Best External Monitors for HP ENVY x2

The LG 27UD88 is a solid external 4K monitor from a reputable brand. When you think about USB-C monitors for tablets and laptops, you may think they provide sub-par experiences. This LG panel says otherwise.

LG 27UD88

Beautiful colors and picture quality.

Who should buy this external display

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If you happen to be on the hunt for an external display — and by "external display" we mean one that plugs into a portable device, like a laptop or tablet — that can hook up to your HP ENVY x2 using nothing other than a USB Type-C connection, sporting a high resolution and quality internals, then you should consider the 27UD88.

Not only does it look great on-screen, but the rest of the monitor is also solid-looking.

Is it a good time to buy this display?

There's no wrong time to purchase a monitor. Sure, you'll likely find a newer model eventually, but such is life. The LG 27UD88 has been around for a few years now and it's still an excellent panel, which says a lot about what LG has on offer here. It also means there's very little reason to fix something that isn't broken.

Treat your eyes with the LG 27UD88

There's no black slab of plastic here, which fits the design of the ENVY x2 perfectly. As for raw specifications, you're looking at IPS technology, making it produce some stunning visuals with great viewing angles, a response time of just five milliseconds, as well as a 60Hz refresh rate — standard on most displays, especially at 4K.

Whether you need to do some work, browse a few websites before heading out with the ENVY x2, or play a Windows Store game, this panel will be able to handle pretty much everything you can throw at it on this Windows tablet. There's even FreeSync included, should you own a desktop or laptop with an AMD GPU.

There are plenty of external monitors available, but only a handful are truly great.

And when you are done using the display on your HP ENVY x2, or perhaps have a desktop in the office, too, this monitor sports two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort, as well as some USB to boot. That makes it possible to use this model as your main display if you so desire. It has everything you need to hook up all the things.

Possibly the best part about this monitor is its ability to power a laptop while displaying content on-screen.

Alternatives to the LG 27UD88

LG isn't the only kid on the block when it comes to external monitors. If the 27-inch model we highlighted doesn't quite tick all your boxes, here are some other recommendations from other vendors.

HP ENVY 27

HP produces some incredible looking displays and this is a fine example.

Reasons to buy

+
Great colors.
+
4K resolution.
+
Powered by USB Type-C.
+
Isn't a black slab of plastic.
+
Very thin bezels.

Reasons to avoid

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Pricey.

The 178-degree viewing angles and minimal bezels make it perfect for multi-monitor setups. It's not all-show and no-go, either. The 27-inch panel is 4K resolution and also has support for AMD FreeSync when connected to compatible PCs. Like our top LG pick, it charges your tablet while connected.

AOC i1659fwux

Small, compact and affordable.

What makes this display interesting is the size, allowing you to pack it into your bag and take it abroad. It's perfect for using your HP ENVY x2 at a hotel while on vacation or a business trip. The 1920 x 1080 resolution will also allow you to get much more done with the power of two screens to work with.

Bottom line

It's easy to pick up any old monitor, an adapter, and call it a day. There are some really good bargains out there on older models, too. It all depends on what you're after. If you want a premium experience with the HP ENVY x2, the LG 27UD88 is an excellent choice.

Rich Edmonds
Senior Editor, PC Build

Rich Edmonds was formerly a Senior Editor of PC hardware at Windows Central, covering everything related to PC components and NAS. He's been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a PC chassis. You can follow him on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.