What to Look for when Buying a Monitor

Computer monitors come in many different shapes, sizes, and brands, and if you don’t know exactly what you need in a monitor, you may be a bit overwhelmed when you see the huge display of them at the store or the list of dozens online. However, it can be pretty easy to narrow down the type of monitor you want if you know exactly what you need your monitor for.

First, don’t confuse what the monitor does with what your graphics card does. The graphics card in your computer is mainly in charge of deciding what kind of programs, especially computer games, which you can run on your computer. The monitor itself really has nothing to do with what can be displayed. Its only impact is on how clear the image is. Think of it as a television—new HDTVs don’t actually show any different programming than a television from twenty years ago, they just have a better image.

That being said, the shape of the monitor can impact how games and other programs look. Most newer flat panel monitors are wide screen, and many computer games take advantage of this. They will often still play on the older, more square monitors, but you may notice that the game looks more crowded on these screens. Wider monitors are also useful if you often have several programs running. You can put two programs up side by side on these wider monitors, which can be very helpful.

Size is another factor to consider when buying a monitor. Many people prefer monitors of at least 15 inches, and some even like the wider 19 inch ones. If you’re going to be watching a lot of videos on your computer or doing detailed computer graphic work, you may want to go with a larger monitor. Those who are planning to use their computers for gaming, especially for playing some of the newest games out there, a larger monitor is also a good idea.

Compatibility may also be an issue. While all monitors will work with analogue video cards, some of the newer cards include digital output. These graphics cards almost always have an analogue connection on them as well so any monitor will work with them. However, if your graphics card supports digital output, make sure you buy a monitor that supports it as well. Just like the cards, most monitors that support digital output include a cable for both digital and analogue so you don’t have to worry about buying a monitor that won’t work with your computer.

Finally, there’s the price to consider. Larger monitors are, naturally, going to be more expensive than smaller ones. Likewise, flat panel monitors are still a bit more expensive than CRT monitors, although the price of these newer monitors has dropped dramatically since they were introduced. Off-brand monitors are going to be a bit cheaper than those made by well-known brands like Sony. However, they’re often just as good and present just as clear images as name brands.