HP Omen 34C Gaming Monitor Review

Being a laptop user, I rarely have the need for monitors and they are not usually on my shopping list. I tend to lean towards a more minimalist approach to my PC work. When I got the chance to test out a high-end curved widescreen monitor from HP, I was hesitant about how well it would integrate into my setup. However, after using it for a few weeks and exploring all its features, I can confidently say that my perspective has shifted.

The HP Omen 34c gaming monitor boasts an ultra-wide display with a substantial 21:9 aspect ratio and a resolution of 3440 x 1440. Upon unboxing, I was taken aback by its sheer size, particularly coming from a 14″ laptop screen. Setting up the monitor on my desk was a quick task, only taking a few minutes. Despite having a decently sized desk, the HP Omen occupied a significant portion of space, making my gaming laptop appear small in comparison.

Upon inspecting the HP Omen 34c, I was pleasantly surprised by its connectivity options. Featuring 2 HDMI 2.1 ports, a DisplayPort, and a headphone port, connecting your device to the HP Omen 34c should pose no issues, provided you have a relatively up-to-date computer or system. Additionally, the HP Omen 34c is equipped with a pair of 3W speakers to optimize desk space and elevate your gaming immersion, but we will delve deeper into this feature later on.

The experience of using the HP Omen 34c has truly been exceptional for me. Incorporating an external monitor, particularly one as spacious as the HP Omen 34c, has remarkably enhanced my productivity and multitasking capabilities during my daily routine. With the ability to run two main tasks on the monitor simultaneously, while managing less critical tasks or videos on my laptop beside it, I have found a significant improvement in my workflow. Despite having utilized other monitors alongside my laptop previously, none have allowed me to seamlessly operate multiple windows side by side while maintaining clear visibility of each task.

The HP Omen 34c provided an exceptionally immersive gaming experience. With its expansive screen, 165Hz refresh rate, and 1ms response time, I found myself fully engrossed in my gaming sessions. In games like Fortnite, I was able to easily navigate through the maps and environments with a wide field of view.

The 1ms response time significantly enhanced my gaming experience when engaging with opponents or enemies. I did not encounter any ghosting or stuttering issues while playing. The expanded view of cabs or cockpits in driving games such as Forza or simulation-based games like Flight Simulator provided a more immersive experience, making me feel like I was actually inside the vehicles I was controlling. This heightened level of immersion further enriched my gaming sessions.

The integrated speakers provided satisfactory sound quality during my gaming sessions and when listening to music across different platforms. Although not the top-tier speakers I’ve experienced, they delivered decent tones overall. Despite facing the rear, they sometimes sounded slightly muted. Nevertheless, having built-in speakers is preferable to adding external ones and taking up more space on my desk, especially considering the size of the HP Omen 34c monitor.

In general, the HP Omen 34c proves to be an outstanding monitor, and my experience with it has been truly remarkable. The level of efficiency and productivity I achieved while using it was undeniably advantageous, allowing me to accomplish much more than usual, thanks to the ability to have multiple windows open and fully concentrate on the task at hand. During gaming sessions, I found myself completely engrossed and could easily spend an entire day lost in the immersive visuals. Although I typically don’t use a monitor in my daily routine, the HP Omen 34c has definitely altered my perspective, and I am now seriously contemplating a complete overhaul of my setup.