How To Buy A Monitor

While laptop computers have pretty much replaced tower PCs over the last decade, the humble computer monitor continues to be a staple of various trades, from graphic design and eSports to book editing and reception desks. Even the cheapest $200 laptops have video out ports.

how to buy a monitor

But whether you're buying at home or for the office, for work or for play, buying a monitor online can be a daunting task. From people who have never even assumed they needed one, to buyers who have narrowed their choices down to two standout picks, the question is the same: What do you do when you can't see them in person?

You check the specs, of course! With a bit of knowledge, can make a lot of safe guesses about what you need in a computer monitor based on its specs, features, and price point. Here's some tips I've learned after a modest career of reviewing screens.

24 inches: You'll find 24-inch computer monitors most often. While there are 22-, 23-, and even less than 20-inch monitors available online, a 24-inch monitor is usually a better value. Because it's the most common size, it's widely manufactured, making it inherently cheaper to utilize regardless of manufacturer.

27 inches: If you've already got a really big laptop, are upgrading from a 24-inch monitor, or plan to use your new purchase for something that would particularly benefit from a big screen (like Powerpoint, photo or video editing, or watching Netflix or YouTube), a 27-inch monitor is the most common next step up.

32 inches: For most people, these huge, often curved monitors are in the "why not just buy a TV?" range (though we'll get into that in a bit), but if you want a very high-end way to do the same kinds of things you'd do with a 27-inch monitor. These are especially popular as gaming peripherals.

Which size do you need? It just depends on what you want to do with it. This will also affect things like resolution, price, and quality. If you just want a step up from your smaller laptop screen, I would go with a simple 24-inch monitor.

You should also, if you can, track down your laptop's maximum output where resolution is concerned. If you have a $200 laptop, the image it can send to a 32-inch monitor with 4K resolution might not actually look very good.

The size/resolution "debate" is not one that I will claim to have finished or solved, but it is a common discussion in the realm of both TVs and computer monitors. In any case, resolution refers to the amount of pixels in the screen. The key thing to understand about resolution is that screens of the same size can have different resolutions.

Let's assume you are considering a 27-inch computer monitor. I'm of the opinion that many resolutions aren't high enough to look good on a 27-inch monitor. I once had a 27-inch monitor with 1080p (full HD) resolution, which meant 1,920 x 1,080 pixels.

However, by that same logic, you probably don't need 4K resolution on a 24-inch monitor if all you're doing is browsing the web or using it at work. If you take "24 inches at 1080p" as a kind of soft baseline for resolution to screen size that's good enough, it's easier to reason out the affects of sliding up or down in terms of resolution versus the same screen size.

4K: So called because it's 3,840 x 2,160 pixels, 4K resolution is the next major step up. Both 4K and 1080p describe a "16:9" aspect ratio, so the screens look the same (same as TVs), but 4K resolution gives you twice the horizontal and vertical pictures. For most general purposes, even gaming, you probably don't need to pair a 4K monitor with something like a laptop. While some gaming laptops and Apple Macbooks have the power to "drive" a 4K monitor, most don't.

TN: This means "twisted nematic." These are the cheapest panels, and they tend to have the worst color and contrast but the fastest response time. These are often used in smaller, speed-focused eSports and competitive gaming monitors.

If you're buying the monitor for everyday use, you probably don't need to spring for IPS. Also, if you want deep contrast for the occasional movie, you should go with VA instead. However, if you're using the monitor for graphic design purposes or want a flexible stand or articulating mount and need the best viewing angles, IPS is a better choice.

What can we figure out from this? Tons! This monitor is only $90, which explains why hundreds of people have bought it. It's 21.5 inches, which is definitely on the small side as monitors go, but if you're working with laptops in the 11/13/15 inch screen size range, 21 inches is still a big step up.

Right in the image, it says it's an IPS panel. While I wouldn't use a monitor this small to watch TV/movie content or play video games (personally), plenty of people would. Even with the shallow contrast, the bigger size and higher brightness are going to be a big step up from your laptop.

I have to be honest: I didn't know what was going to pop up when I searched Amazon, and now I kind of want to buy this monitor. It's small but not tiny; has enough resolution for its size without over- or under-serving on pixel count; tilts and is almost bezel-free; and most importantly, has an IPS panel, which will give you a bright, pleasing image most of the time.

