Dell Announces Stylish New LCD Monitors Ahead of CES.

Dell today officially announced two new (and long rumored) wide-screen
computer monitors that it plans to showcase at the event. Most eye-
catching is the stylish 22-inch Crystal display: It boasts an
innovative design and gained favorable attention when first unveiled
as a concept product at last year’s CES.

Like other models 22-inch wide-screen monitors chart, the pricey but-
ever-so sleek $1199 Dell Crystal has a native resolution of 1680 by
1050. More uniquely, it features capacitive touch controls, and a
panel encased in 4mm ultraclear tempered glass (with integrated
speakers) that sits on a chrome-plated zinc alloy stand for a floating
screen effect. The Crystal lacks height or swivel maneuverability, but
tilt adjustments can be made.

Further specifications include a 2 millisecond response time (grey to
grey), 2000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, and–through Dell’s TrueColor
technology–the stated ability to provide 98 percent color gamut of
the NTSC color space.

The monitor also has an integrated 2-megapixel Web cam that’s capable
of capturing video at 30 frames per second (fps) in 640-by-480
resolution, but just 10fps at 1600 by 1200 resolution. The Web cam
also has a microphone.

Connection options include DVI, HDMI, subwoofer out, and USB. More
details are available at Dell’s Web site.
First Monitor With DisplayPort

Meanwhile, Dell’s new 30-inch UltraSharp 3008WFP is the first monitor
we’ve seen to include DisplayPort connectivity. (Read PC World’s full
review of the UltraSharp 3008WFP.) In size and shape, the digital
DisplayPort connector looks similar to an HDMI port (which the 3008WFP
also has), but Dell touts DisplayPort as a future-proof digital
connection, one approved by the video standards body VESA.

Like HDMI, DisplayPort can handle high data rates (up to 10.8 gigabits
per second versus HDMI’s 10.2 gbps) of video and audio with the same
cable, potentially positioning the new technology as a multimedia or
home theater connector.

The 3008WFP comes with a bounty of other analog and digital
connections too: DVI, HDMI, VGA, S-Video, Composite, Component and
USB. The monitor has a native resolution of 2560 by 1600, an 8ms
response time (grey to grey) and a 3000:1 contrast ratio.

The 3008WFP’s design is attractive and subtly understated thanks to
its brushed gray aluminum bezel. It features a forward-looking
industrial design: a glass and metal base, double-hinged height
adjustment, and high-quality materials. The 3008WFP also swivels and
tilts, but the height adjustment is particularly impressive for its
smooth mechanism.