Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP
Manufacturer: Dell, Inc. Part number: 2408WFP
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The 24-inch Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP display delivers across the board in performance, design, and features. It excelled with movies and games, making it not only an excellent choice as an entertainment display, but also great for everyday Windows tasks.
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Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com Marketplace |  | In stock | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 11/07/2009 |
CNET editors' review
Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP price range: $679.00
- Reviewed by: Eric Franklin
- Edited by: Matthew Elliott
- Reviewed on: 04/17/2008
- Released on: 04/15/2008
The good: Strong overall performance; its tried-and-true design is both aesthetically pleasing and practical; video connections galore.
The bad: Cool preset mode is too blue; no digital audio connection.
The bottom line: The 24-inch Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP display delivers across the board in performance, design, and features. It excelled with movies and games, making it not only an excellent choice as an entertainment display, but also great for everyday Windows tasks.
The Gateway FHD2400 may be cheaper, but the Dell UltraSharp 2408WPF display is the better value of the two 24-inch LCD monitors. It performed outstandingly in our labs-based DisplayMate tests, delivering quite possibly the best image we've seen for DVD playback. The 2408WPF packs all of its stellar performance inside a practical and aesthetically pleasing design while delivering an embarrassment of connection riches. Moreover, it carries a fair price of $599; we'd wager any 24-inch display you find for less will come with trade-offs in terms of features or performance or both. The UltraSharp 2408WFP is a great entertainment display, whether it is games, DVDs, or--making use of its 1,920x1,200 resolution--HD movies. Rest assured, it does not drop the ball on the basics; we give it a strong recommendation should you seek a large productivity monitor.
Design
The Dell 2408WFP shares the same basic design as its predecessor, the UltraSharp 2407WFP. This includes the relatively thin bezel around the edge of the screen with the Dell logo along the bottom.
The onscreen display is easy to navigate and includes the usual options of brightness, contrast, color, and so on. We also liked that the OSD stays on the screen long enough to evaluate any changes you make while calibrating the display. There are also six included preset modes for activities such as playing games, watching movies, and graphics work that affect color temperature, contrast, and brightness.
From the back, you're looking at a mostly silver enclosure, which runs along the foot and neck of the stand with a large silver Dell logo at the top. The screen rotates 45 degrees to the left and right, and about 30 degrees back. The screen also pivots 90 degrees to the left into portrait mode, but you'll have to rotate the screen back first before you can actually pivot it as the stand is in the way normally. This is a minor gripe, but it's something we hope Dell will consider when they choose to redesign this chassis.
The foot of the stand is the same Y-shaped, or "bird-foot" as it is sometimes called, design as found on last year's model. The width of the stand is about 15.5 inches at its widest and really helps to make the display feel very sturdy, even when placed on a narrow stand and the screen is raised to the top of its 4.5-inch range. This display has many connection options, and Dell continues to make it easy to find them all. Each connection has a very clear illustration beneath it that makes it a cinch to find and connect.
Manufacturer's specs:
Resolution: 1,920x1,200
Pixel-response rate: 6ms
Contrast ratio: 3000:1 (Dynamic)
Connectivity: DVI, VGA, HDMI, component, composite
HDCP compliant? Yes
Included video cables? VGA, DVI, HDMI
Features
The Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP includes an abundance of connection options. For video connections, you'll find a VGA, two DVI, an HDMI, a DisplayPort, component, and composite ports. There's also a speaker port, four USB ports (plus one upstream USB port), and a media card reader for Compact Flash and SD formats. That's certainly a long list of connections, but if we're being greedy, we would have liked to have seen an optical audio out connection. Compared with the lower priced Gateway FHD2400 we reviewed recently and praised for its connection options, the Dell surpasses it in the variety and volume of connection options. In particular, the extra DVI port and the DisplayPort are valuable extras if you want to connect the display to a media center or high-end PC.
