Do you find shopping for a new monitor a daunting experience? You aren’t alone. So, we wanted to offer a quick, straightforward guide to get you started on your search.
If you aren’t a hard-core gamer or creative professional, you won’t need to worry about most technical aspects. Let’s talk about the more practical things to consider, shall we?
Size matters
If your budget and space allow it, get the largest monitor possible. Having a bigger display gives you more usable space. You can take a look at ultra-wide displays or curved screens. Another option you can consider is a dual- or multiple-display setup.
Think about the resolution
Go with a 4K resolution display if you can. But if that’s not possible, spring for a Full HD or FHD one, which is a 1,920 x 1,080 panel with a 16:9 aspect ratio. This aspect ratio and resolution work best for many use cases like work, gaming, and entertainment.
A higher resolution screen can show more information on the screen, and details will come out sharper than those with lower resolutions. But it is also worth noting that the higher the resolution, the smaller the items on the screen will be.
Consider the pixels
As CNET explained in its comprehensive guide, you need to think about pixel density more as this determines how sharp the screen looks, how big elements appear on the interface, and more.
Let’s talk refresh rate and response time
Gamers will pay closer attention to these factors to not miss out on the action happening on the screen. The refresh rate is shown in hertz (Hz), and it measures how often a screen can update its image. So, a 60Hz monitor means the image is updated 60 times per second. This is the minimum refresh rate to get, with monitors supporting anywhere from 75Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz, up to 240Hz. Higher refresh rates mean higher frame rates. Of course, you’ll need a video card to support this.
As for response time, it shows the time it takes for a display to show one color to another. Ideally, you’ll need a response time of 5ms or lower.
What about the panel?
For most users, you don’t need to concern yourself with this too much. The cheapest option is a TN (twisted nematic) panel, but the quality isn’t excellent. VA or vertical alignment is somewhat better. But the best options are IPS or PLS (in-plane switching or plane-line switching), which mean the same thing.
Now about viewing angles
You need to think about viewing angles, especially if you want to use it with a movable or swivel mount. Displays with larger viewing angles mean minor color shifting and distortion. Try to get a monitor with a viewing angle of 170 degrees and above.
If you plan to use a stand, make sure you can adjust it to the appropriate height, allowing you to use it comfortably, and it’s tiltable to a usable angle. There are some monitors you can even rotate to 90 degrees for portrait orientation.
The port situation
Standard video inputs include VGA, HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort, and now, USB-C. Of course, you need to match whatever connector is on your computer or laptop with your display. It is easy to get adapters and cables for most inputs, anyway. At the very least, make sure you have a DisplayPort and HDMI. DisplayPort can support up to 8K resolution, while HDMI can carry audio signals, too.
Gotta look good, too
You’ll be staring at this screen a lot, so you might as well get one that you think looks good. Maybe for you, this means “thin bezels” or one that comes with practical cable management. Some can have holes or a hook to run the wire through them, so you declutter your desk.
Extra features
While those are the basics you have to think about, monitors also come with more features these days. Some have a touchscreen, built-in USB hub, built-in speakers, SD card slot, and more.
Tech isn’t one-size-fits-all, so ensuring you know what you need and want before you start shopping is the most important thing.
LG’s recently introduced a new range of monitors that answer specific needs you might have.
The new LG UltraWide monitor lets you immerse yourself in activities ranging from content creation to gaming. The extra-wide 21:9 IPS display promises true color accuracy and a panoramic view of what’s on the screen. This screen makes it easier to multitask without needing to close or minimize apps.
Paired with a three-sided, virtually borderless design and slim bezels, this monitor offers 33% more screen space than a regular 16:9 aspect ratio. This display also supports HDR10 with a brightness that goes up to 350 nits.
The UltraWide monitor also comes equipped with AMD FreeSync technology to eliminate the tearing difference between the graphics card’s frame rate and monitor’s refresh rate, which gamers can take advantage of.
If you need something geared towards work, the LG UltraFine Display Ergo has a flexible ergonomic stand that can be adapted to suit your needs. The stand also helps promote good posture through its high degree of adjustability, enabling each user to create a perfectly customized workstation.
It has LG’s UHD IPS Display that promises realistic, accurate color, enhanced contrast, clarity, and detail at wide angles. With HDR support, you can expect an even better image quality.
If you want a gaming monitor that can keep up with your demands, LG offers its UltraGear line, promising to pave the way to victory crisp visuals, fast response time, and the sharpest clarity.
This series comes with IPS 1ms Gray to Gray, and it’s an NVIDIA-tested and officially verified G-Sync-compatible monitor. You can expect reduced screen tearing and minimized stutter for a smoother, faster gaming experience. Objects are rendered more clearly, and you will be able to see even the most dynamic and fast-moving objects amidst all the action.
This series offers an IPS display with 99% sRGB support, providing outstanding color accuracy and a wider viewing angle.
With a connection to an HDR-capable console (Xbox One S / PS4 Pro) or an HDR-supported graphics card, you can enjoy punchier brightness and highlights with deeper shadows and silhouettes.
LG is also offering a more standard monitor for general use. The LG Monitor with IPS Full HD Display technology comes with a slim bezel on three sides and allows you to create an optimized work environment through convenient tilt adjustment. With Flicker Safe tech, Reader mode, and a Color weakness feature, you don’t have to worry too much about eye strain.
