HP P34hc G4 34" Black 2021

A 34-inch ultrawide with a USB-C hub and KVM switch that makes dual-computer setups painless. Just don't expect it to be bright or color-accurate.

The 100Hz refresh rate feels smoother than you'd expect from a budget ultrawide, and the 3500:1 contrast ratio gives VA panels their signature deep blacks. But the 5ms response time means fast-paced games will show some ghosting. The 250-nit brightness is the weak spot. In a bright room, you'll notice it. The display sits in the 81st percentile for its class, which sounds impressive until you realize that's mostly about the resolution and size, not the color performance. Color accuracy lands in the 18th percentile, so if you're editing photos or video, this panel will frustrate you. For office work and casual gaming, it's fine.

The HP P34hc G4 sits in an awkward spot. It's not a gaming monitor, so comparing it to the ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCDMG or the MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2 feels unfair. Those are OLED panels with much higher refresh rates and far better color. But if you're cross-shopping, know that the HP gives you more screen real estate and USB-C connectivity for less money. The LG UltraGear 27GX790A-B and Samsung Odyssey G60SD are also gaming-focused 27-inch panels that will crush this HP in response time and color. The HP's real competition is other 34-inch productivity ultrawides, and in that space, the USB-C hub and KVM switch are the differentiators. If you don't need those, there are cheaper options.

Pricing is all over the place. In the US, you'll see this monitor listed anywhere from USD 447 to USD 599 depending on the vendor. That's a USD 152 spread for the exact same panel. If you're buying in the US, shop around and don't pay more than the low end of that range. The CAD market is similar, with prices running from CAD 613 to CAD 715. At the lower end of those ranges, this is a solid deal for a USB-C ultrawide with a KVM switch. At the top end, you're getting into territory where better panels exist.

The HP P34hc G4 is a 34-inch ultrawide that nails the productivity basics and doesn't pretend to be something it's not. You get a 3440 x 1440 VA panel with a 100Hz refresh rate, USB-C with power delivery, and a built-in KVM switch. That last part is the real story here. If you run two computers at one desk, this monitor quietly solves a problem most people don't realize they have. The 250-nit brightness and 85% NTSC coverage are not going to win any color accuracy awards, but for spreadsheets, code, and the occasional game, it's a comfortable, immersive panel that gets the job done.

If you're doing photo or video editing, skip this. The color accuracy is in the 18th percentile, and you'll spend more time fighting the panel than working. Get something with better color coverage instead. If you're a competitive gamer, this isn't your monitor either. The 5ms response time and 100Hz cap will hold you back. Look at a 144Hz or higher IPS or OLED panel. And if you work in a bright room with lots of windows, the 250-nit brightness and glare issues will drive you nuts. Find something with at least 350 nits.

The HP P34hc G4 is a productivity monitor first, and it's good at that job. The USB-C hub and KVM switch make it genuinely useful for anyone juggling a work laptop and a personal desktop. The 100Hz refresh rate is a nice bonus for casual gaming. But the dim panel and weak color performance mean this is not a monitor for creative professionals or serious gamers. If you can find it at the low end of the price range and you need the connectivity features, buy it. If you're paying full price, keep looking.