The Dell 27 USB-C P2720DC monitor is designed to increase digital workspace and reduce cable clutter, the latter which is done by its use of a single USB Type-C connection that both supplies power to compatible computers and receives the video signal. As the product name implies, the P2720DC features a 27-inch display with a 2560 x 1440 resolution (though it supports lower resolutions as well) with a color gamut of 99% sRGB and a High Dynamic Contrast Ratio. Though the P2720DC certainly caters to creative professionals with these upscale specs and features, any worker or home user will find a lot to love with this monitor.
The Dell 27 USB-C P2720DC monitor is designed to increase digital workspace and reduce cable clutter, the latter which is done by its use of a single USB Type-C connection that both supplies power to compatible computers and receives the video signal. As the product name implies, the P2720DC features a 27-inch display with a 2560 x 1440 resolution (though it supports lower resolutions as well) with a color gamut of 99% sRGB and a High Dynamic Contrast Ratio. Though the P2720DC certainly caters to creative professionals with these upscale specs and features, any worker or home user will find a lot to love with this monitor.
For connectivity, the Dell monitor features an HDMI 1.4 port, two DP 1.2 (one in and one out), and five USB ports (one Type-C, two 3.0, and two 2.0). The P2720DC also features a wide 178°/178° viewing angle with In-Plane Switching (IPS) technology, both of which allow for accurate colors no matter what angle you might be viewing the screen.
Moreover, Dell makes daisy-chaining the P2720DC easy via their Express Daisy Chaining technology. This allows the monitor to automatically detect a second display, eliminating the need to manually configure them in OSD settings. The P2720DC also has some very useful charging features, with Dell indicating up to 65W in power to charge laptops while in use. Dell’s new Always On power delivery feature also allows the monitor to charge devices via USB-C even when the monitor is turned off.
Dell 27 USB-C P2720DC Specifications
| Screen type | Active matrix-TFT LCD |
| Panel type | In-Plane Switching Technology |
| Viewable image | |
| Diagonal Horizontal, Active Area Vertical, Active Area Area |
684.70 mm (27.0 in.) 596.74 mm (23.49 in.) 335.66 mm (13.76 in.) 200,301.75 mm2 (323.22 in.2) |
| Pixel pitch | 0.233 mm x 0.233 mm |
| Pixel per inch (PPI) | 108 |
| Viewing angle Horizontal Vertical |
178° (typical) 178° (typical) |
| Luminance output | 350 cd/m² (typical) |
| Contrast ratio | 1000 to 1 (typical) |
| Faceplate coating | Anti-glare with 3H hardness, Haze 25% |
| Backlight | LED edgelight system |
| Response time (Gray to Gray) | 8 ms (Normal) 5 ms (Fast) |
| Color depth | 1.67 billion colors |
| Color gamut | 99% sRGB |
| Connectivity | 1 x HDMI 1.4 1 x DP 1.2 (in) 1 x DP 1.2 (out) 1 x USB Type-C port 2 x USB 3.0 port – Side 2 x USB 2.0 port – Bottom |
| Bezel width (edge of monitor to active area) | |
| Top Left/Right Bottom |
7.4 mm 7.4 mm 21.1 mm |
| Adjustability | |
| Height adjustable stand Tilt Swivel Pivot |
130 mm -5° to 21° -45° to 45° -90° to 90° |
| Dell display manager compatibility | Easy Arrange and other key features |
| Security | Security-lock slot (cable lock optional purchase) |
