HP w2408: A "New" Twist on 24" LCDs
by Jarred Walton on December 21, 2007 5:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Displays
Features and Specifications
Those who are unfamiliar with display technology may wish to consult our short glossary of terms that we use in our display reviews before continuing. However, specifications are prone for abuse, so just because one display rates higher in terms of contrast ratio or brightness doesn't mean it's actually a better display. As usual, we will do our best to separate the reality from the hype in our reviews.
| HP w2207 Specifications | |
| Video Inputs | Analog (VGA) DVI with HDCP support |
| Panel Type | LCD Active Matrix TFT TN+film |
| Pixel Pitch | 0.270mm |
| Colors | 16.2 million (6-bit) |
| Brightness | 400 cd/m2 |
| Contrast Ratio | 1000:1 (typical) |
| Response Time | 5ms TrTf |
| Viewable Size | 24" diagonal |
| Resolution | 1920x1200 |
| Viewing Angle | 160 vertical/horizontal |
| Power Consumption | <130W max stated 82W max measured |
| Power Savings | <2W |
| Power Supply | Built-in |
| Screen Treatment | BrightView (Glossy) |
| Height-Adjustable | Yes - 4.25 inches |
| Tilt | Yes - 25 degrees back/5 degrees forward |
| Pivot | Yes |
| Swivel | No |
| VESA Wall Mounting | 100mmx100mm |
| Dimensions w/ Base (WxHxD) | 23.1"x16.3"x11.4"
(lowered) 23.1"x19.7"x11.4" (raised) |
| Weight w/ Stand | 21.6 lbs. |
| Additional Features | (4) USB 2.0 - (2) left, (2) rear (USB connection to PC required) |
| Audio | Two 2W rear-facing speakers |
| Limited Warranty | 1 year parts/labor warranty standard 3 year extended warranty optional ($110) |
| Pixel Defect Policy | 0 bright dot standard 60 day 100% satisfaction guarantee |
| MSRP | $570 |
If you compare the above specifications table to the one in our HP w2207 review, you will find many similarities. Besides a larger display size and an increase in native resolution, the only other major difference is that the w2408 has an "improved" backlight. 400 nits compared to 300 nits might sound good on paper, but the reality is anything beyond 300 nits is usually superfluous. Once calibrated, we run most of our LCDs at closer to 200 nits. The backlight is supposed to offer an improved color gamut, but that's another one of those terms that gets thrown around by professionals that often doesn't make a difference to typical end-users.
Compared to 24" LCDs from Gateway, Dell, Samsung, and others, it's clear that HP has chosen to cut some features. If you're interested in an LCD that offers multiple inputs, you will want to look elsewhere. The w2408 only includes VGA and DVI (with HDCP support) connections, but many users rarely if ever use the other connections on LCDs that include them, so it's not the end of the world. If you want/need component, HDMI, S-Video, or composite video inputs, the w2408 will not suffice. If you only plan to hook up your LCD to a single computer, all those extra connections serve no real purpose -- though keep in mind that future needs may make them useful.
We have previously covered HP's warranty and support options, and our experience when reviewing the w2408 was similar to what we encountered in our review of the LP3065. HP informed us that all of their products come with a 60-day satisfaction guarantee, so at least in terms of pixel defects customers should not have any difficulties. As one of the largest computer equipment manufacturers in the world, you also get the benefit of 24/7 technical support, although it can sometimes take a bit of effort to get to the right department if you don't buy the display as part of a computer package.
The w2408 comes with a standard one-year warranty, and you can purchase a three-year extended warranty for an additional $110. At that price, we would recommend looking at some of the 24" offerings on the market that include three-year warranties. Outside of specific performance characteristics, what you get here than is a 2" increase in screen size and 30% more pixels than the w2207... for almost twice the price.
