Digital Trends

HP L2335

June 22nd, 2004 | by Ian Bell

Speaking of inputs, because the L2335 supports the component video connection, and the PIP function, you can use this display as a limited HDTV television. We say ‘limited' because there are no television controls on the front of the monitor, there are no integrated speakers, and it does not come with a remote control. But if you were adding the L2335 to an existing home theater set-up, it gets the job done. We used a progressive scan Pioneer DVD player for our DVD tests using the component video input, and were thoroughly impressed with the picture quality. Despite having a 500:1 contrast ratio, the picture quality is what we would classify well above average. The black levels are very tolerable and for some reason looked better than on most LCD flat-panel monitors we have seen. You can choose to use the PIP function and watch a movie or another video source while browsing the web. One issue that we found bothersome is that you can only move the PIP screen location by going into the on-screen menu and using the PIP controls from there. It would have been nice to have the controls on the front of the monitor or in software. Chances are that HP decided to leave the PIP functionality in the L2335 while manufacturing it as a way of saving costs. If HDTV features are what you want, we recommend you shell out the extra cash and get the HP f2304 which has more of a TV feel to it than a monitor.

Gamers will be happy to know that the L2335 handles anything you can throw at it when playing some of the most graphic-intensive and fast-paced games out there. We were able to play Unreal Tournament 2004 and Far Cry at a whopping 1600x1200 resolution using our Crucial Radeon 9800PRO video card. We tried playing games at the 1920x1200 resolution, but our video card simply could not handle it. But when you do decide to upgrade your video card, the L2335 should be ready for you. We did not experience any ghosting effects at all, which are typically associated with LCD monitors and gaming. Everything played super smooth just like you would expect from a traditional CRT monitor. This is no doubt due to the 16ms response rate which everyone has been waiting for in the LCD market. There have been some spec sheets of the L2335 floating around the Net that list this monitor with a 25ms response rate. We contacted our HP representative and he assured us that those specifications are old and that 16ms is correct. We have seen companies in the past introduce to the market an LCD display with two different specifications even though they share the same model number. We hope this is not the case and have confidence in HP. If you have experience with the L2335 and yours has a different specification, we'd like to hear about it.

Conclusion

HP may have intended the L2335 for the graphic design market, but what they may not have realized is that hardcore gamers will be drooling over this monitor for their ultimate gaming setup. With a 16ms response rate, the L2335 plays games just as good, if not better, than traditional CRT monitors. Add to that the 16:9 widescreen format, component video input and a 1920x1200 native resolution and the L2335 will also make a fantastic HDTV display.

Graphic designers that want more versatility than the Apple Cinema display will find the L2335 a better solution. With its pivot capabilities and very adjustable neck this monitor should please even the most demanding. The LCD display is sharp, colorful and very bright thanks to the LG Electronics LCD panel it uses.

Those looking for an LCD monitor with more television like features will want to pay the extra few hundred dollars and go for the HP f2304 which uses the same LCD display as the L2335 but also adds integrated speakers and a more stylish consumer friendly aesthetic design. So if you are looking for an LCD display that you plan on having a long-term relationship with, the L2335 just might be the one for you.

*Note: If you want to run this monitor in a true 16:9 aspect ratio, then you will need to change the screen resolution to 1920x1080 instead of the native 1920x1200.