HP has announced a new set of X Series gaming monitors raising technical and graphical capability while keeping price options as low as possible. Currently, two of the seven monitors announced are available, and the rest of the line will be rolling out over the next couple of months into October 2021.
The computer company has always been one of the more affordable brands in terms of PC gaming companies. However, the expense of keeping options affordable often comes with sacrificing technical capability. This line of monitors flips this concept on its head by providing affordability options while also upgrading the monitors to fit the current gaming landscape. HP has not included 4K as one of its specs but updated refresh rates and added features such as NVIDIA GeForce graphics cards, making the X Series gaming monitors one of the most accessible line of HP monitors to date.
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The HP X27 and X27 are the most affordable gaming monitors with the least amount of technical upgrades. Both feature 27-inch monitors with an HDMI and DisplayPort, along with 165Hz with 1ms response time. The difference between the two comes with HD capabilities, and the X27 features a regular 1980 x 1080 full HD while the X27q utilizes 2560 x 1440 quad HD.
Comparing these monitors to others with similar specs reveals how much more affordable these two monitors are. For example, the Alienware AW2521HFL has a 24.5-inch screen with specs and native resolution but is listed at a higher price. While Alienware has much more capable technology for gamers looking to stream, HP offers a better option for just playing games with higher graphical fidelity.
Naturally, Alienware offers more than just the specs as there are more input connectors such as two HDMI ports and a 240Hz refresh rate over HP's X27's 165 Hz. Despite the difference between the refresh rates and the number of ports available, the X27 and X27q are close enough to Alienware's model that the differences are not disparaging. The new X27 costs $259.99, while the X27q costs $339.99. Compared to the Alienware AW2521HFL's estimated value of $599.99.
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Fortunately for gamers with a higher budget, more is coming from HP's new line of monitors. Coming soon will be the HP X32 followed by the HP X34, each with a higher pixel rate than the previous. This month of August marks the rollout of the X32, a monitor that features a 31.5-inch screen that rivals monitors of similar size in almost every way. However, similar to the X27q's specs, the X32 keeps the 2560 x 1440 pixels in quad HD, meaning that the only difference between this series is literally the screen size.
Fortunately enough for gamers on a budget, the price point for the X32 is $389.99, which is only a $50 difference. In terms of affordability options, it is excessively cheaper than other top competitors in the PC gaming landscape. HP has made an excellent move in terms of productivity. Essentially, it has taken the X27q and made it bigger while reasonably adjusting the price point. Following the X32 will be the HP X34 which will be available in September 2021. This model is different from the X32 by adding an even bigger screen and other higher specs. The X34 will feature a 34-inch monitor that has 3440 x 1440 with ultra-wide quad HD.
The rest of the specs for this monitor are similar to the rest in the X catalog of HP monitors. Geared toward gamers with a bigger budget, it still is more affordable than any of its competitors. Comparing its specs to the Alienware AW3821DW come similar disparities between the HP X27 and the AW2521HFL. The HP X34 has a smaller screen size and specs than the AW2521HFL's 37.5-inch curved screen that also boasts a native resolution of 3840 X 1600. However, the AW2521HFL runs at the same 144Hz as HP's new line of X Series monitors. Keeping in line with the affordability trend, HP's X34 will start selling at $459.99 compared to the $1,364.99 Alienware model. This is an enormous price gap that will surely keep HP monitors in the scene.
Along with the updated specs comes a new mounting deck with adjustable angles. On top of it all, HP is also rolling out in October 2021 a series of curved monitors. The models that will have a curved version will be the HP X27c, X27qc, and X32c. Each one will be sold at relatively similar prices upon release, except for the X32c. This model will be selling at $309.99 because it reduces the native resolution to 1920 x 1080 while maintaining its 32-inch monitor. Each curved monitor also supports VESA mounts and can be raised and lowered, yet they will not support pivoting or swiveling. Overall, it seems that HP is finally stepping up its technological game with improvements to graphical fidelity, adaptive sync, and other features for a modern gaming audience.
It's always difficult to judge how new technology will hold up over time. Any graph depicting technological advancements will have a steep vertical curve that means it takes less time to make advancements in technology. Tech companies such as HP and Alienware are always figuring out new ways to improve technology faster, meaning that this new line of HP monitors could quickly become outdated in the coming years.
However, HP is technically outdated by other leading tech companies in the PC gaming industry, and not from a lack of technology or funds. Companies like Alienware need to keep prices higher because it is operating its business as one of the leading companies in PC gaming technology. Instead of competing technologically with Alienware, HP can compete with its high-quality products at affordable prices strategy because of its other ventures. This way, HP can appeal to a much wider audience which likely means higher sales numbers. In fact, HP's new VR headset in collaboration with Microsoft and Valve makes them an even more dangerous competitor than ever.
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