Resolution specifications
| Horizontal scan range | 29 kHz to 113 kHz |
| Vertical scan range | 49 Hz to 75 Hz (automatic) |
| Maximum preset resolution | 2560 x 1440 at 60 Hz |
Supported video modes
| Video display capabilities (HDMI/DP) |
480i, 480p, 576i, 576p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, 1440p |
Preset display modes
| Display Mode | Horizontal Frequency (kHz) |
Vertical Frequency (Hz) |
Pixel Clock (MHz) |
Sync Polarity (Horizontal / Vertical) |
| VESA, 720 x 400 | 31.5 | 70.1 | 28.3 | -/+ |
| VESA, 640 x 480 | 31.5 | 59.9 | 25.2 | -/- |
| VESA, 640 x 480 | 37.5 | 75.0 | 31.5 | -/- |
| VESA, 800 x 600 | 37.9 | 60.3 | 40.0 | +/+ |
| VESA, 800 x 600 | 46.9 | 75.0 | 49.5 | +/+ |
| VESA, 1024 x 768 | 48.4 | 60.0 | 65.0 | -/- |
| VESA, 1024 x 768 | 60.0 | 75.0 | 78.8 | +/+ |
| VESA, 1152 x 864 | 67.5 | 75.0 | 108.0 | +/+ |
| VESA, 1280 x 768 | 47.8 | 59.9 | 79.5 | -/+ |
| VESA, 1280 x 1024 | 64.0 | 60.0 | 108.0 | +/+ |
| VESA, 1280 x 1024 | 79.9 | 75.0 | 135.0 | +/+ |
| VESA, 1600 x 1200 | 75.0 | 60.0 | 162.0 | +/+ |
| VESA, 1680 x 1050 | 65.3 | 60.0 | 146.3 | -/+ |
| VESA, 1920 x 1080 | 67.5 | 60.0 | 148.5 | +/+ |
| VESA, 1920 x 1200 | 74.6 | 59.9 | 193.3 | -/+ |
| VESA, 2048 x 1080 | 66.6 | 60.0 | 147.2 | +/- |
| VESA, 2560 x 1440 | 88.8 | 60.0 | 241.5 | +/- |
MST Multi-Stream Transport (MST) Modes
| MST Source Monitor | Maximum number of external monitor that can be supported |
| 2560 x 1440/60 Hz | |
| 2560 x 1440/60 Hz | 2 |
| Video input signals | HDMI 1.4, 600 mV for each differential line, 100 ohm input impedance per differential pair DP 1.2, 600 mV for each differential line, 100 ohm input impedance per differential pair USB Type-C, 600 mV for each differential line, 90 ohm input impedance per differential pair |
| AC input voltage/ frequency/current | 100 VAC to 240 VAC / 50 Hz or 60 Hz ± 3 Hz / 2.5 A (typical) |
| Inrush current | 120 V: 30 A (Max.) at 0 °C (cold start) 240 V: 60 A (Max.) at 0 °C (cold start) |
Physical characteristics
| Model | P2720DC |
| Signal cable type | ∞ Digital: DP, 20 pins ∞ Digital: USB Type-C, 24 pins |
| Dimensions (with stand) | |
| Height (extended) | 525.3 mm (20.68 in.) |
| Height (compressed) | 395.3 mm (15.56 in.) |
| Width | 611.6 mm (24.08 in.) |
| Depth | 185.0 mm (7.28 in.) |
| Dimensions (without stand) | |
| Height | 364.1 mm (14.34 in.) |
| Width | 611.6 mm (24.08 in.) |
| Depth | 43.6 mm (1.72 in.) |
| Stand dimensions | |
| Height (extended) | 418.4 mm (16.47 in.) |
| Height (compressed) | 371.0 mm (14.61 in.) |
| Width | 245.0 mm (9.65 in.) |
| Depth | 185.0 mm (7.28 in.) |
| Weight | |
| Weight with packaging | 9.53 kg (21.01 lb) |
| Weight with stand assembly and cables | 7.27 kg (16.03 lb) |
| Weight without stand assembly (no cables) | 4.97 kg (10.96 lb) |
| Weight of stand assembly | 1.85 kg (4.08 lb) |
| Front-frame gloss | Black frame 2-4 gloss units |
Design and build
With a top and side bezel at under half an inch, the Dell 27 USB-C P2720DC is a very modern-looking monitor. It is solidly built with Dell’s usual high-quality materials and features a small base so you can fit it on most workstation areas. We hooked this up to a laptop on a table, and it sits very nicely beside the system, with plenty of space despite the 27-inch display size.
