Has anyone purchased the Dell U2711 Display?

[Alex.Hillz]

Hi all,

I share the experience told by Jimmymck. Following the advice by ozbody I bought a miniDP to DP cable from CircuitsAssembly to connect my 2009 MBP to the brand new Dell U2711. It was amazing how with just this cable, I could reach the maximum resolution at 2560x1440. However, it was like that for just a couple of months. Then, suddenly, one day it did not work any longer. I couldn't get any output from the MBP to the monitor. I complained to Dell who promptly sent me a new monitor. Happy for a while! It took another couple of months the new monitor to suffer from the same weakness. I'm really afraid this can happen again, for the third time.

The mini display port of my MBP is, apparently, working perfectly, since it does work ok with miniDP to VGA or miniDP to DVI, even with a miniDP dual link DVI.

By the way, when using the dual link DVI adapter, quite often the image gets an annoying fog which can only be removed by switching off-on the monitor or unpluging-repluging the adapter. Any other experiences in this line?

I would thank further notice about more this issues with the Dell U2711. I suppose the company should study in depth this and provide us a solution.

I am having this problem as well. I too purchased the Dell U2711 and a mini display to display cable as per the advice of CircuitsAssembly.com to connect a Macbook pro. I was amazed at the easy setup and full resolution this method offered. However, last night I did not shut down my Macbook Pro but I turned the U2711 screen off. This morning I awoke the Macbook Pro from sleep and turned the screen on and nothing happened. The screen works with the DVI cable to my PC but does not work with the Macbook via the mini display to display cable.

I have tried everything suggested on the forums including deleting the cache and resetting performance etc... through Onyx to no avail.

The funny thing is, when I plug the Macbook into the U2711 screen the Macbook display will flicker like it did when it was working but the U2711 screen fails to switch on. Detect display offers no help or information (very annoying).

$4000 of hardware... I have read so many problems relating to the compatibility and bugs of Macbook Pro connections to external monitors however it seems this may be a Dell problem but the sleep thing does concern me. Very upset. Will be contacting Dell on Monday.

 

[calderone]

It is an Apple problem. Their mini-DP is buggy on the majority of their products when connecting to 3rd party displays.

 

[Eddyisgreat]

hi all,
new to the forum and shopping around for a monitor to go with my macbook pro 3.1 that does NOT have a mini display port.
does anyone know if the new 27" apple led cinema display due in sep can be hooked up to older macbook pros that dont have a mini display port, or is the dell u2711 still the best option ?

thanks !

No. The 27" will be limited to newer macs with DP just like the now discontinued display.

So your best bet would be the dell display for best connectivity.

No, all he needs is to buy an adapter.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB570Z/A?fnode=MTY1NDA3Ng&mco=MTA4NDU0ODY

Right. So the user asks how to connect an older MBP without a mini displayport OUT to the LED ACD and you post a link to a Mini DP (out, which he does not have) to DVI adapter (out, which wouldn't connect to the LED ACD)? How would that work exactly?

Anyway, like I said, the Dell will be best for connectivity. The new LED ACD will only have mDP like the 24". IF you want to be able to connect the display to your older machine, you'll need an active adapter like this to convert DVI out to mDP out.

 

[Alex.Hillz]

It is an Apple problem. Their mini-DP is buggy on the majority of their products when connecting to 3rd party displays.

I assume you are referring to my question regarding the U2711?

You say it is a problem with the Macbook pro but that doesn't seem to correlate to what SMBPUser said. He/She had their screen replaced by Dell which fixed the problem temporarily, indicating that the problem was not related to the Macbook.

Either way, both Dell and Apple are next to useless. Just spent all morning on the technical help lines. Dell's best answer was replug all the cables and if that doesn't work then its Apples fault.... Apple said that I should try a different adapter cable from the mini display port, which makes sense but I don't want to pay $150.00 for a mini display to dual DVI cable, especially when you read the reviews of this cable on the Apple site itself!

However, to my knowledge the only cables which support the full 2560 x 1440 resolution of the U2711 are the Dual Link DVI and the recently released Mini-Display to Display cable (http://estore.circuitassembly.com/products/Mini-Displayport-to-Displayport-Adapter-Cable.html). From a Mac anyway.

I just think its Bulls*#t that neither company can simply say here is what you require to support full resolution. Apple actually told me to use a standard DVI cable which would support full resolution. I have actually tried a DVI and it only supports up to 1900 x 1200 (approximately).

 

[Eddyisgreat]

Alex.Hillz,

do you have gfxcardstatus installed?

 

[calderone]

I assume you are referring to my question regarding the U2711?

You say it is a problem with the Macbook pro but that doesn't seem to correlate to what SMBPUser said. He/She had their screen replaced by Dell which fixed the problem temporarily, indicating that the problem was not related to the Macbook.

