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Monitor Buying Guide: 5 Things to Consider Before You Purchase A New Display

Gadgets

February 19, 2022

Choosing a new monitor can be a challenging task. You might get overwhelmed by the many unique features to consider. But don’t worry, our simple monitor buying guide can assist you!

Most people tend to overlook monitors when setting up their computers. However, with the amount of time the average user spends staring at a monitor, a bad choice may end up damaging your neck and eyesight.

So, it is worth investing in a large and comfortable monitor if you spend most of your time on your computer. But before you go out and get a new display, here are five essential things you should consider.

The Size of the Monitor

When it comes to a monitor buying guide, the most highlighted factor to consider is often the screen size. Nowadays, it’s not rare to see monitors larger than 27 inches in the workplace. You might even stumble upon ultra-wide monitors that can simulate a dual-monitor setup on a single screen!

Having a larger monitor means you’ll have a bigger workspace without needing to minimise windows, making your work more efficient. Nonetheless, you need to make sure you have enough desk space beforehand to accommodate the big monitor.

Nonetheless, we don’t encourage you to simply buy the largest monitor you can find in the store. The ideal monitor size depends on its usage and the surrounding environment—the standard monitor sizes in the workplace range from 22 to 24 inches.

Choosing the Screen Resolution of Your Display

Another point frequently highlighted in any monitor buying guide is the display’s resolution. In essence, the resolution is the total number of pixels available on a monitor for displaying an image.

Typically, resolutions consist of two numbers. For example, a 1920 x 1080 resolution represents 1920 pixels horizontally and 1080 pixels vertically.

If you want your monitor to display sharper details, you should aim for higher resolutions. Essentially, the higher the resolution, the smaller everything on the screen becomes. Nevertheless, Windows does an excellent job scaling these elements to make them more discernible with some adjustments.

The Higher the Refresh Rate, the Better

If you’re planning to build a gaming computer, the refresh rate is the most crucial factor in your display.

Measured in Hertz (Hz), the refresh rate relates to how many times the monitor draws a new image on the screen in a second. Simply put, a display with a refresh rate of 75Hz, for example, would refresh the image 75 times per second.

The standard for monitors is 60Hz, but you might also find monitors with a refresh rate of up to 360Hz. Professional gamers should aim for a 240Hz monitor or higher as the animation will be smoother around this refresh rate.

Video Inputs and Connections

The next point in our monitor buying guide is the video input. Video input is a port or jack that receives a video signal from another device or video output source. Some of the common video inputs you can find are the HDMI, VGA, DVI, and Displayport.

Although adapters and cables are available for almost any input, it’s best to match whatever connector you have on your computer. Nevertheless, keep in mind that not all cables are equal in performance.

Generally, the best option for video input is the DisplayPort because it can support 4K resolution at 60fps. HDMI is also an excellent option due to its cable availability and ability to carry audio signals. However, the VGA should be your last resort because VGA connections aren’t as clear as the other types of connections.

Other Considerations for Space-Efficiency

Computer monitors are typically compact enough to fit on a table or stand. However, if you’re looking to buy a large monitor, there are several factors you should consider to save some workspace.

First off, you should think about opting for either external speakers or a monitor with built-in speakers. If you require excellent audio quality for your new monitor, you should opt for external speakers. However, if you don’t want speakers taking up your workspace, monitors with built-in speakers are the way to go.

Nevertheless, the most space-efficient option for a monitor is to mount it on the wall. We suggest you look for monitors compatible with VESA standard mounting options. This will ensure you’ll have a large selection of mounting arms from various manufacturers to choose from instead of being limited to specific mounting options.

Final Thoughts

Why settle for a neck-breaking and eye-straining display when you can invest in a comfortable computer monitor? Finding the right monitor can help you work more efficiently by reducing eye fatigue and providing more visual space.

All in all, we hope this monitor buying guide can assist you in picking the ideal monitor for you.