The Dell has a Dynamic Contrast of 3000:1. This means--according to Dell--that the blacks the display outputs are three times darker than the whites are when viewing dark scenes. To get that kind of contrast ratio the display powers down its backlight in dark scenes, so that the blacks are very dark. This also means that if the dark scene in question contains areas of bright light, the light may be sacrificed as the backlight does not have the power to represent it accurately. Basically, Dynamic Contrast is just a marketing term and, for now, there is no independent standard for measuring it, so it should not be considered when making a buying decision. We felt the display was capable of dark blacks, but they could have been a bit darker. The whites were as bright as any we've seen in a recent display.
Performance
We tested the Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP through the DVI connection and it delivered high scores across the board in our labs-based DisplayMate tests, excelling particularly in sharpness and color. Most monitors have no problem displaying legible fonts at 6.8 point and above, but things usually deteriorate as the size gets smaller. At 6 point, most displays have a hard time with sans serif fonts such as Helvetica, because of the somewhat curvy nature of the font. The Dell is not immune to this issue completely, but it performed better here than the Gateway FHD2400. The Dell rendered the fonts thinly, unlike the Gateway where the fonts seemed fat, oversaturated, and less distinct in comparison. Its composite score of 90 on our DisplayMate suite of tests has been matched only by another Dell display, the 22-inch SP2208.
 Juice box |
|||
| Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP | Average watts per hour |
| On (Default Luminance) | 69.3 |
| On (Max Luminance) | 107.33 |
| On (Min Luminance) | 49.7 |
| Sleep | 1.56 |
| Calibrated (200 cd/m2) | 62.1 |
| Score | Poor |
| Annual energy cost (@$0.1135/kWh) | $21.75 |
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
The Dell had no problem on our Intensity Color Ramp test, which measures a display's capability to render gradations of primary colors smoothly, uniformly, and consistently. The fact that the display did well in this test indicates that it will be able to display accurately different shades of the same color in a given scene.
One problem we did see was when viewing the display on the Preset Mode Cool was that the screen looked too blue and unnatural. For example, when we typed in Word or viewed a Web site with a white background, the page was not white, but very light blue. The effect was just too extreme should have been more subtle. This is a minor quibble, however, as there are six presets to choose from as well as a user customizable mode.
DVD playback on the display was as good as we've ever seen on a monitor. Even when viewing medium shots with our eyes inches from the screen in Kill Bill Vol.1, we found the image retained its detail. We had a little PVP action while testing the display with World of Warcraft. It's hard to make this game look bad, and the 2408WFP continues the tradition of displaying WoW excellently. The colors, detail, and image integrity were as good as it gets.
We noticed a little backlight bleedthrough on the top corners in a pitch-black testing room, but saw absolutely none in normal room lighting.
Find out more about how we test LCD monitors
Service and support
The $599 price includes a three-year limited warranty that covers defects in the display and its peripherals. This also includes a 24-7 toll-free phone technical support as well as technical support through live Web chat. We could not find the drivers for this display on Dell's site. Under the support/drivers area on their Web site, this display was not listed at the time this review was written.
User reviews
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How did this monitor get Editor's Choice???
by SpeedRacer01S4 on July 14, 2008
Pros: Wide viewing angles, build quality, included features
Cons: Wide Color Gamut unable to correctly display sRGB images, bad input lag
Summary: I just purchased 2 of these 2408WFP's to use as dual monitors. I thought I did all my homework prior to making the purchase but evidently not. The model ...
Summary: I just purchased 2 of these 2408WFP's to use as dual monitors. I thought I did all my homework prior to making the purchase but evidently not. The model currently shipping is a first version and has major issues. Just check the Dell Support Forums...customers with this monitor are eagerly awaiting a new hardware revision!!!
First, the wide color gamut is basically incompatible with Internet Explorer! (and any other non-color managed applications!) Most images on the web and in most other applications use the standard sRGB color profile. This monitor does a poor job in displaying these images. Users are having to use special color-managed web browsers for this monitor!
