In this article, we’ll take a look at the new Dell U4021QW monitor and see how well it performs when paired with a Mac. In the market for a new monitor? Don’t part with your cash before reading on…
Dell U4021QW at a Glance
Pros:
- Beautiful, crisp display
- Plenty of ports
- Built-in speakers
- Plenty of features
Cons:
- Pricey
- 60Hz refresh rate could be better
- Plastic construction
Design
The Dell U4021QW is an elegant curved-screen monitor that provides that premium visual to any home office or workspace, although it is of course still a Dell product, so the focus here is more on functionality and performance than glitz. This brings us to the construction of the monitor itself, which is almost entirely plastic. This is not necessarily a bad thing, though, as it still feels solid and robust, unlike some of the cheaper plastic monitors on the market that feel like they would snap if handled incorrectly. The screen, too, is plastic. This could be an issue for Mac users who are used to a more premium feel to their monitors.
On to the ports. On the bottom of the back panel, the Dell U4021QW has a DisplayPort, HDMI, Ethernet, and USB connectors. The monitor itself actually tilts, which is nice if you don’t have an adjustable chair or tend to suffer glare on your screens, and is also great for making connecting your devices easier. The inclusion of a Thunderbolt 3 port means Mac users can connect to it with a single cable, and the monitor can power a MacBook Pro with up to 90W of pass-through charging. It also has a 3.5mm headphone jack, two HDMI 2.0 ports, three USB-A ports, one USB-B port, as well as another USB-A port and USB-C port on the bottom for easy access.
The monitor and the stand combined hits the scales at 20.94 pounds (or 13.8 kilos). Because this is an ultrawide monitor, the base and stand are sturdy and do a great job of securely holding the monitor in place, even when tilted at an angle.
The Dell U4021QW has a display screen size of 37.27 inches (or 94.66 centimeters), making it one of the larger ultrawides out there. The base is 9.76 inches (or 24.79 centimeters), and the height is adjustable between 18.02 inches and 22.73 inches (or 45.77 centimeters and 57.72 centimeters).
Performance
So how does it perform? Let’s start off by saying that this monitor is impressive. There is so much you could potentially do with it that it’s unlikely you’d ever need more. The Dell U4021QW is capable of two-computers-one-display and has Easy Arrange application tiling.
As for color quality, the Dell U4021QW has a depth of 1.07 billion colors. This includes 100% sRGB and Rec. 709 color coverage. The Dell U4021QW has 98% coverage of DCI-P3, and it shows. This impressive monitor has a 5120x2160p resolution and is not only incredibly sharp and crisp, but will really leave you wondering if you could ever switch back to a standard 1080p.
Don’t have any speakers for your current monitor? That’s not an issue with the Dell U4021QW monitor, which comes with decent built-in speakers, clearing up additional desk space and potentially untidy wires. If you’re looking for speakers that will blow you away, however, you would likely still want to invest in a quality pair, as although capable enough, these built-in speakers will not win any awards. Of course, a lot of us wear a headset or use a soundbar when we’re performing an application that requires sound, so this would not matter.
As briefly touched on earlier, the Dell U4021QW is capable of running two computers on one screen. The PIP and PBP settings on this monitor allow you to adjust the settings for each individually via arrangement and ratio options, so you won’t get caught out if you’re trying something more specific.
As you would expect, there is a myriad of options for adjusting colors, contrast, display modes, as well as input and connectivity.
If you are a gamer, you might see this monitor and be tempted to throw your cash straight at it. Our advice? Don’t. Due to the lower refresh and response rates on this monitor, you’d be much better off choosing one of the countless other curved monitors out there that will not limit your experience.
Price and Availability
Still interested? Great. So what is the availability and price of the Dell U4021QW?
As with many monitors, you might be able to find a good deal on the Dell U4021QW if you spend long enough trawling the web. Generally, though, you’ll be looking at spending around $2099.99 if you’re going to invest in one of these ultrawide monsters.
The Dell U4021QW is available at the time of writing.
The Bottom Line
So now that you know the ins and outs of the Dell U4021QW, is it the best monitor for a Mac?
Well, it’s debatable. Although there’s no denying the Dell U4021QW is a highly capable monitor, and the inclusion of a Thunderbolt 3 port to connect and charge a Mac is great, you only have to look to the comment section on sites such as MacRumors to see that Mac users are not sold on the product.
It seems as if Mac users are looking for a little more than the Dell U4021QW offers for the price tag. For example, 200+ PPI, and no HDR.
The Dell U4021QW is a great monitor overall, but it’s perhaps not the absolute best for Mac.
Related article: Best Monitors for Older MacBook Pros
