Dell 6K U3224KB Monitor

[hevaKmaI]

I have another HDR display and can play HDR content on my MBP screen, so I'm aware of how to play HDR content. My U3224KB doesn't seem to be able to play HDR content.

You need to enable an HDR setting under the OSD's Smart HDR setting. Then you should see macOS present an HDR checkbox in the display settings.

 

[joevt]

I have another HDR display and can play HDR content on my MBP screen, so I'm aware of how to play HDR content. My U3224KB doesn't seem to be able to play HDR content.

On an Intel Mac, AllRez will list all the modes and tell you which ones support HDR. For Apple Silicon Macs, it will list all the resolutions and the color modes for each but I haven't added code to interpret the information. #502

 

[Pressure]

Wow. Do you see any difference in basic things like text sharpness? I'm not even sure I can tell between 185 ppi and 220ppi, so 275 ppi might even be identical for me.

It's very sharp (as expected by the monitors 279PPI and normal viewing distances) and gives much more real estate than the 5K display it replaced many years ago.

 

[dbrewood]

To put people out of their misery….. I’ve just placed my order for delivery tomorrow.

Can any UK purchasers advise which service Dell use to deliver and if you get a timed delivery slot?

 

[rickyrickyatx]

The AMA post on Reddit noted that HDR works only over HDMI. (Maybe DP as well? The reviewer only mentioned HDMI.)

This is most likely exactly the issue I'm running into. I'm going over TB4 for video. I can do without HDR for now, and will use an HDMI cable to my M1 MBP if I ever need this in the future for now.

Thanks lava lamp!

 

[rickyrickyatx]

You need to enable an HDR setting under the OSD's Smart HDR setting. Then you should see macOS present an HDR checkbox in the display settings.

It is enabled. Unfortunately seems to not work when using TB4 cable, which I am for now. Hopefully this will be fixed in the future, or I will just need to use an HDMI cable for HDR video.

I'm more of a photography editor than an HDR Video editor, so I can live without it.

 

[tornado99]

How do people find the size of the Dell 6K? I never upgraded beyond 24" as I find even 27" puts part of the desktop in my peripheral vision, meaning lots of head turning while I work. Putting the monitor further away only makes me lean forwards. 32" is basically the size of a TV.

It would be great to see a new 24"/25" monitor with pixel density >=185 ppi, IPS Black, 16:10 or 3:2 ratio. But I guess "normal" computer users probably wouldn't pay the premium for such a monitor.

 

[rickyrickyatx]

How do people find the size of the Dell 6K? I never upgraded beyond 24" as I find even 27" puts part of the desktop in my peripheral vision, meaning lots of head turning while I work. Putting the monitor further away only makes me lean forwards. 32" is basically the size of a TV.

It would be great to see a new 24"/25" monitor with pixel density >=185 ppi, IPS Black, 16:10 or 3:2 ratio. But I guess "normal" computer users probably wouldn't pay the premium for such a monitor.

I love the size! It's much easier editing photos and videos on this screen than on the monitor on my MBP M1. My visions slowly getting worse, and I don't need to wear glasses to see the Dell 6K at an appropriate distance like I'm starting to need for the MBP.

 

[MikeDr206]

Is the Dell 6K display a glossy/semi-glossy display (like the old UP2715K, or Apple’s Thunderbolt Display, say), or is it a matte display?

I somewhat expected it to be the former, but in reading various sources, it seems that it may be the latter. I actually prefer glossy/semi-glossy.

 

[Dark-Signature]

Is the Dell 6K display a glossy/semi-glossy display (like the old UP2715K, or Apple’s Thunderbolt Display, say), or is it a matte display?

I somewhat expected it to be the former, but in reading various sources, it seems that it may be the latter. I actually prefer glossy/semi-glossy.

You're not alone in preferring a glossy screen, but the 6K Dell unfortunately has a matte finish. However, there are the first voices that say that the matte surface would still be very good. Well, before I spend 2500-3000$ for the screen I would rather take a look at it myself.

 

[LucasKun]

To put people out of their misery….. I’ve just placed my order for delivery tomorrow.

Can any UK purchasers advise which service Dell use to deliver and if you get a timed delivery slot?

Despite your considerations, you're likely to enjoy it immensely. Great investment in pleasant work for many years. Good luck!! I also just ordered

 

[LucasKun]

By the way, another positive review, complete with color measurements and a technical angle. One of the better reviews yet.
Monitor nerds review

 

[enc0re]

I'm starting to think this monitor may be the real deal, a properly good HiDPI option in 32".

