Dell UltraSharp 2001FP Preview: Gaming LCDs for the Masses
by Kristopher Kubicki on November 10, 2003 12:36 AM EST- Posted in
- Displays
Construction
Dell's 1st and 2nd generation monitors can only be described as “clunky.” The 2000FP and 1702FP are notable monitors of good performance, but less than desirable style. It is obvious that Dell took a page from Samsung's 191T (or Dell 1901FP), when designing the 2001FP LCD. The bezel on the 2001FP is literally 1/3 that of the 2000FP. Also gone is the one piece design, in favor of a VESA compatible stand and screen.
Click to enlarge.
We will touch more on the stand and base later, but it is fairly interesting how heavy the stand actually is. Since this monitor will tilt and swivel, the counterweights in the base effectively double the weight of the assembled unit.
Oddly enough, it looks like USB hubs on the monitor are back in vogue again, and you can see from a shot of the monitor inputs that the LCD accepts 2 USB outputs in the rear, and an additional two USB receptors on the left side of the monitor. This looks like a bit of an afterthought, but if you are used to having the USB ports on your monitor, it is a welcomed addition.
Click to enlarge.
From the picture above, you can see the 2001FP is not shy on inputs. From left to right, you can see inputs for power, composite video, S-Video, DVI, D-sub 15, Audio (for the AS500 sound bar, which was not included), USB 2.0 input, and 2 more USB outputs. The Genesis gm1601 chipset on the monitor is more than capable for these signals.
The screen itself is a very nice LG.Philips LCD LM201U04. This is perhaps the first true 16ms 24-bit LCD panel commercially produced and doesn't rely on over-inflated contrast ratio and brightness numbers to draw attention to itself. We will go into more detail about the panel later on.
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GoofyFoot - Friday, January 6, 2006 - link
Thanks for your review of the Dell UltraSharp 2001F. I've notitced that the monitor is a couple of years old. I'm wondering if you've seen anything newer (e.g. Samsung 204T or ???) at 1600 x 1200 and approximately 20" that you would favor for text? I spend much of my time working with black-on-white text, no shading or color. Unfortunately, I have never been able to demo the Dell 2001F.KristopherKubicki - Saturday, December 4, 2004 - link
Carolie: I am not entirely familiar with the BFG card, although i suspect it is not dual headed - meaning you cannot have both inputs hooked up at the same time. I have the D-sub and DVI connector on my 2001FP hooked up constantly and i am switching back and forth all day with no problems - although the two cables hook up to different machines.I suggest just keep the DVI cable and ditch the Analog one.
Kristopher
Carolie - Monday, November 15, 2004 - link
I bought one of these in May 2004 and have had no problems.I need to know if something is possible though. I have a BFGTech GeForce5700LE video card with an analog VGA out and a DVI-I video out. This monitor has an analog VGA in and a DVI-D video in.
I would like to be able to switch back and forth easily between the analog and digital inputs from the same computer for purposes of either work or game.
But when I hook up both the analog and digital connections to the monitor, it defaults to the analog and I cannot get a digital signal.
The only way I can get a digital signal is to not have the analog connected. If I have both connected, I get no signal when I switch from input 1 (analog) to input 2 (digital). The manual says you cannot have both connected at the same time.
Is what I want to do possible and I'm just doing something wrong or is it simply not possible with the design of this monitor?
I can't get through to Dell technical support because the monitor does not have a "service tag" and I can't contact Dell technical support via e-mail, online, or phone without a service tag.
Any advice?
clamps - Wednesday, October 13, 2004 - link
I have two of these running from a Quadro 4 980 XGL, and I gotta say these are the best monirots i've yet used.Please be aware that the colour reproduction is not perfect, but it's sure as hell good enough for me.
I do 3d work here in Japan. Running a dual 20" LCD rig has long been my dream. I gotta say it was worth the wait.
Oh, I had 1 red pixel out of the box, away in a corner. I NEVER see it, and the guy said that if it hits 6 damaged pixels in the next 3 years they'll fix it for free.
Has anyone got anything they wanna know before buying some of these?
rhoelzl - Friday, August 6, 2004 - link
i have bought this screen, but i am returning it to dell. it is not acceptable for games in my eyes.i did not notice any problems with ghosting or similar, but the black is so bright, that in any game containing dark areas the atmosphere is being ruined (especially bad: "thief - deadly shadows").
very sad, because besides that problem, the screen was perfect. perhaps i should stick to CRTs...
loopy - Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - link
Hmm. I have been using my 2001FP for a month.I have found atleast 5 dead subpixels (green colored)located upperleft quadrant and lowerright quadrant . Anyone know if Dell will replace it ? I haven't been in touch with them yet.
Quote from review: "However, considering the density and volume of pixels (1600x1200), we expected a higher pixel failure rate. Dell has informed us that had this been an actual production unit, and not a pre-production sample, the defect rate would have been much lower."
Ingemar
KristopherKubicki - Saturday, May 15, 2004 - link
$650 is an awesome price!Kristopher
TurtleMan - Wednesday, May 5, 2004 - link
Hmm i got mine too, haven't test on game yet, but no deadpixel, i like ;Dhey can't aruge about it when i got this LCD for $650 ;]
airjrdn - Friday, April 16, 2004 - link
Mine just showed up. I've played a handful of games of UT2004 with it using both the DVI connector and the standard VGA connector. I'm running the following hardware:Intel 2.8Ghz
128M ATI Radeon 9700 Pro
1G Corsair XMS
I'll admit, there's no ghosting in UT, but there's a TON of blurryness. I've installed the driver on the CD and nothing changed. If I don't figure out the deal this weekend, Dell will get it back.
I've not seen anything different on this flat panel than I've seen on any other with regards to being game friendly. To me, there's little difference between being blurry, and exhibiting ghosting. Neither is acceptable in a monitor in this price range.
If anything changes, I'll post here again, but for now, I'd recommend not getting it.
KristopherKubicki - Monday, April 12, 2004 - link
I play UT2K4 on it almost everyday and i have not noticed any.Kristopher