A physical look
We know it's big, we know it has a staggering resolution, but what does it look like, huh?Shipped in a well-packaged box that should eliminate transit damage from all but the roughest of couriers (the kind that run over your box free of charge), the Dell 3007WFP's gross weight is around 16kg. In direct contrast to the 2405FPW and 2001FP models, for example, the panel's stand is pre-fixed, so it's a simple case of lifting it straight out and placing it on your desk.
Like other Dell monitors, the 3007WFP has a clear sheet that highlights the panel's native resolution. Dell also points out, to the right-hand side, that you need to ensure your graphics card can handle the WQXGA resolution. Initial impressions are good; the lightweight stand keeps the monitor's net weight to 11.3kg, which is less than a couple of kilograms above the 2405's 9.8kg. There's also a reasonable degree of adjustment; you can tilt it 5% forward and up to 20% backwards, as well as 90-degrees left and right. You cannot, however, pivot the display into portrait mode. Much like Henry Ford's Model-T car, Dell offers you the choice of just a single colour, an off-black referred to as Midnight Grey.
The panel has an inch-thick bezel that uses a different type of plastic to other Dell TFTs. The top and bottom are accented with silver surrounds, and the 3007 looks more like a stylish TV than an ultra-high resolution monitor.
Keeping a somewhat minimalist look, the 3007WFP has three buttons on the right-hand side. They're built into the bezel itself, keeping the smooth lines of the chassis intact. The +/- buttons control the panel's brightness, although a lack of an on-screen display is conspicuous by its absence. Incidentally, the buttons work off capacitance, so you only need to just touch the button(s) for them to become active. Neat, eh? All other monitor-related functions must be run through your graphics card's control panel.
The monitor has a reasonable degree of vertical adjustment. You simply push down on the top and the panel's height-adjustable stand lowers by up to 90mm, to nearly touch its base, as shown below.
The even distribution of weight gives the 3007FPW a sturdier feel than the 2405, as well.
Dell carries over the multiformat card reader from the 24-inch model, and it supports all the usual suspects. A couple of USB2.0 ports also line the left-hand side, with the remaining two downstream ports located in a recessed section of the panel.
You can see the recessed section on the above picture, so let's take a closer look.
That's yer lot, folks. Input connectivity is one area where the 3007WFP is firmly behind its little brother and most other high-end TFTs. The aforementioned two downstream USB2.0 ports are situated to the right of the upstream port and the sole input connection, dual-link DVI. A soundbar input and power inlet (no power-brick on this model) make up the sum of this ~£1,500 panel's connectivity. Dell's gone for mimimalism in both style and substance here.
Rounding off the package is an installation CD containing user information and monitor drivers. Further, a kettle lead and USB cable are necessary to get the monitor up and running. Interestingly, the Dell 3007WFP can be used to switch your system off, with Windows XP, USB connectivity and a suitable driver installed, once the power button on the panel is depressed. A one-touch shutdown, if you will.