HP LP3065: A new contender for the 30" throne
by Jarred Walton on March 22, 2007 7:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Displays
Subjective Evaluation
Given that most users do not have access to hardware display calibration tools, we like to spend some time using displays before properly calibrating them in order to gain an impression of how most users would react. We will start with our subjective evaluation before getting to the actual quantitative results.
Considering that we've now had access to the Dell 3007WFP - the older model 30" Dell LCD - for a couple months, we were interested to see if the newer panel on the HP LP3065 offered any noticeable improvements. While we certainly aren't image professionals, subjectively we would have a difficult time noticing the "improved color gamut". There are some minor improvements on paper, but to our eyes we simply couldn't see the difference. Brightness, contrast, and color accuracy all appeared to be about the same, and only the viewing angle appeared slightly better. That's not to say the new display looks bad; in fact, quite the opposite: it looks great! It just doesn't look substantially better than the Dell 3007WFP.
What we did notice is that HP includes what amounts to a $400 KVM replacement. For anyone that has more than one computer that they would like to use with a 30" LCD, we can find absolutely no reason to get anything other than the HP LP3065. You would still need to purchase an inexpensive KVM to handle the keyboard and mouse, and you would have to push two buttons (one on the display and one on the KVM) to switch between computers, but that's a minor inconvenience considering the cost savings.
Except where noted, the remaining tests were run after calibrating the displays using Monaco Optix XR, both the professional version of the software as well as the XR (DTP-94) colorimeter. In some of the tests calibration can have a dramatic impact on the result, but certain aspects like viewing angles and response times remain largely unchanged.
Given that most users do not have access to hardware display calibration tools, we like to spend some time using displays before properly calibrating them in order to gain an impression of how most users would react. We will start with our subjective evaluation before getting to the actual quantitative results.
Considering that we've now had access to the Dell 3007WFP - the older model 30" Dell LCD - for a couple months, we were interested to see if the newer panel on the HP LP3065 offered any noticeable improvements. While we certainly aren't image professionals, subjectively we would have a difficult time noticing the "improved color gamut". There are some minor improvements on paper, but to our eyes we simply couldn't see the difference. Brightness, contrast, and color accuracy all appeared to be about the same, and only the viewing angle appeared slightly better. That's not to say the new display looks bad; in fact, quite the opposite: it looks great! It just doesn't look substantially better than the Dell 3007WFP.
What we did notice is that HP includes what amounts to a $400 KVM replacement. For anyone that has more than one computer that they would like to use with a 30" LCD, we can find absolutely no reason to get anything other than the HP LP3065. You would still need to purchase an inexpensive KVM to handle the keyboard and mouse, and you would have to push two buttons (one on the display and one on the KVM) to switch between computers, but that's a minor inconvenience considering the cost savings.
Except where noted, the remaining tests were run after calibrating the displays using Monaco Optix XR, both the professional version of the software as well as the XR (DTP-94) colorimeter. In some of the tests calibration can have a dramatic impact on the result, but certain aspects like viewing angles and response times remain largely unchanged.
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shortylickens - Thursday, March 22, 2007 - link
I bought the HP 2335 a while back after Anandtech recommended it. HP makes some darn nice monitors if you are willing to spend money for the high-end stuff. Cant say I think much of their mid-range displays.Ro808 - Sunday, August 21, 2016 - link
I still use my 3 L2335's (from 2003!!!) everyday and concerning screen quality and - except for the occasional wish for a larger screen size - have no desire to replace these brilliant monitors (which uses Samsung IPS LCD displays, identical to the first generation Apple Cinema Displays).These were expensive monitors back then, but the quality pays off, even 13 years later. How many people would still use their Pentium based pc from the same period?
potato masher - Monday, May 13, 2019 - link
I just bought one of these in 2019 for chump change. Works great, picture is clear. No OSD, good don't need it. I'll adjust my settings in my OS thank you very much. Keep it simply stupid.So far the only downside I can see is power consumption versus monitors with more modern light sources, but that is not really a huge deal. Its like a built in heater for my room. :)
potato masher - Monday, May 13, 2019 - link
I've actually bought two of these old dinosaur 30's recently.. both working great! Will buy another if I happen to run across a bargain on a third, regardless of brand.