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- Attractive design
- Inexpensive
- Lacks basic features
- Low colour accuracy and contrast
Dells 27in panel is one of the most affordable about and it makes a solid first impression. It looks more expensive than its price suggests, with a compact base and attractive design, while the panel has tiny bezels. The whole unit is slimmer than the BenQ BL2780T – a major rival – and looks smarter. Even the rear is attractive, thanks to a glossy finish.
Dell SE2719H review: Features
However, a closer look reveals that the Dells beauty is only skin deep. Connectivity is poor: this is the only screen here without a DisplayPort connection, instead relying on HDMI and D-SUB. There are no USB ports, no audio jacks, no speakers and you dont even get an HDMI cable. Dont expect much movement, either. Dells screen can tilt back and forward, but thats it: theres no height adjustment, swivelling, VESA mount compatibility or portrait mode.
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Dell SE2719H review: Specs and display

Like the Iiyama Prolite XUB249HSU-W1, the Dells promise of 8-bit colour relies on 6-bit colour and frame rate control (FRC). Unsurprisingly, the Dell didnt impress in our tests. Its average Delta E figure of 4.7 is underwhelming at best, and its maximum of 9.14 isnt much better. Contrast is poor, too, at just 222:1. A brightness of 191cd/m2 is fine for daily use, but low compared to other screens and the black level of 0.87cd/m2 is too high. Turning the brightness to maximum raised that first figure to 253cd/m2 and improved contrast to 263:1, but thats still poor.
In real-world use, this means the Dell is pallid and washed-out, with black areas that look grey and colours that arent accurate. Theres no punch or vibrancy anywhere. Suffice to say the BenQ was better, with a contrast measurement of 1,190:1.
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Dell SE2719H review: Verdict
The Dell has a reasonable OSD, its uniformity isnt bad, it looks stylish and its cheap. However, quality and features are both lacking when compared to the BenQ, which isnt much more expensive.