As some of you know, I've been looking for a second monitor for my home workstation for a while now. I finally coerced my spousal unit to let me buy one, and I finally figured out what make / model I wanted, and saved up enough pennies to get something good. I ended up getting Dell's new 2407 WFP-HC 24" Widescreen LCD monitor.

My former primary monitor (and my new secondary monitor) is a Samsung 213T 21" LCD Monitor. Although, the Samsung was the best monitor available that I could afford a few years ago, it doesn't hold a candle to the new Dell. Literally, the Samsung only has a brightness level of 250 cd/m², while the Dell measures at 400 cd/m². It's not night and day, but it's like sunset and mid day (a big difference).

Another difference is the color gamut on this thing is amazing (92% of the NTSC standard). For example, on my Samsung it was hard to tell the difference between the light grey context menu and white window background. On the Dell, the difference is much more noticeable.

Another data point, Hamad Darwish's, A Peek at the Peak Vista wallpaper on the Dell looks very life like. I'm sure with some cold fresh mountain air; I wouldn't be able to distinguish it from reality. On the Samsung, it looks like I'm looking through dark & dirty sunglasses.

Both monitors have horizontal and vertical tilt adjustable stands. Even better, both monitors support portrait mode The Dell goes beyond that standard, by also supporting a height adjustable stand, a USB hub, 9-in-2 card reader, S-Video, composite, and component video inputs.

I also considered the Samsung SyncMaster 245BW, although the picture quality was very good, Samsung cut the portrait mode feature from their new monitor (which was a deal breaker for me, since I've used and liked that feature on my old Samsung 213T). I briefly considered a Gateway FPD2485W, which did have portrait mode and many of the features that the 245BW lacked. Unfortunately, the picture quality wasn't as good as the Samsung. I also looked at the Acer AL2416 the local Computer Stop. The picture quality is good, but the Acer lacks every feature desirable (you can't even tilt it) and frankly why get a Hyundai when you can get a Lexus.

Anyway, I just wanted to let the world know, if you're in the market for a new monitor, I highly recommend the Dell 2407 WFP-HC.