What to look for when choosing a monitor. Type of screen covering. Best monitor for gaming - AOC e970swn

What type of matrix is better, optimal screen diagonal, monitor connectors, how to choose the best monitor in terms of price/quality ratio?

Today we will learn how to choose the right monitor. And if you think that this is a waste of time, then you are very mistaken. The fact is that a monitor is purchased for many years, and your health and comfortable work for many years.

If you are going to work with graphics, then you need to approach the choice of monitor very responsibly, otherwise you will not be able to calibrate it correctly. Color in graphics is of paramount importance, so the monitor should also be the best manufacturers.

Which monitor manufacturers are better?

Today, the best monitors are produced by Dell and HP, but due to their high cost, they are not as popular as monitors from Samsung and LG. The first one is a little more expensive, but I like it better because of the high image quality.

If you want something cheaper, then pay attention to monitors from Acer, ASUS, BenQ, Philips, Viewsonic and NEC.

What to look for when choosing a monitor

In order to choose the right monitor for your computer, you need to know which basic monitor parameters are the most important and which are not.

Matrix type

Matrix- This is a liquid crystal monitor screen. Modern monitors have following types matrices.

TN(TN+film) - the simplest and cheapest matrix, with average color rendition, clarity, low black depth and small viewing angle. But such a matrix also has positive sides - these are high speed response, which is not unimportant in games. TN-film means the presence of an additional filter that increases the viewing angle. A dead pixel on such monitors glows white.

Monitors with this matrix are suitable for office tasks, but due to the small viewing angle they are not suitable for home viewing video for the whole family.

IPS(AH-IPS, e-IPS, H-IPS, P-IPS, S-IPS) – a matrix with high color rendering quality, good contrast and a wide viewing angle (up to 178 degrees). But the response speed suffers. A dead pixel in such a matrix glows black.

Monitors with such a matrix are well suited for any task, especially for design and photo processing. Naturally, the cost of such a matrix is much more expensive than the previous one.

V.A.(PVA, SVA, WVA) is a universal a budget option with good characteristics: something between TN and IPS matrices. High quality color reproduction and clarity with good viewing angles. The only drawback is the poor transmission of halftones.

PLS– a modern and cheaper version of the IPS matrix. It has high quality color rendering, clarity and a good viewing angle. Due to the fact that this is a new product, the cost of such a matrix is still quite high.

Screen covering type

Matrices have a glossy or matte finish.

Matte screens have more natural color rendering and are suitable for any lighting and any task.

On glossy screens you will see any reflections and reflections of all light sources (lamps, sun). Colors look brighter and shadows are sharper, making them best for watching videos and gaming in a darkened room.

Screen size

Screen size is measured in inches and calculated diagonally. A large screen takes up a lot of space and consumes more electricity and is demanding on video card parameters. But on big screen It’s more convenient to work, watch movies and play.

Aspect Ratio

Nowadays you almost never see square monitors with sides of 5:4 and 4:3. On store shelves there are mainly 16:10 and 16:9 widescreen screens. They are more convenient both for working with tabular data and for watching wide-format films. I’m not even talking about games anymore.

There are also monitors with an ultra-wide format of 21:9. Such monitors are more suitable for those who need to open a large number of windows: design engineers, video editing users or for comparative analysis anything.

Screen diagonal

The ease of use and, accordingly, the cost of the monitor depend on the screen diagonal size. Widescreen monitor with a 20" screen diagonal, it is well suited for office work. But usually the boss doesn’t think so, and that’s why many offices have monitors less than 20”, although the difference in price between 19” and 20” is not significant.

For your home, it is better to purchase a monitor with a screen diagonal of 22” or higher. For games, a 23-27” diagonal is suitable, and for working with 3D graphics or drawings, it is better to buy a monitor with a screen diagonal of 27” or more.

Your choice will depend on the space in the apartment and financial capabilities.

Screen resolution

Monitor resolution is the aspect ratio expressed in pixels. And, as you know, the more pixels, the clearer the picture and more information fits on the screen. But keep in mind that the text and other elements will become small. Although in latest versions Windows can easily fix this by scaling.

