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What Monitor Should I Use for My Office PC?
Choosing the right monitor for your office PC can be a daunting task, given the myriad of options available in the market. You are probably going to be using your monitor for many hours per day, so selecting the right monitor is crucial for an optimal experience. In this blog post, we'll explore various factors to consider when choosing a PC monitor and provide recommendations to help you make an informed decision.
Understanding Your Needs
Before diving into specific features and specifications, it's essential to understand your primary use case. Different activities require different types of monitors. Here are some common categories:
Gaming
For gamers, a high refresh rate and low response time are critical. A PC monitor with at least 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time will provide smoother gameplay and reduce motion blur.
Professional Work
If you're a graphic designer, video editor, or photographer, colour accuracy and resolution are paramount. Look for monitors with high resolution (4K or higher) and wide colour gamut support.
General, office and home office use
For everyday tasks like browsing the web, watching videos, or working on documents, a standard Full HD (1080p) monitor with decent colour reproduction should suffice.
Key Features to Consider
Once you've identified your primary use case, consider these key features when selecting your PC monitor:
Resolution
Resolution refers to the number of pixels on the screen. Higher resolutions provide sharper images but require more powerful hardware to drive them effectively. Common resolutions include:
- Full HD (1920x1080): Suitable for general use.
- Quad HD (2560x1440): Ideal for gamers who want better visuals without taxing their system too much.
- 4K Ultra HD (3840x2160): Perfect for professionals who need detailed images and videos.
Generally speaking, you will only benefit from a higher resolution with a larger PC monitor. So, our advice is not to spend too much on a higher resolution if your monitor is less than 27 inches.
Refresh Rate
The refresh rate indicates how many times per second the screen updates its image. Higher refresh rates result in smoother motion. Standard monitors have a 60Hz refresh rate, but gaming monitors often feature 120Hz, 144Hz, or even 240Hz. The higher the refresh rate, the easier a monitor will be on your eyes. So, consider investing in a higher refresh rate if you are spending extended time staring at your screen. We recommend a minimum refresh rate of 75Hz for extended office use.
Response Time
Response time measures how quickly pixels can change from one colour to another. Lower response times reduce ghosting and motion blur in fast-paced scenes. Aim for a response time of 5ms or lower if you're into gaming. Don’t worry too much about investing in a high response time if you are using your PC monitor mainly for office use.
Panel Type
There are three main types of panels used in monitors:
- TN (Twisted Nematic): Offers fast response times but poorer colour reproduction and viewing angles.
- IPS (In-Plane Switching): Provides better colour accuracy and wider viewing angles but slightly slower response times.
- VA (Vertical Alignment): Balances between TN and IPS panels with good colour reproduction and contrast ratios but moderate response times.
You should be aware that there are actually only a few main panel manufacturers that exist – most branded monitors use the same panels. So, make your choice based on how good the interface is, how good the monitor looks, as well as other factors such as budget and warranty.
Size
A common mistake when choosing a new PC monitor is to buy something that is too big for your desk. Make sure that you have taken the measurement of the space available on your desk before buying your PC monitor. Be aware that many monitors these days are ‘frameless’ – their screens go right up to the edge of the monitor. This means that you might be able to get away with a larger screen than you thought!
Remember – the size of a screen is measured diagonally across the largest dimension on the screen.
Connectivity Options
Ensure that your chosen monitor has the necessary ports to connect to your PC. Common ports include HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C, and DVI. If you are pairing a new monitor with an older desktop of laptop, check that the PC has the requisite connectivity in place before you buy your new PC monitor.
Interface and controls
Different monitors will have different ways of allowing you to adjust the appearance of your screen. Some will have a touch-sensitive interface; others will have buttons to press. Would you prefer descrete buttons that are hidden, or buttons on the front of your screen that are easier to get to? You will want to make sure you can adjust the following settings:
- Contrast
- Brightness
- Refresh rate
- Power
- Colour
- Image
- Input
Ergonomics
Making sure you get your monitor in exactly the right position is the key to being comfortable over an extended period of time, and avoiding repetitive strain injury (RSI). Consider a monitor with adjustable stands that allow you to tilt, swivel, pivot, or adjust height.
Conclusion
Selecting the right PC monitor involves understanding your needs, considering key features like resolution, refresh rate, response time and panel type, and choosing based on recommendations tailored towards specific use cases. By taking these factors into account, you can find a PC monitor that enhances your computing experience whether you 're gaming, working professionally, or performing everyday tasks.
You may also find our other monitor guides useful:
PC Monitors from Direct Imaging Supplies
At Direct Imaging Supplies we have extensive technical knowledge of IT office supplies and PC monitors in particular. We stock well-known brands including Asus, Acer, LG, Lenovo, Philips and Samsung, and many different types of monitor including curved, OLED and ultra-wide. Our technical team are ready to take your calls, so get in touch with any questions you might have about PC Monitors.
Happy shopping!