 

[hevaKmaI]

I updated my 2019 16" Intel to 13.4 today in hopes that maybe they would have fixed something or at least added special support for this monitor, but nope. It's still only limited to 30Hz at the default and higher resolution. Unfortunately for me, I think this means it needs to go back.

It seems like a great monitor, but the fault here seems to be Apple's and the fact that even two years after breaking DSC in Big Sur, they still haven't fixed it on the Intel Macbook Pros.

 

[xraydoc]

Personally I wish it was slightly bigger - like 34" or something like that. While 32" makes for great PPI, it's a bit too small for some of my work use cases.

 

[theorist9]

Can you adjust the brightness from your keyboard, like one can do with the iMac/ASD/LG Ultrafines? And if yes, will the brightness adjust even if the Dell is designated as an "Extended Display"

 

[Zest28]

Thanks I wasn’t aware of the return policy. So any issues and it can be returned for a full refund?

If you buy it from a good retailer, then it should be super easy to return it and get a full refund.

 

[joevt]

I updated my 2019 16" Intel to 13.4 today in hopes that maybe they would have fixed something or at least added special support for this monitor, but nope. It's still only limited to 30Hz at the default and higher resolution. Unfortunately for me, I think this means it needs to go back.

It seems like a great monitor, but the fault here seems to be Apple's and the fact that even two years after breaking DSC in Big Sur, they still haven't fixed it on the Intel Macbook Pros.

Try it with Catalina. You can install it to a new partition or an external SSD without affecting your 13.4 install.

One other curiosity. On the M1 Macbook Pro where I can get the full 6k60Hz resolutions working, the OS seems to think (according to BetterDisplay) that it's outputting 10bit per channel or 30-bit color. The display itself is saying 8bit per channel or 24-bit color. It's hard to know which one is right.

I think BetterDisplay is only showing the framebuffer color depth. The display is probably correct. Can you make the display say 10 bit per channel by selecting different timings (not scaled modes)?

 

[Amethyst1]

Can someone who owns the monitor provide its EDIDs (using e.g. SwitchResX or AGDCDiagnose)? The 5K and 6K timings in the manual have (slightly) higher pixel clocks than CVT-RB. I'm also wondering if it has a 3072×3456 tile mode.

 

[dbrewood]

And we're here! This is a hell of a monitor, 18Kg delivered, which meant a flipping heavy box! It took about 10 minutes to assemble and lift on to the desk, moving the old Samsung monitor back towards the rear of the desk to accommodate it. The large desk comes in handy at times!




Dell Drivers and Management software all loaded on the Mac and I'm connected via Thunderbolt 4. Initial thoughts:

• The range of resolutions available:

At the moment I'm working in 3360 x 1890, not that much different I guess to the 34" UW which was 3340 x 1440, but a lot taller.

• Speakers - the speakers are way better than those in the Samsung, although not quite as good as my 20 year old Creative desk speakers, not not far off. I'll see how it goes and may well manage with those built into the monitor as it'll mean a much tidier desk.
• Flat screen - after using a curved screen for 8+ years it seems strange to be using a screen that 'curves away' at the edges. I am rapidly adjusting
  
• Crispness - The 6K screen does make a heck of a difference with display quality, text and images are so much crisper and easier to read.
• Wake up - The old Samsung monitor had to be connected to HDMI and took around 8-10 seconds to come to life, the U3224KB wakes in 1-2 seconds.
• OSD - The On Screen Display and UI for configuring the monitor are sweet and fast to use
• Head & Shoulders - I have to agree with a lot of other folks, the speakers in the top of the monitor do make the shoulders' look pretty large, but it only took maybe half an hour to get used to them. Web Cam - yep it does make for a large 'head' on the shoulders, but it's no larger than my old Logitech camera and much better quality.

So far I'm loving it!

 

[xraydoc]

And we're here! This is a hell of a monitor, 18Kg delivered, which meant a flipping heavy box! It took about 10 minutes to assemble and lift on to the desk, moving the old Samsung monitor back towards the rear of the desk to accommodate it. The large desk comes in handy at times!

View attachment 2204230View attachment 2204231


Dell Drivers and Management software all loaded on the Mac and I'm connected via Thunderbolt 4. Initial thoughts:

• The range of resolutions available:

View attachment 2204232

At the moment I'm working in 3360 x 1890, not that much different I guess to the 34" UW which was 3340 x 1440, but a lot taller.