Now the most common monitor resolution is 1920x1080 pixels, or as it is also called FullHD 1080.

But again, do not forget that the more, the greater the load on. This is especially true for games.

On monitors with a screen diagonal of up to 20” this is not significant, because they have optimal resolution.

22" monitors can have a resolution of 1680x1050 or 1920x1080 (Full HD). It is better to choose a monitor with a resolution of 1920x1080, although it is more expensive, because... With a resolution of 1680x1050, watching videos or playing games will not be entirely comfortable due to the disproportionate image of objects.

Ultra-wide screen (21:9) monitors have a resolution of 2560x1080, and you'll need a more powerful graphics card for gaming.

Color rendition

This is the number of colors and their shades that the matrix is capable of conveying. For many, a standard set of colors is enough—over 65 thousand. And for designers, higher indicators are more suitable, a maximum of 16.7 million shades.

Screen brightness

This figure can be from 200 to 400 cd/m². If you are going to watch movies with the whole family in sunny weather and with the curtains open, then you need from 300 to 400 cd/m², but in other cases 200-250 cd/m² will be enough.

Viewing angle

If the screen has a small viewing angle, then you will not be able to watch movies with friends. Your screen will reflect dark or light spots.

All high-quality matrices (IPS, VA, PLS) have good viewing angles, but the TN matrix has a poor viewing angle.

Choose good matrix, then you will not have problems with the viewing angle.

Matrix response time

This is the time in milliseconds (ms) during which the crystals can rotate and the pixels change color. Modern matrices have a response time of 2-14 ms, so there are no longer problems with image delay (the trail behind the mouse cursor).

There is no need to buy monitors with too low a response time (2 ms), because... low response time only in matrices Low quality(TN). And IPS, VA, PLS matrices have a response time from 5 to 14 ms.

For home multimedia computer A response time of 8 ms is quite sufficient, and for a designer, if he is not interested in playing games, a matrix response time of 14 ms is suitable.

Types of connectors

The image quality depends first of all on the matrix, and only then on the type of connector to which the monitor is connected.

1.Power connector 220V

Power connector for monitors with external power supply or speaker power
VGA (D-SUB) – analog connector for connection old video card. It does not convey the image in proper quality. Outdated connector.
and 8. Display Port connector, not available on all video cards. Used to connect multiple monitors.
Connector Mini Display Port
DVI- digital type connector, which is gaining popularity due to high-quality image transmission.
HDMI is also a digital connector that transmits not only a clear picture, but also sound. Suitable for connecting your monitor to other various devices(TV tuner, laptop, etc.)
3.5mm audio jack for connecting audio from external speakers or headphones to monitors with built-in speakers.
USB connector for connecting the monitor's built-in USB hub.
USB connectors in monitors with a USB hub for connecting flash drives, mice, keyboards and other devices.

All these connectors may or may not be present on the monitor. Only the power connector and DVI connector are required.

Control buttons

Can be located on the front, rear and side. Usually the settings are made once, so their location does not play a significant role.

Ability to adjust the height and tilt of the monitor

This is also an important point. It is not always possible to adjust the height of a table or chair, so having an adjustable monitor height and tilt will be very useful. We all have our own computer at home, but we don’t want to buy a computer desk for everyone, if only because we don’t want to turn the apartment into an office. Two monitors have stands with good height adjustment and are installed on coffee tables. And before buying them, you had to put boxes and books under them, which is not at all convenient.

Built-in speakers

Not suitable for gaming or listening to music. Therefore, it is better not to buy such a monitor.

Built-in TV tuner

Most likely you won't need it, because... Now you can watch any channel online, but such a monitor will cost much more.

Built-in webcam

Also overkill. It is better to buy a quality camera at an affordable price.

Monitor price

The price depends on the screen size, not the quality of the matrix, so choose a high-quality matrix.

Main parameters for choosing a monitor

In order to choose the right monitor for your computer, it is important to decide for what purposes it will serve you.

For home:

From 22 inches and above
Wide viewing angle
8ms response speed

Three parameters are important for a gaming monitor:

Response time of 4 ms or less
Viewing angle from 170 degrees
Monitor size from 24 inches.

