Monitoring the monitors

Culture | May 24th, 2017

How long have you had your computer monitor? Is it time to get a new one? How do you know if it is time to get a new one?

Many people got their monitor bundled with their computer. I don’t have too much to complain about if that is the way it happened with you. However, there is a better solution.

My big problem when using my computer is resolution. This is the number of pixels a monitor can display, both horizontally and vertically. For example, a monitor with a 1,920-by-1,080 resolution can display 1,920 pixels across the width of the screen, and 1,080 pixels from top to bottom.

The higher the resolution, the more information can be displayed on the screen. These days, most monitors in the 22- to 27-inch range have a resolution of 1,920 by 1,080 and are referred to as full HD monitors.

Do you have a full HD monitor? You should. My old eyes will get very tired very quickly with the older monitors. The older 1,240 by 768 pixels just don’t work for me. When I switched to 1,920 by 1,080 pixels, my time in front of the screen was much more pleasant.

If you do have one of the older lower resolution monitors, try to get in front of a friend’s HD monitor for a while and I’ll bet you feel better about it.

Let’s go on to the price points. You can pay from about $120 to $200 for a 22 inch monitor with no extras. Extras mean USB ports and a height-adjustable stand. Some of the stands on the cheaper side are pretty wimpy so check that out before you buy.

Most flat screen monitors can be mounted on a wall with the proper mounting hardware. I highly recommend this method if it is available to you, because you recover a lot of desk space under the monitor.

The larger (30” - 34”) monitors are more geared to graphic design people and photographers. They include all sorts of features including calibration hardware and software. Take your wallet when you go because you can easily spend $1000 or more.

Be careful though, DON’T spend your money on features you don’t use.

One solution for those (like me) who want more screen space is to use two smaller screens with a video card that will drive them and put them together on your desk. You can do this for about $500.

If your budget will allow, a 34 inch screen does allow you to open more than one window at the same time. The larger sizes come in various different resolutions: Wide Quad High-Definition (WQHD) and Ultra High Definition (UHD).

In the not-too-distant past, most LCD monitors used cold-cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) technology for back lighting, but nowadays LED-backlit monitors are ubiquitous, and with good reason. LEDs offer a brighter image than CCFLs, they are smaller and require less power, and they allow for extremely thin cabinet designs.

These resolutions and display types will require some due diligence on your part since I don’t have space here.

Now, re-read the 2 paragraphs above and get onto Google…

Next time we’ll get into the different categories of monitors and a little bit about laptop monitors.