Had to chime in on this one. TN panels are used in apple computers, so it's not an apple must have better quality LCD issue; it was likely a bad panel. Read the links on folks PO'd with Macbook and Macbook Pro computers using 6 bit panels (not true color).

Dell is notorious for using different panels (from various makers) in the same model LCD. This goes for the Ultra-sharp line as well – and some of those are TN or TN+ panels.

There are three primary LCD panel makers producing 90+ percent of the panels used in desktop LCDs, notebook LCDs, and HDTVs.
Quality varies between panel types, and you pay for this difference. You cannot compare a $350 TN retail panel with an apple Cinema display – it's ludicrous. I could have a four LCD stack of this Dell for the price of your 30″ Apple display.

This monitor is what it is: a TN panel in 16:9 aspect in the three to three hundred fifty dollar range.