- The display height of the Dell 27 S2725DS is high enough to reduce neck stress while you work.
- Combined with Premier Wireless ANC headphones and a Dell UltraSharp webcam, it makes for a great home office setup.
- All Dell peripherals work with a Mac or Windows PC.
Quality peripherals can make working from home, or even using a computer at home, a more enjoyable experience.
This is what I learned while testing the Dell 27 S2725DS monitor, Premier Wireless ANC headphones (WL7024), and Dell UltraSharp webcam (WB7022). Dell sent me these for testing and I'm very pleased with the quality of all three. When combined with the Dell Advanced Collaboration Keyboard and Mouse Combo, it makes for a very thoughtful setup that makes it easier for me to keep up with my daily workload.
Of course, it’s not always smooth sailing and there are a few hiccups along the way, but we’ll get there.
Let's start with the 27-inch monitor - S2725DS (a super creative name). I have a second 27" display so I think I know what to expect. That's why I was a little surprised when I took the Dell version out of the box. First, they ship it in pieces and then assemble them together. it's not a big deal. When shipping something like a monitor, it makes sense to package it in a way that ensures it's safe during shipping, and this is definitely done with care. It's also easy to put them together. The instructions are very clear.
But then I put it on the table. I was surprised by the tall shelf it came with. Most monitors have shorter stands that elevate it about 4 or 6 inches above the desk, which is why my second monitor is on a monitor stand. The Dell S2725DS sits a full 6.5 inches above my desk. I thought I would hate it.
I don't hate it. It's a QHD display, so the images are stunning. In fact, when placed side by side with my other 27-inch monitor, I can really see how good it is. While the screen's color and brightness are excellent, so is the sound. One problem I found is that when connected to a Mac computer you have to control the sound on the monitor, you can't control it through the Mac settings. Not a big deal to me, but it might be an issue for some people.
I attend several meetings a week, so the Dell UltraSharp Webcam (WB7022) is also a great addition to my setup. This is a 4K Ultra HD webcam with some very interesting mounting features. You can set it up on top of your computer monitor using a magnetic origami-style mount (I don't know if that's its real name, but that's what I call it). Once installed, the camera snaps onto the magnets and surprisingly, it sits nicely on top of the monitor and doesn't wobble when I remove the magnetic privacy cover. I love being able to take my hat off and start talking without having to readjust every time I have a meeting.
However, it also comes with a magnetic stand if you don't want to mount it on your computer. You simply remove it from the monitor stand (leaving the stand in place) and place it on your desk using the magnetic mount on the stand. The mount can also be mounted to any standard tripod, which gives you more control over where your camera is set up.
One final feature of the UltraSharp webcam worth mentioning is that it uses AI automatic framing to keep focus on you and keep you in the center of the frame. Dell Peripheral Manager also lets you control how tightly your images are framed, as well as many other settings.
The gem of the whole package is probably the Premier Wireless ANC headphones. From the appearance alone, this headset left a deep impression on me. It comes in stylish black with well-cushioned earcups and a padded headband, but the really impressive part isn't the looks or comfort, but the technology inside. The Premier Wireless ANC headphones feature some built-in artificial intelligence, touch controls, and impressive battery life, with around 80 hours of listening time on a full charge. Of course, they also come with a charging base that doubles as a stand, so battery life isn't an issue at all for me.
But let’s talk about how smart these Dell wireless headphones are. First, there are the general AI-enhanced controls. For example, when you're listening to something and lift one (or both) earcups from your ears, the headphones know to pause if you're watching something, or to mute if you're on a call. When you put the headphones back in place, everything returns to normal.
Then there are the smart touch controls, which allow you to adjust the volume simply by swiping up or down on the earcups. But my favorite feature is the AI-enhanced ANC. These ANC wireless headphones let you hear sound while blocking out "extra" sounds in the room, and you can completely cancel out noise to block out all sounds. I was able to handle things like a robot vacuum cleaner and talk to people without being interrupted.
So let’s talk about price. Dell's 27-inch S2725DS monitor (QHD) costs $220. You can buy the Full HD version for less ($180), or the 4K Ultra HD version for around $280. The Dell UltraSharp webcam (WB7022) in 4K UHD costs about $176, and the Dell Premier Wireless ANC headphones with AI controls are $333. They are both well made, have great features, and look truly stunning in my home office setup. So while you may be able to find cheaper versions in other brands, you won't get Dell quality. These all seem to be built to last, with great functionality and beautiful design. For the same cost, you could do worse.
