14 DAY TRIAL // Since there never seems to be a lull in demand for professional and business-oriented displays, HP has formally launched the EliteDisplay E231, complete with three different video inputs.
Since this isn't something meant to excel at video streaming, it has not HDMI input. Instead, it comes with a normal VGA input, DVI and DisplayPort.
It still has Full HD resolution though (1920 x 1080 pixels), and which means the 16:9 aspect ratio.
Again we have to wonder why the cinematic aspect ratio is used for something obviously aimed at document editing and presentation preparation.
We've encountered many instances of people saying they wish the 4:3 ratio would go through a rebound, but widescreen panels have simply taken over the market.
In any case, the EliteDisplay E231 has a brightness of 250 cd/m2 and a contrast ratio of 1,000:1 (which was expected).
The viewing angles aren't the best, a consequence of not using IPS panels, but 170 degrees horizontally and 160 degrees vertically should be more than enough.
That said, the response time is of 5 ms. Not the best as far as non-IPS screens go, but fairly standard still.
That leaves the power consumption. HP managed to keep everything in a 36W maximum envelope, though 16.6W should be the normal consumption.
As for the physical side of things, the monitor, colored black, has a stand with tilt and swivel support, three USB 3.0 ports (one upstream, two downstream) and a security lock support.
The price is of 32,550 Yen (about $332 / 254-332 Euro). It might seem high, but the product is a Plug and Play-ready unit with anti-glare, user programmable features, language selection and on-screen controls.
Besides, while consumers who buy EliteDisplay E231 for their own use won't have a chance to negotiate any, companies that order some may get special deals based on quantity and their fast-talking skills.