You need a new monitor for your computer hardware. What features should you look for?

Buying a new monitor always depends on what you plan on doing with it. Are you gaming? Streaming? Just using it for work and email or browsing the web? Are you editing video? The first thing I always tell people when purchasing a monitor is, buy what you need and nothing more or you won't be getting your full value. Some attributes I would look for is (depending on what you need it for): - Refresh Rate (60hz, 120hz, 144hz, 240hz) - Max Brightness (nits) - Resolution (1080p, 1440p, 4k) - Size (23",27", 34") Find the combination of specs that you need for what you're using it for and you won't be disappointed!

Physical aspects : (Ergonomics) Can the monitor Tilt, pivot and is it height adjustable. Is the monitor curved or flat. The size of the screen. Technical Aspects: -Resolution of the screen -Refresh Rate (higher is better for smoothness) -Panel type: ie IPS, LED, OLED etc. Keep in mind it all comes down to what the monitor will be used for. Examples such as, gaming, office, security, designing and more.

Panel type and color quality: Personal Experience: When selecting a monitor, I pay attention to the panel type and color quality to ensure accurate and vibrant visuals. IPS (In-Plane Switching) panels offer excellent color accuracy, wide viewing angles, and good color consistency across the screen. TN (Twisted Nematic) panels are known for faster response times but may have narrower viewing angles and inferior color reproduction compared to IPS panels. VA (Vertical Alignment) panels provide deep blacks and high contrast ratios, making them suitable for multimedia and gaming. Considering my usage requirements, I prioritize monitors with IPS or VA panels for superior color reproduction and viewing experience.

The most common mistake is buying a 4K resolution screen and then increasing it to 125% just to see the font properly or menus of certain apps.

Screen resolution support, quality of display & RGB. USB support, HDMI support, Mac support. power balance. support all variants of laptops/desktops

Refresh rate and response time: Personal Experience: Refresh rate and response time are crucial specifications for gaming and fast-paced content. A higher refresh rate (measured in Hertz) results in smoother motion and reduced motion blur, enhancing gaming and multimedia experiences. Response time refers to the time it takes for a pixel to change from one color to another and affects motion clarity and ghosting. For gaming, I prioritize monitors with high refresh rates (e.g., 144Hz or 240Hz) and low response times (e.g., 1ms) to minimize input lag and motion artifacts, providing a competitive edge and immersive gameplay experience.

IPS panels are typically preferred in work applications. Anti-glare, height adjustment, tilt/swivel adjustments, pivot capability are other things to be considered.

Imo - in business environment panel type is crucial. Since this directly effect both productivity and eye fatigue. I would normally go on IPS on desktops and either IGZO or oled on laptop option (for battery life and mobility reasons). All and all IMO both VA and TN are not suitable for most business cases.

Colour quality is the most important. A monitor that is colour-accurate, that can be calibrated, and can display colour gamuts that are used in your production process, is perhaps the single most important feature to have.

Also look for the built-in Bluelight filter, to lessen eye fatigue. Especially if you're in front of the screen for more than 8 hours.

Refresh rate and response time: Personal Experience: Refresh rate and response time are crucial specifications for gaming and fast-paced content. A higher refresh rate (measured in Hertz) results in smoother motion and reduced motion blur, enhancing gaming and multimedia experiences. Response time refers to the time it takes for a pixel to change from one color to another and affects motion clarity and ghosting. For gaming, I prioritize monitors with high refresh rates (e.g., 144Hz or 240Hz) and low response times (e.g., 1ms) to minimize input lag and motion artifacts, providing a competitive edge and immersive gameplay experience.

Connectivity and ergonomics: Personal Experience: Connectivity options and ergonomic features play a significant role in the usability and versatility of a monitor. I look for monitors with a variety of connectivity ports such as HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C to accommodate different devices and peripherals. Adjustable ergonomic features such as height adjustment, tilt, swivel, and pivot allow for comfortable viewing angles and reduce strain during prolonged use. Cable management solutions help keep the workspace organized and clutter-free, enhancing aesthetics and usability.

Power connectors. Some monitors require external power supplies (aka power bricks). However, some have internal power supplies with a standard power cable. There are benefits to both. With the external power supply, you can easily replace it if it fails. But, with the internal power supply, you can easily find replacement or longer power cables.

The type of monitor that you have may be the difference between an excellent ir very bad experience. It could bottleneck the capabilities of your GPU if the hertz, refresh rate and/or resolution doesn't fit the recommended baseline by your GPU manufacturer.

Some points worth mentioning: HDMI, DVI and DisplayPort are digital standards. The quality of the cable itself don't matter that much compared to analog standards like VGA. Ususally, it works or it doesn't. With HDMI and DisplayPort cables, DO check which version of the standard the cable conforms to - or you might not be able to set the correct resolution or refresh rate. Going for a thin bezel also gives the illusion of a larger screen - this is worth considering when shopping for monitors.

Often, you "get what you pay for". If you are just browsing the web or watching Netflix, perhaps a low cost monitor will do. But, if you are into photography, video editing, web design, or print design, it is essential to use a colour-accurate wide-gamut display capable of calibration - and that will cost more than the entry-level displays.

Price and warranty: Personal Experience: Price and warranty considerations are important factors when purchasing a monitor, balancing budget constraints with long-term investment and peace of mind. I evaluate the price-performance ratio and compare features and specifications across different models to find the best value for my budget. Additionally, I consider the length and terms of the manufacturer warranty to ensure coverage against defects and malfunctions, prioritizing monitors with longer warranty periods and reputable customer support.

The price and warranty of a monitor affect how much value and protection you get. The price of a monitor depends on the features and quality that it offers. You should compare different models and brands and look for the best deal that fits your budget and expectations. You should also consider the warranty of the monitor, which is the guarantee that the manufacturer or seller provides in case of defects or malfunctions. You should look for a monitor that has a long and comprehensive warranty that covers the parts and labor costs and offers easy and fast service and support.

A warranty on electronics is very important. Some things are made cheaply and other item and made better. A warranty of things over $100.00 is my best practice.

Here’s what else to consider: In addition to the mentioned factors, it's essential to consider factors such as color calibration options, gaming-specific features (e.g., adaptive sync technologies like FreeSync or G-Sync), and design aesthetics (e.g., bezel size, slim profile). Assessing user reviews and professional recommendations can provide valuable insights into real-world performance and user satisfaction. Moreover, considering future upgrades and compatibility with other devices (e.g., gaming consoles, external monitors) helps future-proof your monitor investment and ensure compatibility with evolving technologies.

Can’t forget about consistency between monitors for multi-display setups. So often do I run into clients with three different monitors that don’t match each other at all.

As a former IT Manager for a non profit organization serving those with a range of disabilities and also supporting staff with disabilities, I'd also consider: 1. Am I buying multiple monitors and can save on a bulk purchase? 2. Do some or all of my workstation users need dual monitors that must fit available desk space and monitor mounts? 3. What types of workstation video outputs do the monitors support? 4. Do any of my clients have specific visual or screen reader issues that I need to support with specific monitor capabilities?

What you're looking to do with your hardware. Gaming equals fast refreshing and high usage but it will cost you. Gaming on a budget won't cost you a ton but more than you want to spend. Look for used monitors in Facebook Marketplace or your local goodwill or pan shop.