What is Important in a Monitor?

Understanding Features

There are so many different features in computer monitors. It is often very difficult to understand what they all mean. That is the purpose of this article– to help you understand what they are, which are important, and what I recommend for you. Here is a list of important features to consider for a home office monitor from most important to least important.

• Size
• Display Resolution
• Aspect Ratio
• Display Input Types
• Number of Displays
• Panel type
• Monitor Stands and VESA mounting
• Curvature

Monitor Size

Yes, size does matter for this one. The size of a monitor screen is measured diagonally from one corner of the display to the other. This means that the bezels, or area surround the display, are not included in that measure.

Typical monitor sizes are 21″, 23″, and 27″. Some people like to go extra large and a 32″ monitor. A monitor that size usually is typically not recommended for productivity.

The most popular monitor size is 27″. This is the size that makes reading text less straining on the eyes. 27″ monitors pair very well in a dual monitor set up at that size.

Display Resolution

The screen resolution is the detail that the image on the monitor can produce. A monitor shows its picture through tiny dots called pixels. The most common monitor resolution is 1920 x 1080. What that means the screen has 1,920 pixels in length and 1,080 in width.

Display resolution not only shows detail, but it also allows for more screen real estate. Higher resolutions allow for more things to fit on the monitor’s display.

One misunderstanding that most people have is thinking that if their monitor is large, then there will be plenty of space to put all of the images, webpages, and windows needed for their work. The difference between size and resolution is that monitor display size is how much space the image takes up, and resolution is how much detail is in that given space.

This picture is an example of how an image can have the same size, but the higher resolution completely changes the quality of the image.

1080p is the lowest resolution that you should get in your monitor. From there, you can go up to 1440p, and even up to 4k and more. 1440p has 50% more detail than 1080, and 4k is quadruple. The higher resolution means you have more space to work in given your monitor’s size. If your workflow requires you to edit 4k video, then a 4k monitor is a must. A drawback of using a 4k monitor is that you probably will need to upscale your computer display to avoid eyestrain from so much detail on your display.

Aspect Ratio

Aspect Ratio is are the proportions the monitor has for its length and height. Said another way, it is the ratio of length to height.

The standard aspect ratio for monitors is 16:9. Ultra-wide monitors have an aspect ratio of 21:9. Ultra-wide monitors allow for a longer and more immersive viewing experience, but some with the drawback most videos having black bars on both sides.

For example, watching YouTube on a 21:9 monitor will have those black bars. Along with the more immersive view, there are more total pixels on the display, so that means that there is more working space.

Display Input Types

Every monitor must have a display input in order to show their image on the screen. Here is a list of display input types and what they do.

VGA (left) DVI (Right)

VGA (Video Graphics Array) is the oldest video interface technology and should be strongly avoided. The port for it is always blue. VGA only transmits video signal.

DVI (Digital Video Interface) is better than VGA. Some cheaper monitors use this connector. The port is always white and only sends video signal.

USB-C almost everything. It transfers data, power, video, and audio. Ideally your monitor has this, but it can be more expensive. More monitors are being made with this port type.

DisplayPort transfers both audio and video. It can be used to daisy chain monitors. More on what that is below.

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the most common interface for modern devices. Both audio and video transfer over this cable.

Number of Displays

The number of monitors that your work setup should have mostly depends on your workflow. If your budget allows, having two monitors has been proven to increase productivity by 20-30 percent for most users. Your computer will need to have at least two output ports, unless your monitor supports Daisy chaining.

Daisy chaining is connecting your computer to the monitor like you typically would, but then connecting a second monitor directly into the first monitor you plugged in. This allows for better cable management, and can make using a standing desk much easier with two monitors.

Panel Types

Computer monitors come in different panel technologies. These include TN, IPS, and VA.

TN (Twisted Nematic) panels are the cheapest, have the lowest color accuracy, but have lower input lag and typically show more images per second (hz or refresh speed). These panels previous were primarily be used by PC video game enthusiasts due how quickly they could update their image, but other monitor technologies have almost caught up to their refresh speed, making this panel type a poor choice if you can get a different panel type for the same price. The viewing angles on this panel type are very bad.

VA (Vertical Alignment) panels are similar to TN, but have better viewing angles and color accuracy. Their quality doesn’t quite match the quality found in IPS displays.

IPS (In-Plane Switching) are premium panels that have great viewing angles with amazing color accuracy. The draw back with IPS is they are typically more expense, and can have slower image refresh speeds. The slower refresh speeds only affect activities that favor quick image changing, like PC gaming. These panels are a perfect match for content creators given their color accuracy and amazing picture.

Monitor Stands and VESA mounting

Monitor stands come in many different sizes. The best stands have little monitor wobble, are height adjustable, and allow the monitor to pivot left and right. Some stands even allow monitors to flip 90 degrees for a very tall monitor viewing experience.

Sometimes you might have a great monitor, but the stand doesn’t match your mobility needs. That is where VESA mounting fixes that issue. You can replace a monitor stand with a VESA arm that has better mobility than any monitor stand can have on its own.

A VESA on a monitor can be found on the back of some monitors. It is a square recessed anchoring place where a monitor can connect to a monitor arm. A VESA monitor arm attaches to the back part of the desk or clamps on the very edge of the desk and allows for greater monitor mobility. A monitor arm isn’t on the desk, so it frees up a lot of work space, and makes changing monitor positioning easy.

Curved Monitors

Curved monitors offer a more immersive experience and are more comfortable for your eyes, but more expensive and can make it hard to see if see straight lines.

Summary

Most people like 27″ monitors and they have really gone down in price recently. If you only use one display, I recommend using one with a resolution of 1440p so you balance having plenty of detail on the screen to work in, more pixels to use, and the detail isn’t so much where it causes you to upscale your display. 4k monitors are much more expensive than 1080p or 1440p monitors.

Standard 16:9 monitors are great, and I would not recommend an ultra-wide monitor (21:9) unless it is essential to your workflow. Ultra-wide monitors are much more expensive, and it is usually cheaper to get two 27″ monitors.

Whatever monitor you get, be sure that it connects to your computer whoever you need. If your computer supports USB-C, a monitor with USB-C and transfer power, data, video, and audio. Anything other than a TN panel type will be great to use.

If you like the monitor stand, there is no need to VESA mount it. I prefer to mount all my monitors because it gives me so much more desk space, looks great and allows much greater flexibility with where I can place my monitor. Curved monitors don’t add much value unless you want to use an ultra-wide monitor, but it really increases the price of the monitor.

My Recommendations

Lenovo L27M

The Lenovo L27M is my top recommendation for your home office monitor. It is 27″, has a resolution 1080p, has amazing colors and viewing angles with its IPS display panel, connects to your computer via USB-C, and can be VESA mounted. This monitor does very well in a two monitor setup because the screen bezels are small. It has amazing reviews, and will make viewing your work look great!