best 27 lcd displays 2017 in stock

27 inch monitors with 1440p resolutions are quickly rising in popularity as an upgrade to aging 24-inch 1080p products. Even if the latter still has a strong following and staying power in both casual and competitive situations, it will eventually be replaced by the next logical step.

QHD monitors are also the next best thing to the highly-sought after 4K displays, since you get a massive increase in pixels without requiring a ton of GPU power. Even if you don’t get as much visual space and resolution like what 4K can give if you compare QHD to 1080p monitors you will enjoy more than a 70 percent increase which is great for both games and productivity.

This category is best suited to 27-inch form factors for a more natural look, although 24-inch 1440p monitors like the Dell S2417DG will look sharper, but you might end up squinting to see smaller objects like text. This type of display also came down in price considerably over the past year, since supply and demand are at an all-time high.  Here’s our guide to the best 27 inch monitor (monitor 27) 1440p for gaming.

The primary answer to this dilemma is space. Most computer desks weren’t sized to fit massive TV-like monitors since the furniture business is still usually used to displays from 19 inches all the way up to 24 inches. Although we’ve seen dazzling custom setups which can hold a giant screen, full sized tower plus speakers and other peripherals, typically, most office and home tables are still limited in size.

Viewing distance is also an issue since the prescribed 20 inches to 40 inches isn’t enough once you go near or over 32-inch displays. Viewing at a farther distance also induces more issues, such as reaching the keyboard and mouse, your headset’s cable length might not be enough, or your audio spoiled by the distance since desktop speakers require a near-field perception of its output for a maximized experience.

Finally, 4K has a long way to go before it reaches its full potential in models like the Asus PG27UQ and the Acer Predator XB272-HDR, both of which have 4K at 144Hz specs. 1440p is a safer and more economical choice since these up and coming products will cost more than an arm and a leg at release, not to mention the GPU and CPU power required to utilize these specs.

The Asus PG278Q still is a top performer after becoming available for more than two years on the market, with its 144Hz 1440p panel mated to a G-Sync module which results in buttery smooth gaming for Nvidia GPU users. This product is one of the fastest we have tested to date regarding input lag, so hardcore and competitive players can enjoy a delay-free gaming session.

The Asus PG278Q is also rich in features, with excellent ergonomics, a bad-ass minimalist design, and a lot of gamer-centric extras like its GamePlus and GameVisual modes. If looks could kill, this monitor is one of the best-looking displays with its graphite black exterior and subtle, but distinct ROG treatment.  This makes sit right up top among the best 27 inch monitors.

The Acer H277HU competes in a 4K-dominated niche with its humbler QHD resolution, but at the time of our review, no other option came close to this model since it is built to work with 2016 MacBooks while looking sexy and uniform with a gold-colored Apple device.

Aside from its respectable performance in clarity, input lag and IPS-grade color vibrancy, the Acer H277HU’s secret weapon is its future-proof inclusion of a USB-C receptacle which works as an audio/video input and a power/data delivery slot. Sophisticated professionals and socialites will get a kick out of the functionality and luxurious appearance of the monitor, all while enjoying a beautiful, 27-inch IPS panel.

The Acer Predator XB271HU is another top-ranking 27-inch gaming monitor with a cutting-edge design and feature set. This monitor also runs 1440p at 27 inches, but the main advantage it possesses over our current favorite, the PG278Q is it has an overclockable 165Hz+ IPS panel with noticeable improvements in both color vibrancy and contrast.

You also get G-Sync built into the Acer Predator XB271HU’s aggressive styling, so you can enjoy buttery-smooth visuals while keeping your monster build looking like a mean machine. But the iconic look of this monitor is as functional as it is gaudy, so you can always get the best viewing angle possible. To top it all off, Acer included their GameView suite for a stunning array of options conveniently accessible via its hotkeys.

The Acer BE270U does not stand out against over 2560 x 1440 monitors specifically for made for gamers or professionals, but rather, its features make it more suitable as a happy medium between the two categories. What makes this monitor interesting is its extended 75Hz refresh rate coupled with Freesync, so users can still enjoy frag sessions after some photo or video editing on the borderless and vibrant IPS panel.

As for physical features, the Acer BE270U is as opulent as any cutting-edge professional display. This model includes an array of input options including USB-C, MHL-ready HDMI ports, and a DisplayPort in and out for daisy-chaining into a multi-screen setup. All of these are wrapped in a svelte-looking design, which does not overpower your desk.

The acclaimed BenQ Zowie XL2730 is a favorite QHD 27-inch monitor in both the enthusiast and competitive communities for its reputation in speed and gaming functionality. On average, input lag measures below 10ms making this product suitable for twitch aiming and fast-paced action.

To help with the performance hit of the massive pixel count, BenQ built the XL2730 with AMD’s Freesync technology to alleviate stutters and tears if the frames jump up and down. This product’s exterior design is one of our favorites here at MonitorNerds for its functionality and industrial design since it has enough unique features like the S-Switch Arc and other nifty gadgets.

Professional monitors ideal for color-critical work can easily cost over a thousand dollars, but the ViewSonic VP2772 outplays the norm with its affordability and stunning capabilities. The 2560 x 1440 IPS panel comes certified to work with 100% coverage of both the sRGB and Adobe RGB gamuts. This performance is made possible through the VP2772’s 12-bit engine and 14-bit LUT, so your media appears rich and accurate.

The ViewSonic VP2772 may look outdated with its gigantic stand and thick bezels, but it has excellent ergonomics, unlike other budget offerings. You also get a plethora of input options such as HDMI and DisplayPort, plus a DisplayPort out for daisy chaining multiple VP2772s.

The Asus MX27AQ looks like a work of art with its fine, aluminum exterior, making it suitable for an executive’s desk or a posh home. The borderless face features a beautiful IPS panel with vibrant colors and a decent response time, suitable for both work and multimedia enjoyment.

The Asus MX27AQ functions more like a conventional monitor, but what makes it extra-special is its built-in ICEpower speakers from Bang and Olufsen, a popular Danish audio company. This upgrade alone makes the MX27AQ noteworthy since most included pairs are either too weak or poor-sounding.  It still makes our list if the best 27 inch monitors.

The best 27 inch monitors with 1440p resolutions provide an extensive list of options you can choose from, whether for gaming or productivity. Even if the market is headed towards 4K displays, the cost to performance of these displays and the accompanying systems to run them is still the best practical choice you can make if you are upgrading.

