The HP EliteDisplay E243d aligns its attractive feature set with business-minded users who want a functional, and full-featured IPS screen. The product’s docking monitor moniker applies to its USB-C connectivity and other valuable extras, making it suitable for users who rely on USB-C workhorses such as the MacBook Pro. The HP EliteDisplay E243d is very expensive compared to models like the ViewSonic VX2485-mhu, so we’re curious to check what advantages it can bring to the table.
HP EliteDisplay E243d Specifications
- Screen Size: 24 Inches
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080 FHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Response Time: 5ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 250 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: No
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: USB-C x 1, DisplayPort 1.2 Out x 1, HDMI 1.4 x 1, VGA x 1, USB. 30 x 4, RJ45 x 1, 3.5mm Jack x 2
- Dimensions with Stand (WxHxD): 21.22” x 18.78” x 8.07”
- Weight: 13.45 lbs
Design and Features
What’s primarily great about the HP EliteDisplay E243d is it doesn’t look like your regular office monitor thanks to its premium appeal and aesthetics. The device has a silver finish up front, while the back has a matte black surface that doesn’t attract dust or smudges. The display is bezel-free on three sides, so you get to appreciate all the screen’s precious real estate.
The HP EliteDisplay E243d doesn’t take up a lot of space, but it is slightly heavier than similar-sized displays due to the metals used in the chassis. The base needs eight inches of depth, but its flat surface means you can place small peripherals such as mini soundbars on top of it.
The HP EliteDisplay E243d includes fantastic build quality thanks to the strong materials used and the company’s excellent craftsmanship. The device is polished from top to bottom, so there are no signs of cosmetic defects such as rough edges. The provided stand is sufficiently stable, and there are no creaking noises coming from its mechanism.
However, one thing that’s unjustified for a monitor like the HP EliteDisplay E243d is it still uses OSD buttons instead of a multi-directional joystick. Layouts like this are often confusing to use unless you’ve memorized their functions, especially in the dark. They are located at the right bottom corner of the monitor so they are easy to reach but miss-presses will still happen with this kind of implementation.
The included stand on the HP EliteDisplay E243d offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments, allowing you to choose whichever orientation suits your needs. The pillar consists of two flat bars which will allow you to slip your cables in between while giving the monitor a contemporary appeal. You can also swap this part out with a 100 x 100 VESA mount, but we think it is unnecessary unless you are planning on multiple screens.
You will also find a pop-up webcam with a 720p camera and dual microphones on top of the HP EliteDisplay E243d. This feature comes in handy for conference calls and it omits the additional mess of a standalone webcam. The mic’s reception and the cam’s clarity are acceptable, so thankfully, you don’t have to add a separate device to build a functional workstation.
The connectivity layout for the HP EliteDisplay E243d is where its at, starting with its 65-watt USB-C connector for single cable operation. The layout also includes DisplayPort Out, HDMI 1.4, four USB 3.0 slots, and two 3.m jacks for audio input and output. The hub on the side contains two of the USB ports and the audio out jack to make it easier for users to connect peripherals and accessories.
What’s peculiar about the HP EliteDisplay E243d’s connectivity is it lacks a DisplayPort input alongside its DP output. This design was meant for daisy-chaining multiple screens, but adding a second unit is impossible due to the lack of a DP input. We recommend going with the regular E243 since its basically an identical monitor, but its cheaper and it loses the USB-C feature and replaces it with a DP input.
One thing that’s disappointingly missing from a docking monitor like the HP EliteDisplay E243d is a pair of built-in speakers. We don’t normally miss them since most pairs sound awful, but they would have completed this model’s premise of being an all-in-one solution. The monitor is already quite expensive and it has the space to accommodate them, so there is absolutely no reason not to include them in the package.
Display and Performance
The HP EliteDisplay E243d sports a 24-inch IPS panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, and a 5ms response time. The backlight is limited to 250 cd/m2, while the contrast ratio is listed at 1000:1 like most IPS panels. These specs aren’t special by today’s standards, but it’s still universally acceptable for the E243d’s intended use.
Full HD in a 24-inch screen is still the universal standard for business use even if 1440p and 4K are now considerably cheaper. It doesn’t offer impressive sharpness and detail by today’s standards, but the excellent visibility it offers makes it great for reading and browsing. You won’t need to use scaling with this model, but the downside is it will feel a bit cramped for multitasking.
The HP EliteDisplay E243d’s color coverage isn’t as impressive as we hoped, but its 93% sRGB gamut coverage should be sufficient for regular use. Accuracy out of the box is excellent since the DeltaE average is limited to 2.29. Color temperature is balanced and close to the ideal 6500K, so the screen doesn’t look yellowish or bluish when viewing an all-black image.
There is no need to calibrate the HP EliteDisplay E243d since it already offers an acceptable pre-calibrated state. Spending the extra on a colorimeter is unnecessary, especially since this model is already expensive as it is. The only adjustment we could recommend is the brightness which should be set to around 50% more or less.
The HP EliteDisplay E243d’s biggest weakness is its contrast which is limited to a dismal 700:1 when modern IPS variants are already offering 1000:1 and above. The screen looks grayish and dull when viewing black or dark images and it can appear slightly washed out in some instances. The backlight reached 270 cd/m2 at maximum, but the screen still struggles to fight off natural or ambient light when the room is brightly lit.
Panel uniformity for the HP EliteDisplay E243d is decent since there are no major clouding issues or backlight leaks. However, the screen looks dimmer going to the right of the quadrants, but it is only noticeable in darker scenes and images. Take note that manufacturing tolerances are in play in this aspect, so you may get a better unit than the review sample.
The HP EliteDisplay E243d doesn’t have FreeSync compatibility, so naturally, G-Sync is also out of the question. The monitor’s 1080p resolution at 60Hz doesn’t require it anyway, plus, it’s not meant for gaming purposes. Input lag sits at 10ms, so the device doesn’t feel sluggish or delayed with any type of use.
Thoughts on the HP EliteDisplay E243d
The HP EliteDisplay E243d is well-thought-out thanks to its features which gives consideration to users that require a functional display solution. The product works great as a dock for USB-C devices such as the MacBook or Dell’s XPS for a streamlined setup that doesn’t negate mobility. Its factory calibration is also sufficient for daily use, but we expected a more vibrant IPS panel for a monitor of this price.
The biggest complaint, however, for the HP EliteDisplay E243d is its price which isn’t competitive in the modern market. You can get a USB-C monitor with the same display specifications for half the price at the expense of extra features such as the webcam. The HP EliteDisplay E243d is an excellent solution for productivity and business users, but many will look elsewhere due to the prohibitive price point.
Pros:
- Excellent Connectivity Features
- Great Default Color Accuracy
- Up to 65 Watts of Power Delivery
- Premium Design
- Built-in Webcam
Cons:
- Low Gamut Coverage
- Limited Contrast
- Expensive
- No Speakers
About the Author:
Paolo is a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since his junior high years. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations and he believes that it’s every citizen’s right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear to create reviews that accentuate the seldom explained aspects of a PC monitor.
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