The HP Z40c G3 is a gorgeous 40-inch ultrawide monitor with a “5K2K” screen and a penchant for remote work applications. It’s equipped to be functional and modern enough to be future-proof, but alas, it isn’t cheap. Let’s take a closer look to see if it’s a good investment that can enhance your productivity and experience.
HP Z40c G3 Specifications
- Screen Size: 34 Inches
- Resolution: 5120 x 2160 WUHD
- Aspect Ratio: 21:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Response Time: 14ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 300 cd/m2
- Built-in Speakers: Yes 2 x 5 Watts
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 1, USB-C Thunderbolt 4 PD100W x 1, USB-C Thunderbolt 4 Out x 2,USB 3.2 x 4, 3.5mm Audio Jacks x 1
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 37.29” x 19.49” x 11.47”
- Weight: 31.53 lbs
Design and Features
The HP Z40c G3’s modern minimalist aesthetic sets it apart from the brand’s Omen products. The monitor has a matte black and gunmetal combination, which makes it suitable for modern business setups that have premium devices. The display has a bezel-free design but still has minimal panel borders like most modern displays.
It’s a massive monitor, so you might have to rearrange your desk or go as far as upgrading it to a larger alternative. The device needs almost a foot of depth when fully assembled, so it might displace other large peripherals like bookshelf speakers. It’s also quite heavy at 31.53 pounds, so you might want to ask for help if you need to move it around.
The product’s build quality is fantastic and comparable with its main competitors from Dell and LG. The plastic panels are reinforced and free from cosmetic defects, so you’ll unbox a gorgeous and robust product once it arrives. The stand can hold the screen up properly, but it can still wobble a bit if you nudge it because of the weight.
The HP Z40c G3 has a D-pad for the OSD at the back for quicker access to its settings and features. It’s located at the back near the right-hand side, so you have to lean in a bit to reach it. It’s not as easy to use as a joystick’s knob, but at least it’s less confusing to use than a spread of buttons.
The included stand offers tilt, swivel, and height adjustments for your comfort and convenience. Pivoting wasn’t included since ultrawides are not ideal for portrait mode. You can use VESA mounts, but those aren’t immediately necessary unless your desk space is limited or if there are multiple displays on deck.
One of the highlights of this model is its connectivity layout which enables excellent utility and flexibility. You have a slot each for DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0, plus two Thunderbolt 4 ports with DP Alt Mode and up to 100 watts of charging power. You also get four USB 3.2 ports, an RJ45 LAN port, and a 3.5mm jack for audio equipment.
It’s also built for video conferencing since it has a 13MP pop-up webcam, built-in mics, and a pair of 5-watt speakers. The setup provides excellent video and audio quality for both sides, so your meetings won’t be disturbed by fuzzy images or garbled voices. You can also stow the cam into the bezel when it is not in use, so hackers cannot take a peek at you without you knowing.
Display and Performance
The HP Z40c G3 boasts a 40-inch curved IPS panel with a 5120 x 2160 resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, and a 14ms response time. The backlight has a 300 cd/m2 output, while the contrast is listed at 1000:1 like most IPS panels. This model doesn’t have special features like HDR and local dimming, but that’s understandable since it’s a productivity variant.
40-inch monitors are not yet common since the panels used are reserved for flagship models. The 5K2K screen is gorgeous to look at, and it’s less polarizing at this aspect ratio. It is great for productivity since there is a lot of space, plus you don’t have to turn your head too much to maximize the large display area.
The HP Z40c G3 covers 100% sRGB and 93% DCI-P3 for excellent vibrancy in any type of use. Its default accuracy has a deltaE average of 1.75, indicating that it was factory-calibrated before shipping to retailer shelves. Most users will be happy with it right away, so only a few tweaks will be necessary.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to 0.91, making it an effective solution for editing work. However, you will need a colorimeter to achieve this since panel differences mean that the dE scores will also vary. The gadget itself isn’t cheap, so we can only recommend buying it if your work requires absolute accuracy.
The HP Z40c G3’s backlight reached 287 cd/m2 at 100% brightness, so it might struggle if you use it in a well-lit room. Its contrast isn’t great as well at 1077:1 at 60% brightness, so it’s incapable of deep blacks like most IPS panels. It’s a natural weakness of the type, but it’s most apparent when using the monitor in the dark.
Panel uniformity for the test sample was excellent since there were no major backlight leaks. There was some variance in the backlight’s spread, but it’s only noticeable during dark scenes. Note that this can change between every unit made due to manufacturing tolerances, so it’s possible to get a monitor with worse symptoms.
The HP Z40c G3’s responsiveness isn’t great, but that’s normal for a non-gaming variant. It shows some persistence and trailing in fast-paced scenes, but it is not as worse as it was on some of the VA monitors we’ve tested. This means that it’s only suitable for casual gaming and basic entertainment purposes.
The HP Z40c G3 isn’t compatible with FreeSync or G-Sync since it is not a gaming variant. You will need Adaptive Sync for gaming at this resolution, but its exclusion is excusable this time around. Input lag sits at 9ms at 60Hz, so it’s not going to feel sluggish like the older LCD monitors.
Thoughts on the HP Z40c G3
The HP Z40c G3 is a fantastic option thanks to its accurate panel with a lot of room for productivity. It is well designed and equipped with sought-after features, so it will serve you well for years to come. Its webcam is also better than most built-ins we’ve seen, so it’s a good choice if you regularly have to do video conferencing for work.
The only hindrance we see for the HP Z40c G3 is its very high price which will narrow its sales. You can get by with a smaller variant most of the time, plus not all devices need Thunderbolt 4 right now. However, if you like the best tech on hand, then this is an excellent pick for you.
Pros:
- Excellent Panel Qualities
- Modern Features with Thunderbolt 4
- Built-in Webcam and Mic
Cons:
- Expensive
- Backlight Could be Brighter
About the Author: 
Paolo has been a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since junior high. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations; he believes that 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.
Leave a Reply