Dell U3011

jona102190

Junior Member
May 23, 2011
7
0
0
Hi all,

I am seriously considering buying a Dell U3011. Ideally, I'd like to pick up a refurb from the Dell outlet, but apparently it does not pop up there very often ("every month or two" according to their support). Does anyone know what a "fair price" has been in the past for this monitor? Is it usually best to get it from Dell with some coupon codes, or from another retailer? Apparently you can't stack coupon codes anymore either. :-(

If anyone has this monitor, I'd love to know how you do/do not like it. The only downside I can see currently is the price.

I'd like to get this for $999 if possible, but I'm not sure that is, without waiting for a refurb.


Any help would be greatly appreciated!
~Jon.
 

jona102190

Junior Member
May 23, 2011
7
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Are there any restrictions to using their small business site (mainly, being a small business!)?
 

mnewsham

Lifer
Oct 2, 2010
14,539
428
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Are there any restrictions to using their small business site (mainly, being a small business!)?

Create your own "business" called jona102190 cookie baking institute for the mentally disabled. It doesn't really matter, it is a small business it can be you working out of your garage they don't have any limits on who can sign up, now enterprise level stuff there IS some verification.
 

lavaheadache

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2005
6,893
14
81
I have one. it is a fantastic monitor that comes from the factory with a professional color calibration. I replaced a 3007wfp with this monitor and it is definately better with a less intrusive antiglare coating than the former 30 I had. It has every input you would want even though I haven't tried any other one than the dl dvi. I actually like the look of the bezel and stand the other one had with the silver and black thing going on. Not to say the u3011 is bad but just looks more plain Jane (which could be a plus depending on the user) I like the capacitive buttons better on the u3011 too. This monitor wakes up super fast too compared to the 3007wfp, which i wouldn't ever get to see the system post screen on. All said and done it is a very high quality IPS screen.

Now the bad, It is not 120hz. I say this so negatively because I have been using my Asus vg23h since December and just can't break myself from the smoothness 120hz offers over 60hz. There is absolutely no comparison. I find that even with vsync on I still can't get over the lower frame rate of the 30 incher. My u3011 is a stunning monitor that unfortunately gets pushed aside in favor of a 1080p, 16:9, TN (a very good TN though).

If you are dead set on a 2560x1600 display the Dell u3011 is a formidable option that is certainly among the best in this segment. I do however urge you to look at a 120hz monitor if you are buying this screen with gaming as a priority. You will certainly spend less money on a 1080p 120 hz over that IPS 1600p beauty and may even like the former better. I know I do =)
 
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betasub

Platinum Member
Mar 22, 2006
2,677
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Create your own "business" called jona102190 cookie baking institute for the mentally disabled.

But make sure you don't infringe on the turf of any existing local baking institute for the mentally disabled. You don't want to mess with those businessmen.
 

abaez

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2000
7,155
1
81
I bought one about two months ago. Love it, although I'd love to try a 120hz one.
 

mnewsham

Lifer
Oct 2, 2010
14,539
428
136
But make sure you don't infringe on the turf of any existing local baking institute for the mentally disabled. You don't want to mess with those businessmen.
Very true, those businessmen can be quite cunning!
 

jona102190

Junior Member
May 23, 2011
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I do want the larger resolution and size, so I'm going to stick with the 60hz.


The only other monitor I really looked at was the U2703, but it's awfully expensive for 27". I'm thinking just splurge and get the 30" since it is so close.
 

greenhawk

Platinum Member
Feb 23, 2011
2,007
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The only other monitor I really looked at was the U2703, but it's awfully expensive for 27".

it is for a 27" vs others on the market, but from my searching, the dell one is one of only a few that have a native res over 1920x1080.
 

jona102190

Junior Member
May 23, 2011
7
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it is for a 27" vs others on the market, but from my searching, the dell one is one of only a few that have a native res over 1920x1080.

Yeah, but it is also 16:9.

this image sort of sealed the deal for not wanting it :\

27-inch-16x9-vs-30-inch-16x10.png
 

jona102190

Junior Member
May 23, 2011
7
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Any more input?

I'm planning on calling Dell tomorrow to see if they could work some magic. Apparently some people have been getting it at $1050, if you ask for a previous sale price and call them.
 

iCyborg

Golden Member
Aug 8, 2008
1,333
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Yes, it's bigger, but in terms of pixel count, it's only 11% more. And price diff between U3011 and U2711 is quite a bit more than that. Not worth it IMHO, but if you've got money to burn, and really like 16:10, go for it...
 

aceshigh23

Member
Oct 20, 2008
30
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Any more input?

