How to choose a monitor

For surfing the Internet and watching videos

If you use a computer just to surf social networks and sometimes watch videos on YouTube, you do not need a fancy monitor with high resolution and additional features. Suitable models costing up to 7 thousand rubles and a diagonal of 19-21 inches. Less than 19 is worth taking only if the budget is very limited, and there is very little space on the table.

Full HD resolution is not necessary: at this diagonal, you will hardly notice the difference between it and HD, so you should not overpay. But the aspect ratio is better to choose after all 16: 9 - it is for this format that sites make and shoot videos. That is, the monitor should be rectangular, not square.

These inexpensive models have about the same characteristics, so you can choose according to reviews and how much you like the monitor in the store.

For office work

Office workers with non-specific tasks, such as managers, can buy the same monitors as for surfing the Internet. But since in the office we spend 8 hours at the computer continuously, the ability to adjust the angle and height of the monitor will come in handy - this will help less strain on the neck. Typically, these monitors cost from 9 thousand rubles.

Other health benefits can also be: blue filter, anti-flicker, anti-reflective coating. After a working day behind such a monitor, eyes get tired much less.

For accountants, analysts, programmers and employees who work with large spreadsheets, monitors with an aspect ratio of 21: 9 (UltraWide) are suitable. They are wider so that more information fits on one screen.

Another useful function for work is the ability to rotate the monitor vertically. For some, it is more convenient to work with texts and tables. This trick can come in handy for copywriters, editors, journalists, lawyers or accountants.

At the same time, overpaying for high resolution, color rendering or response speed is not worth it if you do not work with graphics - all this will not be useful in ordinary office work.

For regular film marathons

In fact, to watch a movie, it is better to take a TV. With the same diagonal size, viewing angles and image quality, it will come out cheaper than a monitor. In addition, TVs are usually better at delivering a dynamic picture.

But if you want to take a monitor, be guided by the following indicators:

The diagonal is not less than 24 inches, but preferably 30, so that it is more convenient to watch a movie from the couch or in a large company.
The aspect ratio is 16: 9 - most films and almost all TV series are filmed in it.
Minimum Full HD resolution (1,920 × 1,080 pixels). If you are a fan of high quality, you can get a 4K monitor (3,840 x 2,160 pixels). Just keep in mind that you need a powerful graphics card to play 4K movies.
Matrix IPS or VA for better color reproduction and high viewing angles - in a large company for those sitting at the edges of the color will not be distorted.
Wall mount.
Frequency 75 Hz, and preferably 100 Hz or more, so that dynamic scenes look clearer and more effective. This indicator is not the most important, as at 60 Hz the video usually looks good.

Don't overpay for UltraWide and a curved screen. In UltraWide format, only some films look good, and, for example, you will watch TV shows with black bars on the sides. A curved screen is convenient for one, but if you watch a movie in a company, the image will be distorted for those sitting at the edges.

For artistic tasks: design, drawing, video editing

How to choose a monitor: for artistic purposes

In such monitors, the main thing is color rendition. It should be as large as possible so that the colors are not distorted. Best of all, they are transmitted by the IPS matrix. She also has the highest viewing angles - from the side, the image looks the same as from the front, it is convenient to show your work to colleagues.

The cover of the monitor must be glossy. Matte is less glare in the sun, but distorts colors too much, so it is not suitable for artistic tasks.

The diagonal should be at least 24 inches in order to fit more elements on the screen. You can even take a monitor with a 21: 9 aspect ratio for an even wider work area.

Frequency in artistic tasks is not so important, so you can not overpay for it. Curved screen is optional. If the budget is limited, you should not overpay for it, but if you have money, you can take it. Then the edges of the image will be constantly visible to the peripheral vision - there will be no need to turn your head while working.

For games

In the monitor for a gamer, the frequency is important - 100 Hz for amateurs and at least 180 Hz for professional e-sportsmen, so that the picture is not late for the events of the game.

Other options depend on your game requirements:

The TN + film matrix does a better job with fast dynamic images, but its color rendition is slightly worse than that of VA or IPS. The VA matrix is a little slower and more expensive, but has better color reproduction. If speed and economy are important, take TN + film, if a beautiful picture - VA.
If your computer is not very powerful, take a monitor with a Full HD resolution - the video card will still not pull out more. The more powerful it is, the more resolution you can get: 4K monitors will need the latest graphics cards, such as the GeForce GTX 980 Ti.
Take a closer look at monitors with aspect ratios of 21: 9 and even 32: 9 and 32: 10. They greatly expand viewing angles and contribute to a deeper immersion in the game, especially if the monitor screen is curved.
For a smoother picture, choose monitors with Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync technologies. They practically do not differ, but they work only with their video cards: G-Sync with Nvidia, and FreeSync with AMD Radeon.
In modern games, there is an HDR mode that enhances the reproduction of colors in the light and in the shade. If you want to use this feature, you need an HDR capable monitor.

General tips for choosing

Look not only at the characteristics: manufacturers sometimes deliberately overestimate them. For example, viewing angles of 178 ° may be declared, but in fact the image on the sides will be distorted. Or, the stated diagonal refers to the monitor along with the bezels, and the actual screen diagonal is half an inch smaller. It is better to choose several monitors and find their comparison on the Internet or just look in the store on which image you like best.
Do not use curved monitors unless you are a professional or fanatical gamer. They look beautiful, but they are too expensive to just watch movies from them and surf the Internet.
In stores, some monitors are called gaming monitors. This does not mean that the monitor is good, good for gaming, or not good for work. The “game” signature is just a marketing ploy, and you shouldn't be guided by it when choosing.
Many modern monitors do not have DVI-D and D-Sub connectors for connecting to a computer, but only DisplayPort and HDMI. If you have an older computer, make sure it has the correct monitor connectors.
In the store, don't let us hang on to additional services such as a paid check for dead pixels. You and so are obliged to check the monitor on them. And if you find flaws in the house, then in any case you can exchange the defective goods.