Tremendous monitor IF you find a factory refurb.
Customer Rating: 
I turned back the clock on over a decade of HP hatred to purchase this product. My HUGE viewsonic graphic artist quality CRT (that weighs about 85 pounds, which I'm going to have to remove the same way I got it in my office -- through the window) lived twice as long as it should have, despite heavy use, as started to show signs of imminent death. For once, I wanted to buy in a calm state, not a "monitor down, must buy this second!" state. I'm absolutely not a gamer, however, so I did not want to drop a huge chunk of change on a monitor to get quick action specs. What I am is a huge huge multitasker, who needs plenty of room on the screen to drop many apps on the screen and be able to read text very well. Further, I'm spoiled by CRT colors. I have other LCD monitors for other systems, and though well priced (ASUS) they just wouldn't do for my main system.
My search deal killers were the following:
-price. I've already robbed the bank for things that truly matter to me (i.e., massive storage, speedy system, RAID arrays, NAS), and I couldn't tolerate price.
-size. As stated, need room to work.
-MOST IMPORTANT. Active TFT. This is really what narrowed the field down to nearly zero for me, in combination of other factors. I've just never seen many LCD anythings I'm really that thrilled about. If you're hypercritical, and have made a trip to costco or any other place to see many monitors side by side, TV, computer, or otherwise, you know what I'm saying. Seriously. The difference between them is pretty staggering, and some are pricey and just look bad.
-Second most important. Needed a monitor without "faults of death." Too many monitor reviews note something that you or I might care about then note a feature that's just plain designed by monkeys.
Extra considerations.
1080p. Might matter hugely for you. For me, it was a "why not, it seems to be the trend, better go this route if possible, than be sorry later.
After a lot of research, I found out two things:
1) Though I was skeptical, peops on the street really do believe that HP refurbs are good stuff, unlike the usual "get this stuff out of our doors, and regift this to somebody who might accept this POS" dogfood.
2) This monitor has been reviewed to DEATH with full video reviews that are very in depth. Before buying this monitor, take the time to look at them all.
Listen to the experts, not me, in making your buying decision. Many reviews are really dead on.
bullet point upside. Reasonably vibrant, bright, and very consistent (with what I've seen with my uses). Whatever backlight is used, I couldn't tell you, which is great, because I cannot even tell you where it's coming from.
Some killer thoughtful features. I have it sitting right in front of my big CRT, since I'm not in the mood to dissemble a freakin' window right now and get the old viewsonic out. So I'm short on space. a) even if the montior is shoved in your face, it's well designed to allow the keyboard to go underneath; b) much to my hugely pleasant suprise, it has an LED array, adjustable in brightness, that will shine down on your keyboard if you wish. Once again. Watch/read the reviews. It has plenty of things like this.
Text. No more jaggies than my CRT. Impressive.
bullet point downside.
--Who the heck would buy a monitor like this, and use its internal speakers?! I understand that they're terrible. Great surprise -- not. Further, you're paying for a remote that though apparently well designed, even with a monitor molded holster so you don't lose it, is designed to control functions you're not going to care about. I wish it were better priced and not include frills that were designed for who the heck knows.
--Glossy finish. Peops, we're talking TRULY glossy finish. If your situtation is going to require that lights bounce from behind you and hit the monitor, seriously. Choose something else. The whole thing is UNGODLY glossy. If you put your finger within ten inches of the screen, it will suck a annoying fingerprint on it then require microtechs to get it 100% clean again. It's like owning the blackest of black paint cars in the world, where you cannot go a day without seeing something really annoying on there.
--Color. Broken record: Read other reviews. Me? Better than good. Graphic artists who can tell microgradations of color? There are a few who claim to have adjusted the monitor to be okay for them, many just gave up. I was happy, however, that there were reports that it screamed certain colors. I AM that sensitive, and that's nonsense. Even without ANY adjustment, It'd have to analyze then stare at the screen to see that the reds MIGHT be overrsaturated. Heck, peops, that's what adjustments for, and I haven't even touched mine yet.
--Power. Maybe it's just me being clueless, maybe it's just LCD tech, maybe it's active TFT, but this pup uses 70 watts. Don't expect miracle power savings if you're electricity bill despite all your efforts to be green (and cheap) is absolutely murdering you each month, and your system(s) use enough electricity to require a nuclear generating plant next door.
--Quirk. Maybe this is just mine. Scared the heck out of me the first time it happens. Now, it's "who cares." One out of ten times on system boot, monitor will read "cannot find signal." Power button is well placed and EASY. Double tap, and you're immediately back in business. If this develops into a bigger problem a year from now, I'll rate this monitor a one. But right now, god knows every monitor I've ever owned has had much bigger and much more annoying quirks than that. AND there's no assurance it's not my grossly overclocked system just not sending a signal during post once in a while.
BOTTOM LINE: They do exist, though you have to be patient, as refurbs. Mine was $300. Normally, they take the HP badges off of their refurbs (but they're just as good). Mine still has them, and was packed 100.00% as new-new-new down to the tiniest detail. Your milage may vary. Worth $550 street? I think so IF you just want a consistently good monitor and you've been spoiled by CRT quality and you don't want "obvious LCD" AND you have NO lights that are going to bounce off the finish.
Gamers? Graphic artists? People crazy enough to want to use the speakers on this thing?! I seriously don't think this is the monitor for you. But the reviews are ABUNDANT and detailed, and if you don't read them and choose this one, well, it's your bullet to dodge.
Heck of a good -consitent- monitor for peops who just spend WAY too much time in front of it, want lots of space to work, don't have any lighting bouncing off of it, and have too much of their time taken by other petty annoyances and don't want a monitor that's going to add to that.
READ/WATCH THE REVIEWS BEFORE MAKING ANY CHOICE. SERIOUSLY!!!
