Dell C3422WE Monitor Evaluation

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• The Dell C3422WE is a work-from-home monitor with a built-in webcam, microphone, and soundbar.
• It is a sharp show with vibrant and correct coloration, with a handy webcam that is nonetheless missing in picture high quality.
• All instructed, this monitor prices practically as a lot as some high-end all-in-one computer systems, making it a distinct segment promote.

Based on Pew Analysis, 71% of U.S. staff in roles that may be carried out remotely now do business from home, a large leap from simply 20% in early 2020. This sudden shift created a shopping for frenzy for webcams, screens, microphones, audio system, and USB hubs that has simply began dying down. 

What if you happen to might have all of these devices in a single machine? That is the Dell C3422WE. It is a 34-inch, ultrawide monitor with a built-in webcam, microphone, and soundbar. It additionally has a

USB-C
hub with energy supply, so it may cost a suitable laptop computer.

This all-in-one method guarantees a easy, clutter-free dwelling workplace, although it would not come low cost. Dell lists the C3422WE at an MSRP of $1,149.99, placing it within the higher echelon of ultrawide shows, a lot much less all-in-one computer systems with comparable shows.  

Design

The Dell C3422WE has the unoffensive, skilled look frequent amongst all Dell screens exterior its gaming line. Its strong silver stand connects to a large expanse of forgettable, however sturdy, matte-black plastic. 

Only one facet of the monitor stands out: the soundbar. Grey cloth covers the monitor’s chin, hiding an built-in pair of 5-watt audio system and the monitor’s noise-cancelling microphone. It is a easy contact that offers the Dell C3422WE an upscale look.

The hefty stand is ergonomically adjustable in a number of methods, together with 120mm of peak adjustment and 60 levels of swivel. It does an important job of retaining the monitor planted and wobble-free. The C3422WE’s further options add weight to the monitor, however adjusting the monitor’s place on the stand would not require a lot drive.

Setup and interface

Establishing the C3422WE is straightforward, as with most screens. You may take away the stand first, then connect the stand to the again of the monitor and use it as a deal with to elevate the show panel. Then, merely place the monitor in your desk and add energy, a show connection, and peripherals. There are not any drivers or software program to put in.

The monitor has two units of controls, which could be a little complicated. The primary set, discovered on the left facet of the soundbar, are touch-sensitive and management the built-in audio system, microphone, and to launch Microsoft Groups. Sure, there is a Microsoft Groups button, and sure, it actually does launch the Groups app (you probably have it put in). 

You may discover the facility button across the monitor’s proper flank together with a joystick that controls the monitor’s on-screen menu. The joystick can alter brightness and distinction, change inputs, and change coloration modes. The C3422WE lacks the superior options discovered on Dell’s Ultrasharp monitor line, such because the Dell UltraSharp 34 U3421WE. Nonetheless, the menu is straightforward to navigate and logically organized, which is all most individuals might ask for.

Picture high quality

The Dell C3422WE would not earn the corporate’s Ultrasharp model label, which it reserves for its most coloration correct shows. But it stays a powerful show that ranks among the many higher ultrawide screens accessible right now. 

My instrumented checks got here again optimistic throughout the board. The C3422WE’s coloration is vibrant but correct, which interprets to a practical and engaging picture. It additionally has first rate distinction for a show of this sort, creating a way of depth in video and enhancing the legibility of high-contrast textual content.

The C3422WE straddles the road between workplace {and professional} monitor. It solely covers 87 % of the DCI-P3 coloration gamut, a coloration customary utilized by many movie studios, and its coloration accuracy is not on the prime of its class. Nonetheless, it can meet the wants of photographers and video editors who work totally on content material for YouTube and social media.

It is a sharp monitor, with a local decision of three,440 x 1,440. That works out to 109 pixels per inch, which appears nice from a typical viewing distance of three ft. A 4K monitor will look sharper nonetheless, however the C3422WE is a powerful improve over a typical 1080p monitor. 

Most brightness is not excessive, but it surely’s greater than ample for a house workplace. I used the monitor at 60 % of most in the course of the day and turned it right down to 50 % at evening. The monitor’s show coating claims to be anti-glare however appears extra semi-gloss, so it is best to show off any vivid room lights that sit behind you. 

Players, beware: the C3422WE has an ordinary 60Hz refresh price. It would not promote help for variable refresh price applied sciences, reminiscent of AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync, and my Nvidia video card did not detect it as G-Sync suitable. This implies gaming is not as clean in movement as it might be on a show constructed for gaming. A real gaming monitor will serve up higher gameplay, and sometimes achieve this at a cheaper price.

The C3422WE has spectacular picture high quality general. It isn’t an important show for skilled photographers, video editors, and others who do color-critical work – e.g. in characteristic movies or magazine-level images – however that is solely as a result of it lacks some picture calibration options. It is nice for distant staff and can please content material creators who do not want good coloration efficiency. 