For the designer or photographer:

Accurate color reproduction
Large screen size
Optimal brightness and contrast
Wide viewing angle

These parameters are important when choosing a monitor, but before you buy, read reviews on the Internet for the selected model. It happens that a certain batch has a certain flaw and people often write about it on online shopping sites.

You can watch the video below to learn how to choose the right monitor for your computer:

See below about how we are deceived when selling monitors:

Now you are savvy and know how to choose a monitor for your computer.

Relevance: January 2019

Televisions and radios have faded into the background in popularity, giving way to the computer. He combined everything possible types entertainment. Movie, last news from all over the world in any format, computer games, online casinos, currency exchanges... The World Wide Web provides everything that may interest the consumer.

But the computer only receives and processes information, and we can only see the visual picture using a monitor. It is its colorful screen that conveys visual images that are easy for us to perceive. The better the matrix and the higher the screen resolution, the clearer the picture and the more enjoyable it is to view any content. Monitor size, ability to transmit all color scheme, image contrast - all this must be taken into account when choosing a “window” into the virtual world.

We have compiled a list of the best computer monitors based on expert assessments and reviews from real customers. Our recommendations will help you make a choice that suits your needs and desires. There are many competitors in the global technology market, but we have selected the best manufacturers and recommend paying special attention to them:

Budget / Inexpensive

Philips

Samsung
Philips

Expensive/Premium class

Samsung

With a diagonal of 17-20 inches With a diagonal of 21-24 inches With a diagonal of 27-28 inches With a diagonal of 30 inches Ultra-widescreen

*Prices are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice.

Monitors: 17-20 inches diagonal

With a diagonal of 17-20 inches

Main advantages

19.5-inch mid-price monitor with IPS matrix. Good for home and office, but not enough for designers. Compared to the TN matrix, color rendering is significantly better here, the viewing angle is 178 degrees.

Maximum frequency Frame updates reach 76 Hz; when working with the monitor for a long time, your eyes get tired to a minimum extent. You will definitely appreciate the ease of customization of the model, including the Dell display manager application, and the ability to install different parameters brightness and contrast for this or that software.

Among the relative disadvantages, we can note the lack of an HDMI input, but this is compensated by the presence of DVI-D, DisplayPort, VGA ports. There are also 5 USB ports at once. You can mount this monitor on the wall at no additional cost: the mount is included.

Advantages

Good matrix
Decent color rendition
Convenient settings (including remembering parameters for different modes)
Lots of USB ports
There is height adjustment

Minuses

No HDMI port

With a diagonal of 17-20 inches

Main advantages

Representative of the gradually disappearing 5:4 monitor format. This 17-inch baby, however, is definitely too early to disappear; it is perfectly suited for office tasks.

The TN matrix with a resolution of 1280*1024 does not cause any delight, but the Flicker-Free backlighting system balances out all its shortcomings: the monitor is pleasant to the eye and not too bright.

Color rendition is good, contrast is at the level of much more expensive models. The viewing angle is 170 degrees, which is not very much, but enough for most situations. There is only one input - VGA (D-Sub), and this sometimes becomes a disadvantage. But the monitor consumes only 17 Wh in operating mode.

Advantages

Good color rendering
Flicker-Free Anti-Flicker System
Compatible with Windows 8‎
4 auto brightness modes
High energy efficiency

Minuses

One entrance
The matrix response is longer than the stated 5 ms

With a diagonal of 17-20 inches

Main advantages

Quite an expensive monitor with a 19-inch diagonal. Its main advantage is excellent color rendition. All thanks to the improved AH-IPS matrix compared to the previous model and high-quality WLED backlight. This monitor is very convenient for amateur and semi-professional photo processing.

To prevent you from getting bored while working, there are built-in speakers. They play quietly, but clearly (it’s a pity that there are no volume control buttons on the control panel - you have to control the sound from the menu).

A good solid stand is that it prevents the monitor from swaying at the slightest breath, as often happens with other models. If you're not a fan of desktop TVs, don't hesitate to buy the NEC MultiSync EA193Mi - it has everything you need.