Second, this monitor has been found to have the worst input lag of just about any LCD! Gamers be warned...this monitor is NOT for you! The input lag is so bad it's even noticeable in scrolling on web pages!
Dell is promising an updated revision that should fix the input lag and other issues. Not sure how they will address the color gamut issue if even at all. What this monitor needs is a sRGB color profile mode for everyday use!!!Updated
Just to add a few more comments to my original review...
Additional Pros: True Blacks (Wow!), PVA-type panel
The input lag is totally different from the "Response Time" spec. If you put the 2 together you get the overall time it takes the screen to be refreshed. You have to add the input lag to the 6ms Response Time spec and in the case of this monitor you'll get way worse than anything near 6ms!15 out of 19 users found this user opinion helpful.
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UltraSharp
by GarpikeEvE on April 5, 2008
Pros: Great Multimedia Image Quality, Functionality, Large Selection of Inputs, Incredible Color Gamut, No Ghosting in Games, Better than Average Display Options, Great Bang for the Buck
Cons: Buttons are relatively clumsy...Static Image Quality isn't Perfect but isn't all that bad either.Other than that...This monitor ROCKS!
Summary: Having been a previous owner of the 2407 Dell Ultrasharp Monitor I was a little concerned about ghosting as a problem in this monitor as the 2407 had a TERRIBLE ...
Summary: Having been a previous owner of the 2407 Dell Ultrasharp Monitor I was a little concerned about ghosting as a problem in this monitor as the 2407 had a TERRIBLE ghosting problem in games and movies probably due to the factory cranking the overdrive up to ludicrous speed..."We've turned plaid!!"
Suffice to say that I was more than pleased when I hooked this monitor up to my PC and my Xbox 360 and found that my new monitor displayed no noticeable ghosting at all.
In fact, ghosting aside the image quality on this monitor is astonishing. With just a little tweaking in the options menu I discovered just how beautiful gaming and 1080p movies could be. The colors are accurately displayed for the most part. Like I said...A little adjustment is needed...But goodlord...After I was done with my tuning, this monitor really POPS!
Many inputs make this monitor an excellent multimedia display for a bedroom or office. I found the HDMI and RGB inputs to be relatively useless for HD movie play back in 1080p due to display scaling / cropping, however there are two DVI inputs that will display an HD input PERFECTLY!
Static image quality is probably a little sketchy for those of you who make a living off of that sort of thing. I noticed a little color shifting in some of my static test images. If your just an average consumer you won't notice though as the picture quality is still WAY above average.
For gaming this monitor is SPECTACULAR. The changes I noticed going from the old one to this are simply mind bending. EVE looks incredible. You can really see how much love DELL put in this monitor for gamers over the 2407.
I recommend this monitor to anyone and everyone. At this price point it just can't be beat.
Thanks for reading my article.
Gar7 out of 7 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Solid, High-Quality Picture
by tmschafer on June 29, 2008
Pros: Stunning color and contrast; lots of adjustability, connection options, good value.
Cons: Not the smoothest text rendering, may require some calibration
Summary: Overall, this is an excellent monitor?the image quality is great, excellent motion-response for video and games, minimal if any ghosting, and lots of picture adjustments. The connection options are ...
Summary: Overall, this is an excellent monitor?the image quality is great, excellent motion-response for video and games, minimal if any ghosting, and lots of picture adjustments. The connection options are very nice if you plan to connect multiple devices, although I personally haven't used any of them, so I can't speak to any limitations or caveats.
I also use an Apple display of the same size (which is twice the price, due largely to the aluminum enclosure), and this Dell preforms better in almost every way. The one thing I really like about the apple display is that it's text display is quite a bit smoother. I'm on a mac where high-quality text anti-aliasing is standard, so that's a tiny bit disappointing. Still, probably the only reason I notice it is because the Apple does it slightly better. Also, the Dell is slightly slower waking from standby. In most other ways the Dell is superior (adjustability, color, contrast).
