Dell 2001FP/2005FPW dilemma

[Chip NoVaMac]

Saw the postings here on MR about the Dell 2005FPW wide screen. Placed my order on Dec 3rd. My fault for not checking the order confirmation closely. Told the rep I wanted the 20" wide screen monitor. Guess what, she ordered and shipped the 2001FP.

To say the least I am bummed. Spoke with the people at Dell. They were helpful somewhat. The choices before me are:

1) To wait for the 2005FPW to come back in stock, and they'll match the $599 price that I paid for the 2001FP.

2) Keep the 2001FP, and they'll credit me $100 off what I already have paid, making the final cost $499.

Not sure how much difference the specs make for DTP/Photography work:

2001FP
Image Brightness: 250 cd/m2 (typical)
Image Contrast Ratio: 400:1

2005FPW
Image Brightness: 300 cd/m²
Image Contrast Ratio: 600:1

I have to say there is a cool factor to having a wide screen. I am not in to gaming, just PS and InDesign work. Just wanted more desktop space than what I have with my PB 12" rev. B.

Any thoughts as to what I should do? What would you all do in my situation? A hundred dollars saving would be nice to the bottom line.

Thanks all for your two cents on this.

[edesignuk]

Obviously you don't need the $100 back. So I'd get them to ship you out a 2005FPW when they have them. There's just something about the wide look :cool: Also for DTP and stuff wide seems better, as you can fit 2 pages next to each other at the same time ;)

[SilentPanda]

Well... don't waste your time with speaking to Dell... reject the 2001FP and get them to send you the 2005FPW. It's not like you *need* the new monitor today... wait a week extra and you'll be happier for it... :)

I ordered a 2005FPW at $799 then 2 days later it went to $650... I tried to get Dell to refund me the difference but the only way I could do that (and I spoke, e-mailed, and online chatted with about 6 different people) was to reject the first one and place a new order. I hated having to reject it but... $150 was worth the rejection... I called up DHL, gave them the tracking number and never even saw the package (otherwise I might have broke!)... then a week later my cheaper one came...

Well worth the wait. I just dislike Dell customer service and their "policy" that they kept referring to which was then told it wasn't policy but a courtesy... a courtesy which the only instance of existed in a post in their online forum... anyhow... not buying from Dell again if I can help it... :rolleyes: But I do like the 2005FPW.

I also purchased the Ergotron (http://www.ergotron.com) Neo-Flex arm to mount the monitor to and like it mainly because it saves some desk space...

Anybody need an additional 2005FPW stand? :) (just kidding... ya can't have it!)

[nels0360]

I would go with the widescreen. It is very nice to have two windows side by side, in my opinion.

I have the 2005 hooked up to my 12" PowerBook. It's the best of both worlds.

[Tarlach]

I got my Dell 2005FPW yesterday (12/14) for $604 from Dell. It has shipped already too.

There is no comparison betweek the 2001 and 2005. The 2005 beats it in anyway you want to look, except vertical height. I would rather have the widescreen format plus the higher specs in every category than have a few more pixels in height.

I got a discount coupon from Dealmac (dealmac.com) and Dell already had it for 20% off with free shipping. Hard to beat that deal.
I notice today it is back up to over $700.