The HP Omen 32q: A Budget-Friendly 32-Inch Gaming Monitor
A 32-inch monitor is a great choice for gamers looking for an immersive experience or those who enjoy watching movies and TV shows on their monitor. However, larger monitors often come with a hefty price tag. That’s where the HP Omen 32q steps in. This monitor offers a 32-inch, 1440p IPS panel with a 165Hz refresh rate. Initially priced at $399.99, it is now available for as low as $309, making it an attractive option compared to more expensive competitors.
HP Omen 32q – Design
The HP Omen 32q features a sleek design with slim bezels and a minimalistic chin. It shares similarities with other monitors in its segment, but is subtly distinguished by the Omen logo.
The monitor comes with a compact square stand that offers stability while taking up minimal desk space. The stand base is flat and can be used to keep other items like papers or books. A unique clipping mechanism connects the stand to the monitor, allowing for easy adjustments. It is important to note that the stand is only compatible with HP Omen 32q and other Omen monitors, but the display itself has a VESA mount, making it compatible with third-party monitor arms and stands.
While the HP Omen 32q’s design is largely unremarkable with its matte black plastic, it is worth noting that it is a common choice in this price range. Some competitors offer better design, but overall, the HP Omen 32q’s design is functional and gets the job done.
HP Omen 32q – Connectivity & Features
In terms of connectivity, the HP Omen 32q comes with a single DisplayPort 1.4 port and two HDMI 2.0 ports, allowing users to connect a PC and two gaming consoles simultaneously. However, it lacks USB-C or USB-A connectivity, which means you cannot connect wired peripherals directly to the monitor. While this may be a minor drawback, the Omen 32q makes up for it with its user-friendly menu system. The monitor features a D-Pad for easy navigation through the menus, providing a responsive and well-organized experience.
Additionally, the menu offers various image quality presets, a custom color mode with RGB adjustments, and standard gaming features such as an on-screen crosshair and “black stretch” to enhance visibility in dark corners.
HP Omen 32q – Gaming Image Quality
The HP Omen 32q delivers solid gaming performance with its 32-inch IPS display panel and a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440. It covers 100% of the sRGB color gamut and 89% of DCI-P3, resulting in vivid and saturated visuals. While it falls slightly short in terms of contrast with a ratio of 1160:1, it performs well for its price range.
However, it is worth noting that the monitor’s pixel density of approximately 92 pixels per inch may result in some pixelation and aliasing along sharp, high-contrast edges. Modern games generally look fine, but older games may appear grainy during motion.
Overall, the HP Omen 32q offers reliable image quality for its price. While it may not be the most impressive monitor in terms of visuals, it holds its own and offers a wide color gamut.
HP Omen 32q – HDR Image Quality
The HP Omen 32q supports HDR, but its performance in this area leaves much to be desired. While marketed as achieving up to 400 nits of brightness, my tests revealed a maximum brightness of only 384 nits, which is only slightly better than SDR. The absence of an effective dynamic backlighting system further diminishes its HDR performance. As a result, bright and dark elements in visuals appear washed-out, reducing the impact of HDR.
It’s important to note that no monitor in this price range offers satisfactory HDR performance, so the HP Omen 32q’s underwhelming HDR capabilities should come as no surprise. If HDR is a priority for you, you may need to consider higher-priced options.
HP Omen 32q – Motion Performance
The HP Omen 32q impresses with its 165Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync Premium support, ensuring good motion clarity and a seamless gaming experience. While I couldn’t confirm Nvidia G-Sync compatibility during my tests, most modern Adaptive Sync monitors work well with Nvidia cards unofficially.
Fast-moving objects appear sharp on the HP Omen 32q, and Adaptive Sync operates smoothly without any noticeable issues. The monitor provides a satisfying gaming experience, especially when paired with AMD video cards.
HP Omen 32q – Day-to-Day Use
While the HP Omen 32q excels in gaming, it falls short when it comes to day-to-day productivity tasks. The monitor’s 2,560 x 1,440 resolution and pixel density of approximately 92 pixels per inch may result in pixelation and lack of impact in smaller fonts and sharper content such as high-resolution videos and photos. Additionally, the absence of 4K resolution makes it impossible to edit native 4K videos or photos. However, for general day-to-day tasks in Windows, the monitor delivers a satisfactory performance.
In conclusion, the HP Omen 32q offers gamers a budget-friendly option for a 32-inch gaming monitor. While it may not have the most impressive visuals or HDR capabilities, it provides solid gaming performance and a wide color gamut. If you’re seeking an affordable gaming monitor, the HP Omen 32q is worth considering.