Review: HP Omen 27u 144 Hz Gaming Monitor

Introduction

The HP Omen 27u is a 27-inch Ultra HD monitor boasting a native refresh rate of 144 Hz and HDMI 2.1 compatibility, making it perfect for 4K 120 Hz and VRR support for the latest gaming consoles.

Design and Build Quality

The HP Omen 27u features a 27-inch IPS panel with a sharp Ultra HD resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, supporting a native 144 Hz refresh rate. It’s also HDMI 2.1 compatible, allowing for 4K 120 Hz gaming and VRR support on the latest Xbox Series and PS5 consoles. This monitor is designed with quality materials, such as aluminum for the screen casing and stand, setting it apart from typical gaming monitors.

The build quality of the HP Omen 27u is one of its standout features, setting it apart from many other gaming monitors on the market. Here’s a more detailed elaboration on its build quality:

1. Materials and Construction: The monitor uses quality materials, emphasizing durability and aesthetics. The screen casing and stand are made from aluminum, adding a premium feel and enhancing the monitor’s sturdiness. This use of aluminum contributes to the monitor’s durability and gives it a more premium and sophisticated appearance compared to monitors made primarily from plastic.
2. Design Aesthetics: The monitor’s design is well-thought-out, especially from a gaming perspective. The back of the monitor embraces a gaming style with a unique and well-finished design. This attention to detail adds a touch of sophistication to the overall appearance while still catering to the gaming audience.
3. Cable Management: The inclusion of a handy cable routing system is a practical feature for keeping the setup tidy and organized. It helps in minimizing cable clutter, which can be a common issue with gaming setups.
4. Under-Panel Lighting: Under-panel lighting not only enhances the monitor’s aesthetics but also serves a functional purpose by reducing eye fatigue. This is particularly useful during extended gaming sessions or when working in dimly lit environments.
5. VESA Compatibility: The VESA 100 x 100 mm compatibility means that users can mount the monitor on a wall or use third-party monitor stands if they prefer a different setup. This flexibility is appreciated by users who may want to customize their workspace.
6. Headphone Hook: Including a headphone hook is a thoughtful touch, as it provides a convenient and easily accessible spot to hang headphones when not in use. This can help keep the gaming or work area organized and clutter-free.
7. Accessible Power Supply: While the monitor’s power supply is not integrated, it is easily accessible for replacement. This feature can be crucial for long-term maintenance and extending the monitor’s lifespan.

In summary, the HP Omen 27u’s build quality combines premium materials, attention to design details, and practical features that enhance its durability and user experience. Using aluminum, cable management, under-panel lighting, and other thoughtful additions make it a solid and well-constructed gaming monitor.

The back of the monitor embraces a gaming style with a unique and well-finished design. It features a handy cable routing system and under-panel lighting to reduce eye fatigue. Additionally, it offers VESA 100 x 100 mm compatibility and includes a headphone hook for convenience. While not integrated, the monitor’s power supply is easily accessible for replacement.

Ergonomics and Connectivity

The monitor’s stand allows height adjustment (up to 13 cm) and tilt adjustment (-5° to +20°). While it lacks left-right rotation and portrait orientation pivot, these are less critical for gaming monitors. Connectivity options include two HDMI inputs (one HDMI 2.1), a DisplayPort 1.4 input, a headphone output, two USB 3.0 ports, and a USB-C port, all positioned at a convenient 45° angle. The OSD menu is navigated using a single joystick, providing efficient control and customizable shortcuts.

Display Quality

The HP Omen 27u’s Ultra HD resolution on a 27-inch panel requires scaling for comfortable use. The monitor delivers accurate colors out of the box with a low delta E of 1.7, good color temperature, and an acceptable gamma curve. Calibrating the monitor further improves color fidelity. While decent, the average contrast ratio of 1040:1 falls short of the best IPS monitors and significantly lags behind top-performing VA panels.

Brightness uniformity across the panel is excellent, with minimal clouding issues. The wide viewing angles of the IPS panel ensure consistent brightness even at extreme angles.

