In my latest review I explored the HP E45c G5 DQHD (affiliate link), a super-wide monitor that could practically double as an aircraft carrier !
This dual Quad HD curved monitor essentially combines two 24-inch Quad HD displays into one, resulting in a massive 32:9 aspect ratio. This monitor is particularly useful for those who need a lot of information in front of them at once or are currently in a two-display situation.
Priced at around $1,100, this monitor is marketed more towards business and commercial use. It runs at a 5120 by 1440 resolution, 400 nits of brightness, covers 99% of sRGB and has a maximum 165 hertz refresh rate when a single device is connected. In its virtual display modes the max refresh rate is 60 Hertz for each half of the display.
The back houses two USB Type-C inputs, a DisplayPort, and an HDMI, allowing four different devices to be attached. The USB Type-C port can power a laptop while also providing display output and connects the monitor’s four USB ports and a gigabit Ethernet port.
The monitor comes with a stand that provides some degree of movement, allowing you to adjust the display to your preferred angle. However, due to the VA panel, the viewing angles are a bit more narrow so be sure to position yourself in the center “sweet spot” for the most consistent quality edge-to-edge.
The E45c G5 DQHD offers several interesting features. One of these is the Device Bridge, a seamless integration feature that allows two computers to share the display with a single keyboard and mouse. It automatically shifts control over whenever the mouse pointer from one computer is moved to the other. You can also transfer files back and forth between the two devices with a simple drag and drop. This feature currently only works on Windows and Mac and requires software to run in the background on each machine.
Picture on Picture mode is a good alternative to the Device Bridge mode as it works with any computer but lacks the seamless transition from one to the other. This mode has a built-in KVM function, allowing you to switch control between the two devices by hitting the control key twice on the keyboard.
There is also Virtual Display mode, which allows the display to appear as two distinct 1440p displays to the computer it’s plugged into. This feature only works on PCs that have support for DisplayPort MST. Macs do not support this, but if your Mac supports dual displays, you can use a DisplayPort or HDMI cable in addition to the USB-C to drive both halves. I demo that feature in this YouTube short.
The monitor has built-in stereo speakers that provide decent audio quality. However, there is no audio output jack, so if you want to connect speakers, you’ll have to connect them to the computer directly or use a USB audio interface.
While not designed specifically for gaming, the E45c G5 DQHD can provide a fun gaming experience with its wide aspect ratio if your game supports it. The response rate on the display is three milliseconds, which means you may see some motion blur. It does support AMD Freesync for compatible GPUs.
Overall, the HP E45c G5 DQHD is a feature packed super-wide for business users who need a wide aspect ratio or want to work with two displays simultaneously without a bezel in between. It offers a lot of utility and flexibility, making it a solid choice for those who need a lot of screen real estate.