I'm very happy with the Dell and I've had no dead pixels or other problems of any kind.4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Worth every penny.
by floz23 on June 24, 2008
Pros: Bright, very good black level, capable of displaying color as advertised.
Cons: Response time is not "awesome", NEEDS CALIBRATION.
Summary: This is my first review ever. I currently have two of these in my office here, both get used for graphic design and video production.
I must say, these monitors ...Summary: This is my first review ever. I currently have two of these in my office here, both get used for graphic design and video production.
I must say, these monitors are "wild." The default brightness level is WAY to bright and the saturation of the Reds and Greens is almost blinding at first. If you are not prepared to get a color calibration device and calibrate it properly, you're in for a VERY bright and colorful computing experience.
For example, you will notice, very quickly, that you'll need to enable the color management feature in firefox in order to get a color managed web browsing experience (google it, it's a hidden option in firefox.) If you use IE, or firefox without enabling color management, the reds and greens will be so over saturated, it's almost "clown like" browsing experience.
So, to sum this up. You will NEED to properly calibrate this monitor and enable the firefox color management option, if not, while your reds and greens will be colorful, it will not be very accurate.
Final note: again, if you calibrate this monitor, you will have something which can compete, somewhat, with EIZO's top of the line coloredge offerings. Also, to all you PVA haters, I'd just like to remind you that EIZO uses S-PVA panels, just like this dell.3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Phenomenal monitor for the price...
by 8IronBob on March 4, 2009
Pros: Dell really has it made, bells and whistles are almost like an HDTV in terms of connectivity, bright and crisp, and clear picture. Totally customizable picture settings, and loads of fun stuff to do.
Cons: Even tho the contrast ratio is nice, I really don't see a deep black level on here, which is somewhat disappointing. I know it's an LCD, but S-PVA technology usually allows for the squid-ink black levels, hopefully I find some calibrations soon.
Summary: Nice gaming monitor, has a game mode in the presets, without a doubt, this is far better than the monitor that it replaced (Samsung SyncMaster T240). No dead pixels that ...
Summary: Nice gaming monitor, has a game mode in the presets, without a doubt, this is far better than the monitor that it replaced (Samsung SyncMaster T240). No dead pixels that I can see, and it seems to be pretty good in picture quality, albeit it's still in "torch" mode that it shipped with. I'll have to figure out how to make the picture more natural. If anyone can help me with that, that would be very much appreciated. Other than that, this is definitely worth every penny of that extra premium for what it can do.
Now that I look at the calibration further, the black levels are now VERY deep, but the backlighting does flucuate from time to time, which can be pretty distracting at times. It's still a great monitor. I'd compare this display to the Sony KDL-32XBR6 in terms of picture quality and features. I'm assuming that the calibration may be similar, too.
Updated on Mar 6, 20092 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Faulty Panels / Poor Customer Service
by HalloweenWoohoo on October 7, 2009
Pros: Nice Stand
Cons: Compatability
Summary: A computer store recommended this monitor to me. I bought the monitor, and soon after random coloured dots started appearing on the screen. This progressed to a flickering screen, and ...
Summary: A computer store recommended this monitor to me. I bought the monitor, and soon after random coloured dots started appearing on the screen. This progressed to a flickering screen, and finally to a screen that would blank out. I bought a new video card, but it still blanked out. The computer store sent the monitor back for a second one. The brand new second monitor also blanked out. Dell refused to refund the computer store for the monitor; all they would do is keep sending back the same type of monitor that didn't work. Luckily the store replaced the monitor. I am now happily using a Nec monitor with no issues. Dell refused to post this review on its own site. As a result, I lost the use of my computer for 6 weeks, while the store had to argue with Dell.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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The Best I have used
by troyoverton on August 21, 2009
Pros: Huge real estate, tons of connectivity options, swivel, height, rotate, and angle adjustments. and most importantly beautiful picture.
