Is the HP 524DA good for gaming?

Only casually. It is a 60 Hz Full HD IPS panel without adaptive sync, so fast shooters will show motion blur and tearing. For everyday and slower games it is fine.

Does it have a height-adjustable stand?

Yes. The stand adjusts for height and tilt, which is uncommon on budget 24-inch monitors and helps with neck strain on a fixed desk.

Can I connect a laptop and a desktop at once?

You can plug one device into HDMI and another into VGA, but this model has no built-in KVM switch, so you change inputs on the monitor rather than swapping keyboards.

Do the built-in speakers work over VGA?

No. VGA carries video only, so audio needs an HDMI connection from a source that sends sound over HDMI.

Is it sharp enough for text work?

Yes. At 23.8 inches and 1920 × 1080, text and spreadsheets are clear at normal viewing distance, though fine detail is less crisp than on a higher-resolution panel.

The monitor, its stand and base, and the cabling HP ships with the unit. Check which video cable is included before buying if your PC lacks the matching port.