What is HP Sure View? Your Guide to Built-In Laptop Privacy

What HP Sure View Actually Is

HP Sure View is a built-in privacy screen technology that's integrated directly into select HP laptop displays. Think of it as electronic blinds for your laptop screen that you can turn on and off with the press of a button.

When activated (usually by pressing F2), Sure View dramatically narrows the viewing angle of your screen. Anyone sitting beside you or standing behind you sees essentially nothing—the screen appears blank or copper-coloured from their perspective. But when you're sitting directly in front of your laptop, the screen looks completely normal and clear.

When you don't need privacy, press F2 again and the screen returns to normal viewing angles, allowing others to see what's on your display.

How HP Sure View Actually Works

HP developed Sure View in collaboration with 3M, and the technology is built directly into the display panel itself during manufacturing.

The system uses a special light control film integrated into the screen that redirects light when activated. Instead of light spreading out at wide angles (which allows people sitting beside you to see your screen), Sure View redirects that light to travel forward only. This creates a privacy viewing cone of approximately 70 degrees directly in front of the laptop.

The Practical Benefits

Let's cut through the marketing and talk about what Sure View actually does for you:

Protection from Shoulder Surfing

If you regularly work in cafes, airport lounges, trains, or open-plan offices, Sure View prevents people from reading sensitive information directly from your screen. This includes confidential client data, financial spreadsheets, proprietary designs, business emails, or any other information you wouldn't want strangers seeing.

No Add-Ons Required

Traditional privacy screens are physical filters that clip onto your laptop or stick to the display. They're easy to lose, damage, or forget at home. Sure View is always there because it's built into the screen itself—nothing to carry, nothing to attach, nothing to lose.

Better Than Aftermarket Filters

Traditional stick-on or clip-on privacy filters typically reduce screen brightness by 30-50%, making your display noticeably dimmer and harder to read. Sure View has minimal impact on brightness and display quality when activated, and when you turn it off, you get the full brightness and clarity of your screen.

Instant Toggle

Need to show something to a colleague sitting beside you? Just press F2 to turn Sure View off. Working with confidential information again? Press F2 to turn it back on. It's instantaneous.

Anti-Glare Properties

As a bonus, Sure View displays typically include anti-glare coatings that reduce eye strain and make the screen easier to view in bright environments, even when the privacy feature isn't activated.

Which HP Laptops Include Sure View?

HP Sure View comes built into specific laptop models—you can't add it as an upgrade to an existing model. Instead, you choose between models with or without Sure View when purchasing. Laptops with Sure View typically cost around $150 more than equivalent models without the privacy screen. You'll find Sure View available on:

At Landmark Computers, we stock HP business laptops and HP ZBook mobile workstations with various configurations. Sure View isn't available on every model—when it is available, you'll choose between the standard model and the Sure View version, with the Sure View model typically costing around $150 more.

When You Should Consider HP Sure View

When You Probably Don't Need It

Sure View might not be worth the extra cost if you:

Work primarily from a private office or home: If you're rarely in situations where others could see your screen, the privacy feature won't get much use.

Don't handle sensitive information: General office work, web browsing, and non-confidential tasks don't require screen privacy protection.

Frequently present or collaborate: If you regularly need to share your screen with colleagues sitting beside you, turning Sure View on and off constantly might become annoying (though it only takes one button press).

Have budget constraints: Sure View models typically cost around $150 more than equivalent models without the privacy screen. If privacy isn't a genuine concern for your work, that money might be better spent on more RAM, faster storage, or other performance upgrades.

HP Sure View vs Traditional Privacy Screens

If you already own a laptop without Sure View, traditional privacy screen filters remain an option. Here's how they compare:

Technical Specifications Worth Knowing

When Sure View is activated, the viewing cone is approximately 70 degrees directly in front of the laptop. This means someone would need to be almost directly behind you to read your screen—a position where you'd easily notice them.

HP Sure View displays are available in various resolutions including Full HD (1920x1080) and higher resolutions up to 4K, depending on the laptop model. The privacy technology doesn't limit screen resolution or quality.

Some Sure View displays also include touch screen capability, which works normally regardless of whether the privacy mode is activated or not.

The Bottom Line

If you're considering a laptop with Sure View, think honestly about how often you'll actually use the privacy feature. If the answer is "regularly" or "daily," it's probably worth the investment. If the answer is "occasionally" or "rarely," you might prefer to spend that money on other specifications that will benefit you more consistently.

Looking for more laptop guidance? Explore our range of professional laptops and mobile workstations designed for Australian businesses. Need help with laptop security or privacy features? Our experienced team provides personalised recommendations based on your specific industry and work requirements.