The world is still engrossed with 1080p 24-inch monitors, and experts say that the latter still has a few years in its guts before it finally gets phased out. If it does, 1440p which sits perfectly at 27 inches will become the next mainstream. With that trail of thought, you get a more budget-friendly level of future proofing with the larger and sharper visual performance these monitors can provide.

The Asus ProArt Display PA278CV has a great-looking screen with good enough color accuracy for most people and all the ports you need to hook up desktop or laptop PCs. The PA278CV’s stand can tilt, swivel, and pivot the screen and raise and lower its height, its USB-C port can provide enough power to charge most 13-inch laptops, and it comes with a three-year warranty and a good dead-pixel policy. Its QHD resolution (2560×1440) means it isn’t as sharp as a 4K screen, but it’s also hundreds of dollars cheaper than comparable 4K monitors.

The MD271QP has a USB-C connection, making it easy to connect a modern laptop without the need for an HDMI cable or extra dongle. However, you’ll still need to plug in your laptop’s charging cable.

The MSI Modern MD271QP is a simple, streamlined 1440p monitor that’s perfect for laptop users. If you have a laptop with a USB-C port, a single cable will send the image to the monitor and slowly charge your laptop with 15 watts of power. However, you’ll still need to plug in a power cable as well to keep your laptop fully charged. The MD271QP lacks features we liked in the Asus ProArt PA278CV,including a built-in USB hub, granular color calibration controls, and blue-light filtering modes for reading. But if you don’t need to tinker with color settings or those extra USB connections, the MSI Modern MD271QP is a great monitor for $100 less than our top pick.

The Dell S2722QC is a 3840×2160 display that’s great for anyone who watches 4K content or casually edits photos or video. However, if most of your time is spent on general office work or browsing the internet, you don’t really need to spend the extra cash. The S2722QC has a USB-C port with 65 watts of charging, so it can power most laptops except higher-end devices like the Dell XPS 15-inch or the 16-inch MacBook Pros (which are picks in our guide to the best laptops for video and photo editing). For more powerful 4K displays, check out our guide for the best 4K monitors.

The ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQ is a full-featured gaming monitor with HDR, a USB hub, and a robust menu system. The XG27AQ can reach a 170 Hz refresh rate, meaning the picture is updated 170 times per second, making motion in games look smoother and more realistic. We think this monitor is a nice balance between price and premium features like HDR, an overclockable refresh rate, a USB hub, good build quality, and a sturdy stand.

Even though monitors have been getting bigger and bigger throughout the years, 27-inch monitors remain one of the most popular sizes. You can find them with different resolutions and for a variety of uses. This size of monitor strikes a good balance between having a large screen and not taking up too much desk space. Most 27-inch monitors either have a 4k or 1440p resolution, which both result in good text clarity, but there are a few cheaper ones with a 1080p resolution.

We"ve bought and tested over 250 monitors, and below are our recommendations for the best monitors you can buy with 27-inch screen sizes. Also, make sure to check out our recommendations for the best 27-inch gaming monitors, the best work monitors, and if you want something bigger, the best 32-inch monitors.

The best 27-inch monitor we"ve tested is the Dell U2723QE. It"s a high-end monitor with many features, and it"s great for office use and even excellent if you"re a photo or video editor. Its 4k resolution helps deliver crisp images and sharp text clarity, and it lets you open multiple windows at once compared to a lower-resolution 27-inch monitor. As it"s a premium monitor in Dell"s UltraSharp lineup, it has a massive USB hub that includes five USB-A ports and three USB-C ports, one of which supports 90 W of power delivery so you can charge a compatible device and display an image from it at the same time.

If you aren"t going to use the productivity features on the Dell U2723QE and instead want something for gaming, check out the LG 27GP950-B. While it has the same 4k resolution as the Dell U2723QE, it"s a different type of monitor because it has more gaming features. It"s excellent whether you need it for console or PC gaming as it has a 4k resolution and HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, allowing you to play 4k games up to 120 fps without issue from the Xbox Series X and PS5. It has low input lag for a responsive gaming feel, and motion looks smooth thanks to its quick response time. It also has variable refresh rate (VRR) support to reduce screen tearing.

If you don"t need the gaming features of the LG 27GP950-B and you aren"t going to take full advantage of the massive USB hub of the Dell U2723QE, then the Dell S2722QC is also a great choice in the mid-range category. You don"t get the same gaming features as the LG, as it"s more focused on productivity with fewer features than the U2723QE, but it"s still an excellent office monitor. It has one USB-C port that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode with 65W of power delivery, which isn"t enough to charge power-hungry laptops, but it"s good enough to keep your battery going while you"re using it. It doesn"t have a dedicated sRGB mode like the U2723QE, which means some colors are over-saturated, but the color accuracy is still decent.

It performs well in bright rooms because it easily gets bright enough to fight glare, and its reflection handling is very good, even better than the U2723QE. Its flicker-free backlight is ideal if you need to use it for long hours, as it helps reduce eye strain. It also has wide viewing angles that make the image remain consistent from the sides if you need to share the screen with someone else.

If you prefer something cheaper, check out the Gigabyte M27Q, which is a good choice in the lower mid-range price category. It"s different from the Dell S2722QC because it has a lower 1440p resolution, meaning the text clarity isn"t as sharp. Because it uses a BGR subpixel layout instead of the standard RGB, there are some text clarity issues in certain programs that don"t support that subpixel format, but this isn"t an issue for everyday use. However, the main advantage the Gigabyte has over the Dell is that it has a higher refresh rate and better gaming performance, meaning it"s a more versatile monitor if you need something for work and play.

If you"re looking for the best 27-inch monitor and are on a budget, consider the Dell S2721QS. Despite being a lower-end model from the Dell S2722QC and maintaining the high 4k resolution, it still costs less than the Gigabyte M27Q, making it a good budget choice if you need something for productivity. However, there are a few features you have to sacrifice for getting a cheaper model, as this one doesn"t have any USB ports like on the Gigabyte or the S2722QC, meaning it"s a rather basic monitor that provides a high resolution with fantastic text clarity.

While the Dell S2721QS offers great value for its cost, there are some cheaper options you can get for a low cost, like the LG 27GL650F-B, which is a good cheap 27-inch monitor. If you don"t want to spend a ton of money on a monitor, you"ll have to give up a few features and get something with a lower resolution, which is the case with the LG. Its 1080p resolution isn"t ideal if you want the best text clarity possible, but it"s still decent and good enough for office work. It also has great peak brightness and decent reflection handling for use in a well-lit room.

The Gigabyte M27Q X is a newer version of the Gigabyte M27Q with a higher 240Hz refresh rate, making it the better option if you"re a competitive gamer, but it"s also hard to find, and if you find it, it costs more.