Cons: Hope you got a healthy wallet.
USB ports and media card reader only work with the display on.Summary: I chose the Dell UltraSharp because of my past experience with Dell MONITORS, which I have to say has been pretty good. I wanted it as soon as it came ...
Summary: I chose the Dell UltraSharp because of my past experience with Dell MONITORS, which I have to say has been pretty good. I wanted it as soon as it came out, and I had to pay the early-adopter tax to get it. But I have not been disappointed. The picture is wonderful, the options are great, the adjustments let you make this exactly what you need it to be. Monitor, TV (HD looks awesome) for your xbox360 (understanding that its not 1080p) or whatever. It's easy to work with, its easy to move and it has a bevy of connectors. HDMI, Display Port, 2 DVI, VGA, Component, Composite, and audio out for your speakers.
The only gripe I have is that the USB and media card reader don't work when the display is off. That was a problem for me because I wanted to use the usb ports on the side to connect my iPhone and sync it when I went to bed. I shut the power on the monitor off, and when I got up the next morning...
I don't tend to read manuals or instructions, so this may have been mentioned, but the truth is, killing power to the monitor should not render these features useless.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Best monitor I've owned
by jtoepfer on August 10, 2009
Pros: never had a 24" monitor before. How did I live without it? 2408WFP is bright, clear and sharp. The hight adjustable swivel stand was a surprise to me...very nicely done. Setup was plug and play...no issues
Cons: Wish it was $75 cheaper. It's sorta thick...but who cares.
Summary: Really, it's an awesome monitor. I'm glad I spent extra money to get a good one with a good adjustable stand. If I was Dell, I would have ...
Summary: Really, it's an awesome monitor. I'm glad I spent extra money to get a good one with a good adjustable stand. If I was Dell, I would have dropped the built in USB hub and memory stick readers and saved 75$. Then it would have been perfect.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Rock solid works great
by Dry_run on April 17, 2009
Pros: Stable, clean image, work well in dual setup, rotatable orientation, optional external speaker... Zero dead pixels, rock solid after one year. This thing is quick under XP with a Dell supplied 256MB ATI Radeon 2400 XT driving two full res screens.
Cons: Silver edging at top of bezel distracting in vertical side-by-side arrangement - keep it black.
Summary: Clean, bright and just does its job well. Really well.
Summary: Clean, bright and just does its job well. Really well.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Spectacular except doesn't hold up to lightning storms!
by munkeybrains on February 19, 2009
Pros: I had no problems with this except it does not handle Texas lightning storms. Oh well I need a excuse for the 30 inch monitor. This has several usb ports and even a SD reader, which was a lot more convenient than I would have imagined.
Cons: The only con is that it's not the 30 inch. If you're going to buy the sweet 24 inch then cut corners somewhere else, eat ramen and get the 30 inch.
Summary: I have had very good luck with Dell products at work and home. The computers have gone down in quality a small bit in the past year. The monitors have ...
Summary: I have had very good luck with Dell products at work and home. The computers have gone down in quality a small bit in the past year. The monitors have actually gone up in quality in the past year. The only thing I have to say about the 24 inch is, if you can at all afford it or cut corners elsewhere, just spring for the 30 inch. Also get the big warranty and a big power surge too, which is what I didn't do. But the silver lining is, I'll soon have a spanking new 30 inch monitor. Unless there's something bigger......
Dell Monitors have never let me down, ever.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Dell, Inc.
- Part number: 2408WFP
- Description: The UltraSharp 2408WFP 24-inch Widescreen Flat Panel LCD Monitor from Dell is a brilliant choice when you need exceptional clarity and vibrant color. Featuring a 3000:1 contrast ratio and 400 cd/mē brightness, the monitor boasts excellent color accuracy and uniformity. Additionally, a resolution of up to 1920x1200 pixels provides quality entertainment and an exhilarating multimedia experience. Moreover, you can enjoy accurate color representation for content creation like gaming development, video and photo viewing with the TrueColor technology that allows for 110% color gamut. The 2408WFP features a response time of 6 ms that helps prevent smearing and ghosting, whether you are playing a game or watching the latest swash-buckling thriller! In addition, the analog VGA and DVI-D connectors with HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Copy Protection) help ensure high quality image of protected high-definition content from consumer devices such as HD-DVD, Blu-ray Disc, gaming consoles, digital cameras and camcorders.
