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I haven’t had many HP portable monitors come across my desk over the years, but the company’s latest offering definitely makes a lasting impression. The new HP Series 5 Pro 514PN hits all the right notes with a thin-and-light 14-inch form factor, an aluminum-alloy chassis, and an IPS Black panel (the first I’ve seen on a portable monitor) that delivers brilliant color and contrast.
In a segment where OEMs are quickly racing to release portable monitors that focus primarily on value (with some dipping into the $50 range), the Series 5 Pro is a more premium choice, priced at $299.
Design of the HP Series 5 Pro 514PN
The 514PN has a very clean design, with a svelte aluminum-alloy chassis measuring 12.62 x 8.21 x 0.35 inches and weighing 1.4 pounds. It has a premium look and feel, which is commensurate with a portable monitor that costs $299. There’s a built-in kickstand that takes up roughly half of the display's back panel. The kickstand has a stiff hinge that allows the 514PN to lie back at your preferred viewing angle. In addition, because the kickstand spans nearly the full width of the display, it can prop up the 514PN in landscape or portrait orientation.
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There are two USB-C ports on the monitor, supporting 65-watt Power Delivery (which I verified worked perfectly with an HP OmniBook X) and DisplayPort 1.2 connectivity. HP wisely includes a USB-C cable with one end that has a 90-degree connector. This helps to keep the USB-C cable from sticking straight out the top of the monitor when used in portrait mode, and instead allows it to more discreetly run horizontally along the top of the monitor.
Speaking of pack-ins, a grey magnetic cover is included to help protect the display when traveling. It’s not as all-encompassing as some of the more substantial pouches that protect the entire monitor, but it’s better than no protection at all. Perhaps HP was just trying to minimize the 514PN’s size profile for travel, but a full pouch/case would be a better solution to protect this pricey accessory.
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There aren’t really any other major standouts on the 514PN, aside from dedicated + and – buttons for brightness control and a power button situated directly below. I’ll also note that the color and size of the 514PN is a perfect match for my personal HP OmniBook X Snapdragon X laptop (right down to the placement of the HP logos on the back of the devices). The only mismatch is that my OmniBook X has a glossy display, while the 514PN has an anti-reflective coating.
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