HP’s Z-Series line of Dreamcolor reference monitors was very popular due to its affordable price tag and its built-in color calibration routine. Sadly, after Panasonic, which provided the IPS display screens, stopped making them, HP was forced to discontinue the design.
But the Z-Series is back—mostly—with the HP DreamColor Z32K G3 4K USB-C Display. And while the new model comes calibrated at the factory, it does not have a color calibrator built-in like the second generation did. According to HP sources, future models may return the built-in feature once the company can secure a supply of panels that meets its standard of quality.
Dream of Color
The DreamColor Z32K G3 will offer Thunderbolt 4 (a world first for ISP Black Displays) and a 31.5-inch IPS Panel display that has been factory color calibrated for accuracy. It is rated for 400 nits of brightness with a 100% VESA HDR 400 sRGB accuracy and 98 percent P3 rating, which provides deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and a 2000:1 contrast ratio that is twice that of other IPS panels in the category.
The edge-lit panel also offers an ultra-wide screen and horizontal and vertical viewing angles of 178 degrees. The screen also has an anti-glare coating, as well as HP's Eye Ease feature that is TÜV Low Blue Light Hardware Solution certified to make those long editing sessions easier to cope with on the eyes.
Custom Factory Calibration
According to HP's Jolene Dobbin, factory calibration is performed using over 60 different color measurements at different values. Those measurements are then used to dial in the color gamut of each display and eliminate shade inconsistencies when using look-up tables stored in the display.
HP has been able to perform these once-expensive routines largely thanks to the cost of doing them being brought down due to advancements in measurement technology.
Ports, Power, and Pivot
The DreamColor Z32K G3 4K USB-C Display has four USB-A 3.2 ports, a display port 1.4 in and out, HDMI 2.0, and Thunderbolt 4 with the delivery of up to 100 watts of power. There’s also a USB-C port that can do double-duty charging devices with 15W of throughput, as well as a USB-C and RJ-45 port.
The display also offers a height-adjustable base that can tilt, swivel, and pivot. Other features include single power on and KVM switch, and through Thunderbolt 4, users can daisy chain a second 4K monitor with a single cable, without a dock, as well as high-speed data and internet connections, all while charging a device up to 100W without bogging down throughput speed or efficiency.
Ports and connectionsCredit: HP
Pricing and Availability
The HP Z32k G3 4K USB-C Display is expected to be available in November. However, HP has not announced a price yet.
By comparison, the Z27x G2 27-inch IPS display had an MSRP of around $1,050 new, with used monitors still fetching up to 70% of its retail value.
That proves that with a larger ISP screen and its extremely accurate color display, users will certainly be bullish on the Z-Series, chomping at the bit to get their own once the display begins to ship. And if HP can manage to bring back the built-in color calibration feature, it’s all but guaranteed they will.
What do you think about this new monitor from HP? Will you be adding it to your toolkit? Let us know in the comments!
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