The display quality of the HP Omen 27u is a critical aspect that significantly impacts the user experience, especially for gaming and multimedia consumption. Let’s delve into a more detailed elaboration of the display quality:

1. Resolution and Panel Type: The monitor features a 27-inch IPS (In-Plane Switching) panel with a native Ultra HD resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. This high resolution on a 27-inch screen provides a pixel density that ensures sharp and crisp visuals, making it suitable for tasks like content creation, video editing, and gaming.
2. Refresh Rate and HDMI 2.1 Compatibility: The native 144 Hz refresh rate is a notable feature, as it allows for smoother motion and reduced motion blur during fast-paced gaming. The monitor’s HDMI 2.1 compatibility is also crucial, particularly for gamers with the latest consoles, as it supports 4K resolution at 120 Hz and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), enhancing the gaming experience by reducing screen tearing and stuttering.
3. Color Accuracy: The monitor delivers accurate colors out of the box with a low delta E of 1.7. A low delta E indicates that the colors displayed are close to their true values, which is crucial for graphic design and photo editing tasks. The accurate color temperature and acceptable gamma curve further contribute to a pleasing and accurate color reproduction.
4. Calibration: The monitor’s color fidelity can be further improved through calibration. This is essential for professionals who require precise color accuracy for their work. Calibration ensures that the monitor displays colors as intended, which is especially important in graphic design and video production.
5. Contrast Ratio: While decent, the average contrast ratio of 1040:1 may not match the performance of some high-end IPS monitors or top-performing VA panels. A higher contrast ratio typically results in deeper blacks and more vibrant colors, which can be particularly beneficial for watching movies and playing games with rich, dark scenes.
6. Brightness Uniformity: The monitor’s excellent brightness uniformity means that the screen maintains consistent brightness levels across the panel. This is crucial for preventing noticeable variations in brightness, which can be distracting during tasks that require uniform lighting, such as photo editing.
7. Viewing Angles: The wide viewing angles of the IPS panel ensure consistent brightness and color accuracy even at extreme angles. This is advantageous for collaborative work or viewing the monitor from various positions.

In conclusion, the HP Omen 27u offers a display quality that caters to various users, from gamers to professionals. Its high resolution, fast refresh rate, color accuracy, and compatibility with the latest gaming consoles make it an attractive option for gamers and multimedia enthusiasts. However, it’s essential to note that while it delivers good display quality, it may not reach the same level of contrast performance as some other premium monitors, which could be a consideration for users who prioritize deep blacks and vibrant colors.

Responsiveness

The monitor is flicker-free and supports FreeSync in the range of 48 to 144 Hz, ensuring tear-free gaming experiences. Its 7.5 ms response time is reasonable for an IPS panel, although it exhibits some slight reverse ghosting at higher overdrive settings. Input lag is measured at 17.5 ms, slightly higher than some gaming monitors but still low enough for responsive gaming.

Power Consumption

The monitor consumes approximately 24 W at 150 cd/m² brightness, resulting in a relative consumption of 119 W/m², slightly higher than the average among tested screens. At minimum brightness (63 cd/m²), power consumption drops to 18.7 W, rising to 38.7 W at maximum brightness (353 cd/m²).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the HP Omen 27u is a solid Ultra HD gaming monitor with excellent build quality and a unique design. Its 144 Hz Ultra HD panel is suitable for gaming and multimedia use, and its HDMI 2.1 compatibility is a plus for console gamers. However, it falls short of top-tier performance due to limited contrast and relatively high power consumption.

Advantages:

1. High-Quality Display: The HP Omen 27u features a 27-inch Ultra HD IPS panel with a native refresh rate of 144 Hz. This results in a stunning and immersive visual experience, whether gaming, watching movies, or working on creative tasks. The high resolution and refresh rate appeal to gamers and content creators.
2. HDMI 2.1 Compatibility: Its HDMI 2.1 compatibility is a significant advantage, especially for console gamers. This feature allows 4K gaming at 120 Hz and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support on the latest gaming consoles like the Xbox Series X and PS5, ensuring smoother and tear-free gaming experiences.
3. Build Quality and Design: The monitor boasts a premium build quality with materials like aluminum for the screen casing and stand. It also features a unique and well-finished design, cable management, under-panel lighting, VESA compatibility, and a headphone hook, all contributing to a high-end look and user-friendly design.

Disadvantages:

1. Contrast Ratio: While the monitor’s contrast ratio of 1040:1 is decent, it falls short of the performance in some top-tier IPS monitors and VA panels. This means that blacks may not be as deep, and the overall contrast and vibrancy of colors may not be at the highest level, which could impact the viewing experience, especially in dark scenes.
2. Power Consumption: The HP Omen 27u has relatively high power consumption compared to other monitors, particularly at higher brightness levels. This can increase electricity bills and may not be as environmentally friendly as more energy-efficient monitors.
3. Limited Ergonomic Adjustability: While the monitor offers height adjustment and tilt, it lacks left-right rotation and portrait orientation pivot. Some users may find these adjustments important for achieving their preferred viewing angles, especially in multi-monitor setups or if they have specific ergonomic needs.

It’s important to note that the advantages and disadvantages of any monitor can vary depending on individual preferences and use cases. Before purchasing, it’s a good idea to consider how these factors align with your needs and priorities for gaming, content creation, or general computer use.