The HP w2007 has several things to recommend it, including above average text and image quality, its widescreen format, and a glossy LCD panel, but it lacks a number of fairly standard features. Adjustability options are limited to tilt and swivel. Connectivity options are limited to a VGA port and an HDCP-compliant DVI port. The package includes a VGA cable, but even though DVI is now a standard connection method for computers and displays, it doesn’t include a DVI cable.
As far as the HP w2007’s built-in speakers, as is true of most display speakers, the less said about them, the better.
- Clean, attractive design.
- Sharp text, even at small font sizes.
- Rich, vivid color.
- Good detail in images.
- Glossy panel is subject to background reflections.
- Limited adjustment options.
- Limited connectivity options.
- Package doesn’t include a DVI cable.
- 1680x1050 native resolution
- 5 ms pixel response rate
- VGA and HDCP-compliant DVI inputs
- Three-year warranty
The HP w2007 is a 20.1” widescreen, an increasingly popular format for displays. Like most 20-22” widescreen displays, the HP w2007 has a native resolution of 1680x1050 pixels. (The higher the native resolution of a display, the more area you can see onscreen, although if you’re on the wrong side of 40, it can be difficult to read small text or pick out fine details.) The HP w2007’s native resolution, together with its widescreen format, provides a generous workspace for working with multiple open windows and documents.
The HP w2007 has an impressive contrast ratio of 1000:1, which is unusually high for a display in this price range. The brightness rating of 300 nits is middle of the road, but it’s more than sufficient for almost any use. The brightness setting on many displays, including this one, usually needs to be cranked down a notch or two for maximum comfort.
A glossy black frame surrounds a glossy LCD panel, another increasingly popular choice for displays. Glossy panels are popular because they produce vivid color with rich, deep blacks, but they’re more prone to showing background reflections than matte LCD panels. Glossy LCD panels are a great choice for watching movies or playing games, but not such a great choice for working in an office environment. Matte LCD panels are also usually a better choice when color accuracy is critical, such as graphic design and photography.
Adjustability options are limited. The HP w2007’s stand supports tilt and swivel, but has no height adjustment or rotation options. It also can’t pivot between landscape and portrait modes.
Connectivity options are also limited. The HP w2007 has a standard VGA connector and an HDCP-compliant DVI connector, but no other video input options. There are no USB ports for plugging in peripherals, such as web cams, so the HP w2007 can’t double as a USB hub.
