Review of the Dell 34 Curved USB-C Monitor (S3423DWC)

PROS

Ultrawide curved screen
Very high contrast ratio
Full sRGB color coverage
Virtual KVM switch
USB-C port supports DisplayPort and up to 65 watts power delivery

CONS

Skimpy one-year warranty

DELL 34 CURVED USB-C MONITOR (S3423DWC) SPECS

Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner)	34 inches
Native Resolution	3440 by 1440
Aspect Ratio	21:9
Screen Technology	VA
Rated Screen Luminance	300 nits
Rated Contrast Ratio	3000:1
Pixel Refresh Rate	100 Hz
Adaptive Sync	AMD FreeSync
Video Inputs	HDMI (2), USB-C
USB Ports (Excluding Upstream)	2
VESA DisplayHDR Level	NA
Dimensions (HWD)	19.3 by 31.8 by 8.5 inches
Weight	33 lbs
Height-Adjustable Stand?
Tilting Stand?
Swiveling Stand?
Landscape/Portrait Pivot

The Dell 34 Curved USB-C Monitor (S3423DWC) effortlessly straddles the realms of business and entertainment, offering an expansive screen that caters to various needs. Whether you need to organize multiple app windows, view extensive spreadsheets, or immerse yourself in flight simulations or racing games, this ultrawide 34-inch display. MSRP, currently on sale for is the perfect fit. Its versatility extends beyond the office, making it an ideal addition to a home office, den, or family room, serving as both a reliable work companion and a gaming monitor. While there may be more specialized options available for productivity or gaming purposes, the S3423DWC excels with its vibrant visuals, vivid colors, and exceptional contrast, ensuring a satisfying experience in any setting.

The Wide Curved VA Panel is Expansive.

The standout characteristic of the Dell S3423DWC is its 34-inch display (measured diagonally) featuring native UWQHD (3,440-by-1,440-pixel) resolution, resulting in a 21:9 aspect ratio. With a pixel density of 109 pixels per inch (ppi), this monitor is typical of ultrawide displays and offers ample sharpness for everyday photo and video editing tasks. The S3423DWC monitor utilizes vertical alignment (VA) technology, renowned for its capability to display rich blacks. VA panels are commonly found in gaming monitors, as their high contrast ratio improves gamers' ability to spot hidden adversaries. While Dell does not market the S3423DWC as a dedicated gaming monitor—such models typically carry the Alienware branding or explicitly mention gaming in their product names—its exceptional contrast, ultrawide aspect ratio, support for AMD FreeSync, and 100Hz refresh rate make it perfectly suitable for occasional gaming sessions.

Typically, ultrawide monitors like the Dell model come with a curved screen that enhances the viewing experience by providing a more immersive display compared to a flat screen. The Dell monitor specifically has a 1800R curvature, indicating that if you were to align multiple S3423DWC monitors together in a circular formation, the radius of that circle would measure 1,800mm (1.8 meters). While this curvature is significant, it is still more moderate in comparison to the ultra-tight 1000R curvature found in monitors like the Samsung Odyssey G9 Gaming Monitor. Dell's Easy Arrange functionality enables users to efficiently arrange multiple application windows on their screen and easily snap them into a preferred template. The S3423DWC's ergonomic capabilities are quite restricted, similar to other ultrawide displays. It is supported by a compact and robust base, accompanied by a stand that allows for a 3.9-inch height adjustment. Additionally, you have the option to tilt the top of the monitor up to 5 degrees towards or 21 degrees away from you. In case you prefer to wall-mount the unit, there are VESA bracket-compatible holes available at the back of the cabinet (VESA bracket not included).

The Dell features a single upstream USB-C port that supports DisplayPort over USB Alternate Mode and can deliver up to 65 watts of USB power. This allows for powering or charging a connected laptop. Additionally, there is an upstream USB 3.2 Type-B port and two downstream USB 3.2 Type-A ports, with one providing up to 10 watts for charging handheld devices. With a pair of HDMI ports and the primary USB-C port, users can connect the monitor to three input sources and switch between them using a single keyboard and mouse, a setup known as a virtual KVM switch by Dell.

