Dell UltraSharp 38 Curved USB-C Hub Monitor U3821DW Introduction
The Dell U3821DW offers lots of screen real estate and vibrant color that’s perfect for multitasking and streamlining your workflow. Its also been upgraded with better connectivity and wide gamut coverage to cater to professionals that need rich colors and modernized flexibility.
Build quality for the Dell U3821DW is fantastic since there are no cosmetic defects or any signs of weaknesses on its parts. The included stand doesn’t wobble and it is able to hold up the view angle you’ve set almost permanently. One of the things we love about Dell is that they pretty much guarantee excellent craftsmanship on all their products, especially their premium models.
The Dell U3821DW includes an OSD joystick, remappable shortcut keys, and the brand’s Display Manager app to help give you easy access to its capabilities. Previous models only had buttons for the OSD which were clunky and at times, confusing for regular users. The monitor has a lot of useful features and it is IT management-friendly, so it is invaluable to have these tools at your disposal.
The Dell U3821DW’s stand offers tilt, swivel, and height adjustments so you can always get a comfortable view of the screen. You can’t pivot the monitor, but that’s ok since it’s impractical to use a 38-inch curved ultrawide in portrait mode anyway. You can swap this part with a VESA mount, but that’s only necessary for saving space since the stock part is good enough for most setups.
One of the best aspects of the Dell U3821DW is its connectivity which includes an array of standards to cater to your every need. The panel at the rear includes DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.0 slots, along with a 90-watt USB-C port that supports DP 1.4 Alt Mode. You also get four USB 3.2 receptacles and an RJ45 port for your accessories and IT management.
Dell U3821DW for gaming console
The monitor even has an accessible hub at the bottom bezel which includes another USB 3.2 port and a USB-C 3.2 slot for faster transfers. You need to use the USB-C slot at the back for single cable operation with USB-C laptops like MacBooks, but that’s a minor inconvenience in our opinion.
The Dell U3821DW also packs a pair of powerful 9-watt speakers in the chassis so you can let go of desktop sets for daily use. The built-ins can get quite loud, but they can sound distorted if the volume is too high. They pack just enough punch for background music and some videos, but most will still look to headsets or bookshelf speakers for better quality and immersion.
Display and Performance
The Dell U3821DW boasts a 38-inch 2300r IPS panel with a 3840 x 2160 resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, and a 5ms response time. The backlight has a 300 cd/m2 maximum output, while the contrast ratio is listed at 1000:1 like most IPS panels. This model isn’t advertised for HDR imagery, but it does have extended gamut coverages that will come in handy for editing work. Overall, the display on the Dell UltraSharp 38 is fantastic. It’s especially outstanding for multitasking work and particularly for content creators.
Display and Performance
The Dell U3821DW is dressed for business like most monitors, so it doesn’t look tacky or too striking for any environment or setup. The monitor has a matte black chassis that’s complemented by a silver shell and stand that denotes Dell’s signature aesthetic. The display is bezel-free on three sides so users can appreciate the massive display with fewer distractions.
The Dell U3821DW is capable of pumping out superb vibrancy thanks to its more than 100% sRGB, 88% Adobe RGB, and 97% DCI-P3 coverages. The problem is with the color accuracy with some colors reaching as much as DeltaE 4.8. The image looks fine for daily use, but those who delve into color-critical work should calibrate this monitor.
Calibrating the Dell U3821DW is beneficial since the deltaE average is reduced to 0.76 which is excellent for a mixed-use model. Most users will be happy with a few tweaks, but those who need a reliable monitor for jobs will do well to invest in something like the SpyderX Elite or anything similar. It is also worth noting that these color averages vary between every unit due to the nature of panel technology.
Vibrant IPS Panel with Wide Gamut Coverage
Powerful Speakers
Plenty of Connectivity Features
90-Watt USB-C for Laptops
Attractive and Clean Design
Dell U3821DW Specifications
Screen Size: 38 Inches
Resolution: 3840 x 1600 WQHD+
Aspect Ratio: 21:9
Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Response Time: 5ms
Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
Brightness: 300 cd/m²
Built-in Speakers: No
Stand: Height – Yes
Stand: Tilt – Yes
Stand: Swivel – Yes
Stand: Pivot – No
VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, USB-C 3.2 90w x 1, USB-C 3.2 x 1, USB 3.2 x 4, RJ45 x 1, 3.5mm Audio Jack x 1
Dimensions (WxHxD): 35.21″ x 17.5″ x 9.9”
Weight: 19.40 lbs
This is a refurbished product in highest quality condition. Fully Functional with no product issues, passes all cosmetic assessment and includes manufacturers warranty. The sealed box will have a refurbished sticker on it to confirm it has been inspected, tested and is certified for full warranty. Often the reason for refurbishment was to test it, due to minor damage to the original box.