Advantages

Excellent color rendition
IPS matrix
High energy efficiency (18 W*h)
Decent viewing angle (178 degrees)
Ability to rotate the screen 90 degrees
Reliable stand
Built-in speakers

Minuses

No HDMI port
It's not very convenient to adjust the speaker volume

Show all products in the category “With a diagonal of 17-20 inches”

Monitors: 21-24 inches diagonal

With a diagonal of 21-24 inches

Main advantages

One of the highest quality 21.5-inch monitors with an IPS matrix. The black color here is truly black.

Resolution is excellent (1920*1080). Viewing angles are truly wide (178 degrees). Contrast is decent.

In addition, this model has a response time of an honest 6 ms, so it is suitable not only for office purposes or graphics, but also for most games. The built-in speakers are perfect for entertainment content.

The monitor can be connected to signal sources via the HDMI port; the cable is included. At the same time, for some reason the manufacturer spared money on standard cable VGA, owners of older video cards will have to fork out extra money. But this is perhaps the only flaw.

Otherwise, it's a good, reliable monitor with an excellent Apple design.

Advantages

High-quality IPS matrix
Wide viewing angles
Good color rendering
Built-in speakers with stereo sound
Has an HDMI port
Cute design

Minuses

The stand is rather weak, there is no height adjustment
No VGA cable included

With a diagonal of 21-24 inches

Main advantages

Budget 24-inch monitor for office and household purposes. IPS matrix gives good color rendition, this model has rich black color.

Viewing angles both vertically and horizontally are 178 degrees. The maximum refresh rate is 75 Hz, however best resolution(1920*1080) the screen only outputs 60 Hz. This is not critical, but during very long monotonous work it can cause eye fatigue.

But for lovers of fast games, this monitor is just a gift; its response time is 5 ms.

The Philips 240V5QDSB has three inputs, including HDMI, which allows you to use it as a TV. The monitor will not be a burden on your wallet: in addition to its relatively low price, it is also characterized by low power consumption.

Advantages

Good matrix
Decent color rendition
Fast response time
Wide viewing angles
Low power consumption

Minuses

Dull design
Low scan at maximum resolution

With a diagonal of 21-24 inches

Main advantages

Solid monitor with Full resolution HD and AH-IPS matrix. You can safely purchase it as a gaming device: the response is 6 ms and matte screen without glare they allow this. The model is also suitable for photo and graphics processing - color rendition is very good.

Wide viewing angles allow you to place the monitor anywhere. The lack of an HDMI port somewhat limits its scope of application, but for most tasks the two available inputs are sufficient.

The complex menu is a little annoying, but once you figure it out once, you won’t have any difficulties. The design is good even though there is no screen position adjustment.

Advantages

Great matrix
Good color rendering
Fast response
Wide viewing angles
Solid design

Minuses

No HDMI port
The setup process is not very convenient

Show all products in the category "21-24 inches diagonal"

Monitors: 27-28 inches diagonal

With a diagonal of 27-28 inches

Main advantages

An affordable option for those who want to become the owner of a truly high-quality monitor.

27 inch TFT IPS matrix produces deep colors with good contrast. In addition, there is a very wide range of brightness changes. The response is not the fastest (7 ms), but it is enough for games, movies, and work.

Viewing angles are good: the monitor can be used in large rooms. Instead of an HDMI port, DisplayPort is implemented here, which is more functional for such equipment. There is a two-port USB hub: you can directly connect a mouse or webcam.

The function of rotating the screen 90 degrees has been implemented. In a word, good decision for home or semi-professional tasks.

Advantages

Good matrix
Excellent color rendition
Wide Image Angles
Built-in USB hub
Screen rotation function
Decent design

Minuses

Stand too deep (needs a large table)
Factory settings need improvement

With a diagonal of 27-28 inches

Main advantages

27" monitor with A- MVA matrix and Full HD resolution. It is very fast - the response time does not exceed 4 ms, so the monitor is recommended for games and movies.