I'm planning on calling Dell tomorrow to see if they could work some magic. Apparently some people have been getting it at $1050, if you ask for a previous sale price and call them.

Let us know how that goes, I'm also looking to pick this monitor up.
 

nitromullet

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2004
9,031
36
91
Yeah, but it is also 16:9.

this image sort of sealed the deal for not wanting it :\

27-inch-16x9-vs-30-inch-16x10.png

This is somewhat disingenuous because the pixel pitch is tighter on the 27". If it's about quantity over quality, just buy a 50" 1080p HDTV.
 

Dkcode

Senior member
May 1, 2005
995
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2560x1600 is desktop heaven, but like lavaheadache I myself went down the 1080p 120Hz route and there is no turning back.
 

sgrinavi

Diamond Member
Jul 31, 2007
4,537
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This is somewhat disingenuous because the pixel pitch is tighter on the 27". If it's about quantity over quality, just buy a 50" 1080p HDTV.

I have to disagree, I use u2711's all day, every day - one short session behind a u3011 has me trying to figure out a good way to off load my 27's

Yes, the pixel pitch is tight...too tight.... and the 6:10 of the u3011 is freaking awesome.
 

bryanW1995

Lifer
May 22, 2007
11,144
32
91
But make sure you don't infringe on the turf of any existing local baking institute for the mentally disabled. You don't want to mess with those businessmen.

I personally like the crack baby athletic association, inc as my small business name of choice.
 

whitesammy

Member
May 21, 2010
186
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i've heard a lot of people have been getting dead pixels and returning it.

for now its a great price and seen refurbs for about 800+ and thats not so very often and i'm not sure about how warranty is for the refurbed. about 100 days or so if i can recollect.

going from the u27 to the u30 is a big jump and for the extra 300-400 bucks if you got that money to burn shoot for it. but eye infinity with this i rather buy a 50"
 

jona102190

Junior Member
May 23, 2011
7
0
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i've heard a lot of people have been getting dead pixels and returning it.

for now its a great price and seen refurbs for about 800+ and thats not so very often and i'm not sure about how warranty is for the refurbed. about 100 days or so if i can recollect.

going from the u27 to the u30 is a big jump and for the extra 300-400 bucks if you got that money to burn shoot for it. but eye infinity with this i rather buy a 50"

The refurbs have a full warranty, but I talked to their live chat, and they said only come up every 2 months or so. If there is a single dead pixel, believe me, they will be replacing it.

This is somewhat disingenuous because the pixel pitch is tighter on the 27". If it's about quantity over quality, just buy a 50" 1080p HDTV.

I heard a lot of complaints about the 2711 screen coating. I am going from 24", so to a 27" is a 3" incrase, 30" is twice that. They're both expensive, but it seems a bit silly to get the 27" (I also want to be in the 30" club! :D).
 

jona102190

Junior Member
May 23, 2011
7
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I just got off the phone with Dell. The first person I talked to said there were no discounts at all available, no matter what. I told him I would not buy it at $1499, and he would lose the sale, and he did not seem to care (or his supervisor).


I called back, and they offered first $100, then $200 off, neither of these are cheaper than amazon. I am going to call back in a little bit to see if they will do anything.
 

aceshigh23

Member
Oct 20, 2008
30
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There was a promotion that ended on the 18th where the U3011 was being sold for $1124 with free shipping through their small business site. As soon as they offer that deal again, I'll pick one up.
 

mchammer187

Diamond Member
Nov 26, 2000
9,114
0
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I have to disagree, I use u2711's all day, every day - one short session behind a u3011 has me trying to figure out a good way to off load my 27's

Yes, the pixel pitch is tight...too tight.... and the 6:10 of the u3011 is freaking awesome.

I actually prefer the u2711 to my my 3007 WFP-HCs due to the tighter pixel pitch.

its like like comparing an iphone 4 to an htc droid screen. I definitely prefer the pixel density of a "retina" like display.

of course 16:10 27" at 2560x1600 would be even better but i have never seen one of those
 

nitromullet

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2004
9,031
36
91
I have to disagree, I use u2711's all day, every day - one short session behind a u3011 has me trying to figure out a good way to off load my 27's

Yes, the pixel pitch is tight...too tight.... and the 6:10 of the u3011 is freaking awesome.

It depends on what you're doing (and probably your eyesight). For strict desktop/productivity usage I image a 30" is better overall because of the vertical real estate and larger text, but for gaming I love the 27" with its tighter pixel pitch and 16:9 aspect ratio.