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The LP3065 is a proud 30-incher that sticks to tradition.

(Credit: Josh P. Miller/CNET)

It's rare that I get my hands on a 30-inch monitor these days, as only a handful of vendors actually make them. Not surprising given their usual prices, which can range from $1,000 up to $1,600 in some cases.

The HP LP3065 is a typical 30-inch monitor. A resolution of 2,560x1,600 pixels? Check. A number of useful ergonomic options? Check. A wide viewing angle thanks to its use of high-end panel technology? Checkeroo!

Unfortunately, the LP3065 also inherits the 30-inch monitor trend of only including a brightness setting as the sole video adjustment option. Check out the full review of the LP3065 to see what else HP did or didn't include.

Also, check out our new Monitor Buying Guide and be sure to check here for new monitor reviews.

The 24-inch LA2405wg...they could have chosen a more exciting screenshot. Just saying.

(Credit: HP)

HP is known for both consumer and business monitors. With its latest batch of business-focused displays, the company is seemingly attempting to meld the two categories.

On Tuesday HP announced three new business monitors that have a couple of unexpected features. The 19-inch HP LA1905wg, 22-inch LA2205wg, and 24-inch LA2405wg all feature a 16:10, wide-screen panel. Also, each monitor includes screen pivoting, height adjustment, and 30 degree backward tilt and swivel.

Now, for a business monitor, one does not expect lots in the way of connection options, however HP has outfitted each of these not only with VGA and DVI, but what are usually entertainment-focused ports: HDMI and DisplayPort.

Other specs include 5ms response times on each, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, and 250 cd/m2 brightness (300 cd/m2 on the LA2405wg).

All three monitors should be available today or within a few weeks. Pricing has not been announced at the time of this posting, but I'll update this post if pricing is released today.

The new SmartMedia EX495 from HP.

(Credit: Dong Ngo/CNET)

I reviewed the HP MediaSmart LX190 a while ago, and though I wished it had more storage, I still gave it the editors' choice award for its great performance. And now both the storage and performance have been increased.

HP launched Monday the two new models of the MediaSmart EX490 and MediaSmart EX495 Home Servers, offering increased capacity, high-performance processors, and more features.

Similar to previous models, both new servers are based on the Microsoft Windows Home Server platform. However, they both now have a refined user interface and a Web-based home page that further facilitates accessing and using the server.

The servers also come equipped with 2GB of RAM and faster processors. The EX495 sports an Intel Pentium Dual Core CPU, while the budget-line EX490 runs an Intel Celeron CPU.

The first of these two models' new feature is a Video Converter that automatically converts video libraries; including unprotected DVDs. Users then can stream the video, as well as other digital content, from within the home network or over the Internet.

The second new feature is the Media Collector, which allows users to collect media by computer, media type, or file location. This features enable the SmartMedia server to automatically collect and organize media files from across Macs and PCs and store them on the server for later streaming.

HP MediaSmart EX495--photos

Other than that, both the EX490 and the EX495 offer additional features for Mac users, including administration, media collection, and a new disc recovery utility that provides complete recovery on a Mac using Time Machine.

iPod Touch and iPhone users can also download a free app called MediaSmart Server Stream from Apple's App Store to play digital media stored on a new SmartMedia server, be it music or photos or video.

Both new servers can support up to 4 SATA hard dives and a total of up to 7TB of internal storage, plus 10TB of storage via external hard drives (connected via USB and eSATA ports). They are, however, shipped with only one hard drive. The EX490 comes with 1TB of hard disk storage and costs $549, while the EX495 comes with 1.5TB and costs $699.

The servers don't support any RAID configuration but has a duplication feature that keeps data safe in case of hard-drive failure. The omission of RAID support also means you can use hard drives of different capacities with the new servers, without losing their storage space.

The new HP SmartMedia servers will be available by October, but you can preorder them starting today.

Yes, the stickers at the top can be removed.