The LG 27GP850-B is very similar to the Gigabyte M27Q as it has nearly the same specs and costs about the same. The Gigabyte is more versatile for other uses thanks to its USB hub, but if you"re a gamer and care about motion handling, go for the LG.

The ASUS ProArt Display PA278QV is a budget-friendly monitor with better color accuracy than the Dell S2721QS. However, considering it has a lower resolution, it"s worth getting the Dell instead.

The Lenovo D27-30 is a basic monitor that"s even cheaper than the LG 27GL650F-B, but it also has worse peak brightness and viewing angles, so for a bit more, it"s worth going for the LG.

Renamed the Gigabyte M27Q as the "Best Lower Mid-Range 27-Inch Monitor" because its price has gone up and removed the ASUS ProArt Display PA278CV; added the Dell S2721QS as the "Best Budget 27-Inch Monitor" for consistency with other recommendations; updated Notable Mentions based on changes.

Restructured article to reflect user needs and for consistency; moved the Dell U2723QE to the "Best Monitor" and renamed the Dell S2722QC to "Best Mid-Range"; replaced the Dell S2721D with the Gigabyte M27Q because it"s easier to find; added the ASUS ProArt Display PA278CV and removed the Samsung Odyssey G7 LC32G75T.

Restructured article to reflect user needs; renamed the Samsung Odyssey G7 as the "Best For PC Gaming", the LG 27GP950-B as the "Best For Console Gaming", and the Dell S2722QC as the "Best 27 Inch Monitor"; added the Dell U2723QE as the "Best For Photo Editing" and replaced the ASUS ProArt Display PA278QV with the Dell S2721D because it"s cheaper.

Replaced the ASUS VG279QM with the ASUS ROG Swift PG279QM and renamed "G-SYNC Alternative"; replaced the Dell S2721QS with the newer Dell S2722QC for consistency; updated Notable Mentions based on changes.

Replaced the Dell UltraSharp U2720Q with the Dell S2721QS because it"s cheaper; added the Gigabyte G27Q and the Samsung Odyssey G7 S28AG70 to Notable Mentions.

Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best 27-inch displays currently available. They are adapted to be valid for most people, in each price range. Rating is based on our review, factoring in price and feedback from our visitors.

If you would prefer to make your own decision, here is the list of all of our 27-inch monitor reviews. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. Most monitors are good enough to please most people, and the metrics that fare worse are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.

Received the refurbished monitor. No stuck/dead pixels (yet), and thankfully no weird blue marks when viewing pure white. So this is already a better monitor than the one I received prior. However, it should be noted that color uniformity is still severely lacking. Grey uniformity is definitely this monitor"s weak point. Much brighter in the middle, and varies widely from edge to edge. When compared to my four-year old Thunderbolt display, the UP2716D looks like a budget IPS. Maybe this is due to Dell insisting on sending me a refurb. Who knows. There is thankfully no blacklight bleed, and the blacks are overall very nice and consistent. The whites/greys however, are not something I would expect from such a premium monitor. There is also a weird red tinge to the whites, as was mentioned in another review, so factoring in the imperfections, as well as the cost and horrible customer service, I still can"t bring myself to give this anything but two stars.

Recapping the year, we saw some of the fastest screens to date with the 240Hz, 1ms TN panels. Similarly, IPS panels continue to evolve with 144 and 165Hz refresh rates, and shrinking response times and input lag. 4K gaming is still a premium pursuit, but the displays are becoming more prevalent and affordable. Additionally, 1080p still remains the most populargaming resolution. The trends of Quantum Dot, HDR10, 5K, and 8K will likely pervade through 2018.

BenQ GW2765HT: Usually listed at $329, this BenQ 27” 1440p IPS display is marked down to $250, with an additional $20 off when using code BF17FLYER01. The display doesn’t offer any adaptive synchronization technologies, but does offer 2560x1440 resolution at an entry-level price, while still managing a 27” IPS panel.

Acer Predator XB252Q: Both ASUS and Acer seem to be perpetually contending for display supremacy, and that certainly was no different this year, as both rolled out top-rated 240Hz G-Sync displays. G-Sync is still a premium that adds $100-$200 directly on top of a gaming monitors price, but for those with a high-end Nvidia GPU, that surcharge can make sense.

Acer Predator XB271HK: As previously stated, 4K gaming is still an expensive endeavor, requiring a ton of rendering power. For those that of elected to invest in a GTX 1080 Ti or Titan XP—or a pair of either—a similarly exquisite monitor might be a good choice. The Acer Predator XB271HK uses a IPS panel, with a refresh rate of 60Hz—refresh rate is compromised at such high-res and pixel density. However, there’s also G-Sync to help stabilize frames and prevent

That’s it for our gaming monitor picks for 2017. Should you have a monitor you picked up this year that you think is worth mentioning, leave it in the comments. Also, continue to look for more buying and sales guides coming up!

With 4K on the rise and high refresh rate becoming more common, now is a good to time take a look at gaming monitors. These displays packed with great specs have become more affordable, even moreso with Black Friday sales going on now. So, we took a look at several retailers to find the best deals on cheap gaming monitors. Note that some of these items may run out of stock during the course of these sales.

Be sure to check which retailer is offering the specific monitor mentioned in the following sections by scrolling down to the full list. All monitors are available to ship and will either be from Newegg, Micro Center, or Best Buy.

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The first set of monitors to highlight are 1080p displays. The AOC E2429SWHE is a very basic 24-inch monitor for just $100 and the Acer K272HL at $120 or Samsung S27E330H at $150 are cheap 27-inch options. High refresh rate displays with a 1080p resolution are also affordable; look to the 144Hz 27-inch Acer GN276HL for $190, 144Hz 24-inch Asus MG248QR for $200, or the curved 27-inch 144Hz MSI Optix G27C2 with FreeSync for $230. And if 144Hz still isn"t a fast enough refresh rate for you, the 24.5-inch Acer Predator XB252Q runs 240Hz with G-Sync and is available for $430.

High-end PCs are powerful enough to step resolution up to 1440p, and these displays are increasingly common and affordable. On the cheaper end, we have the 27-inch 75Hz FreeSync Acer K271U for $200, the 27-inch IPS BenQ GW2765HT at $230, the 25-inch IPS Dell Ultrasharp U2518Dfor $250, and the 27-inchIPS Acer K272HULat $270. There are still high refresh rate options that won"t break the bank, like the 27-inch 144Hz Asus MG278Q with FreeSync for $340, 27-inch 144Hz Dell S2716DGR with G-Sync at $350, or 24-inch 165Hz Dell S2417DGwith G-Sync for $360. The Samsung C32H711 with FreeSync for $400 offers much more screen space with its 32-inch panel. For no compromises in terms of specs, the AOC Agon AG271QG packs G-Sync, 144Hz, and an IPS panel into a 27-inch monitor for $550.

