Choosing the Perfect Monitor

Monitors on a budget

So what is a monitor?

A computer monitor is an output device that displays information in pictorial or textual form. A monitor usually comprises a visual display, some circuitry, a casing, and a power supply. Monitors for computers (usually desktop computers) come in all different shapes and sizes. 

If you need a bigger monitor for your work or studies, you might buy one of the largest computer monitors you can find. However, this is difficult if you are on a budget.

Which monitor

Location of your computer (and monitor!)

Before making a purchase, ‌measure the width and height of the area where your monitor will be placed. Two smaller monitors may be preferable than one larger one if you frequently work on many documents at once on your desktop.

Many monitors use connection cables such as HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) or VGA (Video Graphics Array). For easy installation, make sure you allow some room for these cables in your location.

Professional or Multimedia

Photographers, graphic designers, videographers, and multimedia artists need a monitor specifically built for content creation. To achieve this, you’ll need a larger screen with a resolution of at least QHD or higher. For colour accuracy, clarity, and wide viewing angles, an IPS (in- plane switching)  just cannot be beat.

Monitors with response times of fewer than 5 milliseconds (ms) can help eliminate motion blur and ghosting when editing video. This occurs when previous images leave a faint trail on the screen. Also, think about whether you’ll require an adjustable stand or a dual-display mount to make viewing more comfortable.

Gaming

Gamers want a gaming monitor that can keep up with the high frame rates and processing demands of today’s most popular video games. With a response time of 5 milliseconds or less and a screen size of 25 to 27 inches, For gamers, it’s recommended a full HD monitor with a response time of 5 milliseconds or fewer. Make sure you have at least two monitors in your gaming setup if you prefer playing multiplayer games so that you can see each character’s screen at once.

Screen size

Does size matter? Depending on how big your room is and how frequently you use your computer, this may matter. Screens come in various sizes and, depending on if you are using your monitor for gaming, this also needs to be considered. 

Contrary to popular belief, screen size doesn’t affect resolution. As the resolution is increased, the number of pixels the graphics card must draw increases, lowering frames per second. However, according to the computer, increasing the screen size has no effect because size is unrelated to pixel count.

For gaming, a smaller gaming monitor, such as one that measures 24 inches, is suitable. This is because they have lower head movement and faster refresh rates and response times.

Specifications

Each monitor will differ in many specifications. Some monitors will be best for gaming, as their features will include a blue light so your eyes don’t get too sore from too much screen time. Other monitors will include a screen that is better for a work-focused environment, as the screen-time will differ by microseconds.

All monitors available on this list have either Radeon or AMD FreeSync software, which eliminates. stuttering and/or tearing in games and videos by locking a display’s refresh rate to the frame rate of the graphics card.

Depending on the monitor, there are different models of monitors that help leverage the liquid crystals aligned in parallel to produce rich colours. The shifting patterns of their liquid crystals define IPS panels. This helps to enhance colour accuracy and consistency.

All monitors listed below come with a warranty from 12 months to 3 years.

Resolution

Monitor Resolution Example

Full HD (1920 x 1080)

Full high definition monitors have a resolution equivalent to 1080p HDTVs. The crystal-clear picture is great for both everyday use and watching movies and videos.

Quad HD (2560 x 1440)

Also known as QHD, this form of resolution standard is used for high-end monitors, televisions and mobile devices. Wide Quad HD or WQHD, this technology gives you four times as many pixels is 720p HD. It delivers extraordinary image clarity, ideal for demanding applications such as CAD, graphic design and professional photo and video editing. 

4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160)

Sometimes called 4K or UHD, 4K Ultra HD is the highest resolution currently available. With four times as many pixels as Full HD, it delivers the ultimate technology for gaming, multi-tasking, high-resolution photo and video editing, and many other purposes. 4K Ultra HD is perfect for gamers, graphics pros and movie fans who demand the very best from their multimedia. Movie fans and gamers should check to see what 4K content is available before they choose this resolution.