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JarredWalton - Sunday, December 23, 2007 - link
It's partly an issue of getting enough reviews done so that more manufacturers are willing to work with us on monitor reviews. Things take time, and sometimes we go through periods where nothing new comes out for a while. I've got at least a few more LCDs coming shortly, and I hope many more post-CES will get sent our way for review.GlassHouse69 - Saturday, December 22, 2007 - link
IPS panels are the best for all things. some s-pva or mva's are close competitors to ips but still have colour errors and colour washout on angles over 20 degrees from center.tn panels shouldnt be priced higher than 350 dollars. one could get an almost 0 lag (15-19ms) 24" s-pva panel from LG and be more pleased for gaming and general use for 500 dollars.
i paid a grand for my 26" 1920x1200 H-IPS panel from planar. it is incredibly clear and accurate and has less than 1 frame lag. spending 550 dollars on a tn panel vs 900 dollars on a IPS pro fessional panel... sux cant see the point/value.
nevbie - Saturday, December 22, 2007 - link
Have you lurked in the xtknight's LCD thread at the forums?Perhaps you might get ideas about what people seek from reviews and what kind of LCDs they seek.
For me it seems that there are more interesting LCD models out there than reviews of LCDs. Pretty much the opposite situation when compared to GPUs or other less subjective review targets.
Anandtech LCD reviews seem a bit bare for me, as there are less measurements than in some other LCD review sites. It is difficult to say if reviewers at the other sites measure things that I would notice though, or if the extra measurements just generate artificial desires. Input lag measurements at behardware or RTC error measurements at xbitlabs are interesting, for example, but I don't know if I would be bothered by less than ideal results in actual use.
PS. The old comment system was better - no need to load/reload the article page when browsing comments.
9nails - Saturday, December 22, 2007 - link
What is "TN"?How about "S-PVA"?
Bonus question: How do the two differ / which is better?
JarredWalton - Saturday, December 22, 2007 - link
Well, I could try to explain it, but wikipedia already has a good deal of data on the matter. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thin_film_transistor_...">This Film TransistorsThe simple answer is that in my opinion:
S-IPS > S-PVA > S-TN/TN+Film
TN panels often have lower stated response times, but frankly I can't see the difference. I can however see the difference between the two in viewing angles and color quality.
trajan - Saturday, December 22, 2007 - link
I know it should go without saying (and usually does) but thanks for another great review that is so clearly unbiased. Just seems to me that if Anandtech is having a hard time getting manufacturers to send LCDs for review, handing out a negative article on the first offering is probably not going to encourage other manufacturers to follow suite. But the truth is the truth, and particularly after recent high profile events on other sites its nice to get a little reminder of the quality we can enjoy here.(This probably is coming across all doe-eyed fanboyish.. meh. It's just really nice to have trust worthy info sources)
KorruptioN - Friday, December 21, 2007 - link
The LG L246WP-BN is a P-MVA panel... it's beautiful and doesn't seem to exhibit some of the colour shifting that some PVA panels do. It'll be either that or Dell's next 24" for my next LCD.gochichi - Monday, December 24, 2007 - link
I recommend it at the $450.00 price tag. I own this display and I am very pleased with it overall. I vastly prefer the HDMI/DVI input as opposed to VGA on this particular display (some displays you literally can't tell the difference, not so on this panel).It is WORLDS better than the cheapish 24" Samsung. Samsung is building an overinflated name for itself... that or they are seriously risking their brand name over some "too good to be true" products (they really aren't good when you get them home).
I more than ever depend on review sites and user comments to help me navigate the sea of available products. I personally believe that the Dell is superior to the LG 24", however, the LG is more readily available at retail stores and a fantastic deal at $449.00.
agull22 - Friday, December 21, 2007 - link
I would like to see how HP plans to really markey this screen costing what it does and doing so litle for its return really. Right now though I am using my HP 42" Plasma as a monitor. I can honestly say it looks much nicer than the LCD equivalent. It would be nice to see something between the 42 and 26 size range though.LoneWolf15 - Friday, December 21, 2007 - link
$570? I paid around that price a year ago for a Dell 2407. I got an S-PVA panel, additional inputs (component, s-video), 9-in-1 card reader, 4 USB ports, and I got the five-year warranty.If HP thinks they can sell that panel for $570, they need to think again. 6-bit color, poorer viewing angle, limited inputs --you can do better for your money.