If I needed a monitor right now, I'd probably buy this one. Like most people, I don't have $90 just sitting around, but getting a 22-inch Full HD IPS-equipped computer monitor for that price is an awesome value.

DVI: The white one. This is video only, but it does support resolutions upwards of 1080p, so it will be fine for most general purposes. Some DVI cables support 4K, and some even transmit audio, but the one included with your monitor will be a basic one.

While there's no way to protect yourself entirely from overpaying or missing out on a feature you end up needing, knowing a bit about how you'll use your new computer monitor can be enough to help determine what size, resolution, panel type, and so on you might want or need.

You may use your monitor to hold video chats with friends or for business conferences. You have two main options for video communication, namely a built-in webcam or an independent camera, with marked differences that provide benefits according to your needs. Many monitors, especially high-quality models, come with an integrated webcam.

New year, new rig upgrade. If you need a new gaming monitor, or just a standard display for updating spreadsheets, this is the place to look. From massive, curved gaming monitors that compliment our gaming PC deals, to simple 1080p monitors that will pair well with our desktop computer deals, we've got you covered. Read on to find the best monitor deals from brands like Samsung, LG, Dell and Alienware.Today's Best Monitor Deals

Specs for gaming monitors and other computer components require sorting through a lot of numbers. It makes the process of buying anything computer related extremely tough. Gamers may be a bit more tech savvy than everyday users, but still, monitors and their technology have gotten extremely complex. Here is a guide to help you understand the basics so you can find a monitor that will help you see everything you need when the game is on the line.

Screen size will likely determine your resolution. If you need/want something smaller, a 24" Full HD display will do great. The mid-range and likely best for most people is a 27", 2560 x 1440, also known as 1440p or QHD, monitor. Then at the top end is 32" with a 4K resolution. Obviously, there are other options available, such as 4K 27" displays and QHD 32" displays and things outside these sizes and resolutions and aspect ratios, but we are trying to keep it simple.

Ah, now for the real gaming specs. When you look for a gaming monitor, you will absolutely want to check out the refresh rate, measured in hertz (Hz). This reflects how many times the monitor will refresh the screen each second. Higher numbers are better. Basic displays and televisions hit around 30 Hz, with some going up to 60 Hz. For gaming, 60 Hz is recommended as the bare minimum.

Now, 60 Hz is considered the bare minimum, but there are many 144 Hz displays now on the market. This is highly recommended for serious gaming. You can tell the difference between 60 and 144 Hz, and this difference can help you improve your own response times. There are even 240 Hz monitors if you want to go for the top of the line, though it remains to be seen whether there is a benefit for average gamers.

AMD and NVIDIA have both developed adaptive sync, or variable refresh rate solutions, to help monitors maintain smooth playback even when the graphics cards are putting out non-standard frame rates. AMD has FreeSync while NVIDIA has G-Sync. Both do a great job of eliminating tearing but require compatible hardware to do so.

Is one better than the other? Well, you could argue that G-Sync is technically better since it has additional certifications and guarantees of performance compared to the open FreeSync that allows for inconsistencies from monitor to monitor. However, G-Sync displays are more expensive.

You will need to make sure your OS, graphics card, and monitor all support HDR to get it working. And then, each game will need to have its own support for the format. Be careful with this, but it is highly recommended because it is quickly becoming a more standard feature.

This should be a solid guide to help you go from knowing nothing about gaming monitors to finding one that is the best fit for you. If you want more help or specific recommendations, please contact our sales team or stop by the Comments section, below.

When it comes to choosing the best monitor for your gaming PC, there are a plethora of factors that come into play. If you're looking for the best possible screen for playing games in 4K, then check out the Dell UP2718Q. It's an 27-inch IPS monitor with 10-bit color depth and a 60HZ refresh rate which will certainly keep any gamer satisfied. The best monitors for a gaming PC are called "gaming monitors." They feature fast refresh rates, low input lag, and large resolutions to provide the best graphics for your game. The latest gaming monitors come with Nvidia's G-Sync or AMD's Freesync technology. These technologies minimize screen stuttering and tearing so you get the smoothest picture while playing your favorite game. 041b061a72