So since it was fixed "temporarily" it is a problem with the display and not the Macbook? That is your reasoning?

Considering that many are having problems with the Mini-DP, I am more inclined to hold Apple responsible for the issues, not Dell. I have Dell displays, Viewsonic Displays and have used a number of other displays via DVI with no issues. Introduce that Mini-DP to the mix and things stop working properly.

 

[foshizzle]

I've had zero issues in 9 months with my U2410, hooked up to MBP 15" from 2009. Using a monoprice.com miniDP to DP.

 

[erikstarck]

I also have problems with a Macbook Pro 3.06GHz Core 2 Duo and a Dell U2711.

I have both the ridiculously expensive and buggy Apple Dual DVI-cable and a mini display port -> display port cables. Problems with both of different kinds.

The Mini DisplayPort makes the screen flicker and some times turn off. If I leave the screen on the problem usually goes away.

The Dual DVI cable has the problem with noise although the 1.0.2 version did work better than the 1.0.1 which was horrible.

I don't know what to do. I like the screen but these problems are so annoying. Thinking about getting a Mac Mini but it too has Mini DisplayPort so perhaps it has the same problem?

 

[Vitr]

I've recently hooked up my Dell u2410 to a mbp and it also has issues with connecting to the laptop. Everything is fine if I put the mbp to sleep and then wake it or shut down/restart if the monitor is left on. However, when I turn off the monitor, it's extremely difficult to get the image from the mbp back on it when the monitor is turned back on.

 

[Alex.Hillz]

Alex.Hillz,

do you have gfxcardstatus installed?

I just installed it. Don't know much about the software. Had a quick look and tried using the different graphic settings, intel, nvidia and dynamic. When I changed between each, the monitor's power button would flash blue indicating that it was waking up but the screen would remain black and after about 6 seconds a message appears saying 'entering power saving mode'.

 

[Alex.Hillz]

So since it was fixed "temporarily" it is a problem with the display and not the Macbook? That is your reasoning?

Considering that many are having problems with the Mini-DP, I am more inclined to hold Apple responsible for the issues, not Dell. I have Dell displays, Viewsonic Displays and have used a number of other displays via DVI with no issues. Introduce that Mini-DP to the mix and things stop working properly.

I suppose that would be correct, based on that specific example I would hold the screen responsible.

However, based on overwhelming complaints regarding cables that use apples mini display port, I would agree with you that the evidence indicates the fault lies with the Apple Macbook pro.

I hope this problem is diagnosed and a specific fault can be found. Then action can be taken to fix it. It seems to be a guessing game at the moment and neither Apple or Dell seem to have any answers. In fact, the forums are much more constructive and informative than any 'FAQ' or help line that these companies provide. Anyway here I am, what is the next step I wonder...

 

[dwain]

Hello,

I've just bought this monitor. It's really an awesome product. I've also bought a new mac mini. For now I'm using it with the hdmi to dvi cable. Because I don't have a mini display port to display port adaptor yet.

What I need to know, will the mac mini transport the audio to the monitor when I use the mini display port to display port cable?

Do I need to purchase a specific cable or adaptor for this?

 

[Wild-Bill]

Ooooh.. The U3011 was just announced. $1499 (maybe cheaper if found on special). Same specs as U2711 but 2560x1600. Sounds enticing.

 

[mw360]

Could anyone who's actually got this monitor explain how they're getting it to display correct colour? I posted a thread on this, but didn't get any response. Three different Macs connected to 1 u2711 and none have been able to display colour correctly.

Symptoms:

Websites such as cnn.com have ridiculously oversaturated colours (red banner at the top)
The "Aqua" colour of scrollbars and gel buttons is more like a lilac colour. The hue of all blues in the UI is off.
Applications like Photoshop can manage their colours, but other apps like Maya or Zbrush look really awful, again with oversaturated colours.

I don't see how anyone can recommend this monitor with these really glaring problems, so I must be doing something wrong. What is it?

 

[dwain]

Could anyone who's actually got this monitor explain how they're getting it to display correct colour? I posted a thread on this, but didn't get any response. Three different Macs connected to 1 u2711 and none have been able to display colour correctly.

Symptoms:

Websites such as cnn.com have ridiculously oversaturated colours (red banner at the top)
The "Aqua" colour of scrollbars and gel buttons is more like a lilac colour. The hue of all blues in the UI is off.
Applications like Photoshop can manage their colours, but other apps like Maya or Zbrush look really awful, again with oversaturated colours.

I don't see how anyone can recommend this monitor with these really glaring problems, so I must be doing something wrong. What is it?

Hi,

I don't know much about calibrating but I like the colours when I make the following settings.

