Dell has just released a budget-minded 27-inch Freesync monitor. The Dell SE2717H uses a 1920x1080 resolution IPS display which offers variable refresh rates between 48Hz and 75Hz. This matte-finish display uses a 6-bit panel with a 6ms response time. Obviously this isn't a 'dream monitor' but it might tickle some users' sweet spots, coming in at $249 via Dell direct. I can't see it listed in the UK as yet.
To recap on the positive aspects of this monitor – you get a big display, with an IPS wide-viewing-angle screen, a respectable grey to grey response time, and AMD's FreeSync technology for just $249. The design looks pretty good too, it offers a narrow bezel, piano black finish, and sturdy stand with tilt adjustment and cable management. LED backlighting helps save energy and the screen is coated with an antiglare 3H hardness finish. Dell ComfortView is featured as is flicker free technology – helping to keep your peepers feeling fresh.
In this case the FreeSync ability is capable of syncing between 48 and 75Hz. According to Dell this can eliminate choppy gameplay and annoyances such as screen tearing, stutter, or artifacts. This is a great feature for gamers with AMD graphics cards.
Less positive aspects of this monitor probably include its resolution. At 27-inches 1080p isn't so sharp for those with 20:20 vision. Another thing I noticed was that the SE2717H offers only 6-bit colour, achieving 16.7 million colours via FRC, which is a dithering technique. That's probably passable for gaming but not optimal for colour sensitive content creation work, for example. Dell's official figures report colour gamut figures of 84 per cent (CIE 1976), and 72 per cent (CIE 1931). Port choice is limited to a single VGA and a single HDMI v1.4 connector.