4K displays have been gaining ground in the PC monitor space as they"ve become cheaper. The three following monitors are 28-inch 4K FreeSync displays: Acer CB281HK at $250, AOC 2879VF for $270, and Samsung UE590 at $290. Both the LG 27MU58-B and LG 27UD58-Bare 27-inch IPS 4K monitors with FreeSync for $300. Not many 4K monitors offer HDR, but the 32-inch Acer ET322QK with FreeSync and HDR is going for $320. The 28-inch quantum dot Samsung U28H750 with FreeSync brings high picture quality for just $330.

Ultrawide 21:9 monitors are fairly niche, but give you much more screen space for your peripheral vision. Two 75Hz FreeSync IPS monitors with a 2560x1080 resolution are on sale; the 29-inch LG 29UB55-B for $200 and the 34-inch LG 34UM69G for $280. If you"re aiming for the very high-end 21:9 displays, the 34-inch Asus ROG PG348Q packs in G-Sync, 100Hz, and a high 3440x1440 resolution for $920. If that"s not big enough, the 38-inch Dell Ultrasharp U3818DW is discounted at $1000.

Choosing one of the best 4K monitors is almost a must for anyone working in visual design, especially for those working in photography and video that want the additional detail that Ultra HD (UHD) offers.

UHD, or 4K, refers to a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels. That gives you four times as many pixels as full HD (FHD), which means more desktop workspace and increased pixel density for a cleaner, sharper image with more detail (as long as your monitor"s at least 27 inches, the extra detail will start to get lost on smaller screens).

Fortunately, the best 4K monitors are so much more affordable than they were that it"s no longer really a big decision whether to go 4K or not. There"s now a huge number of options on the market, starting at low prices and going way, way up. This can make it hard to know which is the best 4K monitor for your needs, but that"s the question we aim to resolve with the guide below.

We"ve picked out the best 4K monitors based on our own reviews, recommendations from working creatives and a full comparison of their specs. We"ve weighed up the pros and cons of each screen and evaluated them for build and ergonomics, image quality, useful features, colour support and accuracy, brightness and connectivity.

But we"ve also considered value for money to provide options for different needs. The best 4K monitors for features and image quality are hugely expensive and will be overkill for most people that aren"t professional photo or video editors or designs.

If you"re a professional who needs the very best, turn to the Eizo ColorEdge CG319X at number 4 or the Asus ProArt PA32UC-K at number 6. They"re not at the top of the list because they"re simply unaffordable for many people. Factoring in value, we"ve placed cheaper 4K monitors like the Dell S3221QS and Samsung U28E590D higher since they meet most people"s needs and a more realistic price.

If you"re looking for the best 4K monitor for specific tasks, you might also want to see our guides to the best monitor for photo editing and the best monitors for video editing. And while many of these screens can support daisy chaining for a dual monitor setup, you might also want to consider one of the best ultrawide monitors if you want more space to work with.

Pro features for under a grand put this at the top of our list of the best 4K monitors. Following in a long tradition of fine displays from Dell, the UltraSharp U3219Q offers full sRGB covering, 95 per cent DCI-P3 and exceptional colour uniformity, making it ideal for all types of creatives, including those working in photo and video.

Dell takes second place on our pick of the best 4K monitors too, but this time with a much more affordable display. So OK, perhaps it"s not exactly cheap, but it"s a lot more affordable than most good 4K monitors. It looks stunning too. Dell monitors aren"t known exactly known for their sleek looks, but the curved S3221QS is a lot more elegant than its name, standing out from all those black and grey business monitors with its white back and base.

The Eizo ColourEdge CG319X is the connoisseur’s choice in high-quality displays. Eizo displays are a very familiar sight in professional video and photography studios – and this 31-inch 4K monitor, with a 10-bit display and 24-bit colour look-up table, is a stunner. The CG319X also boasts one feature that sets it apart from competing high-end 4K screens: 4096 x 2160 resolution rather than 3840 x 2160. This reflects the slightly taller 4K standard used in digital video production.

For a more compact 4K monitor, this 28-inch Samsung 4K display follows very closely on the heels of the Dell 4K S3221QS at number 2 on our list of the best 4K monitors above in terms of value. It lacks pro features but there"s still 100 per cent support for the sRGB colour space, a high 300cd/square metre brightness level and support for 60Hz 4K.

Most displays are 16:9 or 16:10 format, so the 3:2 Huawei Mateview immediately got our attention when we tested it out. This slightly squarer format is good for viewing certain types of content – viewing images and documents in portrait format is easier, and a picture taken on a standard camera can be displayed full bleed. Of course, the flip side is that widescreen video will have big black bars on the top and bottom – so it’s probably not the best choice for movie-watching

Viewsonic has a few colour accurate displays on the market, and the VP2785-4K is the most high-end model in its catalogue. It"s a 27-inch 4K IPS screen, sporting 100 per cent sRGB and quoted 99 per cent AdobeRGB coverage. It’s a bit fiddly to put together, requiring a screwdriver to attach the panel to the stand, but the overall design is extremely svelte, with a thin and light build, near edge-to-edge screen, and only a small bezel at the bottom that accommodates touch-sensitive controls.

With a 14-bit LUT, 700:1 contrast ratio and 375-nit brightness, the picture quality of the VP2785-4K won’t disappoint, although it doesn’t quite deliver the same eye-popping colours of the most high-end 4K displays money can buy.What is a 4K monitor?4K, also known as ultra-high definition or UHD, is a measure of a screen"s resolution. 4K monitors have a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, which compares to a resolution of 1290 x 1080 for full high definition (FHD). This means that it"s almost four times FHD resolution. What that means in practice is that images look sharper and tighter, which is great for viewing HD video and higher quality video game graphics.Do I need a 4K monitor?There are a couple of main reasons that you might benefit from a 4K monitor. Firstly, for your own enjoyment. Even if you"ll be using your screen purely for entertainment purposes rather than for work, 4K offers a notably sharper picture, which can enhance the enjoyment of watching films, series and playing games. That said, when it comes to PC gaming, 4K UHD resolution is very demanding and many will find that the improvement in image quality isn"t worth the drop in performance.

