CONS

• Low-impact audio from built-in speakers
• Pricey

DELL ULTRASHARP 40 CURVED THUNDERBOLT HUB MONITOR (U4025QW) SPECS

The Dell UltraSharp 40 Curved Thunderbolt Hub Monitor is a substantial investment, but it is worth every penny for those in the creative field. With its high resolution and pixel density, along with the impressive IPS Black contrast and exceptional image quality in our testing, it receives high praise as a monitor for videographers and other creative professionals. Additionally, it offers a hub with two Thunderbolt 4 connectors and an impressive six downstream USB ports, as well as Ethernet, HDMI, and DisplayPort connectivity. This monitor has it all covered when it comes to connectivity options. It has been awarded the prestigious Editors’ Choice title and is an outstanding choice for professionals in search of a top-notch large-screen ultrawide display.

Design: Copious Connections, Superb Screen

As a technology analyst, one of the remarkable aspects is the chance to witness innovative products ahead of the general public. During Dell’s annual pre-CES showcase and briefing in New York last December, I had the privilege of exploring the UltraSharp 40 (U4025QW) and the slightly smaller UltraSharp 34 Curved Thunderbolt Hub Monitor (U3425WE), which can be seen in the image below.

At the showcase, I was particularly impressed with the U4025QW’s image quality—aided by the screen’s use of LG’s high-contrast IPS Black technology—as well as a strong set of connectors highlighted by its two upstream Thunderbolt 4 ports and no less than six USB downstream ports. Three of the ports are front-facing, housed in a retractable bay that descends when you press a certain spot on the underside of the monitor’s chassis.

The Dell UltraSharp 40 U4025QW is centered around its 40-inch curved display, featuring a WUHD resolution of 5,120-by-2,160 pixels in a 21:9 ultrawide aspect ratio. Dell refers to this resolution as “5K2K” due to its approximate pixel counts in both the horizontal and vertical directions. With a density of 140ppi, this monitor is more than capable of meeting the demands of graphic arts and videography work. The panel’s IPS Black technology ensures deep black tones and boasts a contrast ratio of 2,000:1. While it may not match the exceptional contrast of vertical alignment (VA) panels, IPS Black represents a significant improvement over standard in-plane switching (IPS) displays.

The U4025QW shares the identical aspect ratio with the Dell UltraSharp 38 USB-C Hub Monitor (U3824DW), which is an award-winning ultrawide productivity panel designed for small businesses. However, the U4025QW boasts a higher pixel density, providing a more compact arrangement of pixels. (The U3824DW features a resolution of 3,840 by 1,600 pixels with a density of 111ppi, making it better suited for general business tasks rather than content creation.)

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The U4025QW offers the same aspect ratio as the Dell UltraSharp 38 USB-C Hub Monitor (U3824DW), a top choice ultrawide productivity panel for small businesses. Nevertheless, the U4025QW features a denser pixel configuration. (The U3824DW has a resolution of 3,840 by 1,600 pixels with a density of 111ppi, making it more appropriate for general business usage rather than content creation.)

The U4025QW, an example of IPS Black panels, provides identical wide viewing angles to regular IPS screens. These angles extend up to 178 degrees in both vertical and horizontal directions. Consequently, you can view the screen from the side or above with minimal loss in image quality. Additionally, the U4025QW boasts a 120Hz pixel refresh rate, which enhances image smoothness and reduces artifacts and screen tearing. As a result, it is highly recommended for game designers.

The thin black bezel surrounds the panel on all four sides. The monitor, which is predominantly silver in color, has dimensions of 18 by 37.3 by 9.8 inches and weighs 30.4 pounds with the stand. Additionally, it features evenly spaced holes, 100mm apart, for a VESA bracket (not included) if you decide to mount it on the wall.

The stand of the U4025QW provides adjustable height, swivel, and tilt options. However, it is important to note that like most ultrawide monitors, it cannot be pivoted into portrait mode, which should be self-evident. The cabinet, along with the screen, can be raised or lowered by a substantial 5.9 inches, swiveled up to 30 degrees in either direction, and tilted up to 5 degrees towards the user and 21 degrees away.

Connectivity: Packing In the Ports

In terms of connectivity, the U4025QW can be viewed as a Thunderbolt 4/USB docking station with the added functionality of a monitor. It offers all the necessary connections and power to serve as a replacement for a laptop docking station. By connecting to the computer through a Thunderbolt cable, it can charge or power the device while also providing Ethernet connectivity, multiple video inputs, and a variety of downstream ports. The device features two Thunderbolt 4 upstream ports that can deliver up to 140 watts of power and are compatible with DisplayPort over USB alternate mode. Additionally, it includes a full-size DisplayPort 1.4 connector, an HDMI 2.1 port, and six downstream USB ports – two of which are USB-C ports supporting 15W of power delivery, and four USB-A ports.

The majority of the ports are located on the bottom edge of the cabinet, facing downwards. However, as previously stated, there are three downstream ports (two USB-C and one USB-A) that are forward-facing. These ports are housed in a retractable bay that can be easily raised or lowered with a simple touch.

The RJ-45 Ethernet port of the U4025QW allows for connectivity in situations where the Wi-Fi signal on your laptop is weak or unavailable. Additionally, it offers support for Wake on LAN (WoL), PXE boot, and Mac address pass-through features. The U4025QW package contains four cables: Thunderbolt 4/USB-C, DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB-A-to-USB-B.

In our evaluation, we found that the U4025QW’s 9W speakers produced audio that was unexpectedly low in volume, even when turned up to the highest level. The monitor is equipped with a 3.5mm audio-out port, which can accommodate headphones or external speakers that are powered. This feature could be beneficial for enhancing the audio experience.

The U4025QW’s onscreen display (OSD) can be easily controlled and settings can be adjusted using a mini-joystick four-way controller with a central button, which is a widely adopted configuration on professional monitors.

Testing the Dell U4025QW: Bright and Colorful

I evaluated the brightness, contrast ratio, and color-gamut coverage of the U4025QW by utilizing our customary testing equipment, which includes a Klein K-10A colorimeter, a Murideo SIX-G signal generator, and Portrait Displays’ Calman for Business calibration software.

Dell has specified the monitor’s luminance at 300 nits, however, during testing, it achieved a higher result of 395 nits. This level of brightness is more than sufficient for various business applications, including photo and video editing, as well as gaming. While the HDR capabilities were not tested, the monitor does hold a VESA DisplayHDR 600 rating. The measured contrast ratio was 1,814:1, slightly below the rated 2,000:1 contrast ratio but significantly higher than a typical IPS panel.