You know that feeling when you're staring at a desk cluttered with wires, a bulky tower, and three different dongles just to get your SD card to read? It’s exhausting. Most people think the only way to escape that mess is to buy an iMac, but the HP Envy 34 All in One basically proves that Windows users can have nice things too. Honestly, it’s a bit of a beast.
It isn't just a monitor with a computer glued to the back. It’s a 34-inch ultra-wide statement piece.
I’ve spent years looking at "all-in-one" PCs that felt like compromised laptops stuffed into a plastic shell. This isn't that. When HP released this, they clearly targeted the creative professional who hates Apple’s "walled garden" but loves their design aesthetic. The screen is the star of the show here—a 5K WUHD (5120 x 2160) IPS panel. That’s a lot of pixels. In fact, it's about 33% more screen real estate than a standard 4K monitor.
That 21:9 Aspect Ratio Changes Everything
If you’ve never used an ultrawide, you’re missing out.
Standard 16:9 monitors are fine for Netflix, but for actual work? They're cramped. The HP Envy 34 All in One gives you this massive horizontal canvas. You can have a Premiere Pro timeline stretched out across the bottom while keeping your browser and Slack open side-by-side. It replaces the need for a dual-monitor setup, which means one less power cable and zero annoying bezels right in the middle of your field of vision.
The color accuracy is legit. We're talking 98% DCI-P3. If you’re a photographer or you spend your life in Lightroom, you know that’s the gold standard for making sure your prints don't look like garbage compared to what’s on your screen.
The stand is surprisingly functional, too. It’s not just a slab of metal; it has a built-in 15W Qi wireless charger. You just drop your phone on the base, and it juices up while you work. It’s one of those small, thoughtful touches that makes you wonder why every desktop doesn't do this.
The HP Envy 34 All in One and the Death of the Webcam Notch
One of the coolest—and weirdest—features is the camera. Most PCs have a tiny lens buried in the top bezel. Not this one. HP gives you a detachable 16-megapixel magnetic camera.
You can snap it onto any side of the monitor.
Want to do a top-down "desk view" to show off a sketch or a product? Just move the camera to the top edge and tilt it down. It uses a sensor that's actually decent in low light, which is a rare win for built-in (or included) peripherals. Plus, when you're done, you can just take it off. Total privacy. No need for a piece of ugly blue painter's tape over your lens.
Why the Internal Hardware Matters More Than You Think
A lot of all-in-ones use "mobile" processors—basically laptop chips. They do this because thin computers get hot, and heat kills performance. HP took a different route.
The HP Envy 34 All in One uses desktop-class Intel Core processors (often the i7 or i9 from the 12th or 13th gen series depending on your specific SKU). Combine that with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 (or 40-series in newer refreshes), and you actually have enough horsepower to render 4K video without the fans sounding like a jet engine taking off from your desk.
Is it a gaming rig?
Sorta. You can definitely play Cyberpunk 2077 or Starfield on this, though you’ll probably have to scale the resolution down from native 5K. But for creative tasks? It’s a powerhouse.
One thing that genuinely shocked me was the upgradeability. Usually, buying an AIO means you’re stuck with what you bought until the day it dies. HP put two M.2 SSD slots and four RAM slots behind a simple pop-off panel on the back. You can actually keep this thing relevant for five or six years by just adding more memory. That’s almost unheard of in this category.
The Port Situation: Finally, Someone Listened
Apple loves to take ports away. HP decided to do the opposite.
The back of the HP Envy 34 All in One is loaded. You get Thunderbolt 4, USB-A, HDMI out (to connect a second screen), and even an HDMI in. That last one is huge. It means you can use this beautiful 5K display as a monitor for your work laptop or a console once the internal PC becomes obsolete.
But the real genius is on the side of the stand.
They tucked extra USB ports and an SD card reader right there where you can reach them. No more spinning the whole computer around or feeling blindly behind the screen like you're trying to solve a puzzle. It’s a human-centric design that feels like it was actually tested by people who use computers for a living.
Let’s Talk About the "Hidden" Downsides
It’s not all sunshine and perfect pixels. The price is a major hurdle. You're going to pay a premium for that integrated form factor. If you built a custom tower and bought a separate 34-inch monitor, you’d save money.
Also, the speakers are... okay.
HP partnered with Bang & Olufsen, and while they’re better than your average monitor speakers, they lack the low-end punch you’d get from a dedicated set of bookshelf speakers. If you’re a bass-head or an audiophile, you’re still going to want external audio.
And then there’s the matte finish. Some people love it because it kills reflections. Others hate it because it makes colors look slightly less "punchy" than a glossy glass display like the one on the Studio Display or iMac. It’s a preference thing, but if you work in a room with a lot of windows, you’ll probably appreciate the anti-glare more than you’d admit.
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Is the HP Envy 34 All in One Right for You?
If you are a hardcore competitive gamer, no. Go buy a 240Hz monitor and a rig with a 4090. This isn't that.
If you are a casual browser who just wants to check email? Also no. This is way too much computer for you. Save your money and buy a base-model Pavilion or a Mac Mini.
But if you’re a creator, a remote executive, or someone who deals with massive spreadsheets and wants a clean, beautiful desk? The HP Envy 34 All in One is basically in a league of its own. It’s the only PC that feels like a legitimate alternative to the high-end Apple ecosystem without forcing you to switch operating systems.
How to Get the Most Out of It
Don't just plug it in and leave the default settings.
- Calibrate the Display: Even though it's factory calibrated, Windows HDR settings can sometimes be wonky. Spend five minutes in the display settings to dial it in.
- Expand the RAM: If you bought a model with 16GB, buy another kit. This machine breathes so much better with 32GB or 64GB, especially for Chrome users who keep 50 tabs open.
- Use the Magnetic Camera: Experiment with the placement. Putting the camera at eye level on the side can actually make for a more natural "interview" look during Zoom calls than the standard "looking down at the screen" angle.
The HP Envy 34 All in One represents a shift in how we think about Windows desktops. It proves that "all-in-one" doesn't have to mean "underpowered." It’s a sophisticated, thoughtful piece of hardware that handles the chaos of modern multitasking without breaking a sweat. If you have the budget and the desk space, it's hard to find a reason to look elsewhere.
Next Steps for Potential Buyers
Before you drop a few thousand dollars, check your desk depth. A 34-inch ultrawide is physically large, and because the stand houses the "guts" of the PC, it has a bit of a footprint. Make sure you have at least 24 inches of depth so you aren't sitting too close to those 14 million pixels. Also, verify the specific GPU in the model you're eyeing; HP often updates the specs mid-cycle, and getting the latest RTX card makes a massive difference if you plan on doing any 3D rendering or high-end video work.