The other reason you might want one of the best 4K monitors is for work. If you work in any visual creative area, a 4K screen can improve your experience by allowing you to see your work in more definition. If you work in video, you"ll almost certainly need at least a 4K monitor since 4K video has almost become the norm. If you"re producing 4K video for a client, then you really need to be able to view it in 4K while you work.Is a 4K monitor worth it?Today, for most professionals it"s almost certainly worth investing one of the best 4K monitors. They"re still more expensive than 1080p displays, but they have come down in price a lot as they become standard, and they"re now so much more affordable than they were that it"s no longer such a big decision.

While 4K doesn"t make a lot of sense for a small monitor, from 27-inches and up, it makes a huge difference from FHD that will be immediately apparent to anyone. Gary Heiting, an optometrist and senior editor of the website AllAboutVision, even says that the increased screen resolution can reduce the risk of eye strain, so working in 4K over long sessions can be more comfortable even if you don"t need to produce 4K video.Is my computer compatible with a 4K monitor?You might hope that buying one of the best 4K monitors will automatically improve your viewing experience, but it"s important to know that not every laptop or PC can support 4K. Most recent PCs or Macs should have no problem displaying 4K resolution, but it"s a good idea to check your screen"s recommended display resolution before you buy a new screen. We have a guide to screen resolution that may help.

If your device uses Intel integrated graphics, you"ll want to have at least a 4th generation (Haswell) processor core processor. If you have Ivy Bridge or earlier, you"ll need to have a recent graphics card installed (if you"re unsure, you can check your processor at ark.intel.com to find out what the motherboard or integrated CPU graphics is capable of.How do I choose the best 4K monitor?You can now go 4K without spending a fortune, but the best 4K monitors can still be very expensive if you want pro-level calibration and the best colour accuracy. If you"re going to be using your screen for any kind of colour work, then you want precise colour accuracy. Most entry-level 4K monitors actually do a fairly decent job, but the best 4K monitors for designers will have full coverage of the AdobeRGB or DCI-P3 colour space.

Investing in a colour-accurate display will get you an excellent screen for black levels and brightness that will serve you well whether you"re working on images or video. You"ll want to invest in the best monitor calibrator too unless the monitor you choose comes with one of its own.

After colour, size is obviously another major factor in choosing the best 4K monitor for you. The most popular choice is 27-inches but 32-inch screens are becoming more common and get the most out of the 4K resolution.

You"ll also want to check what ports a monitor has before you buy it. The two cheapest options in our list of the best 4K monitors don"t have a USB-C connection, something that many creatives will want for hooking up devices quickly and easily. Most monitors have DisplayPort and HDMI ports, but this can"t be taken as given either – the LG Ultrafine 24MD4KL is well kitted out with USB-C and the faster Thunderbolt 3 ports, but skips the older ports.

If you’re used to the coherence of the Apple cocoon, the PC monitor market is a strange and frightening place. Despite a long history of producing quality screens like the 27-inch Thunderbolt Display, Apple no longer makes monitors other than the insanely priced $5000 Pro XDR Display. Instead, Apple endorses the $700 24-inch LG UltraFine 4K Display and the $1300 27-inch LG UltraFine 5K Display by virtue of selling them—and them alone—in the online Apple store. Alas, those monitors are costly and, in my opinion, underwhelming apart from their pixel density.

Buying a monitor is like navigating a minefield. The market is full of 27-inch and larger screens that support only 1080p resolution and a pixel density of around 100 pixels per inch, about half of any Retina display you’re used to. Even if you find a sharp enough monitor, you may have trouble connecting it to your Mac. Many displays still feature hoary VGA ports that first appeared in 1987. Some have only HDMI ports (that’s a TV, not a monitor), and HDMI is chock full of gotchas: you could buy a 1440p monitor and, thanks to weird HDMI limitations, be stuck at a blurry 1080p resolution. Or you could buy a monitor that advertises USB-C connectivity only to find that the USB-C port works only for power and accessory connections, not video. One false step, and boom, you’ve got a worthless monitor.

If you use a 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display like many of us here at TidBITS, it’s easy to be spoiled by its pristine image quality. Unfortunately, there’s no way to press a Retina iMac into service as an external display—Target Display Mode works only with a small subset of pre-Retina iMacs. It’s challenging to find a reasonably priced display that fits the bill, especially since 5K monitors never took off (see “What Happened to 5K Displays?,” 16 November 2018).

Staring these cold, hard facts in the face, I decided to spend a bit more than I had hoped and buy the LG 27UK850-W, which usually sells for $450 but was on sale for $380. Even at full price, it’s $250 cheaper than the LG UltraFine 4K display and $850 less than the LG UltraFine 5K.

The LG 27UK850-W features a 27-inch IPS panel with a 3840-by-2160 resolution, which I calculate to be about 163 ppi. By comparison, the 21.5-inch iMac with Retina 4K display features 219 ppi, and the 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display offers 218 ppi. LG advertises 10-bit color, though a careful reading of the specs reveals that it’s actually an 8-bit display plus A-FRC, which approximates the other colors. The display features HDR10 support for the handful of Macs that support it, plus the Apple TV 4K and various videogame consoles. It supports 99% of the sRGB spectrum.

In terms of connectivity, the LG 27UK850-W features one USB-C port that supports data, video, and 60-watt charging; one DisplayPort; two HDMI ports; two USB-A ports; and a headphone jack. It comes with white USB-C, HDMI, and DisplayPort cables.

The LG 27UK850-W’s design is very Apple-esque, at least as of about 2005. The back of the monitor is encased in white plastic. The front bezels are black. LG advertises the display as “virtually borderless,” which means there is a bezel, but it’s a thin one on the top and sides. It has less bezel space than the iMac, though the thicker bezel on the bottom bothers me somewhat because it’s uneven (the iMac has a chin as well).

I like how the cables connect in the rear. Unlike my old Dell monitor, which awkwardly forced me to insert cables upward, the cables on the LG 27UK850-W plug straight into the back, making life much easier.

I’m more ambivalent about the LG 27UK850-W’s internal settings control system, a small joystick behind the bottom of the panel. A quick flick up or down shows display information. A flick left or right controls speaker volume. You click the joystick to access the menu or select on-screen items.

An interesting fact about the LG 27UK850-W is that, unlike most monitors that take a standard, three-prong power cable, it comes with a power brick that connects with a DC barrel plug. Some online reviewers complained about this approach, but I like that if the power supply fails, I can replace it without cracking open the monitor. I also like not having to fool with a big, clunky power cable if I need to move the monitor. Those three-prong power cables can be a bear to insert and remove.

