HP ZR30w has 30 inches of IPS goodness, 1.07 billion colors, and a price to match
You've seen the affordable end of the IPS scale, now how about something gluttonously extravagant? HP is refreshing its Performance Display line with the new ZR30w, a 30-inch S-IPS panel whose 1.07 billion colors comfortably cover 100 percent of the sRGB and 99 percent of the Adobe RGB color ranges. That makes a compelling argument for those who place color accuracy high on their list of priorities, and there's also a 2,560 x 1,600 resolution to tempt folks tired of 16:9 display ratios. The minimal bezel and brushed aluminum design finish off the appealing package, but there's one hurdle most of us won't be able to overcome: a $1,299 sticker. As if to illustrate the eternal proverb that you get what you pay for, HP is also bringing out a pair of dirt cheap Compaq monitors today, but you'll have to skip past the break to see them and their spec sheets.

HP Announces Its First 30-inch Performance Display to Deliver More Than 1 Billion Colors
Company expands display options for the SMB customer
PALO ALTO, Calif., June 1, 2010 – HP today announced its first 30-inch monitor to display a range of more than 1 billion colors, the HP ZR30w S-IPS LCD Display.
Adding to the already powerful lineup of HP Performance Displays, the 30-inch diagonal display provides 30-bits per pixel color resolution and 1.07 billion displayable colors, compared to 16.7 million colors available on most 30-inch diagonal panels.
Ideal for professionals in animation, game development, broadcast, design and graphic arts where accurate color is imperative, the HP ZR30w achieves more than 64 times the colors available on mainstream LCDs. With a wide gamut panel that covers 100 percent of sRGB and 99 percent of Adobe RGB, reds, blues and greens are visibly deeper.
"HP continues to drive innovation in the monitor space with solutions that push the boundaries of traditional panel technology," said Jun Kim, Vice President and General Manager, Display Business Unit, HP. "The HP ZR30w is the latest example of our commitment to provide customers with the technology they demand to push the limits of creativity and increase ROI."
The new HP ZR30w features 4.1 million pixels, to achieve maximum accuracy, and touts a resolution of 2560 x 1600 in a 16:10 aspect ratio and a 3000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, for brilliant visual performance.
Building on the HP ZR30w's wide viewing angles and outstanding visual performance technologies, the monitor is equipped with DisplayPort and DVI-D inputs, an integrated 4-port USB hub and an HP Quick Release(1) for simple out-of-the-box set up. The HP ZR30w enables maximum comfort and best visual positioning with a 6-way adjustable stand that provides tilt, swivel and height adaptability.
The performance monitor features a brushed aluminum industrial design that is complementary to HP's Z Workstations,(2) and uses a minimum of 25 percent post-consumer recycled resin. Additionally, the monitor houses a lower power panel and comes with an 85 percent efficient power supply.(3)
Small business, big value
HP also introduced the Compaq S1922 and Compaq S2021 Widescreen LCD Monitors that are designed for small and medium businesses that want value and reliability. The Compaq S1922 and S2021's VGA inputs make "plug and play" connectivity quick and easy, while adjustable tilt settings enable best visual positioning and VESA mounting capabilities free up desk space. The monitors also offer guaranteed out-of-the-box compatibility with HP business products and HP monitor options.(2)
Available in 18.5- and 20-inch diagonal sizes, both displays feature a broad 16:9 aspect ratios, fast 5 ms response times(3) and 5,000:1 dynamic contrast ratios. The Compaq S1922 features wide resolutions to 1366 x 768, while the Compaq S2021 offers resolutions to 1600 x 900.
Both monitors use lower power consumption panels that contain 50 percent less mercury than other four lamp LCD monitors on the market.
Pricing and availability
The HP ZR30w is available today for a starting price of U.S. $1,299. The Compaq S1922 and S2021 are also available today in the U.S. at $125 and $140, respectively.(4)

























It better be the best screen I've ever seen in my life for $1,299.
