Dell Monitor U vs P Series (2021): What’s The Difference?

Your monitor’s size and quality can make a significant impact on overall productivity. Dell monitors in their U Series (UltraSharp) and P Series (Professional) are designed specifically to enhance your viewing experience and allow you to focus on your work unhampered by color or contrast issues. So what exactly is the difference between Dell U and P Series monitors? We compare these two using popular models from each series: the Dell U2415 and the Dell P2419H LED monitors.

Dell Monitor U vs P Series Comparison Chart

Design

The Dell U and P Series monitors have similar designs.

Dell’s U and P Series are designed to be professional monitors for workstations and their designs reflect that. Both Dell U2415 and P2419H have three-sided ultrathin bezels that maximize their display areas and minimize their profile for distraction-free viewing. These thin bezels are also great for dual monitor setups in which two of the same monitors are placed touching along one side, creating a virtually borderless view.

The Dell U2415 has a true 24-inch display size while the P2419H round up its 23.8-inch diagonal. In actual use, you won’t be able to tell this small discrepancy. There’s a lot more different details at the back of each monitor, though they have the style and finish overall. Their rear panels both face downward, though the U2415 has its ports closer to the bottom edge than the P2419H.

The stands for these Dell monitors are notably distinct. The Dell U2415 has a metallic silver finish while the Dell P2419H combines black plastic and metal. They both have a cable management hole so you can thread all wires neatly from ports on the back.

You’ll be able to tilt, swivel (up to 45°), and pivot both monitors, as well as adjust display heights, to get the viewing angle most comfortable to you. A 90° pivot also means you can position the displays vertically in addition to the typical horizontal view. They’re VESA-compatible, so you can use supported wall mounting solutions if you prefer.

Features

The Dell U and P Series monitors have different sets of ports.

Dell monitor models are differentiated by their series as well as feature sets, which includes the types and number of connectors they have. In this instance, the Dell U2415 has two HDMI ports, a mini-DisplayPort, in and out DisplayPorts, upstream and downstream USB ports, and an audio line-out. There’s also a single USB 3.01 port at the back of the monitor for high-speed charging.

Connectors on the Dell P2419H are relatively fewer, as there’s only one each of HDMI, DisplayPort, and upstream USB ports. It has several downstream USB ports, however, as well as a VGA connector, which is crucial if your desktop only has this available. In addition, there are two more USB ports at the left side of the monitor.

Both Dell U2415 and P2419H boxes only includes the DisplayPort and USB 3.0 upstream cables in addition to the power cable, so keep it in mind if you’ll be using the HDMI or VGA port.

Other notable features of the Dell U2415 include PowerNap, which can dim the monitor or put it into sleep when not in use. Meanwhile, the Dell P2419H has ComfortView, which reduces blue light emissions for better eye comfort particularly during extended use.

Performance

The Dell U Series monitors are brighter and have better colors than the P Series.

Dell U Series monitors are simply a step above P Series models when it comes to picture quality. Dell’s UltraSharp range have sharper IPS panels than those of the Professional line, resulting in better color coverage and accuracy, higher contrast levels and overall brightness. As such, Dell U Series monitors are typically more expensive than P Series ones of similar sizes and features.

This gap in performance can be observed between the Dell U2415 and P2419H monitors. The U2415 has a higher maximum brightness of 300 cd/m² compared to the 250 cd/m² of the P2419H. The color gamut and volume of the Dell U2415 also covers 99% and 98% of the sRGB colorspace while the Dell P2419H only reaches 92% and 83%, respectively.

In practice, you should see a palpable difference when viewing both monitors side by side. You’ll find Dell U Series monitors a bit easier to read smaller text on than the P Series, thanks to its crisper visuals. Graphic designers, video editors, and other professionals who rely on precise color reproduction will find the U Series to be more impressive than the P Series.

If you’re considering these particular Dell monitors, note that the Dell U2415 has a higher native resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels and an aspect ratio of 16:10. In contrast, the Dell P2419H’s screen real estate is smaller, at 1920 x 1080 pixels and 16:9 ratio. Both are limited to 60 Hz refresh rates, making them good for work-related applications but only okay for gaming or media use.

Verdict

The Dell U Series monitors are more impressive than the P Series.

For those who really value a stunning display for work and everyday use, the Dell U Series represent the brand’s premium line of monitors. They’re well worth the extra investment especially if you need better color accuracy and overall contrast for the work you’re doing.

Programmers, media creators, and even accountants can all appreciate the improved performance of the Dell U2415 monitor. It has a wider color gamut and brighter panel, making designs and text easier to parse and digest. You’ll be spending quite a bit for it, especially if you decide to use two for a dual monitor setup but your resulting productivity, and occasional gaming sesssion, should more than make up for it.

If you’re not particular about your display but still want one that’s better than run-of-the-mill displays, the Dell P2419H monitor should be a perfect combination of quality and price. Performance is not too far from models in the U Series, and it’s significantly more affordable.

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