Connectivity is almost as important as image quality. It’s hard to find monitors with the right assortment of ports. And they always have too many HDMI ports. I’d prefer two USB-C ports, two DisplayPorts, and just one HDMI port, if that. As noted previously, the LG 27UK850-W provides one USB-C port, one DisplayPort, two HDMI ports, two USB-A ports, and a headphone jack.

The USB-C port works as advertised, at least with my 2019 iMac and my 2016 MacBook Pro. I plugged the included cable into both machines and the picture popped up almost instantly. A nice feature of the LG 27UK850-W is that it prompts you to switch to the appropriate input when it detects a new device; just click the joystick to switch over. When my 13-inch MacBook Pro is connected to the monitor through USB-C, the monitor keeps the laptop charged.

HDMI, as always, is thorny. My Apple TV 4K connected to the LG 27UK850-W beautifully, with full 4K and HDR right away. I decided to connect my iMac to the monitor through HDMI, to leave the monitor’s DisplayPort open for my ThinkPad and its USB-C port for my MacBook Pro. However, the iMac doesn’t have HDMI output, and none of my USB-C hubs support 4K output. I ended up buying an inexpensive Anker USB-C to HDMI adapter, which works fine with full 4K 60 Hz output.

One minor annoyance is I can’t control the monitor’s speaker volume from the Mac; I have to use the monitor’s volume control. This seems to be a macOS limitation since I can control it from Ubuntu Linux on my ThinkPad just fine. It would be a bigger deal with a Mac mini, but since the iMac’s speakers are so much better than those in the LG 27UK850-W, I use those instead.

You’re probably wondering how the LG 27UK850-W compares to Apple’s Retina displays given that its 163 ppi is much lower than the 218/219 ppi in Apple’s iMacs. The LG 27UK850-W is still plenty crisp, but I noticed some eye strain after a few days of using it. Upon close inspection, I noticed that text on it is ever so slightly fuzzy compared to the 27-inch iMac. Even with font smoothing disabled, text on the LG 27UK850-W is fuzzy.

I think this is primarily an artifact of how Apple tunes macOS to look best on Retina displays.  When I crank my Linux machine to 4K, text on the LG 27UK850-W looks as razor-sharp as it does on the iMac’s screen, if not more so. (Don’t take this as an endorsement of Linux; it has more than its share of headaches, such as poor support of scaling to ultra-high-resolution displays.)

Speaking of scaling, the first thing I had to do when I connected my Macs to this display was open System Preferences > Displays. Then, on the window that appeared on the LG monitor, I selected Scaled and then the second option, which scales the resolution to match the 2560-by-1440 resolution of my iMac’s screen.

The LG 27UK850-W has a feature called Super Resolution+ that adds an extra layer of sharpness to the image. In other words, it adds aliasing or “jaggies.” It can be helpful when viewing soft text or upscaled content, and if you’re the sort of person who hates how smooth text looks on the Mac, you’ll probably love this feature.

I can confirm that the LG is not as bright as the iMac. I cranked up the brightness on both, and the LG is considerably dimmer. That said, I tend to find Apple displays painfully bright, so if you’re somewhat light-sensitive like me, this isn’t a big deal.

As for color, it looks pretty good after some calibration. I used the RTINGS settings for the LG 27UK650-W and installed their ICC color profile, which got me pretty close to the iMac’s display. Looking at the two side-by-side, the LG looks slightly duller than the iMac, though I don’t do enough graphics work to care much.

LG offers software to interface the monitor with a hardware calibrator, but it reportedly does not work with macOS 10.15 Catalina. That might be a dealbreaker for some professionals, but the good news is that the LG 27UK850-W has a slew of fine calibrations. Beyond just three-color adjustments, you can make six-color adjustments for red, green, blue, cyan, magenta, and yellow. I haven’t found that necessary.

The LG 27UK850-W has several built-in presets, none of which are particularly helpful. There’s a reader mode that acts like Night Shift, putting a yellow haze over the screen to reduce blue light, but it looks much weirder than Night Shift. There are the typical photo and cinema modes, which again look strange to me. There’s an HDR effect mode that tries to make everything look like HDR video, which is odd but interesting. And there are three special gaming modes: two for first-person shooters and one for real-time strategy games, which is something I’ve never seen before. I can’t comment on these modes, though I have found gaming presets helpful in the past because they often do special tricks to enhance the display’s response time.

Speaking of HDR, I don’t have a compatible Mac, but I do have an Apple TV 4K, and despite its 8-bit panel, HDR looks great on the LG 27UK850-W. The Apple TV 4K immediately turned on both 4K and HDR, and I was able to bump the chroma setting without issue. I sampled a few films that take advantage of HDR, such as Mad Max: Fury Road and The Fifth Element. Both looked great, with the full, rich color you’d see on an HDR-compatible iPhone or iPad. However, note that the LG 27UK850-W supports only HDR 10 and not Dolby Vision.

Viewing angles are fine. I haven’t noticed any color change or brightness dropoff as I move around my office. Nor is there any ghosting or other issues associated with cheap LCD screens.

The built-in 5-watt speakers are way better than those in my ThinkPad but not as good as my iMac’s speakers. I’d say they’re middle-of-the-road for speakers built into an LCD screen. However, I do enjoy the convenience of connecting an HDMI or DisplayPort device and having audio right there without having to set up additional speakers on my desk. It will make Apple TV testing easier.

I tested the headphone port while sampling movies from the Apple TV 4K. Sometimes monitor headphone jacks diminish the audio quality, but I was blown away at how good the audio sounded on my Sony MDR-V6 headphones. I much prefer connecting my headphones directly to my computer, but that’s not an option with the Apple TV 4K. If you want your monitor to act as a personal movie machine, the LG 27UK850-W is a great pick. Note that MaxxAudio is disabled when headphones are connected.

The LG 27UK850-W is a good monitor for the price, but no monitor on the market is as good as I’d like. If only Apple would bring back a modernized Thunderbolt Display!

A cracked glass screen or LCD display is no fun, especially if you were in the middle of working on something important when the damage occurred. If your broken or cracked Apple iMac monitor still has working components, you don"t necessarily need to replace the entire display. You can fix it easily yourself with one of the many affordable iMac replacement screens available on eBay; installation usually only takes minutes, so you can get back to work or play quickly.How does a replacement iMac screen work?

The iMac LCD glass replacement screen has a built-in magnetic perimeter which holds it into place on the display. The LCD panel attaches to the display via cables that supply the power and data to the screen. As long as you have a properly functioning display base and cables, it should be easy to install a new glass display and LCD panel without the need for expensive tools.How do you choose the right iMac 27 LCD screen?