The webcam, microphone, and soundbar

Nice picture high quality is a perk, however Dell costs the C3422WE in keeping with the visually superior Ultrasharp U3421WE, which I not too long ago reviewed. The C3422WE loses that monitor’s class-leading coloration and superior customization in alternate for a built-in webcam, microphone, and soundbar. 

There’s only one downside: The bundled webcam is dangerous.

I will begin with the excellent news. The webcam captures 1080p at 30 frames per second, which is technically on par with many top-rated webcams. It could possibly additionally retract into the monitor for added privateness. It is even suitable with Home windows Good day face recognition for straightforward login, which standalone webcams and laptop computer webcams hardly ever help. 

Sadly, the webcam’s picture high quality is not as much as scratch. It is higher than most laptops however falls wanting a very good standalone webcam, like Logitech’s C920 HD Professional. Video appears noisy even in a well-lit dwelling workplace. Including a hoop gentle helped, however video high quality was nonetheless worse than a devoted webcam. 

The noise-cancelling microphone does its job, eliminating echoes and background noises,.and the soundbar performs nicely in video calls. These on the receiving finish of my calls mentioned I got here by means of crisp and clear. Dell has tuned the 5-watt audio system particularly for video conferencing, which exhibits. A scarcity of bass makes music sound hole, however voices are straightforward to know.

The C3422WE is licensed for Microsoft Groups and, as I mentioned earlier, it has a Groups button. This feels extra like advertising than a helpful characteristic. As anybody who makes use of Groups is aware of, the software program runs within the background and is all the time a click on away. The devoted button is not essentially faster than opening Groups from the Home windows taskbar.

Connectivity

It is a disgrace the C3422WE’s webcam hogs the highlight, as you would possibly miss its greatest characteristic. This monitor has a USB-C hub that helps as much as 90 watts of energy supply and DisplayPort 1.4. 

Why is that necessary? It permits a single-cable connection between the monitor and a USB-C laptop computer. That lone USB-C cable each fees your laptop computer and sends video to the monitor. Then the monitor serves as a USB hub, connecting to your different USB units. It even consists of an Ethernet port, so you should use a wired Ethernet reference to slim laptops that do not have that port. 

The Dell C3422WE would not have as many video ports because the Dell Ultrasharp U3421WE however is in any other case related. Its connectivity nonetheless outclasses the LG 34WK95C-W, a value aggressive 34-inch ultrawide that maxes out at 60 watts of energy supply. That is not sufficient to cost essentially the most highly effective productiveness laptops after they run demanding duties. 

Do you have to purchase it?

Provided that a monitor that bundles a webcam, microphone, audio system, and USB-C hub sounds interesting. Lumping these options collectively right into a monitor will slash desk litter. It is also nice if you happen to personal a laptop computer with restricted ports. 

The webcam disappoints, nonetheless, which makes the C3422WE’s premium pricing troublesome to justify. You may save tons of by buying a mid-range ultrawide and including a USB webcam, and that is what I would advocate to most individuals.

Which mannequin do you have to get?

The Dell C3422WE is a part of a household of screens. Its siblings embrace the 24-inch C2422HE, which is $519.99, and the 27-inch C2722DE, which is $719.99. I have never examined the smaller screens however all three quote equivalent specs for the webcam, microphone, and audio system, and I count on related efficiency. Your selection comes right down to the dimensions of monitor you want.

What are your alternate options?

Dell’s C3422WE is exclusive in bundling video conferencing options, so it has no direct competitor. Anybody wanting on the C3422WE ought to think about shopping for an ultrawide and a standalone webcam, although, and that widens the sphere. 

Two good alternate options come from Dell itself. The Ultrasharp U3421WE has even higher picture high quality and much more ports at an identical value. It is also an important monitor for professionals who want one of the best coloration accuracy attainable.

It can save you tons of with the Dell P3421W. This can be a strong dwelling workplace monitor that also works as a USB hub, although its USB-C energy supply is diminished to 65 watts, and it would not embrace an Ethernet port. Distant staff on the lookout for an ultrawide ought to think about shopping for this show and a Logitech C920 HD Professional webcam individually. 

LG is the primary competitor to Dell and has a number of fashions which might be price consideration. The LG 34WL850-W and LG 34WK95C-W are barely cheaper and have even higher picture high quality, although their USB hub connectivity is extra restricted. LG additionally has the way more inexpensive 34WN80C-B, a strong 34-inch ultrawide that is practically half the C3422WE’s value. It is a incredible selection for dwelling workplace use.

Do not forget gaming ultrawides, just like the Acer Nitro XZ342CK or Viewsonic Elite XG350R-C. These screens have nice picture high quality and are sometimes bought at decrease costs than screens designed for workplace use. They lack the USB hub options of workplace screens, however that is positive if you happen to use your monitor with a

desktop pc
. 

Need extra choices? Take a look at our information to one of the best ultrawide screens.

Professionals: Vibrant, colourful image, strong construct high quality, good built-in mic and audio system, plenty of USB-C connectivity

Cons: Webcam high quality falls flat, premium value is tough to justify, what is the level of a Microsoft Groups button?