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.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
30 Comments
View All Comments
wagaduku - Sunday, November 9, 2008 - link
Hi people i have read reviews of the following LCD's HP W2408,Acer G24 and Asus MK24. I cant seem to find which is the best of all.My main uses would PC games, Movies and internet browsing. Please guys i am to order one of the by tuesday.. Please Helpbolwin1 - Monday, January 14, 2008 - link
I research purchases pretty hard - and I've been trying to figure out what display to buy for quite some time. I've read every article and comparison I could get my eyes on.In the end, I wanted a monitor - not a tv or blu-ray display my Sony LCD can take care of that. I settled on the Soyo DYLM24D6 for $300 at OfficeMax. It is outstanding. A non-TN 24" display with NO backlight bleed for $380 out the door with a very good OfficeMax two year warranty. I realize they have had some production issues with some - but this thing is perfect and with the OfficeMax policy, if there is something wrong, take it back and they hand you another - for a value screen it cannot be beaten.
wagoo - Sunday, January 6, 2008 - link
I was researching into LCDs a bit recently, and figured that they had come down in price a lot since I bought my Dell 2005FPW so it might be time to pickup a cheap secondary 20", or a 24".I couldn't believe the slew of TN panels on the market these days. It seems like monitors with equivalent LCDs to the S-IPS panel in the Dell haven't come down in price at all, just the budget market has been filled in with inferior display technology.
Looking at the viewing angle on my laptop (which I'm guessing is TN), I couldn't see any way I'd be happy with that as a main or secondary monitor. I guess with the laptop I must subconsciously adjust the orientation and pitch so it looks alright.. doubt that would work with a large monitor. Sideways tilted viewing like this HP offers would also give a bit of an odd effect, as both eyes would be seeing different brightnesses.
More LCD reviews from AT would definitely be welcome! 32" 1080p TVs reviewed purely as a monitor would also be interesting.. some offer a "game mode" which may eliminate the picture processing latencies mentioned?
vailr - Wednesday, December 26, 2007 - link
Is there any significance to the "08" vs. "07" (in the HP monitor model numbers)?The w2207 is only available in a glossy surface.
I think I'd prefer a matte anti-glare finish monitor.
Also: are there any rumors Apple monitors being updated for faster response times? Thanks.
JarredWalton - Wednesday, December 26, 2007 - link
Don't know about Apple, but Dell is supposed to be coming out with a bunch of new models. I'd assume the w2207 vs. w2408 is a case of the w2408 being a bit newer - maybe some minor updates to firmware? Anyway, these two HP displays are glossy, and I definitely understand that a lot of people prefer matte - I know I do. I've got another 24" I'm working on reviewing next which should be more in the realm of what I think a 24" LCD should offer.Cerb - Monday, December 24, 2007 - link
I like my w2207, and use the portrait mode (rotating issues with the cables are easy to prevent once you do it a few times). But, the viewing angle becomes a bit of an issue, even then. I just can't imagine a 24" being worth it, using such a panel, at any price. At this size, it's begging for a *VA, even if it means being a $700 monitor.gochichi - Monday, December 24, 2007 - link
On quality:It really is too bad that for the most part LCDs are getting cheaper at the expense of quality these days. I recently purchased a 24" Acer that was on sale for under $300.00 and I took it back the next day. My archaic 17" LCD was WAY better overall than that.
On the issue of review units: (Comment/question for AT)
Are you somehow not permitted to buy your own test units? So many companies have lavish return policies, what would be the big deal? I'm thinking Best Buy, Circuit City etc. You know, the places we're still most likely to get a monitor from.
I think very highly of Anandtech, and I guess I imagine it being an extremely profitable site. I hope I'm not wrong there. In any case, it seems very strange to me to have such a prestigious site at the whim of manufacturers.
I could not for the life of me find a review on said 24" Acer, and the only thing it did was make me buy it and return it. If not full reviews, perhaps AT could concatenate a list of which monitors use what kind of panel and some expert "at a glance" comments.
I am kind of baffled by new LCDs on the market, I'm not too impressed so far actually. I use a 24" LG that is now $450 at best buy and it seems to me to be a fantastic deal at that price.
complectus - Sunday, December 23, 2007 - link
All of the Color Accuracy (Delta E) graphs are an utter mess. Can anyone actually read them without going blind?SoBizarre - Sunday, December 23, 2007 - link
I believe you should drop monitor reviews. Reviewing a couple of monitors a year (not even belonging to "desirable" category) is not very helpful to your readers.The truth is, there’s not even one site out there serious about reviewing costumer-grade monitors, and the main reason for that situation is the one you have mentioned yourself: manufacturers don’t send their products to reviewers.
And why is that? I suspect most of them have too much to hide.
I would love to find on AnandTech a 24 inchers shoot-out broke into two categories: cheap TN panels and more expensive IPS & PVA. Shoot-out of 22 inchers would be useful to even greater number of readers. And why not a quick take on several wide screen 20 inchers...
You wouldn’t have to go too much in-depth in these reviews. Some basic tests and subjective evaluation of text, video and games usage would be enough. I bet people trust your ability to pick up a winner.
Now, in reality there is only one possibility for all these to happen. You need a big retailer to supply you with monitors. I’m sure it would be very beneficial for them, because they would have professional evaluation of products they’re carrying (they could stock more of highly rated monitors and sell them like hot rolls), and gain a positive reputation for helping their customers to choose the right product.
But maybe in IT world this kind of cooperation is just not possible for some reasons. I don’t know, why don’t you enlight us?
SoBizarre - Sunday, December 23, 2007 - link
Something else I forgot to say:MERRY WINTER SOLSTICE and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!