W2600 26 LCD TV with 1-year Advanced Exchange Service

CNET editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 2.5 stars OK
  Detailed editors' rating
  Design : 7.0
  Features : 7.0
  Performance : 4.0
  Overall score: 5.8 (2.5 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Philip Ryan
• Edited by:
  David Katzmaier
• Reviewed on: 10/11/2004
• Released on: 09/15/2004

This smart-looking flat panel definitely does not lack style. Classy chrome accents surround the screen and the side-mounted speakers, which make the wide screen look even wider. At just 37 pounds (without the stand), this LCD is plenty light enough to hang on a wall. The stand functioned smoothly when tilting or swiveling.

The remote control is solid, comfortable to hold, and looks just as attractive as the panel itself. Some keys are backlit, but choosing inputs is a bit convoluted; you'll have to scroll through inputs on a menu to find the one you want. The TV automatically detects active inputs and highlights them on the menu.

The W2600's native resolution of 1,280x768 can display every pixel of 720p HDTV. All other incoming signals are converted to match the panel's pixels. While two analog tuners are included to power the versatile picture-in-picture (PIP) function (which also lets you watch TV and computer sources simultaneously), you'll need a separate HD tuner box to watch HDTV.

Connectivity is among the best we've seen in an LCD of this size. Two component-video inputs are joined by one VGA, one DVI video, two S-Video, two composite, and two coaxial RF inputs. Of these, an S-Video input and a composite-video input are located on the left side, where an optional memory-card reader ($79 list) can also be installed if you'd like to use the W2600 to view digital photos.

Out of the box, the W2600 had remarkably accurate color temperature, but its brightness was set so high that even the darkest blacks appeared gray. With the brightness and the contrast set properly, its color temperature turned noticeably green (see the geek box). Edge enhancement could not be completely turned off, but with the sharpness control set to its minimum, the picture turned overly soft. It's best to keep this control a notch or two above its lowest point.

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Recent user reviews

• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 41 reviews
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• Showing 3 of 41 user reviews

• 0.5 stars

  "Extreme Fire Hazard!"

  by dizzydaves on February 14, 2009

• 1.0 stars

  "TV works well if you can get it powered up - Shame on Dell"

  by skipow1 on August 4, 2008

• 0.5 stars

  "Dell sucks"

  by r0berto98115 on March 12, 2008

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Reviews from around the WebPowered by alaTest

• alaTest.com

  Editors' rating: 83

  Summary: alaTest has collected and analyzed 126 reviews of Dell W2600 from international magazines and websites. Experts rate this product 80/100 and users 48/100. Comparing these reviews to 207974 other TVs reviews gives this product an overall alaScore™ 83/100 = Very Good.

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• techradar.com

  Editors' rating: 80

  Summary: In fact,we'd go as far to say that maybe Dell shouldn't have bothered with either of the analogue TV tuners, because despite being merely watchable in quality, there's a definite problem here with aspect ratios and sizing with a distorted and bunched ...

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• pcmag.com

  Editors' rating: 80

  Summary: The W2600 would make a fine second HDTV for a bedroom, and it could also serve as a primary TV in a smaller living space. It works well in a brightly lit room, and its $1,349 price won't break the bank.

  Read full review