A new computer monitor can improve productivity and entertainment, while extending the life of your current computer. This simple buying guide covers the essentials to make the best choice.
To choose a computer monitor, you need to consider your needs. Monitors have different specifications, such as resolution, aspect ratio, refresh rate, size, and of course, price. You need to know what you will use it for and your budget.
Budget for a computer screen
Monitor prices vary almost as much as computer prices, with so many options available that there’s always something for everyone. If you don’t want to spend too much money on a new screen, for whatever reason, there are models from 120 $, although they are usually smaller than the recommended size, which is around 22 inches like the one below. But if you want the biggest and fanciest, you might end up paying up to $6,000 or more for the MSRP.
Sansui’s 22″ screen; $120 Sansui (Amazon)
What use?
A screen for gaming, professional or for doing everything?
A gamer prioritizes fast refresh rates and low response times, while a professional monitor focuses on color accuracy for imaging, video, architectural, and office tasks. If you want a monitor primarily for watching videos, go for a monitor with an IPS panel, which is ideal for streaming videos.
Monitor resolutions
High resolution is the key to a sharp, well-defined image. With an increase in resolution comes an increase in cost. Most monitors sold today are high definition (HD) monitors with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 (also known as 1080p). We advise you to opt for this minimum resolution. Other resolution options include (but are not limited to):
1280 x 1024
1366 x 768
1600 x 900
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1200
2560 x 1440
3440 x 1440
3840 x 2160
If you want something better than full high definition (Full High Definition – FHD), there are monitors that go up to ultra-high definition (UHD or 4K). 4K monitors can reach resolutions of 3840 x 2160 and above, but be aware that the increased visual quality comes at an additional, higher cost.
What size to choose?
A 24 to 30 inch screen is an ideal size for most users.
Just like resolution, the price of a monitor increases with its size. Since only you know what you’re going to display on the monitor, where you’re going to place it, and your budget, there is no ideal monitor size. For the average home user who checks email, browses the web, etc., a 24-inch monitor is probably just fine. However, if you’re doing office work (e.g. detailed spreadsheets), it would make more sense to go for a larger, higher resolution monitor.
Monitor ≠ TV
Unlike choosing a TV, the biggest monitor isn’t always the best. If resolution does not increase with size, the clarity of what is displayed on the screen will decrease. In other words, the pixels will be less fine. For example, if you have two monitors with the same resolution, the larger one will not be as sharp as the smaller one. And the smallest monitor, even if it’s very sharp, may be too small for you to use comfortably.
HP estimates that a 24- to 30-inch screen is suitable for the average user, while a 1080p screen (25 inches or larger) is the minimum size required for gaming.
The higher you go, the more ports there are. DisplayPort, HDMI, USB-C are the main ones. LG
Additional Features
It’s convenient to have USB ports on your monitor, so you don’t have to go far to plug in a mouse, keyboard, or webcam. Also consider the possibility of adjusting the monitor. Does it move to fit more than one person’s height? This may not apply to you, but if you have a family or even just one other person using it, you’ll be surprised how nice it is to be able to position, raise or lower the monitor like you want.
General use
“General purpose” monitors, and you may be using one right now, are types of desktop monitors that range in size from 21 to 41 inches. They are suitable for reading emails, online shopping, social media, watching short videos, etc.
Professionals
Professional monitors are typically aimed at graphic designers and other creative professionals. A monitor for a creative professional can accurately display billions of colors. UHD has become the standard choice for industry professionals, offering wide resolution from 3840 x 2160 (4K) up to 6016 x 3384 (6K).
Jeux
Gaming monitors serve a different purpose than professional monitors. Due to the speed of player-controlled actions, gaming monitors need a fast refresh rate (speed at which the screen can update information). The lowest refresh rate (shown in Hz for hertz) you want for gaming is 60 Hz, but high-end models can go as high as 360 Hz. If you use your computer primarily for gaming, the best solution is to opt for a monitor specific to gaming.
Ultra-wide and curved; the perfect solution?
Ultra-wide monitors are becoming more common, curved and of very good quality. Much wider than they are tall and much wider than your typical monitor, their horizontal and curved-where-possible design is perfect for gaming, movies, the web, and viewing multiple documents side-by-side.
This is my favorite type of screen. At home, I use a 29″ LG UltraWide series curved model. For the same price I paid a few years ago, today you can find 34″ ultra-wide curved displays on Amazon and elsewhere with a resolution of 3440 x 1440.
While there are cheaper ultra-wide flat screens, be aware that for your eyes, the left and right borders are further apart. The curve reduces this distance and increases eye comfort.
Samsung LC49RG90SSNXZA 49″ Ultra Wide QLED 120Hz HDR1000 WQHD Curved Display
Shop
Shop around the market. Unless acquiring a new monitor is vital and urgent, take the time to look at several models and compare prices. If you like shopping on Amazon, go to Camel’s Canadian site (https://ca.camelcamelcamel.com) to know the evolution of the price of a product on the megastore and discover the best time of the year to make the purchase.
To simplify without having to type the entire name of the product, find in the Amazon web address the number following “ /dp/ » as highlighted in this example:
https://www.amazon.ca/SANSUI-Freesync-Ultra-Thin-Adjustable-Compatible/dp/
B0BRV913KF/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=B0BRV913KF&qid=1694193236&sr=8-1&th=1
And paste it into the Camel search box to obtain the price evolution of the desired product.
Good hunt !
Samsung 49″ Ultra Wide Curved Monitor Price Trend CamelCamelCamel
2023-09-08 20:23:56
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