Brightness: 70
Contrast: 55
Input Color Format: RGB
Gamma: MAC
Mode Selection: Video
Preset Modes: Game
Hue: 50
Saturation: 55
Sharpness: 50
Noise Reduction: High
Dynamic Contrast: On

I hope it helps...

 

[mw360]

Hey dwain, thanks very much for the response. I'll try these settings out when I'm back at the monitor. I'm a bit concerned you're in 'game' mode though since, in that mode I would expect super-saturated colour would be considered a bonus.

In the meantime could you or anbody else with a U2711 confirm the following wisdom, which I found else elsewhere...

On the U2711, if you're running standard applications, just set the LCD to sRGB instead of Adobe RGB and your LCD will be running in the reduced gamut.

and

using the sRGB mode for PC users and multimedia (console, BluRay) is best. Because otherwise the wide gamut will show up with stronger, unrealistic colors, similar to an old style TV with a color knob

Using sRGB mode on our U2711 does NOT limit the monitor to sRGB gamut. It actually seems to make no difference whatsoever. Could it be a faulty unit?

 

[dwain]

No problem at all. Please let me know how it looks like. As I said I don't know too much about calibrating so my settings also may be wrong. But this way I like the colors better then any other settings.

If my settings are wrong, then I'll try someone else's settings if any shared.

 

[mosso2000]

Hi everyone, all reviews of the U2711 are very positive, so why didn't they notice the glare issue of these screens if that is so annoying? Is it because people have been staring too long looking for that sort of defect?
Is there any video/photo on the web which demonstrates the issue? thanks

 

[dwain]

Hi everyone, all reviews of the U2711 are very positive, so why didn't they notice the glare issue of these screens if that is so annoying? Is it because people have been staring too long looking for that sort of defect?
Is there any video/photo on the web which demonstrates the issue? thanks

At first, I was a little bit unhappy about the antiglare. But today is my 4th day with U2711 and I think I like the antiglare now. It's not disturbing at all. The first time I read a post about anti-glare, I became much aware of the anti-glare and I though it was disturbing. Actually it wasn't. When you watch a dark scene in a movie you will see yourself on a glossy screen but with this monitor the videos are very clear and I can't see my reflection even if I try.

I don't think there is an issue about it. You'll probable like it just out of the box.

 

[mw360]

No problem at all. Please let me know how it looks like. As I said I don't know too much about calibrating so my settings also may be wrong. But this way I like the colors better then any other settings.

If my settings are wrong, then I'll try someone else's settings if any shared.

Doesn't look so great, sorry. Still warping sRGB output into wide gamut. I've narrowed the problem down to the fact that when the monitor is set changed from PC to Mac mode via the menu, the sRGB preset is identical to AdobeRGB which is obviously wrong. Leaving the monitor in PC mode makes the sRGB preset work fine, except colour in all presets is a little off hue - blues look purple. SO I either have to work in horrible wide gamut, or purple-tinted sRGB.

I posted my issues on the Dell forum, got the following indirect response from a Dell rep.

Dell does not validate any monitors with apple platforms.

A good reason to stay clear of this product if I understand it correctly.

 

[dwain]

Sorry to hear that. I don't know what to suggest. But the colours that I see right now on my monitor are very good and clear. I haven't tried to connect my pc yet. But soon I'll connect that too. Will try to let you know if there is any difference between these two platforms.

 

[mw360]

Sorry to hear that. I don't know what to suggest. But the colours that I see right now on my monitor are very good and clear. I haven't tried to connect my pc yet. But soon I'll connect that too. Will try to let you know if there is any difference between these two platforms.

Thanks for you help dwain. Could you do me one small favour? Load up your screen with brightly colour things, eg websites etc and try switching between the sRGB and AdobeRGB presets on the monitor. Let me know if you see any difference between the two. On mine there isn't but there surely should be.

Thanks again.

 

[dwain]

Thanks for you help dwain. Could you do me one small favour? Load up your screen with brightly colour things, eg websites etc and try switching between the sRGB and AdobeRGB presets on the monitor. Let me know if you see any difference between the two. On mine there isn't but there surely should be.

Thanks again.

Sure, as soon as I get back home I'll try what you asked

 

[fleers]

Are any of you folks who are happy with this monitor running at the max resolution (2560x1440) also running at any other refresh rate than 60Hz?

I'm not impressed with this resolution running the monitor from my 2010 MBP with the high end nvidia GT330M option through the minidvo to dual link DVI adapter. 60Hz is the only refresh rate available while pushing that resolution, and it 'looks like crap', for lack of a better description. I've tweaked the monitor display mode settings a bit, but not extensively....so I do have hope for finding the sweet spot.

 

[sigmadog]

From Dell: Dell does not validate any monitors with apple platforms.

Ouch! That's good to know before I sink any cash into it. Guess I'll be looking for a used 30" ACD.