Dell UltraSharp 1708FP 17" Silver/Black

The Dell UltraSharp 1708FP is a 17-inch 5:4 LCD from the mid-2000s that still works for basic office tasks and server monitoring. It's bright, sturdy, and has a great ergonomic stand, but the connectivity is nearly dead last in our database and buyers frequently report receiving a different model than advertised. At $192 USD for a refurb, it's only worth it if you specifically need a small square display. Everyone else should buy a used 24-inch 1080p monitor instead.

Let's talk about what this panel actually does. The 75Hz refresh rate and 5ms response time sound almost modern until you remember this is a 17-inch 5:4 display from the mid-2000s. In our database, the performance score lands at the 39th percentile, which puts it firmly in the mediocre camp. For scrolling through documents, reading email, or watching a terminal window, it's perfectly fine. The 5ms response time means you won't see much ghosting in everyday use, but don't expect this to handle fast-paced games or video without some smearing.

The 300 nits brightness is actually a pleasant surprise for a panel this old. Users consistently mention how bright and clear the display is, and that tracks with the specs. The 800:1 contrast ratio is nothing to write home about by modern standards, but for text work it's adequate. The color score sits at the 44th percentile, which means it's about average for this type of product. That's fine for spreadsheets and code, but anyone doing photo editing or design work should look elsewhere. The display score overall is just the 6th percentile, which is a brutal reminder that a 17-inch 1280x1024 panel simply can't compete with modern monitors in terms of resolution, size, or color gamut.

Stacking this against the competition is almost unfair. The ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQDMG, MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2, LG UltraGear 27G810A-B, Samsung Odyssey G7 G75F, and Alienware AW2725D are all modern gaming monitors with 27-inch panels, high refresh rates, and QD-OLED or fast IPS technology. They cost several times more, but they're in a completely different league. The Dell 1708FP isn't competing with these in any meaningful way. It's a budget office relic, not a gaming display.

Where the Dell does have an edge is in its specific niche. None of those gaming monitors offer a 5:4 aspect ratio, which some people still prefer for coding or working with legacy applications. The ergonomic stand with full pivot and swivel is also something you'd normally pay extra for on a modern monitor. But these are narrow advantages. For anyone who doesn't specifically need a square 17-inch panel, any modern budget monitor will be a better choice. The connectivity score of 7th percentile is a killer. DVI is dead, and even the promised DVI port often isn't there.

At $192 USD for a refurb, the value proposition is tricky. On one hand, that's not a lot of money for a monitor with a height-adjustable stand, pivot capability, and a USB hub. On the other hand, you can find used 24-inch 1080p monitors for around the same price or less, and those will give you a dramatically better experience for almost any use case. The value_for_money sentiment from users is positive, but that's coming from people who specifically needed a small, square, cheap display for a narrow purpose.

The price varies wildly by region. The Japanese listing at 179,565 JPY is absurd for what this is, while the Mexican listing at 7,243 MXN is more in line with the US price. If you're paying more than $200 USD equivalent for this, you're getting ripped off. The real value here is for someone who needs a specific form factor or a cheap secondary monitor and doesn't care about modern features.

The Dell UltraSharp 1708FP is a blast from the past that somehow still finds its way onto desks in 2024. This is a 17-inch, 5:4 aspect ratio LCD from an era when square monitors ruled office cubicles and widescreen was still a novelty. At 1280x1024, it's a far cry from the 4K panels we're used to seeing, but for a very specific set of use cases, this old workhorse still has a pulse. We dug into the specs, the benchmarks, and what actual buyers are saying to figure out if this relic deserves a spot on your desk or a one-way trip to the recycling center.

The target audience here is narrow. This isn't for gamers, video editors, or anyone who cares about color accuracy. The scores tell the story: office use comes in at 44/100, professional work at 35/100, and entertainment is a dismal 21.4/100. But there's a reason these keep selling as refurbs. They're cheap, they're built like tanks, and for basic text work, server monitoring, or a secondary display that just needs to show a terminal window, they get the job done without fuss.

What makes this interesting is the mismatch between the spec sheet and reality. The listing promises a 1708FP with DVI, a USB hub, and full ergonomic adjustments. But a recurring theme in user reviews is that people are receiving a different model entirely, often a 170S, which lacks the DVI port and some of the features that make the 1708FP worth buying in the first place. That's a big deal when the whole appeal of this monitor is its specific feature set.

Anyone who wants to watch videos, play games, or do any kind of visual work should look elsewhere. The 17-inch 1280x1024 panel is simply too small and too low-resolution for modern content, and the entertainment score of 21.4/100 is a clear signal that this isn't built for fun. If you're a designer or photographer, the color accuracy at the 44th percentile won't cut it either. You'd be much better served by a used 24-inch 1080p IPS monitor, which you can often find for around the same price.

Also skip this if you need modern connectivity. With DVI and VGA as the only inputs and no HDMI or DisplayPort, you'll be dealing with adapters and dongles from day one. The connectivity score of 7th percentile is one of the worst we've seen. If you're buying this for a modern laptop or desktop, factor in the cost and hassle of adapters, or just buy something with HDMI built in. And given the frequent reports of model mismatches and missing cables, anyone who isn't comfortable with the possibility of a return should probably steer clear entirely.

If you're running a server room, need a cheap secondary display for a terminal, or have a specific legacy application that requires a 5:4 aspect ratio, the Dell 1708FP can work. The build quality is genuinely good, the brightness is better than expected, and the ergonomic stand is a nice bonus. Just make sure you're actually getting a 1708FP and not a 170S, and be prepared to buy your own cables.

For everyone else, skip this. The display is too small, the resolution is too low, and the connectivity is a nightmare. You can get a used 24-inch 1080p monitor for similar money that will be better in every way that matters. The only reason to buy this is if you specifically need what it offers: a small, square, cheap, sturdy display for basic text work. And even then, check the listing carefully before you pull the trigger.