Dell 34” Curved Monitor Review (P3418HW)

Dell has released another 34-inch curved monitor with the new P3418HW. As with the previous 34-inch monitors, the P3418HW all about increasing productivity by reducing eye movement, peripheral distractions, all the while improving viewing comfort and enabling better multitasking. The 34 inches provide roughly a 33% increase in view over a 27-inch, allowing more applications to be fully visible at a time.

This new large monitor is “full HD” however it is only 1080 (2560×1080) not 4K or 8K. This may make it less than ideal for photo and video editors, it does come with a lower price tag giving it more appeal to users that need lots of screen space and ultra-high definition isn’t needed. To that end, the monitor is highly adjustable both in tilt, swivel, and height, as well as the various mounts and stands, including VESA, that it works with. The monitor also has several ports for connectivity including two HDMI, DisplayPort, mini DisplayPort, four USB ports, and an audio out.

The Dell 34” curved P3418HW monitor comes with a three year limited warranty and can be picked up for just over $600.

P3418HW Dell Monitor Specifications

Diagonal Viewing Size: 86.704 cm (34 Inches)
Preset Display Area (H x V): 799.80 mm x 334.80 mm (31.49″ x 13.18″)
Maximum Preset Resolution: 2560 x 1080 at 60 Hz
Curve radius: R3800
Pixel Pitch: 0.312 mm x 0.310 mm
Aspect Ratio: (21:9)
Brightness: 300 cd/m2 (typical)
Response Time: 8ms (normal); 5ms (Fast) – (gray to gray)
Color Gamut (typical): 99% sRGB
Color Depth: 16.7 Million colors
Connectivity
- 2 x HDMI 1.4 (HDCP 1.4)
- 1 x DP 1.2 (HDCP 1.4)
- 1x mDP (HDCP 1.4)
- 1 x USB 3.0 port – Upstream
- 2 x USB 3.0 ports – Side
- 2 x USB 3.0 ports – Bottom
- 1x Audio Line Out
Dimensions without stand
- Height: 368.1 mm (14.49″)
- Width: 813.9 mm (32.04″)
- Depth: 51.35 mm (2.02″)
- Weight: 6.81 kg (15.01 lb)
Power
- Voltage Required: 100 to 240 VAC / 50 or 60 Hz ± 3Hz / 4.0 A (typical)
- Consumption (Operational): 40W (typical) / 120W (maximum)
- Consumption Stand by / Sleep: Less than 0.5W
Environmental
- Temperature Range
  - Operating: 0° to 40°C (32° to 104°F)
  - Non-operating: -20° to 60° (-4° to 140° F)
- Humidity Range
  - Operating: 10% to 80% (non-condensing)
  - Non-Operating:5% to 90% (non-condensing)

Dell Monitor Usability and Features

As this monitor also leverages Dell Display Manager, a detailed write up of the software can be found here in the Usability and Features section of our prior curved monitor review.

P3418HW Dell Monitor Design and Build

If this monitor looks familiar to some readers, that is because it is nearly identical on the outside as the Dell UltraSharp 34 Curved Monitor U3417W. This one being a non-UltraSharp model has lower resolution and less connectivity, as well as a different curve radius (this model has a R3800 while the U3417W had 1900 R). This beautifully designed monitor is also just over 32 inches wide with 34 inches viewable diagonally given its small bezels.

The monitor and the stand the comes with it allows for easy maneuvering, though the base does take up a big chunk of real estate on the desk. The monitor comes with several other stand options that may fit specific work area better.

With connectivity the this monitor varies a bit from the previous monitor not having the DisplayPort out and one less USB 3.0 upstream port. Though it still has ample connectivity for the intended users.

This monitor has four buttons on the bottom right hand side to control the display and navigating the various menus and modes. The presets are nice for general uses that most likely fit the use cases for this monitor. It is also nice to have a comfort display that cuts down and brightness and blue light for users, such as myself, that spend roughly eight hours straight looking into the monitor.

Conclusion

The new Dell 34” Curved P3418HW Monitor is all about productivity. While near identical looking to the 34” UltraSharp U3417W, this new monitor is not 4K and comes with a substantially lower starting price making it more attractive for a larger audience. The monitor is aimed at users that need to have multiple windows open at once. Users can easily fit two full sized windows side by side with room left over for smaller windows such as chat or a calendar. Aside from a wide screen and beautiful design, the monitor comes with several mounting options to make it fit ideally into a chosen workspace. It also has various default settings that are great for their given use cases, along with the ability to easily adjust the settings.

My primary use on a computer is a word processing program and a web browser. While this monitor may be overkill for that use case, it is nice to have two fully open windows side by side without the need to switch back and forth. I can have my chat window (our primary mode of communication in the lab) and my audio player open as well. As I take and edit several photos for the site it is nice to have a monitor that allows me to easily switch to a brighter mode and see the whites better. It is true that someone with a better eye for photo editing may need a better resolution, for the stills taken of the devices reviewed here, this monitor worked very well.

As it can be picked up for right around $600, this is a great option for those looking to multi-task without jumping from window to window. The monitor allows Picture-by-Picture and Picture-in-Picture allowing two different PC sources to use the monitor at the same time, potentially enhancing collaboration. The only downside is that the monitor isn’t overly Mac friendly, meaning I was unable to use the keyboard shortcuts to do things like adjust volume or brightness. This is easily overcame, making it a minor annoyance.

Bottom Line

The Dell 34” Curved P3418HW Monitor is ideal for the multi-tasker that likes to have all their windows up at once, without breaking the bank to do so.

Dell 34” Curved P3418HW Monitor product page

Dell Curved Monitors at Amazon

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