Dell US 2407WFP-HC vs. E248WFP

[essential]

Primary Question:
I'm getting my father a 24" widescreen monitor for christmas. I've decided to get a Dell, and want either the UltraSharp 2407WFP-HC ($689) or the new E248WFP ($469).

Now, my father just looks at websites and does word processing, so this is a total non-gaming monitor. I've tried to compare these monitors on the Dell site, but the only differences I could find are in the extras. For example, the UltraSharp has a more adjustable stand, and USB 2.0 ports.

Is the difference in the actual panel worth $200? I did a search and someone said the E248WF is a TN panel and the UltraSharp is a PVA? Am I missing something there? Is the UltraSharp worth the extra $200?

Secondary Question:
My father has an older Gateway, but it does what he needs, only problem is he has onboard video. I was going to toss my old Matrox Millennium G400 (32meg) in his computer. Even though the video card is old, should it be powerful enough to support the 24" monitor?

Thank You.

 

[vhx]

I believe the E247WFP is a TN panel as well, which usually means it is worse in colors and has bad viewing angles.

Not sure on how well a 32MB card will work for a high resolution. I think I read somewhere you need a 64MB card atleast for higher resolutions. Shouldn't be much to invest in a cheap PCI 128MB card.

 

[Heinrich]

I don't think you're going to go 1920x1200 on 32mb either.

One thing to realize, in dealing with some folks, is that HIGH resolution = "small print." Now it's not small to me, but, to alot of folks it is small. If you change the resolution of a 24" LCD down from 1920x1200 you will get a non-native resolution and the text will be slightly fuzzy.

 

[BernardP]

The E248 is a TN panel.

As for the videocard, the main problem could probably be, not the 32MB, but the ability to display widescreen resolutions (16:10). Same goes for onboard video: if it's old, widescreen rez might not be available.

The comp must have an AGP slot. You can work around the resolution problem by getting an NVidia card such as this one. It must have a DVI output to allow NVidia Scaling to work.

A 6-Series or higher NVidia card will allow installation of NVidia graphics driver that will make widescreen resolutions available. And scaling at lower rez will be almost mandatory, as your father is likely to find 1920x1200 is too-high a pixel pitch for his older eyes.

 

[chizow]

The "E" designation panels are Dell's standard fare, not their UltraSharp models. With Dell its more than marketing terminology as their UltraSharp panels are definitely nicer. Some others covered the differences, TN vs. PVA and probably a difference in input types etc.

I tried the E228 before I ended up deciding on a 24" panel and although the size, brightness, and response times were great, the color reproduction, panel uniformity and backlight bleed were really poor on the E228. Viewing angles were ok, but on a panel that size you definitely notice shimmering/pixel popping by just moving your eyes due to the TN viewing angles and panel uniformity problems.