When purchasing an iMac 27 LCD, you"ll need to make sure that the model you select is compatible with your specific computer model. eBay has tons of new and used iMac LCD and replacement screens available to select from. You can use some of these helpful search options on eBay to select the right type of screen or display for your needs:Brand compatibility: You can choose from OEM or unbranded screen replacements that fit your device and budget.

Custom bundle: Some offerings include a custom bundle that includes everything you need to replace your screen, including an opening wheel and adhesive strips. This can make the job quicker and easier.How do you know if the LCD panel is broken?

LCD or liquid crystal displays use liquid crystals to produce color and images on the screen. The crystals themselves don"t produce any light, so they get the light they need from a backlight. If the LCD panel is broken or cracked, you might notice strange lines or patterns on the screen, black or blurred spots on the display, or the screen might be totally black. In this case, the LCD panel might need to be replaced and not just the glass.Which computer is the iMac 27 LCD screen compatible with?

eBay offers a variety of replacement glass and LCD displays for the iMac computer. You can find compatible replacement displays and screens for every model, from late 2009 models up to 2015 models.Content provided for informational purposes only. eBay is not affiliated with or endorsed by Apple.

Apple held its fall event was today, and the stars of the show were the M1 Pro and M1 Max announced for the new MacBook Pros. We even got new AirPods and word onmacOS Monterey. But all was quiet on the displays front. Hope for a larger iMac with Apple Silicon to accompany the 24-inch model announced in April was not rewarded, and the Apple Pro Display XDR is still Apple"s only standalone monitor. If you were waiting for today"s event to help you select the next screen to run macOS on, we feel your pain. We can’t force Apple to release new displays, but we can round up some non-Apple PC monitors worth considering if you need something now.

Both the LG 27MD5KL-B and iMac claim up to 500 nits of brightness. Both also claim coverage of the DCI-P3 color space, with the LG said to hit 99 percent. Plus, the monitor works with macOS, so you can tweak monitor settings, like brightness and volume, from macOS. Advertisement

The 450-nit display isn"t quite as bright as the iMac (and way dimmer than the Pro Display). You do, however, get USB-C, DisplayPort, and, unlike with Apple"s displays, HDMI, although that"s limited to a 3840x2160 resolution.

If you can find it, the Philips 499P9H, on the other hand, has a built-in USB-C docking station. At a claimed 350 nits, brightness isn"t as high as the displays mentioned above, but its VA panel claims three times the contrast (3,000:1) as the typical IPS panel.

Apple"s computers are powerful tools with fantastic displays. If you need more real estate, though, we"ve rounded up the best monitor for your Mac in 2022.

That means you"re going to want to look out for a variety of things, including screen size, screen resolution, and even color quality. Finding one of the best MacBook Pro monitors can be difficult, especially with so many monitors out there to choose from. That"s why we"ve done most of the legwork and put together this list of the best MacBook Pro monitors, including a budget option for those who don"t want to break the bank with their latest accessory.

The Dell UltraSharp U2723QE is a newly-upgraded model that comes sporting excellent color coverage. Once you"ve seen it in action, you"ll never want to go back to another monitor. This delightful display comes with support for 4K resolution, and 98% DCI-P3, 100% sRGB, and 100% REC 709. That means you"ll have vibrant, sharp, and naturally beautiful visuals no matter what you"re doing on your MacBook Pro.

The panel here is also 27 inches, which means plenty of screen real estate to spread out your windows and make use of. The included ergonomic stand can also tilt, pivot, and adjust vertically, which means you can easily set it up any way you like it without having to move the monitor stand around a lot.

On top of great resolution and color quality, the Dell UltraSharp U2723QE also comes with a built-in USB-C port. That means you can charge your MacBook Pro even while running it at its full potential. The brightness could be a little bit better, but with so many other things going for it for under $700, it"s hard to beat this great monitor from Dell.

If you want to add a monitor to your MacBook Pro setup, but don"t want to spend a lot of money, there are still some good options. One of the best budget options is the Gigabyte M27Q. This monitor features a max refresh rate of 170Hz an an IPS panel with a full resolution of 1440P. That makes it crisp enough to handle most work you"ll throw at it. The color support here isn"t as great as you"ll find in higher-priced monitors, but it"s still more than good enough for most of what you"ll do with it.

The peak brightness, on the other hand, is extraordinary, and it handles reflections really well, too. That means you can work in bright rooms without having to worry so much about them causing glare on your screen. Additionally, the picture quality is good overall, and the accuracy of the image is fantastic right out of the box. If it had checked a few more boxes, it could easily have been a possibility for our best overall MacBook Pro monitor. But, since it falls somewhat short, and the included USB-C port doesn"t have enough power to charge your MacBook Pro, it will have to settle for the budget spot on our list.

There are better 5K displays out there, but if you really want to keep it in the Apple family, then the Studio Display is the monitor for you. Read our full Apple Studio Display review.

It"s a 27-inch monitor with a 4K display with a resolution of 3,840 by 2,160 pixels. It packs more port options than the Apple Studio Display, with a pair of HDMI ports, a Type-C, two USB-A ports, headphone jack, and a USB-B port.

There are likely times when a dedicated desktop Mac is going to be more useful to your workflow than a separate monitor. In these cases, your best bet is likely to be the 24-inch iMac, which is powered by an M1 chipset and sports some hefty display features.

If you"re planning on multitasking, then going with an ultrawide monitor can be a great way to give yourself some extra screen real estate. It might not be the best ultrawide out there, but the Dell UltraSharp U4021QW does come close, and it gives you a ton of features to take advantage of during usage for under $2,000.

Whether you’re gaming or working, having the best computer monitor on your desk can make a huge difference. So we went out and found the top computer monitors for you, researching key features and customer sentiment to give you the big picture on this vital computer accessory.

During our research, we looked for features such as adjustable stands, color gamut, color space, screen sizes, image quality, response times, peak brightness, screen types, resolution and more. As we did our research, we paid attention to not only the features of these monitors but how the specs of each would reflect in gaming, working in a spreadsheet , watching movies (aka Netflix), or editing graphics. From that and combining it with our proprietary scoring system we determined that the LG 34UM69G-B 34″ Ultra Wide Monitor is the best monitor you can buy today. This ultra-wide monitor has everything for the most versatile experience. With ultra-low response rates, an ultra-high resolution and a sleek design, this LG monitor beat out everything else. Keep reading to learn more about this display and our other top picks.

