Dell makes some of the best monitors around and they’re usually very competitive in terms of price, too. Today you can get the best of both worlds with a basic 24-inch Dell monitor for a rock-bottom price: just $99.99 at Amazon. And unlike some other super-cheap display options, this one uses a high-quality IPS panel.
If you’re unaware of the different kinds of LCD panel, in-plane switching (IPS) is superior to the cheaper VA and TN panels, offering much better color accuracy while being a bit slower on refresh. For a basic monitor that would do well as an add-on for a laptop or an expansion into a multi-monitor system, it’s a very desirable feature, and one that isn’t often seen at this price.
The other parts of the spec list on the Dell Dell S2421HS are a bit threadbare, with the 23.8-inch screen offering the standard 1920×1080 resolution and a slightly boosted 75Hz refresh rate. You can connect via HDMI or DisplayPort, but there are no USB ports to be found. The included stand is pretty good, with vertical height adjustment and 90-degree rotation, but you can also use a standard VESA mount monitor arm. Again, great for multi-monitor setups.
Amazon is showing this as a $60 discount off the regular price, with no indication of when the sale will end. A 27-inch version of the same design, still limited to 1080p resolution, is also on sale for $119.99.
Author: Michael Crider, Staff Writer, PCWorld
Michael is a 10-year veteran of technology journalism, covering everything from Apple to ZTE. On PCWorld he's the resident keyboard nut, always using a new one for a review and building a new mechanical board or expanding his desktop "battlestation" in his off hours. Michael's previous bylines include Android Police, Digital Trends, Wired, Lifehacker, and How-To Geek, and he's covered events like CES and Mobile World Congress live. Michael lives in Pennsylvania where he's always looking forward to his next kayaking trip.