Budget

Remember, with your chosen budget, you can afford to purchase a monitor. A monitor can cost anywhere between $50 and $1000. The average price of a monitor is $200-$300. You can make a purchase on a monitor that can help you get your work done, or just for entertainment and leisure. 

Here is a brief list of monitors in a price range:

Whether you’re looking at critical tax documents or something a little more amusing, this Lenovo Ultra Slim FHD Monitor delivers stunning pictures. With its ultra-slim panel and bezel, the monitor’s simple design makes a statement. With the HDMI cable that comes with your new set-up, you’ll be able to get it up and running in no time.

The cost is $277.00 (AUD).

Photo Credit: Officeworks

Samsung Curved Monitor

The broad, curved screen of this Samsung Curved Monitor allows you to enjoy panoramic vistas whether working or playing. It’s easy to use and has a sleek appearance that will look great in your office. This monitor makes it simple to absorb the details of your end-of-year financial spreadsheets.

The cost is $247.00 (AUD).

Samsung Smart Monitor

The Samsung 27″ Smart Monitor M50B is the ideal option to optimise your setup at the end of the fiscal year, whether you’re working, enjoying entertainment, playing games, or simply browsing the web. Utilize Microsoft Business 365 or remote access to your office computer to do tasks without a personal computer. Then, turn to pure enjoyment with the onboard, all-in-one entertainment system.

The cost is $297.00 AUD.

The LG UHD 4K Monitor is a versatile display that can be used for a variety of purposes, including gaming. It has brilliant colour reproduction as well as Radeon FreeSync, which makes gaming more fluid and immersive. It is a fantastic complement to any game setup because it is with built-in stereo speakers and a Game Mode that enables you to personalise your user experience.

The cost is $479.00 (AUD).

BenQ 27" Business Monitor

Because of its eye-care technology, ergonomic design, and flexibility to tilt, swivel, and pivot, the BenQ IPS Business Monitor is suitable for use at your workstation. Because of its frameless design, you can create an edge-to-edge arrangement for broad viewing, making it great for working and gaming. It also has Brightness Intelligence Technology, which analyses the intensity of the content to stop bright images from being overexposed and make dark areas easier to see.

The cost is $309.00 (AUD).

Photo Credit: Officeworks

Acer 27" Freesync Monitor

This Acer Monitor is intended to let you work, view media, and work in comfort. The monitor includes flicker-free technology and BlueLightShield to decrease eye strain. With AMD FreeSync technology, your game’s frame rate is set by the graphics card, not by the refresh rate of your monitor. This lets you adjust it to your liking.

The cost is $217.00 (AUD).

LG 27" 4k Monitor

This LG UHD 4K monitor is great for content creators since it has High Dynamic Range (HDR) 10, which provides four times the contrast detail of ordinary dynamic range monitors. The display is colour calibrated and supports sRGB for rich and accurate colour reproduction. Because this monitor supports HDCP 2.2, you can watch 4K video from gaming consoles, Blu-Ray players, and streaming services.

The cost is $397.00 (AUD).

In Conclusion

In conclusion, it doesn’t matter if you’re shopping for a monitor to meet your business, multimedia, or gaming requirements; the market is flooded with products that can accommodate not only your budget but also your level of expertise in both professional and recreational settings. Since the links that were provided above are from Officeworks Australia, I would recommend that you conduct your own research instead. Please do not allow any form of technological jargon to discourage you, since this could prevent you from making a successful purchase. 

If you are unsure about anything, ‌enquire about it, look into online forum groups, undefined about word-of-mouth testimonials, or even look at internet reviews. The trick is to locate a display that satisfies both your needs as a gamer and your obligations at work, and the easiest way to do so is to compare different models.

Author: Elizabeth Inglis

Libby author
Feel free to check out Elizabeth Inglis’ other blog posts such as Keyboards for daily use.

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