Monitors

Here is what actually matters when buying a computer monitor, in plain words.

Monitors: what actually matters when buying one

A monitor is just the screen for your computer — no channels, no apps, only what your computer shows it. When you are buying, two things decide how happy your eyes will be: size and sharpness.

Measured corner to corner

24″ · 27″ · 32″ and up

Size

Bigger means larger text and pictures — easier on your eyes.

24 inchesThe common, affordable size. Fine if you sit close to the screen.

27 inchesThe sweet spot for most desks. Text is comfortably readable.

32 inches and upFeels huge. Great if you sit farther back or want everything big.

1080p vs 4K

1080p (Full HD) · 4K (Ultra HD)

Sharpness

Sharpness — called resolution — is how many tiny dots make up the picture. 1080p uses about 2 million dots. 4K uses about 8 million: four times as many. More dots means sharper letters and photos.

1080pFine for everyday use, and costs less.

4KNoticeably sharper on a 27-inch or bigger screen. You can make text larger and it stays crisp.

Skip 8KYou will not see the difference, and it costs much more.

Monitors use the same screen types as TVs — most are LED, and a few premium models are OLED. The full comparison of LED, QLED, Mini-LED, and OLED lives on our TV guide: TV words, in plain English.

Can I use a TV as a computer screen?

Yes, it works. You plug an HDMI cable from the TV into your computer. But text looks fuzzier on a TV. The picture gets stretched across a much bigger screen. A monitor is sharper for reading at a desk. A TV is fine for watching videos from the couch.

Want help choosing the right one?

Call Straight 2 Work Tech Solutions for patient help choosing or setting up your new monitor.

(813) 770-6082 Email us