HP’s $299 Portable Monitor Promises OLED-Level Contrast—But Is It Worth the Hike?

If you've ever stared at a $299 portable monitor wondering why it costs more than a used car, meet the HP Series 5 Pro 514PN—the first portable display to pack an IPS Black panel and 2560x1600 resolution.

The 514PN’s 16-inch IPS Black panel delivers a 2000:1 contrast ratio and 352.4 nits of brightness, according to Tom’s Hardware measurements. That outperforms the ViewSonic TD1656-2K’s 1700:1 contrast ratio and the Dell Pro 14 Plus’ 250 nits. But the trade-offs are clear: no HDMI port, no built-in speakers, and a 75 Hz refresh rate instead of the 120 Hz found on budget rivals.

HP justifies the price with 65W Power Delivery charging and a 1.4-pound aluminum chassis. I watched the trailer for Crime 101 and came away impressed by how well the monitor resolved darkened scenes without appearing like a sea of dark greys.

But for $299, you’re paying for a niche feature set—this isn’t a multimedia powerhouse.