If you’re interested in jumping on the widescreen monitor train, the LG 34UM69G-B is a computer monitor you won’t want to pass up. Measuring in at a whopping 34 inches of total display, the LG offers a 21:9 aspect ratio that is perfect for gaming. And while this isn’t a top 4K monitor – which is the ultimate best for gaming monitors – you still get a 2560 x 1080 resolution. You also get a 1ms response time and AMD FreeSync, both of which enhance gameplay by eliminating stuttering and motion blur. If 34 inches is too big of a display for you, you can take it down a notch by considering one of the best 27 inch monitors.

Unfortunately, the 34UM69G-B only offers a 75 Hz refresh rate, which isn’t as fast as we’d like to see when on a monitor for gaming that thrives on high refresh power delivery, like the best 240 Hz monitor. This means you might see some blurring during, particularly fast-action moments. The Free-Sync monitor is fully adjustable, allowing you to tilt the monitor side to side and front to back, as well as adjust the height. It has a USB-C connectivity port but you’ll only get a single HDMI port and a single Display Port, though, so you won’t be able to hook up many devices. Many ultra-wide monitors are curved gaming monitors, and this one isn’t, but we actually liked this more than the curved gaming monitors we tested. The curve is definitely “in” right now, but we were more than happy with the traditional approach the LG takes. Gamers will want to read best gaming monitors under $200.

For starters, this HP computer monitor looks great with its edge-to-edge display and sleek black design. It’s subtle and understated, making it an excellent choice for your home office. The best part is that it’s also got the performance to back up its excellent design. When you get working, you’ll immediately notice the crisp image and vibrant color reproduction level you should come to expect on full HD IPS displays like this. Unfortunately, if you try to watch movies or play games with this LED-lit monitor, you might notice more motion blur than you’re used to due to its 60 Hz refresh rate.

However, wide viewing angles and accurate colors (72%sRGB color gamut)more than make up for the low refresh rate. It’s also nice to be able to adjust the monitor in the way you want. You can tilt it forward and back or flip it 90 degrees for landscape and portrait mode. Another plus is the monitor’s extremely thin bezel making it virtually frameless, which provides for a seamless multi-monitor setup. Just be aware that the monitor doesn’t feature any DisplayPorts, so you’ll have to stick with HDMI cables, which we didn’t find to be too inconvenient. If you are a gamer who uses Sony’s console, the best gaming monitor for PS4 is worth a read.

The Acer R240HY is a monitor full HD 1080p display that performs really well when it comes to color accuracy, viewing angles, and design quality…all at an affordable price under $200. It offers a maximum brightness level of 250 nits of brightness, and can be adjusted or reset to default.It also features a matte-finished screen, which does really well in eliminating glare from background lighting, making it an excellent choice amongst affordable monitors for home and business office applications. You may want to check out the best monitors for Xbox One X as well.

The overall design of the Acer is sturdy and durable. This is due in part to the fact that you can only tilt the screen forward or back a minimal amount. We consider this a win when you think about overall stability, but the lack of adjustability can make it difficult for some to find a comfortable viewing angle that works with their personal preferences. All in all, the Acer R240HY is one of the best 1080p monitors we’ve tested, which is why this excellent display made our list of top picks. And if you’re looking for gaming on Acer, you might want to check out the R240HY’s cousin, the Acer Predator XB1.

The Dell monitor is a full HD IPS panel that looks good for most applications. However, it doesn’t always offer the most accurate color representation, so if you’re using this for color-critical projects like photo editing, you might want to look elsewhere for a new monitor. For the average user, though, this monitor performs just fine, especially when you consider its low input lag. There’s no hesitation between a user’s action and that action being carried out on the screen. If you’re looking for budget monitors for your office, this is the one for you. Also read about the best 144Hz gaming monitors.

WHY WE LIKE IT: Are you looking for the best monitor you can buy for the absolutely lowest price? Then the Sceptre E205W-1600 is the monitor for you with its decent overall performance and versatile connection options.

Unfortunately, you won’t get full HD with this display. The Sceptre only provides a resolution of 1600×900, which sits somewhere between 720p and 1080p resolution. However, you’ll still get fairly decent color accuracy and a good picture, especially considering the price. If you’re on an extra-tight budget that absolutely cannot be broken, the Sceptre E205W-1600 is an excellent choice. These are some of the features that make up the best 4K gaming monitor.

When looking for the best PC monitor, it’s important to know the different types available. These include desktop monitors for general use, portable monitors, gaming, and professional use. From there, you can consider the display features you need, such as size, resolution, and whether you want a flat or curved monitor. Always make sure that the monitor you’re looking at has video connectors that work with your current computer and that it is compatible with your operating system. Selecting a monitor that’s best for your needs based on those criteria is the best way to make the right choice. One way to do this is to read many of our computer monitor reviews and comparison articles. Or, get an in-depth look with our computer monitor buying guide.

What is a computer monitor? Simply put, a computer monitor is a device that displays visual information fed to it by a computer’s video card (aka graphics card). Most computer monitors in 2022 come in a wide variety of sizes, to suit creative professionals and more casual users. Displays are also available in a number of types, including LCD panels, OLED displays, and CRT monitors. Each of the aforementioned display types offers its own advantages and disadvantages (like an LCD display and backlight bleeding). Many modern 2022 monitors often ship with a number of useful additional features, including Bluetooth receivers, USB hubs, microphones, stereo speakers, and more.

A computer monitor is a visual output device that converts and displays information relayed to it from a PC. Monitors generally connect to a computer’s video card or motherboard via an HDMI or VGA cable. There are three major types of monitors, CRT displays, LCD displays, and OLED displays, each of which has its own strengths and weaknesses. Some modern monitors ship with all kinds of built-in accessories, including cameras, microphones, speakers, USB hubs, and more. Read more about how computer monitors work.

Monitors are particularly useful in the business world, especially when accessing software such as Microsoft Excel. Creative professionals also demand high-quality monitors and often go for dual-monitor setups to maximize screen real estate. Computer monitors are also a must-have for gaming applications. When gamers shop for a monitor they should go for quality, choosing displays with a high refresh rate and minimal lag time. You can read more about the purpose of a computer monitor in our feature.

Computers use a number of typical monitor sizes. The smallest displays clock in at around 21-inches while the largest can be 30-inches and above. Gamers should purchase a monitor that is at least 25-inches and could also go with a dual-monitor setup. This always brings up the question of 24 vs 27-inch monitors and if a 27-inch display is in fact better. Creative professionals should opt for a monitor of at least 25-inches. Those who mostly stream media content can make do with any-sized monitor, but we would recommend a display of at least 27-inches to improve the overall experience. Habitual streamers may also opt for an ultrawide display (aka an ultrawide monitor).

Specifically, gamers and graphic designers should opt for a refresh rate of 75Hz or higher