How to choose a monitor for the computer
When choosing a monitor, you need to focus on four main parameters - diagonal, resolution, aspect ratio and type of matrix. In addition, it is important to consider the connection standard.
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How to choose a monitor: plain or curved?
In 2017, with a decrease in the price of OLED-matrix curved monitors have become quite popular. However, they remain more expensive than regular ones. Nevertheless, curved monitors receive a lot of enthusiastic reviews from satisfied users, which is why many people are inclined to choose just such devices.
Before you go in search of the monitor, you must decide for what purposes it will be used.
Curved is good in the following cases:
- Computer games (provided a deep immersion effect);
- Editing audio and video clips (convenient to view timelines);
- Image editing (better color rendering is achieved).
- Editing, typing, creating presentations (you have to do too many movements with your eyes and neck);
- Browse the web;
- Watching films.
Choosing a monitor diagonal
The diagonal is a traditional measure of the physical size of a monitor, measured from one angle to another, which is, unsurprisingly, diagonally. Screen size determines the usability.
For home use, it is advisable to buy 21-inch monitors. Smaller screens can be inconvenient, especially for viewing multimedia content. You can take a slightly larger monitor. Screens that are 21-24 inches in size now have a better diagonal-price ratio.
However, it is more convenient to play or watch movies on a larger screen. The optimal diagonal for working with multimedia content is 24-32 inches. In addition, on such screens it is convenient to run several program windows at once.
Monitors, which have a larger diagonal than 32 inches, are usually used for professional activities - 3D modeling, design, graphics processing and multimedia.
What monitor resolution to choose
The resolution of the matrix is the number of pixels that fit on it. The higher it is, the smoother the image appears, and the more small details can be displayed on it. At the same time, it is worth remembering that the size of many functional elements (buttons, text, images, blocks on websites) is measured in pixels, and therefore as they increase in resolution, they become visually smaller.
Therefore, buying small screens of high resolution is not recommended. It is desirable that the number of pixels on the display correspond to its diagonal.So, for screens up to 24 inches in size, the optimal resolution is 1920 × 1080 pixels (also called Full HD). Suit and more affordable option - 1600 × 900 pixels. With such resolutions, the image will retain its readability and optimal dimensions.
For screens with a diagonal of 27 to 32 inches, the optimal resolution is 2560 × 1440 pixels, also called QHD. Full HD, which is found in more budget models, will also be quite convenient, although some objects on the display may seem unusually large.
For screens with a diagonal of more than 32 inches, the optimal resolution is 3840 × 2160 pixels, also called 4K. The budget option QHD is also suitable, but some objects may seem too large.
Aspect ratio
Aspect ratio is a parameter that shows the length of the horizontal and vertical of the monitor. However, it displays their mutual proportions. Almost all modern monitors - widescreen, which have an aspect ratio of 16: 9 or 16:10.
16: 9 aspect ratio monitors are great for playing multimedia content like movies, videos, TV shows, etc. On screens from 4:10 pm, all this can also be watched, but it is worth considering that black bars will appear below and above the image.
Also 16: 9 is often the “native” ratio for computer games. However, the majority of modern projects are also excellently “coming” at 16:10.
If you plan to watch high-quality Blu-Ray movies on the monitor, then you should take a screen with an aspect ratio of 21: 9 - it is “native” for such content. However, most even modern games do not support this format.
"Square" monitors with an aspect ratio of 4: 3 today are practically not produced. At the same time, they are poorly suited for both video playback and computer games. On monitors with a 4: 3 ratio, it’s convenient only to work with documents or browse web pages - their content is usually centered horizontally, and too much empty space appears on widescreen displays to the left and right of it.
Recently, another, more exotic format - 3: 2 has come into vogue. It is very convenient for working in professional graphic editors, since it allows you to conveniently center the working field and place the toolbars in such a way that they do not have to be dragged with a mouse - but they did not close the image. However, the 3: 2 format is bad for everything else - watching videos, surfing the web, playing computer games, etc.
Which matrix to choose
The matrix is a block of LEDs, which, in fact, displays the image. Such parameters as color rendition, contrast, saturation and speed of response depend on its type. Today, the most widespread are three types of matrices - TN, VA and IPS.
TN-matrices (which may also be called TN + film) are well suited for reproducing dynamic scenes, because they have a short response time. Therefore, such monitors like gamers. However, the TN-matrices have a rather low color rendition and relatively small viewing angles.
VA matrices (which may also be called MVA or PVA) differ from TN by increased color rendition in terms of the number of displayed shades and viewing angles. However, these screens have a rather slow response rate - behind the fast-moving objects, there remains a “loop” on the screen. They are well suited for image editing, web browsing and similar operations.
IPS-matrix (which can also be called SFT) have the widest viewing angles - up to 180 degrees - and excellent color reproduction in tens of millions of shades. However, they also have a relatively short response time, which is expressed in the microfreezes of the image. Therefore, they are also not very well suited for gamers.IPS screens are an excellent solution for working with images and viewing multimedia content, although due to the highlight of the entire matrix, black does not look deep enough.
There is also a modification of this technology called H-IPS. These screens increase the response speed and image contrast, so that they are better suited for games.
If you need deep black color (which is equally important for multimedia content lovers and designers), OLED monitors will be a good solution. They are characterized by excellent color saturation, a wide range of hues and fast response times. However, such monitors are different "burnout" - during operation, they lose their characteristics. They have another drawback - they are extremely rare and have a high price.
Connection standard
Modern monitors are connected to a computer according to one of four standards - VGA, DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort.
- VGA is an outdated standard. This is one of the first types of monitor connection to the motherboard. Unlike all others, it transmits an analog signal, so that the maximum resolution of the attached screen can be very small. It makes sense to use VGA only if neither the monitor nor the motherboard (or video card) are equipped with another standard.
- DVI is an aging standard. Unlike VGA, it transmits data by “digit”. That is why both the resolution and the refresh rate of the image are significantly increased compared with the analog signal. A few years ago, DVI was a standard for connecting a monitor to a PC, but now it is gradually being replaced by a more universal HDMI.
- HDMI is a modern multimedia data transfer standard. It can transmit not only video, but also audio. The vast majority of "universal" monitors are connected through it. In addition, through HDMI to a computer, you can connect a TV.
- DisplayPort is the most up-to-date video transmission standard. It can transmit an image with a resolution of 4K and higher, as well as with an update rate of 120 Hz. Gaming and professional monitors are connected to a computer via DisplayPort.
Before buying a monitor - in fact, like many other computer components - you must first decide what it will be used for. Only in this case it is possible to avoid overpayment for unnecessary functions, such as too high resolution. Or on the contrary, to prevent the appearance of problems with insufficient color reproduction.
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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.