@jjrudey
Color range is important, yes. However, I want pixel scaling to be among the best I've ever seen in my life. One reason I still have my CRT despite LCD's being a more efficient technology, is because of its color range and absolute resolution scaling.
@r34p3r
here's a good review:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/3754/a-new-30-contender-hp-zr30w-review/4
the lack of an OSD is a bit strange though.
@mascarpone
Thanks for the link! :)
@jjrudey
Based on Anandtech review, it is a pretty damn good screen.
Though $1299 is a lot of dough.,
@jjrudey
$1299 for a 30" display is actually not a bad price. the CHEAP end starts at $1100 or so and goes up to around $2200.
im in the market right now actually, but am holding off to see what apple might roll out at wwdc. hoping for a matte finish version of the led display in or around 30". if they dont come out with anything, ill most likely fork out the extra cash for an eizo.
id consider this one, if hp didnt have such a crap record when it came to displays. i cant count the number of hp monitors ive seen with horrendous backlight bleed. not worth the risk at this price point.
@jjrudey That's not too bad considering the price of some NEC professional monitors. Also, all 2560x1600 resolution monitors are at least $1000.
http://www.necdisplay.com/Products/Product/?product=4af7b335-9302-4429-8d73-74c35a363b57
@jjrudey
Compare to the only available competition in the 30" space with that resolution, and they're actually a price leader...
There are FAR too many 30" screens at 1080 and 1200 vertical lines, and for that, get a smaller screen with a better resolution for less money, and sit closer to it by a few inches.
Making a bigger screen at the same resolution is pointless unless you plan to sit farver from it (much farther, as in several feet). If this is going on your desk, a 1080 or 1200 screen at normal distance means you'll see the pixels!
@jjrudey Its a heavy price indeed and my main question would be is there any difference between this and an IPS or S-IPS screen as used in many lcd tvs?
@Shrikey About 2 million extra pixels for one thing...
@jjrudey
I hope they wil make the HPZR26W for that. The 25.5 inch H-IPS panel is still the most gourgeous panel ever made. Check the world-cup next month, and all Panasonic HD monitors use this panel. But 5K is too much for the desktop. With the death of the marvelous LG W2600HP it not longer is available at a reasonable price. Too bad Apple pushed LG to make the too-high-res 27 inch without 1:1 FullHD pixel mapping. It seems to be the new trend because of them between 24 and 30 inch.
Will this have the same issues as the ZR24W?
Might as well go for an Eizo at that price range!
@dtakias
You've never seen the price tag of a 30" EIZO, have you?
@grumbles
That is correct! Though you can still get some x demo ones fairly cheap.
That use to be the price tag of an apple 30" cinema display.
Does this have the traditional backlight of ccfl?
@RealdudePRO
no, it didnt. the 30" started out in the $3k range, and only within the last year or so, has come down to $1799. you can get a refurb for $1299, but they go quick.
@Microdot
Not much point any more when a 27" IPS iMac is only $400 more than the HP and you get a computer inside and you can use the display with another machine.
@TinWard
yes... but its high gloss. caters to nobody but the consumer crowd who could care less about color gamut. monitors like the old cinema display, and this hp, are catering to the pro crowd. the display on the imac, while nice, does me no good. like having a ferrari with an engine transplant from a yugo.
@TinWard
The iMac is an sRGB display and has trouble with colors when using a proper brightness. Same with the Apple 24" LED Display.
Anyone running their display at ~375cd/m^2 has zero credibility when comparing screen technologies.
@Microdot I agree with you in general, I prefer matte but if you control the lighting to avoid reflections, the black levels are better on glossy. I've seen a matte screen hooked up to an iMac and the iMac doesn't get that diffused wash over the black areas. If you google image search for backlight bleed, you see the effect. Glossy isn't as susceptible to this effect because the backlight isn't being diffused.
