HP just dropped something that'll make remote workers take notice - a 49-inch curved ultrawide monitor with a secret weapon hidden in the top bezel. Unlike the massive displays from Samsung, Dell, and LG, HP's Series 5 Pro packs a 5-megapixel webcam that pops up when you need it, then disappears when you don't.
HP is making a play for the hybrid work crowd with its latest ultrawide monitor that solves one of remote work's most annoying problems: where to put the damn webcam. The Series 5 Pro 49-inch Conferencing Monitor packs a 5-megapixel camera that slides up from the top bezel when needed, then retracts completely out of sight.
The timing couldn't be better. As companies cement their hybrid work policies, the market for premium office displays keeps growing. Samsung's Odyssey series dominates the gaming side, while Dell's UltraSharp lineup owns the professional space. But neither offers HP's integrated camera solution, which could give it a real edge with corporate buyers tired of dealing with separate webcams perched awkwardly on monitor tops.
HP's display uses a 32:9 VA IPS panel with 5120x1440 resolution - essentially two 27-inch monitors side by side. The 1800R curvature and 165Hz refresh rate put it squarely in productivity territory, though the 5ms response time won't win over serious gamers. More importantly for office use, it covers 99 percent of the sRGB color space, making it solid for everyday work without breaking into professional color grading territory.
At a recent preview event, HP demonstrated software that virtually splits the massive display into two or three separate monitors - a feature that could eliminate the need for actual multi-monitor setups in cramped home offices. The panel looked bright and contrasty under office lighting, suggesting it can handle typical workspace environments without issues.
The connectivity options read like a corporate IT department's wishlist: HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, ethernet, and multiple USB ports with KVM functionality. That last bit means users can switch between multiple computers using the same keyboard, mouse, and monitor - a godsend for people juggling work and personal machines.
But it's that pop-up camera that sets HP apart. While competitors force users to add their own webcams (often creating a cluttered, unstable setup), HP built the solution right in. The 5-megapixel camera extends with a simple push, offering better image quality than most laptop webcams while maintaining a clean aesthetic when retracted.