General
- Display Type LCD display / TFT active matrix
- TFT Technology S-PVA
- Built-in Devices USB hub, 9-in-2 card reader
- Width 22 in
- Depth 8.2 in
- Height 19.6 in
- Weight 14.8 lbs
- Enclosure Color Black
- Bundled with Height Adjustable Stand
Image
- Display (projector) image aspect ratio 16:10
- Image brightness 400 cd/m2
- Image Contrast Ratio 1300:1 / 3000:1 (dynamic)
- Max horizontal view angle 178
- Max vertical view angle 178
Display
- Diagonal Size 24 in - Widescreen
- Viewable Size 24 in
- Dot Pitch / Pixel Pitch 0.27 mm
- Max Resolution 1920 x 1200
- Color Support 24-bit (16.7 million colors)
- Response Time 6 ms
- Front Panel Controls Input indicator, Input source select, Picture-in-picture (PIP), Picture-by-picture (PBP)
- On-Screen Controls On-screen display menu control buttons
- Display Positions Adjustments Tilt, Height, Swivel, Pivot (rotation)
- Video Output None
- Signal Input HDMI, 2xDVI-D, VGA, DisplayPort
- Features HDCP, TrueColor, UltraSharp, 110% color gamut
CNET Labs' Benchmarks
- Contrast Ratio 891:1
- Maximum Brightness 452.33 cd/m2
Video Input
- Analog Video Signal RGB, S-Video, Component video, Composite video
- Digital Video Standard Digital Visual Interface (DVI), High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
Audio Output
- Type None - Integrated
Input Device
- Input device type None
KVM
- Type None
Expansion / Connectivity
- Interfaces 2 x DVI-D - 24 pin digital DVI, 1 x VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15), 1 x Component video input - RCA X 3, 1 x Composite video input - RCA, 1 x S-video input - 4 pin mini-DIN, 1 x HDMI - 19 pin HDMI Type A, 4 x Hi-Speed USB downstream - 4 pin USB Type A, 1 x - 20 pin DisplayPort, Audio line-out - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 1 x Hi-Speed USB upstream - 4 pin USB Type A
- Connections - USB 2.0, - VGA, - HDMI, - port, - DVI-Digital, - Audio-out, - S-Video, - Composite video, - Component video
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included 1 x VGA cable - 6 ft, 1 x DVI cable - 6 ft, 1 x USB cable - 6 ft
- Flat Panel Mount Interface 100 x 100 mm
- Features Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
- Microsoft Certifications Certified for Windows Vista
Power
- Power device form factor Internal
- Voltage Required AC 120/230 V
- Operational power consumption 110 Watt
- Operational power consumption (standby) 2 Watt
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 3 years warranty
Sustainability
- CNET Labs: Operational power consumption 69.3 Watt
- CNET Labs: Calibrated power consumption 62.1 Watt
- CNET Labs: Max brightness power consumption calibrated 107.33 Watt
- CNET Labs: Min brightness power consumption 49.7 Watt
- CNET Labs: Power consumption Stand by / Sleep 1.56 Watt
- CNET Labs: Estimated Annual Energy Cost 21.76 US Dollars
- EPA Energy Star Compliant Yes
- EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Silver
Manufacturer info
- Dell, Inc.
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Dell, Inc. products on Shopper.com
-
- Website: http://www.dell.com/
- Address:
One Dell Way, Round Rock, TX 78682 - Phone: (800) 274-3355
- Email: LB_Order_Questions@dell.com
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