I owned HP's previous 30 incher for a few days a few years back.. 3 DVI-D ports was good.. but no internal scaling meant 2560x1600 or 1280x800 *shudder*
It bled red too.. horrifically.. After comparing an Apple and a Dell 30" display, the dell came out on top.. (both the dell and the apple had only one DVI-D and was suitably scaler limited)
I've still got my Dell 30", The new dells I believe have an array of inputs, including analog (whatever that is?!)
I wouldn't be against trying a HP again.. provided my white lines on black backgrounds are black.. not black with a red edge..
Looks nice though!
@7710user I still have my HP-30"er and I'm thrilled by it. But after 3 years the screen began to have some serious color issues and blotches arise. Amazingly, HP offered to exchange the unit for a re-furb and I accepted... it's definitely better than the original! I'm again thrilled with it. But I agree, no menu selection and only 1/2 scaling is not very useful.
As a side note: my original cost $1800, so this new one with its incredible depth is a deal - the only problem is which GFX cards will support it? If I have to buy the ridiculously overpriced Quadro cards then no-deal.
Whoo that's expensive. If I want to spend over 600 on an LCD I'll just buy either an NEC LCD monitor or a freaking HDTV. >.>
@boe
I know NEC's LCD's aren't expensive, what I meant is if I'm going to be paying a lot of money for a Monitor why not pay for a good quality one.
is this better than the 30" dell ips panel
@kof2000 The panels are probably made in the same factory by the same operators.
A question: How would it be possible to view a billion colours on a display? I was under the impression that Operating Systems such as Windows display only 16.7 million colours.... Would special software be able to do it from within the standard Operating System?
@ajcfreak It would also depend on your graphics card and drivers.
Some drivers, with the correct software support, can do more than 24-bit color (32-bit is a misnomer, 8 bits of 32-bit color are used for alpha transparency.)
30-bit, 36-bit, 48-bit, and even 64-bit are in use for some professional applications.
@bhtooefr So, does that mean that Operating Systems such as Windows, OS X and GUI-based Linux versions can actually provide display output of 64-bit colour depth? Wow.
I think I'll be sticking to my Dell u2711 for 900$.
That's with the 25% sales tax we have here i might add.
The price is fine if it is a decent monitor. I'm hoping Dell comes out with a U3011 this year and Apple releases a new 30" screen this year. It seems like it has been quite a while since either released a new 30" and frankly when it comes to electronics 2 or 3 year old models are antiquated.
1.07 BILLION colors? damn, i can barely name 50 off my head :/
Huh, might be time to upgrade my Samsung 305T...
Even some of HP's high end monitors that are smaller run in the over $2K range. So quitcherwhinin' about this one. That price for a 30" monitor is kick-butt, considering it's IPS technology, which gives the iPad its gorgeous screen. That particular point makes me want this baby. Although I have to consider the higher-end HP monitors that do 110 percent of the ARGB scale.
In terms of specification, i don't see them much better than the Samsung's 305T which was released more than one year ago.
@dmax
A year ago? Try more like THREE or FOUR years ago! Ive had mine for almost three now. Still havent upgraded bc nothing greatly better has come out. But that IPS panel does sound tempting...
@benr Yes my mistake, i've lookin around for that monitor (the 305T) but could'nt find one, i ended up buying an LG 32" LCD FullHD TV with PC input.
I mean Samsung 305T which was released in 2007, not in production anymore today.
That's a good price,
This is what expensive looks like:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/547455-REG/Eizo_CG301W_BK_ColorEdge_CG301W_30_Widescreen.html
@DaMaDo
Add to cart now!
My Dell 3007WFP cost $1600 four years ago after a decent discount. It has nowhere near the gamut of this HP. $1300 for a display like this is a steal.
I bought the XHD-3000 from Gateway the day it came out. It was $1700 + shipping. That piece of crap lasted about a year if I remember right. Customer service was a frigging nightmare. That was the last Gateway product I'm likely to buy for a very long time.