When Dell released its 24-inch 2405 FPW LCD monitor as a follow-up to the popular but unstable 2005 FPW, it created an extremely solid monitor that critics and consumers praised highly for excellent image quality, a variety of connectivity options, and a low price. While at first blush the company's monitors may not seem like a worthy competitor for Apple's high-end cinema displays, Dell's units offer similar image quality with greater flexibility and adjustability. For example, Apple's 23-inch cinema display had few connectivity options, a one-inch smaller viewable screen, and no height adjustment, where the 2405 FPW came with four USB ports, a 9-in-1 media reader, landscape and portrait modes, and full height adjustment. Capable of connecting to just about anything a user might have (unlike cinema displays), the cheaper monitor had DVI, VGA, component, composite and S-video ports.

Despite its only mildly pleasing aesthetic design, it featured strong specs with a 1000:1 contrast ratio, 500 cd/m2 brightness rating, and a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1200 at 1080i. Eventually succeeded by the 2408 FPW, this monitor was originally priced at hundreds less than competitors and over time that price dropped significantly, helping make it a highly desirable and popular device.