HP Z38c

HP’s ultrawide workhorse is an intriguing 4K alternative

- JEREMY LAIRD

THE EASY CHOICE for blowing a big monitor budget? Bag a 4K model. It’s also the unimaginative option. Enter the HP Z38C, an intriguing alternative to the 4K norm, with its 21:9 aspect ratio and generous 38-inch diagonal.

What it’s not, however, is necessarily superior to a conventional 4K monitor, nor is it the first of its kind. It was early 2017 when LG rolled out the first 21:9 aspect 38-inch monitor, the 38UC99, and set the precedent for the HP’s 3840x1600 resolution. As it happens, HP’s IPS panel is almost certainly produced by LG. More importantly, it offers fewer overall pixels than a standard 4K monitor. Full 4K works out to nearly 8.3 million pixels. The HP’s cut-down vertical resolution compared to 4K results in just over 6.1 million.

The bottom line is that while the HP Z38c makes for an interesting ergonomic alternative, thanks to its wide aspect, curved panel, and large proportions, you’re not getting particularly impressive pixel density at just over 109dpi. That’s unexciting, especially at this price.