Why I recommend this HP desktop over the M4 iMac when it comes to work and play

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• HP’s OmniStudio X 31.5 is on sale now at Best Buy for $1,799.
• It’s a big-screen all-in-one with a solid suite of hardware that makes both powerful and flexible.
• However, some users will want to upgrade the peripherals and speakers.

When I reviewed the Apple iMac M4 last year, I praised it for being a powerful computer straight out of the box, while looking good on your desk. But even though it’s a good-looking machine, the 24-inch display isn’t big enough for everyone. 

If you’re looking for a beefier desktop, the HP OmniStudio X 31.5 brings a gorgeous 4K 32-inch display to the game while retaining everything we love about all-in-ones.  

Also: I tested the latest iMac M4, and one of the standout upgrades is also the least flashy

The display on HP’s OmniStudio X 31.5 isn’t just big; it looks fantastic. The 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) resolution IPS screen with 550 nits of brightness is crisp and smooth. Video playback looks great, and the Nvidia 4050 GPU powers the vibrant picture.

Although the OmniStudio can certainly handle some gaming, the 60Hz refresh rate isn’t designed for top-tier titles, and it’s not exactly designed to deal with extreme levels of heat (the device’s fans kick in even with light-to-moderate gaming). 

Instead, the OmniStudio stays true to its intended use case as a home or office all-in-one PC that can do a little bit of everything with enough power under the hood to handle that diversity and still keep things accessible. In that vein, HP’s OmniStudio X 31.5 nails it, balancing an approachable price point with a respectable hardware profile. 

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Out of the box, the OmniStudio X couldn’t be easier to set up. All you have to do is join the two pieces of the stand together, connect the display to the stand, plug in the single power cord, and you’re good to go. 

The mouse and keyboard are powered by two AA batteries, and the device comes with four, so you can hit the ground running. The full-sized keyboard is non-adjustable and rather basic, with nice grips on the bottom to keep it from sliding on the desk. The keys are evenly spaced with a nice travel distance, making them easy to type on, especially for long periods of time. 

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The mouse, on the other hand, is on the cheap side, made of the same brushed metal plastic that’s on the front of the keyboard. I think a more premium mouse with this device would have elevated the product as a whole, but HP probably assumes most consumers will be replacing it anyway. 

The display is unsurprisingly the best part of this computer. The 31.5-inch matte IPS screen has a commanding presence on the deskspace and, despite its heft, is easy to adjust and position. 

Out of the box, the display’s color on my review unit was overly saturated, but playing with the settings resulted in a much better picture. On the back, you’ll find a full selection of ports: two HDMIs, two USB-As, a DisplayPort, an ethernet port, and an audio jack. 

Also: How to clear the cache on your Windows 11 PC (and how it helps your system run better)

The stand attached to the display features two more USB-As and another USB-C 3.2 port — slower than the one on the back of the display. Like the cheap mouse, it would have made the OmniStudio X more premium if this port supported Thunderbolt 4. 

In that vein, the OmniStudio X only supports Wi-Fi 6, meaning its connectivity is good but not the fastest. As a device that isn’t going to be moving around a lot, however, I can overlook this by utilizing the ethernet port instead. 

The top of the display houses the 1440p webcam, which represents some thoughtful design by HP. When activated, it pops up from a hidden panel and can be pushed back down when not in use, which is great for privacy and maintaining a streamlined look. 

Continuing with the rest of the device’s hardware, there are a few different configurations here. The OmniStudio X comes in a 27-inch FHD touch or 4K UHD display and a 31.5-inch 4K UHD display. I tested the latter and recommend it, as the big 4K screen sets this device apart. 

Also: The best HP laptops: Expert tested

It’s powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and the previously-mentioned Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 graphics card to keep things looking smooth. This is a well-rounded, nicely powered setup that is diverse enough to handle a variety of workflows. 

As a home computer, it’s well-suited to being a jack-of-all-trades device and managing different user profiles, each for a different use case and program lineup. Despite its rather corporate-looking design, it works well as a TV or entertainment device. The downward-firing speakers are fine, but a soundbar or pair of desktop speakers would drastically improve the experience.  

That being said, the OmniStudio X is ready to go out of the box, and none of these issues are dealbreakers. I’d happily use this device as both a work machine and home entertainment device, and the streamlined design makes it a modern, capable centerpiece for a home office workspace. 

ZDNET’s buying advice

The HP OmniStudio X 31.5 is well-equipped at its core to be a solid all-in-one PC. It has a solid build, a respectable suite of hardware, and lots of connectivity. Once you go further out from this foundation, however, many users will want to opt for some improvements for a more premium experience. For example, upgrading the included peripherals (especially the mouse), better speakers, and calibrating the display. 

Priced at $1,799, the OmniStudio X 31.5 is not particularly cheap, but it’s a fair ask for this device, especially as a home computer hub for multiple users. I recommend the 31.5 configuration as a big-screen alternative to the iMac M4. If you’re looking for a smaller device, I’d suggest the Dell Inspiron 5420. 

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