(Credit: Josh P. Miller/CNET)

A couple weeks back I reviewed the 25.5-inch HP w2558hc, which I still believe is pound for pound, one of the best values for a monitor out there. Soon after my review, HP released the 27-inch 2709m.

Also, I talked a little about this last week when I showed off some photos of the 2709m.

Now the real question is which of these two HPs is worth your hard-earned (I assume) cash? As with any product, that will depend on what exactly our needs are and what either of these are providing. Check out CNET's full review to see which team I chose. Team 25.5 or team 27 and 16:9.

Check out the review to discover which team you'd rather play for. Also, all new monitor reviews can always be found here.

You know, there's just something about 2,560x1,600 pixels that makes everything look great! Even goblins.

(Credit: Eric Franklin/CNET)

Finally, a 30-incher has come back to C...NET. Yes, I'm a "Rock" fan and yes that is a loooong throwback to a bygone era, but it seemed appropriate.

Last week we got in the HP LP3065 30-incher. Now I know it's been out for a while, but I've gotten a few recent requests to review it. After the Samsung 305T, the Gateway XHD3000 and the Dell UltraSharp 3008WFP it's one of the only 30-inchers I haven't reviewed.

Check out the pics and video below to get a glimpse and look for a review of this monstrosity soon.

HP LP3065 30-inch monitor--photos

Don't mind the boxes in the background. I kinda live out of my office.

(Credit: Eric Franklin/CNET)

Last month I bemoaned the fact that although the 27-inch HP 2709m has less features and a lower resolution than the 25-inch HP w2558hc (albeit with a larger screen), at the time, it actually cost $70 more.

Since then, HP has curiously stopped selling the w2558hc directly, but the monitor is still available at Amazon and other e-tailers. Also, the $500 suggested retail price for the 2709m was a bit overestimated since HP actually sells it for $425 and it can be found for as low as $360 from other online retailers.

I'm still waiting to hear back from HP on whether it'll continue to sell the w25558hc. It would be a shame if they aren't selling it, as pound for pound, it's one of the best values out there. Anyway, here are some brand new shots of the 2709m. Also, keep checking here for new monitor reviews every week. Enjoy.

Shots: HP 2709m

Big Daddy Don Bodine's monitor, the bohemoth. Also, known as the Planar PX2611w.

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)

Today, we're talking going big. And by "big" I mean, well, pretty big. 25.5-inches big. Yeah, yeah I know. Not 27-inches big like the HP 2709m and definitely not 30-inch big, but still larger than most.

Today we have two new reviews of 25.5-inch monitors, the HP w2558hc and the Planar PX2611w. Previously, I took a close look at the two, completely objectifying each in a physical way. Check out photos for the HP here and the Planar here.

You can see the official CNET reviews here for the HP and here for the Planar.

Reviewing monitors of this size gets me excited about getting in even larger displays. While last year I reviewed three 30-inch monitors, this year, nada. There just aren't that many on the market. If you guys know of any 30-inchers you'd like to see reviewed, drop me a line of leave a comment. I'll do my best to get any noteworthy units in.

In the meantime, keep checking here for new LCD computer monitor reviews.

HP's 2709m looks sleek, but it seems to lack a few features.

(Credit: HP)

When I first received the press release for the 27-inch HP 2709m on Thursday, I admit to being only mildly interested in the monitor. I'd just reviewed the HP w2558hc and figured, how different could it be?

Well, it is different from the h2558hc, but probably not in the most positive way.

First, although the new 2709m is 1.5 inches longer in screen size than the w2558hc, its resolution is smaller. The w2558hc has a resolution of 1,920x1,200, while the 2709m's resolution is is only 1,920x1,080.

Now, I've talked a lot about 16:9 versus 16:10 lately, and usually--like in the case of 21.5-inch monitors versus 22-inchers--16:9 is the best way to go, as you get more usable screen space on a slightly smaller monitor. However, in this case, that's true only in the reverse.

