifications with the older 2407WFP-HC model, yet the company has worked on the color gamut values and extended them to 110%, up from 92% in the 2407WFP-HC or average 72% in the regular 2407WFP.
The 2408WFP model comes with the same HDMI and DisplayPort digital interfaces previously found on the 3008WFP version, and rumor has it that Dell will spread the "successful combination" across the whole range of monitors, although this does not quite make sense. The company is reported to be cooking a brand-new 27-inch screen. Smaller and more affordable 20 and 22-inch versions are still put on hold.
An extremely interesting aspect is the fact that the manufacturer did not increase the device's price tag, as it did with the 30 inch version, selling for $900 more than the previous 3007WFP-HC. The new 2408WFP can be purchased directly from the manufacturer's online shop for $699 plus shipping fees.
However, the new release makes little sense in terms of connectivity. Certainly, Dell won't let go of its beloved DisplayPort interface, yet, by implementing the HDMI connector it admits that the rival standard is at least as popular as its own DisplayPort. More than that, Dell is not shipping any computers with DisplayPort interfaces.