Dell U2724DE vs Gigabyte M32U-SA: Dell combines laptop power and Ethernet, Gigabyte’s 4K needs separate docking

Check these before buying

• Confirm the exact Dell U2724DE or Gigabyte M32U-SA US monitor, supplied standard stand, condition, seller, cables and return terms. U2724D, M32UC and arm-equipped M32U packages are different purchases. No current price, stock, delivery or seller advantage is claimed.
• On Dell, use the Thunderbolt upstream marked 90W for the laptop’s video, data and charging. The separate USB-C upstream is data only. A desktop connected by HDMI needs its additional USB upstream cable and HDMI assigned to USB-C in USB Selection. If using DP instead, assign DP to the upstream actually connected to that computer. Keyboard and mouse go into the monitor’s downstream USB ports. Do not connect the host to a downstream socket and expect laptop video or 90W charging.
• Dell’s Auto KVM procedure requires PBP Off, Auto Select On, Auto Select for Thunderbolt Yes and correct video/USB pairing. Thunderbolt video/data is paired automatically. The separately assigned USB Switch shortcut works only in PBP Mode. Do not confuse that shortcut with ordinary full-screen Auto KVM or promise both modes at once.
• For Dell RJ45, connect a separately purchased Ethernet cable to a suitable network and install the correct Realtek USB GBE Ethernet Controller driver for the host. An upstream USB or Thunderbolt data connection is required. Verify operating-system support and the actual negotiated link. Advanced wake, MAC pass-through and network-boot features depend on host BIOS and operating system, so they are not promised here.
• Dell’s Thunderbolt upstream also accepts a compatible DisplayPort Alt Mode host, but that fallback is a different bandwidth case. In DP Alt mode, USB-C Prioritization offers High Resolution or High Data Speed. High Resolution can reduce USB data to 480 Mbps. Do not infer full 2.5GbE throughput from the RJ45 label in that setting, or assume the highest video, USB and network figures all run together.
• For M32U KVM, use a desktop DP or HDMI video cable plus a separate USB-A-to-USB-B upstream cable. Connect the other compatible host through USB-C carrying video and data. In KVM Wizard, bind the intended video input first to USB-B and then to Type-C, attach keyboard and mouse to the monitor, and leave KVM ON to use its button. The default mappings are HDMI 1 to USB-B and Type-C video to Type-C data. Changing the video input without correcting the mapping can give a picture without control of that computer.
• The M32U KVM Wizard can also map a separate HDMI or DP video input to USB-C data for a host without USB-C video. That needs both cables. Setting USB-B Display to Type-C disables the separate TYPE-C Display selection, so do not assume two independent Type-C video hosts. If the selected source has no input signal, the documented switch returns to the previous connected input.
• Check the M32U supported timing for the actual input. The manual’s HDMI and DP columns both list 3840 by 2160 at 144Hz, and DP is specified as version 1.4 with DSC. HDMI 4K144 at full 4:4:4 chroma requires Display Stream Compression, otherwise 4:2:0 reduces color sampling. The manufacturer specifies PS5 and Xbox Series X 4K120 at 4:2:0. Confirm GPU or console output, cable, monitor HDMI setting and selected resolution/refresh/chroma. These supported signals are not measured frame rates or latency.
• The M32U timing table has no USB-C column. Its Type-C Compatibility option supports devices without DSC, but the manual does not establish universal USB-C 4K144 from that setting. Verify the exact laptop’s video output separately. A USB-C-shaped socket can be data-only on the computer as well as on the Dell monitor.
• Both displays need mains power. Dell’s Thunderbolt upstream profiles are 20V/4.5A, 15V/3A, 9V/3A and 5V/3A, up to 90W. M32U lists 5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A and 15V/1A, peaking at 18W, and recommends another supply above 18W. Compare the laptop’s operating and charging requirements, not just its connector. Dell charging while the display is off needs its 90W charging setting enabled. M32U Standby Charge changes standby charging behavior but does not establish a 90W supply.
• Measure Dell’s 612.24 mm width and 192.28 mm stand depth or M32U’s 715.3 mm width and 244.3 mm stand depth, plus cable access. Check app scaling and your intended viewing distance. A native 4K panel can show a complete 3840 by 2160 still one-to-one in a full-screen viewer with a matching signal. Toolbars and app zoom can reduce that available image area. This is not a measured color or text-comfort advantage.
• Audit the entire cable bundle. Dell lists DP, Thunderbolt 4 and USB-A-to-C cables, but its Ethernet cable is separate. The M32U package list includes HDMI, DP and USB-A-to-B cables, while a USB-C cable appears in the connection diagram without being listed in that package checklist. Verify the selected offer instead of assuming every two-computer cable, laptop charger or network accessory is included.