What you need to know to choose the right monitor

Understanding Monitor Basics

Panel type

There are four types of panels: TN, VA, IPS and OLED. Of these, IPS is the most popular, known for its excellent color production, superior accuracy, and wide viewing angles, making it ideal for both productivity and creative work.

TN panels are considered the opposite of IPS panels due to their lower color accuracy and limited viewing angles, but are preferred in gaming for their fast response times and high refresh rates.

VA panels fall between IPS and TN panels in terms of color accuracy and viewing angles. They have higher response times, which isn’t ideal for gaming, but their high contrast ratios make them suitable for viewing content, making them a viable option for budget productivity monitors .

Finally, OLED panels offer the best color production, accuracy, and response times, but come at a high cost.

Resolution, pixel density and screen size

Resolution and pixel density are key factors in determining the sharpness, clarity and quality of the viewing experience. The most common resolutions are Full HD (1920 x 1080), QHD (2560 x 1440), and 4K UHD (3840 x 2160). The main difference between them is the number of pixels or pixel density and higher resolutions offer more pixels.

Pixel density is determined by the resolution and size of your screen. The higher the pixel density, the sharper and more detailed visuals and text appear. Conversely, a lower pixel density results in less detail, making blocks more apparent.

A common mistake is to overlook the relationship between screen size and resolution. For example, a 24-inch monitor with 1080p resolution delivers sharp images, while a 27-inch monitor with the same resolution results in larger pixels and lower clarity.

For the best value for money, go for a 24-inch monitor with 1080p resolution, QHD resolution for a 27-inch monitor offers the best value and 4K for a 32-inch monitor is the way to go. follow.

Refresh rate and response time

Refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), is the number of times per second the screen refreshes its image, which determines the smoothness of your viewing experience. You’ll find refresh rate values ​​ranging from 60Hz to 560Hz. For general use, 60Hz is the norm, but for creative work or productivity, 75Hz or 120Hz offer noticeable improvements. For gaming, a minimum of 144Hz is recommended to ensure smooth movement. However, it’s important to match your monitor’s refresh rate with your computer’s frames per second (FPS) output.

Response time, measured in milliseconds (ms), indicates how quickly a pixel can change from one color to another. A lower response time (like 1ms) is essential for fast-paced gaming because it reduces motion blur and ghosting. Higher response times (3ms or 5ms) are more suitable for general productivity and creative tasks. Also look for G-Sync or FreeSync compatibility to match your monitor’s refresh rate with your GPU’s frame rate for smoother gaming.

Advanced considerations

Color accuracy

Color accuracy determines whether the colors displayed on your monitor match the original colors in a photo or video. Color accuracy is determined by three factors: color depth, color gamut and contrast ratio.

Color depth refers to the number of different shades a monitor can produce. Color gamut refers to the range of colors that a monitor can display in a specific color space. Contrast ratio measures the difference between the darkest black and the brightest white that a monitor can produce.

Delta E (dE) and screen uniformity

Two key measurements that determine a monitor’s ability to correctly display accurate colors are Delta E (dE) and screen uniformity.

Delta E measures the difference between the displayed color and the desired color. On a scale of 0 to 10, a Delta E of 0 means perfect color fidelity, where the displayed color is identical to the desired color. Screen uniformity refers to the consistency of color and brightness across the entire screen.

To achieve the best balance, prioritize monitors with low Delta E values, uniformity calibration, and, if possible, hardware calibration capabilities.

High dynamic range

An HDR-compatible monitor can process additional metadata related to highlights, shadows and color details, making images richer, more colorful and more true to life. HDR is also available in different formats like HLG, Dolby Vision and HDR10. If HDR isn’t a priority for your work, a 350 nits monitor should be enough for most tasks.

Additional ports and features

The most overlooked part of a monitor is its ports. Monitor ports are essential to ensuring your screen can handle the resolution, color depth, and refresh rate you need. For example, transmitting 4K resolution with 10-bit color at 60 Hz requires a data rate of 15.68 Gbps, while 1080p with 8-bit at 60 Hz only requires 4.46 Gbps . HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB Type-C/Thunderbolt are among the ports that make these connections easy.

A USB-C port with DisplayPort Alt Mode lets you transmit video and audio while powering connected devices. Advanced versions, like Thunderbolt 3/4, offer data transfer rates of 40 Gbps and support multiple high-resolution displays or external GPUs. This is especially useful if you are using an Apple laptop/device and want a single cable solution.

Many monitors feature built-in USB hubs, simplifying workspace management by allowing direct peripheral connections. High-end monitors may include audio output options for external speakers or headphones, Ethernet ports for wired Internet connections, and wireless connectivity options.

Choosing a monitor with ergonomic features such as height adjustment, tilt, swivel, and swivel capabilities will be beneficial in the long run. If you intend to use a monitor arm, make sure it is compatible with the VESA mount.

International standards

If you want to know the quality of an instructor, consider the number of certificates they hold. Each certification means that the instructor has passed rigorous testing to adhere to certain standards.

Energy Star certification is essential for energy efficiency, while TÜV Rheinland focuses on eye care and blue light reduction. EPEAT certification signifies environmentally friendly practices and TCO certification covers energy efficiency, ergonomics and environmental impact. Vesa-certified DisplayHDR guarantees accurate color and contrast for HDR content, while Calman and Pantone certifications promise color accuracy. Remember, certified monitors may be more expensive, but they offer higher quality and meet industry standards.

Recommendation

Among the top brands that excel in display solutions, BenQ stands out. They offer a wide range of models suitable to meet a wide range of needs, both general and specialist. Here are some BenQ monitors you might consider based on your needs.

Image: Md. Zahurul Al Mamun

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Image: Md. Zahurul Al Mamun