Dell UltraSharp 43 4K USB-C Monitor (U4323QE) Review

CONS

• Stand offers only modest ergonomic adjustments
• Most ports are tricky to access

DELL ULTRASHARP 43 4K USB-C MONITOR (U4323QE) SPECS

Dell has enhanced its largest business monitor, the U4323QE, by improving its port selection with Ethernet and additional USB ports. The addition of a mini-joystick controller is also an improvement over the previous model, the U4320Q. These enhancements have earned the U4323QE our Editors’ Choice award for large-screen productivity panels.

A Regular Widescreen Display, Enlarged

The U4323QE features a 42.5-inch display using in-plane switching (IPS) technology. The monitor boasts a UHD (4K) native resolution of 3,840 by 2,160 pixels with a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. With a pixel density of 103 pixels per inch (ppi), it is suitable for regular office tasks and light photo or video editing. However, for more intricate graphic or photo editing, a display with a higher pixel density (potentially at a smaller screen size) would be more appropriate.

When fully extended, the silver-hued stand of the monitor reaches its maximum height, measuring 25.8 by 38.1 by 9.8 inches (HWD) and weighing 38.8 pounds. The stand offers some basic ergonomic capabilities: it allows you to elevate the screen by up to 2.4 inches, swivel 20 degrees in either direction, and tilt 5 degrees towards you or 10 degrees away. For those who prefer wall-mounting, the Dell U4323QE has a square array of holes at the back that can accommodate a VESA bracket (not included).

Numerous Ports Available for Every Pixel

The U4323QE stands out for its wide range of connectivity options. It features a primary USB-C port that supports DisplayPort over USB-C alternate mode and can deliver up to 90 watts of USB power, allowing you to charge a laptop while using it. In addition to this, there are three more USB-C ports for data transfer only, along with a USB-C port that can provide up to 15 watts for charging smaller devices. Furthermore, there are four USB Type-A ports for connecting peripherals like a mouse, keyboard, or external hard drive.

The connectivity options are completed by HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 inputs (two of each), a 3.5mm headphone jack, and an RJ-45 Ethernet jack. This allows you to connect to a local area network in case your Wi-Fi signal is weak or unavailable. The Ethernet jack, three USB-C data ports, and one of the USB-A ports are unique to this version and were not present on the Dell U4320Q.

Most of the ports are located at the bottom of the monitor, which is not convenient for a bulky monitor that cannot be adjusted. However, they are positioned relatively high on the frame, so it is possible to connect cables by reaching around the side of the monitor and inserting them into the ports by touch if needed. The USB-C port and one USB-A port are located in a movable bay under the monitor; when the bay is lowered, these ports are easily accessible at the front.

Large-Screen Magic: Setting Up the Monitor Display.

The U4323QE offers a vast screen area, a wide range of ports, and the Dell Display Manager software, providing great flexibility in setting up the screen. It allows you to arrange applications in 46 preset partitions and customize up to five windows. Additionally, you can divide the screen into quadrants, essentially creating four virtual FHD (1080p) screens, and connect them to four different input sources, all controllable from the same keyboard and mouse.

2. The U4323QE boasts an expansive screen area, an extensive selection of ports, and the Dell Display Manager software, granting you exceptional freedom in configuring the screen. You have the ability to arrange applications in any of 46 preset partitions and personalize up to five windows. Furthermore, you can divide the screen into quadrants, essentially creating four virtual FHD (1080p) screens, and connect them to up to four different input sources, all controllable from the same keyboard and mouse.

The U4323QE features a mini-joystick controller at the back of the monitor on the right-hand side, next to the power button, which provides a more convenient method for accessing and navigating the onscreen display (OSD) compared to the small control buttons present on the U4320Q and numerous other monitors.

Dell supports the U4323QE with a three-year warranty, which is a typical length for productivity-monitor assistance. The U4320Q and the HP Z32k G3, both from Dell, also come with three-year warranties, while Philips provides a generous four-year warranty for its monitors, including the 329P1H.

The Dell U4323QE was put to the test and it demonstrated precise sRGB color coverage.

I evaluated the U4323QE’s luminance, contrast ratio, and color gamut with the assistance of a Klein K-10A colorimeter and Portrait Displays’ Calman 5 calibration software.

Dell has specified the monitor’s luminance at 350 nits (candelas per square meter), however, during testing, it measured slightly lower at 333 nits. This level of brightness is suitable for various business purposes, such as photo and video editing, as long as the U4323QE is not being used in a brightly lit room. Additionally, the display exceeded its rated 1,000:1 contrast ratio, achieving a measured score of 1,102:1.

Based on Dell’s specifications, the U4323QE monitor encompasses 95% of the sRGB color space commonly used for web-based art and various other applications. During my testing in the default Standard mode, it exceeded expectations by covering 99% of sRGB (refer to the provided chart). Additionally, the panel displayed 76.5% of DCI-P3, a color space designed for digital video, and 75.5% of the broader Adobe RGB gamut typically utilized for photo printing. These figures confirm the U4323QE’s suitability as a productivity-oriented model capable of handling digital art, although it may not meet the requirements of professional photographers or videographers.

During the subjective, ad-hoc phase of our testing, we analyze a specific set of standard test photos and video clips. The photographs displayed precise colors and strong contrast, while the videos appeared lifelike and maintained high levels of detail in various lighting conditions.

The decision sets a new standard for large productivity panels.

Several productivity monitors feature ultrawide panels, such as the LG 49WL95C-W, the Philips Brilliance 499P9H, and the Dell UltraSharp 49 Curved Monitor (U4919DW)—all of which are 49-inch curved panels. The first two have been selected as PCMag Editors’ Choice. These monitors are ideal for tasks like working with large horizontal spreadsheets or having multiple windows open simultaneously. On the other hand, the Dell UltraSharp U4323QE follows a more traditional approach, similar to its predecessor U4320Q, sticking to the common 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio found in most productivity monitors but increasing its screen size to 43 inches diagonally.

The U4323QE enhances the U4320Q’s extensive range of connectors by adding Ethernet and multiple additional USB ports. Furthermore, it improves the OSD controls by substituting the buttons with a mini-joystick controller. These enhancements have led to the U4323QE being awarded our Editors’ Choice accolade as the top recommendation for large-screen productivity monitors.