Review: HP z32 display

4k-displays are becoming a common, mainstream display on a larger size. I have been using 27" displays for years but they were all QHD (2560x1440). My opinion was that 27 inch is too small for 4k. You can always scale fonts up but then you loose the extra resolution and space. Pickup a 32" model and you dont need font- or GUI upscaling.

Earlier this year I decided to upgrade for larger size display so it was time to check how to things were evolved on display-market. My main usage is photo-editing so required specifications are 32 inch, 4k with high quality panel and USB-C connectivity.

HP announced less than year ago couple of new 4k monitors for their professional lineup, 27, 32 and 43 inch. I picked up a 32" model, Z32. Model offers UHD resolution on a IPS based panel with 10-bit output, factory calibrated 99% sRGB coverage. Connectivity is more than I need but you never know what comes ahead in future. I hooked up it on my desktop computer with Displayport-cable. I got a laptop too; HP zBook studio which uses thunderbolt3/USB C - So two inputs are in use on monitor.

HP Z32 Specifications

- Screen Size: 32 Inches

- Resolution: 3840 x 2160 4K UHD- Aspect Ratio: 16:9

- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)

- Refresh Rate: 60Hz- Response Time: 8ms

- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1- Brightness: 350 cd/m²

- Stand: Height – Yes

- Stand: Tilt – Yes

- Stand: Swivel – Yes

- VESA Compatibility: Yes

-Connectivity DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, Mini DP 2 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 1, USB-C x 1, USB 3.0 x 4

Colors are in balance out-of-the-box but I still did software calibration with DataColor`s Spyder5 Pro. After calibration there was not much change on color temperature, mainly on contrast. As said earlier, sRGB coverage is 99% .

z32 offers a 10bit IPS panel which manufacturer is unknown. For optimum output you should use graphics adapter that supports 10bit colors/30bit rgb-output and suitable software. In my case that means Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop CC. For correct settings see the images below:

For optimum color gradient quality; choose 10bpc on Output color depth (Means 30bit on RGB)

Adobe Photoshop CC: Select “30 BIt Display” on preferences/Advanced Graphics Processor Settings

I will add more comments in near-future of the every day use. So far z32 looks promising and offers excellent bang-for-the-buck. Highly recommended !