Not only does the 16:10, 25.5-inch w2558hc have more screen real estate than its larger cousin, it--by all accounts--has more features than the 2709m as well. The w2558 has a built-in Webcam, a microphone, four USB ports, a task light, compact flash and SD Card/Memory stick reader slots, and can be used as a digital photo frame: all of which the 2709m does not have.

Also, the 2709m costs $500 direct from HP, while HP sells the w2558hc for as low as $430.

Here's a quick list of what the 2709m has to offer:

• 27" Diagonal 16:9 screen
• 1920x1080 Full HD resolution
• 5 ms On/Off response times (typical)
• 3 ms Gray to Gray response times
• 400 nits brightness
• 1000:1 Contrast Ratio
• 30,000 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
• 92% Color Gamut
• Integrated 2-watt/ch speakers
• 1 VGA port
• 1 DVI-D port w/HDCP
• 2 HDMI port w/HDCP
• Swivel & Tilt

Now, the 2709m's performance could very well justify its comparative lack of features, but seeing as I don't have a unit in yet, I can't say either way. I'll have to wait a couple weeks--until we get one in--to find out.

(Credit: Greenpeace)

Editors' note: This article was updated at 2:50 p.m. PDT with HP's statement.

It's war on hazardous chemicals that Greenpeace single-handedly provoked Tuesday.

After rating Hewlett-Packard low on its Green Meter did little to convince the company to change its ways, the organization decided to resort to trespassing.

It sent activists to HP's global headquarters in Palo Alto, Calif., where they climbed on top of the building and painted a gigantic message announcing "Hazardous Products," using nontoxic children's finger paint. The message covered more than 11,500 square feet, which is about the size of two and half basketball courts.

According to Greenpeace, the organization took this action because HP broke its promise to eliminate hazardous chemicals in its products. Earlier this year, HP postponed its 2007 commitment to phase out dangerous substances, such as brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics, from its computing products. The delay shifts compliance up two years, from 2009 to 2011.

PVC and BFRs are highly toxic, and can release dioxin when burned, a chemical known to cause cancer.

Apart from the graffiti, HP employees were also greeted today by automated phone calls from actor William Shatner, calling upon the company to phase out the toxic chemicals.

In reply to CNET News' phone call seeking comments on Greenpeace's action, HP released this statement via an e-mail:

For decades HP has been a leader in environmental responsibility and has adopted practices in product development, operations, and supply chain that are transparent and help to reduce its environmental impact. HP has a comprehensive approach to environmental sustainability, with three main components: minimizing our impact; helping our customers to improve their environmental performance; and driving towards a sustainable, low-carbon economy.

This commitment includes reducing the use of BFR/PVC in our products until these materials are eliminated entirely. HP has introduced several new computing products this year that use less BFR/PVC than previous generations. This September, HP will release a BFR/PVC free notebook. By fall 2010 all new commercial PC products released will be BFR/PVC free. By the end of 2011, all new PC products released will be free of BFR/PVCs.

The unconstructive antics at HP's headquarters today did nothing to advance the goals that all who care about the environment share. HP will continue its efforts to develop new products and programs around the globe that help the company, its business partners, and customers conserve energy, reduce materials use, and reduce waste through responsible reuse and recycling. HP supports industry efforts to eliminate BFR and PVC because of potential e-waste issues. HP is a worldwide leader in e-waste recycling. HP has recycled 1 billion pounds of electronic products from 1987 to 2007 and has committed to recycling another billion pounds between 2008 and 2011.

Earlier this year, Greenpeace released a report that rated PC makers and other electronic vendors in regard to their compliance with e-waste elimination. Apple was ranked highest among PC makers and HP was one of the lowest, together with Dell and Lenovo.

Obviously, it's very important to eliminate e-waste and care about the environment. However, it's also important to understand that putting graffiti on private properties is a type of vandalism. I guess Greenpeace doesn't care about this.

Looks like it's a war that nobody wins.

(Credit: Greenpeace)