The display is equipped with a security lock slot and a headphone jack. All ports are located facing downward in a recessed area at the back, with the exception of a single USB-A port at the bottom which is relatively more accessible. Without the option to pivot the display, users will need to lean over or go to the back of the cabinet to connect or disconnect cables.

The S3423DWC from Dell comes with a relatively slim one-year warranty. While Dell extends three years of coverage for many of its other monitors, Philips surpasses the norm by providing an additional fourth year of support.

Evaluation of the Dell S3423DWC: Exceptional Contrast, Superior Brightness, and Extensive Color Range.

I conducted an evaluation of the Dell S3423DWC's luminance, contrast ratio, and color accuracy by utilizing our standard testing equipment, which includes a Klein Instruments K-10A colorimeter, a Murideo SIX-G signal generator, and Portrait Displays' CalMAN 5 calibration software. Dell has specified the monitor's luminance to be 300 nits (candelas per square meter), however, upon measurement, it was found to be slightly higher at 313 nits. This level of brightness is more than sufficient for typical office tasks, as well as for photo and video editing. Being a VA panel, the S3423DWC boasts a contrast ratio of 3,000:1, but it actually outperformed this with an impressive score of 4,185:1. (Refer to our monitor testing methods for more information.)

Dell claims that the display encompasses 99% of the sRGB color space. However, our tests revealed an even more impressive result, with a coverage of 99.8% of the gamut. Additionally, I measured its coverage of 88.3% of DCI-P3, a color space commonly utilized in digital video, and 87.8% of the Adobe RGB gamut, which is frequently employed by professional photographers when preparing images for print. In addition to our standardized testing procedures, we conducted spontaneous evaluations of the image and video quality of the monitors by examining specific content from our collection of photos and video clips. The colors in the photos appeared vibrant and true to life. Similarly, the colors in our test videos were accurate, and the S3423DWC performed well in capturing details in both dark and bright areas. It is important to note that most films are designed for widescreen (16:9) displays, so when viewed on an ultrawide monitor, they may appear with black borders on the sides. Despite the good video quality of the Dell monitor, only a portion of the screen can be utilized to display such content. The S3423DWC is equipped with a pair of 5-watt speakers that deliver satisfactory volume and sound quality.

An Ultrawide Display for Both Work and Play in a Hybrid Setting.

The Dell 34 Curved USB-C Monitor (S3423DWC) excels as a versatile monitor for both productivity and gaming purposes. However, it is important to consider that there are superior options available if your priority lies solely in one of these areas. The HP E27m G4 QHD USB-C Conferencing Monitor, on the home-office front, may not have a wide screen, but it compensates with an extensive range of ports. These include Ethernet, DisplayPort-in, and DisplayPort-out for connecting multiple monitors in a daisy-chain configuration. Additionally, it features a hub with four USB-A ports for connecting peripherals. The monitor's stand offers enhanced height adjustment and includes swivel and pivot options. In addition to stereo speakers, the E27m G4 is equipped with teleconferencing capabilities such as a 5-megapixel webcam and dual microphones.

Consider either the Alienware 27 Gaming Monitor (AW2721D) or the ViewSonic Elite XG270QG, both of which are. Editors' Choice winners, if you are looking to concentrate on gaming. For those who are financially comfortable, the Samsung Odyssey G9, with its impressive super-wide 49-inch screen and 32:9 aspect ratio, may be worth the investment. If you are interested in gaming, you may want to consider the Alienware 27 Gaming Monitor (AW2721D) or the ViewSonic Elite XG270QG, both of which have been recognized as. Editors' Choice winners. For affluent gamers, the Samsung Odyssey G9, boasting a remarkable super-wide 49-inch screen with a 32:9 aspect ratio, could be a suitable choice. That said, between its high contrast, panoramic profile, great sRGB color coverage, and sensible port selection, the Dell S3423DWC is a fine choice for a display on which to toil all day and get in some gaming on evenings and weekends.