PCs are each a passion of mine and my literal job, so I’m fortunate sufficient to spend time with among the newest and biggest {hardware} on the planet. And but sitting alongside my VR PC with a Radeon 6950XT and my take a look at bench with an RTX 4090 and Core i9-13900K in it, I even have a 14-year-old Dell monitor. It’s the oldest piece of on a regular basis know-how I personal, and I don’t plan to exchange it any time quickly.
Right here’s why I’m nonetheless utilizing my beloved Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP in spite of everything this time.
It was rattling good in its day
![A press photo of the Dell Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP.](https://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/old-dell-ultrasharp-2.jpg?fit=720%2C720&p=1)
No piece of know-how can survive so long as this one can, with out having a agency basis. Launched in 2008, the UltraSharp 2408WFP is a 24-inch, Full HD (1920 x 1200) monitor with a (then) “quick” response time of 6ms, a 60Hz refresh charge, and a sturdy and versatile stand. It has HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, S-Video, Part, and Composite inputs, it’s rated for 400 cd/m2 brightness, and has a USB 2.0 hub, in addition to a card reader.
None of that will seem to be a lot now, however this was a reasonably top-spec monitor for its time, and you may nonetheless see all of the glowing evaluations at CNet, PCMag, and PCWorld — amongst others. The web site I purchased it from even has the unique product itemizing web page nonetheless up. It’s not in inventory, although, I’m afraid, although you may at all times ask to be notified if extra are available in for those who’re feeling optimistic.
The $600 or so I paid for it was nicely value it on the time, and contemplating what I’ve put it by over time, I say I’ve had my cash’s value.
I’ve used it for every part
You possibly can chart my use of this monitor by its varied connector choices. After I first began utilizing it as my predominant gaming show, I used to be nonetheless utilizing DVI-D connections to my then-blazing Intel Q6600 gaming PC. Over time, it transitioned to taking part in second fiddle to extra gaming-focused predominant shows, however I continued to DVI-D for a while — even swapping over to a DVI-D to DisplayPort converter partway by the early 2010s to increase that cable’s utilization that bit longer.
I’ve used it to play Monster Hunter Tri on the Wii, utilizing the Composite connection, Xbox 360 video games over part, used an HDMI cable to make it an exterior show for my spouse’s gaming laptop computer, and most not too long ago used it for some 3DMark runs whereas testing the RTX 4090.
I’ve strapped this monitor right into a automobile seat to take it to LAN events and picked dried paint off its display when a twig can misbehaved throughout some overzealous Warhammer portray. I’ve dropped it, banged it, scratched it, it takes some time to begin up, there are coloration band traces that seem on it at the least as soon as per week, and the facility cable falls out for those who a lot as take a look at it.
However it’s nonetheless a strong show. And I nonetheless use it each day.
It’s ok
![The back of the Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP.](https://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/old-dell-ultrasharp-3.jpg?fit=720%2C720&p=1)
We do plenty of evaluations right here at Digital Tendencies. A variety of monitor and show evaluations, particularly. We’re fortunate sufficient to get to see all the latest and most fun applied sciences, from QD-OLED to mini-LEDs, to ultra-high refresh charges. However as thrilling as all that’s, as a lot as I would like a few of it for my predominant gaming show, for the secondary monitor? None of that basically issues.
Yea, my UltraSharp 2408WFP isn’t the identical measurement or decision as my 27-inch predominant gaming show, so my mouse jumps up once I transition between displays. It’s comparatively gradual, not that colourful, and it’s beginning to break down in a couple of locations. However as a secondary show for internet shopping, checking emails, having a YouTube video taking part in whereas I work, and operating benchmarks whereas I write, it’s completely satisfactory.
I, like I’m positive lots of you, usually get wrapped up within the thought of the subsequent nice innovation over the horizon. I’ve cherished taking part in round with the most recent GPUs and CPUs from all the main firms these elements few months. I’m desperately attempting to not purchase one of many new QD-OLED TVs that my colleagues have been testing.
However I don’t want to exchange the previous Dell. I managed to check the 4090 on it this final week. And it’s received my headphone hook glued to its high nook. I can’t eliminate that.
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