• Speakers - the speakers are way better than those in the Samsung, although not quite as good as my 20 year old Creative desk speakers, not not far off. I'll see how it goes and may well manage with those built into the monitor as it'll mean a much tidier desk.
• Flat screen - after using a curved screen for 8+ years it seems strange to be using a screen that 'curves away' at the edges. I am rapidly adjusting
  
• Crispness - The 6K screen does make a heck of a difference with display quality, text and images are so much crisper and easier to read.
• Wake up - The old Samsung monitor had to be connected to HDMI and took around 8-10 seconds to come to life, the U3224KB wakes in 1-2 seconds.
• OSD - The On Screen Display and UI for configuring the monitor are sweet and fast to use
• Head & Shoulders - I have to agree with a lot of other folks, the speakers in the top of the monitor do make the shoulders' look pretty large, but it only took maybe half an hour to get used to them. Web Cam - yep it does make for a large 'head' on the shoulders, but it's no larger than my old Logitech camera and much better quality.

View attachment 2204234View attachment 2204235


View attachment 2204237

So far I'm loving it!

Thanks for the pictures and feedback.

I'm surprised at how fast you received your order given what some of the other people here are saying, but at least it seems like orders are being filled.

A few questions -- how does the camera work on macOS? Acceptable or any issues? Picture quality? How about its internal microphone?

Also, if you're willing to endulge me -- and I expect the monitor does, as several of the higher-end Dell 4K displays already do -- can you confirm the display will do a picture-by-picture mode splitting the screen in half down the middle using two inputs? My 1 year old 32" Dell 4K Ultrasharp at the office does, which comes in very handy for my particular applications at work, especially since it reports to the host computer that the resolution is 1920x2160 for each half.

 

[i486dx2-66]

I'm starting to think this monitor may be the real deal, a properly good HiDPI option in 32".

Same - It's early for sure, and looks to have some glitches, but it seems like it's only an OS update (and/or a monitor firmware update) away from being a really nice option.

I say that optimistically, because I'm hoping Dell sells enough of them to release a version without the camera...

 

[kitsunesoba]

One of the linked reviews mentioned that the webcam can be titled, which actually changes my perceived usefulness of it. I thought it was static, which wouldn't work super well for me because with the screen mounted on an arm and raised to ergonomic height (vertical center of screen sitting just below eyeline), the camera would have more of the room directly behind me than me in the picture. Tilt capabilities, depending on how far it can tilt, might fix that.

 

[Freida]

Thanks for the picture and glad you decided to test it and see yourself rather than wonder 'what if'
Looks great, are you happy with it or you expected more?

And we're here! This is a hell of a monitor, 18Kg delivered, which meant a flipping heavy box! It took about 10 minutes to assemble and lift on to the desk, moving the old Samsung monitor back towards the rear of the desk to accommodate it. The large desk comes in handy at times!

View attachment 2204230View attachment 2204231


Dell Drivers and Management software all loaded on the Mac and I'm connected via Thunderbolt 4. Initial thoughts:

• The range of resolutions available:

View attachment 2204232

At the moment I'm working in 3360 x 1890, not that much different I guess to the 34" UW which was 3340 x 1440, but a lot taller.

• Speakers - the speakers are way better than those in the Samsung, although not quite as good as my 20 year old Creative desk speakers, not not far off. I'll see how it goes and may well manage with those built into the monitor as it'll mean a much tidier desk.
• Flat screen - after using a curved screen for 8+ years it seems strange to be using a screen that 'curves away' at the edges. I am rapidly adjusting
  
• Crispness - The 6K screen does make a heck of a difference with display quality, text and images are so much crisper and easier to read.
• Wake up - The old Samsung monitor had to be connected to HDMI and took around 8-10 seconds to come to life, the U3224KB wakes in 1-2 seconds.
• OSD - The On Screen Display and UI for configuring the monitor are sweet and fast to use
• Head & Shoulders - I have to agree with a lot of other folks, the speakers in the top of the monitor do make the shoulders' look pretty large, but it only took maybe half an hour to get used to them. Web Cam - yep it does make for a large 'head' on the shoulders, but it's no larger than my old Logitech camera and much better quality.

View attachment 2204234View attachment 2204235


View attachment 2204237

So far I'm loving it!

 

[hevaKmaI]

Try it with Catalina. You can install it to a new partition or an external SSD without affecting your 13.4 install.


I think BetterDisplay is only showing the framebuffer color depth. The display is probably correct. Can you make the display say 10 bit per channel by selecting different timings (not scaled modes)?

Catalina isn't an option on the Intel Mac as it's a work machine. It'd be nice if Apple actually fixed what they broke. I'm pretty disappointed in them right now.