The monitor can also be maneuvered in virtually any way, including tilt, swivel, pivot and height adjustments. This allows for a very comfortable viewing experience, no matter where we placed the P2720DC. We were able to easily position it and we cannot stress how well it works. Putting together the monitor was seamless as well, as you just need to snap the monitor into place using the quick release slots at the back of the monitor panel. There is also a range of mounting options with the bundled stand and VESA holes.
Dell is known for its display quality, and the P2720DC is certainly no exception. It’s bright, beautiful and the colors are extremely accurate no matter the viewing angle. Natural light from windows did not hinder the experience at all and was able to do work as normal (without having to adjust).
Most of connectivity and functionality resides on the back of the monitor, including the power connector, the security-lock slot, stand lock feature, HDMI 1.4 port, DisplayPort 1.2 (in), DisplayPort 1.2 (out), USB-C port and two USB 2.0 downstream ports. The two USB 3.0 downstream ports are located on the side of the monitor.
Interface
The company has added control buttons underneath the front of theDell 27 USB-C P2720DC’s screen, which are aimed straight down like most dell monitors. Even though they aren’t as accessible as buttons that are front-facing, you get used to them very quickly. Initially, the buttons are used to access preset modes, input sources, the OSD menu, exit and power on/off, but they double as navigation buttons when the OSD is loaded.
That said, we found it very efficient when navigating through the OSD menus. It uses a clean black, grey and white layout, making it easy to see and read, while things load instantly at the press of a button. This allowed us to get in and get out very quickly after we access the setting we need.
Beyond the usual settings you find in a monitor’s OSD (e.g., input, brightness, color), the Dell P2720DC features some pretty useful features, including choosing from a selection is preset color options. For example, Standard loads the monitor’s default color settings, ComfortView reduces emitted blue light emitted, and Movie and Game loads optimal color settings for their given use cases. You can also manually adjust the color settings yourself. Dell monitors like the P2720DC are fantastic for quickly switching back and forth for photo editing by simply pressing a button or two versus others that use a little joystick you have to annoyingly maneuver to get what you need.
The OSD also allows you to change the charging settings (i.e., enable or disable USB-A and USB-C charging functions during standby mode and power-off mode, respectively).
To lock the menu and power buttons, you simply need to hold the Exit key (located by the power button) for 4 seconds; a very useful function if you don’t want to worry about accidentally changing settings on the monitor. Just hold it for 4 seconds again to exit the lock mode.
Dell 27 USB-C P2720DC Conclusion
The Dell 27 USB-C P2720DC is a beautiful, modern-looking monitor that features a generous 27-inch display, accurate colors, and USB-C, making it perfect for professionals working with graphics, photography and video editing. It also offers a range of ways to customize your viewing options, including viewing angles, mounting options, displays settings, and the Dell display manager to suit any other need, so it’s not just for those working in the creative field. The monitor’s connectivity options (e.g., USB-C and four USB ports) further add to its usefulness.
Our testing focused on productivity and workflow, using it for roughly 6 to 8 hours every day for several weeks for things like internet browsing, QuickBooks, Outlook, Excel, and Adobe Reader. The 27-inch display real estate was more than enough to have a few of these windows open at a time. Moreover, the small base made it easy to move it around and allowed us to place it on pretty much any workspace (including smaller desks and the kitchen table) without take up much surface space. Not only that, because the Dell 27 P2720DC uses single cable connectivity, there was minimal cord management to deal with, which is always a plus when you’re trying to avoid clutter and optimizing work real estate.
Engage with StorageReview
Newsletter | YouTube | Podcast iTunes/Spotify | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | RSS Feed