The advantages also include high contrast and a wide range of brightness adjustments. The black color, like most owners of this type of matrix, is not too deep, but the presence of Flicker-Free backlight (anti-flicker) eliminates visual discomfort. As a last resort, there is a color calibration function.

The viewing angles both vertically and horizontally are 178 degrees. You can use this model as a TV: it has an HDMI port and built-in 1 W speakers. Great option for gamers.

Advantages

Wide brightness range
Good contrast
Fast response time
Wide viewing angles
Built-in speakers
Has an HDMI port
Lots of settings
Low price

Minuses

The back panel collects dust
Setting buttons are not very convenient

With a diagonal of 27-28 inches

Main advantages

28-inch monitor with Ultra HD resolution (3840*2160) with all the advantages and disadvantages inherent in such a scale.

The 4K mode on the Samsung U28E590D is implemented only for movies and graphics; it is ineffective with games (the eyes get tired of flickering quickly). But in a resolution of 2560*1440, the image realism in games is such that you don’t immediately return to reality.

Detail and color rendition, as befits a 4K monitor, are at the highest level. True, as a TV, the capabilities of this model are limited, especially when connected via an HDMI port: with a maximum scan rate of 60 Hz, there is no point in watching 4K content, and the image in Full HD is not amazing.

However, there are a huge number of settings - if you wish, you can turn any mode into candy. At the same time, the monitor is clearly not an entry-level one; it will be useful, first of all, experienced users who understand picture quality.

Advantages

4K resolution
Excellent color rendition
High detail
Low grain (pixel size as low as 0.16mm)
Adequate price
Stylish design
Light weight

Minuses

Not the easiest setup process
Low scan when connected via HDMI port

Show all products in the category “With a diagonal of 27-28 inches”

Monitors: With a diagonal of 30 inches

With a diagonal of 30 inches

Main advantages

A solid 32-inch monitor for gamers, designers and programmers. With a maximum resolution of 2560*1440, the image does not make you faint with delight, but two vertical pages or three horizontal pages fit on one screen.

The A-MVA matrix and fairly fine grain provide good image detail and more than satisfactory color rendition.

The design of the monitor leg is strong and reliable, which is important for such a diagonal. If desired, the model can be used as a TV, fortunately there is an HDMI port.

Response time - 5 ms, per game consoles You can also play without thinking. There is a 4-port USB 3.0 hub.

An excellent monitor for work and home movie watching. The image is not perfect, but the Samsung S32D850T is very convenient to use.

Advantages

Fast response
Good detail
Decent color rendition
Has an HDMI port
Screen rotation function
Good design
Convenient stand

Minuses

High price
Light glare around the edges of the screen

With a diagonal of 30 inches

Main advantages

Sleek, large Full HD curved 32-inch monitor with minimal bezels for enhanced viewing realism and comfort
Full eight-bit VA matrix with LED backlight Flicker Free provides beautiful images, rich colors and clarity in the smallest details
Ultra Wide-Color technology is implemented, which makes it possible to display 104% in color space NTSC and more than 125% sRGB
The screen bending radius of 1880 mm reduces distortion in the corners of the picture and, thanks to improved color rendition, makes the image more realistic
To reproduce sound, the monitor has two three-watt stereo speakers, as well as all the necessary connection ports (VGA, Display Port 1.2 and HDMI 1.4)

When working at a computer, it is important to have not only a fast system unit, but also a good monitor. Today we’ll talk about how to choose a monitor for a computer, which one is quite suitable for work, and which one you can safely buy for games, based on parameters such as diagonal size, matrix type, contrast and brightness optimal for the eyes, resolution and response time.

The quality of the image, and therefore the comfort when working and simply surfing the Internet, depends on the monitor.

Monitor selection - size

First, you need to decide on the size of the monitor. The defining indicator is the length of the diagonal, measured in inches.

The most popular diagonal sizes today are 21.5, 23, 27 and 35 inches. There are several more intermediate sizes, but we won’t talk about them. As for size, everyone should choose a monitor based on their preferences.

The optimal monitor size for work is 21-23 inches, for games 27 inches and above.

Permission

The resolution of modern monitors ranges from Full HD to 2K, 4K and 8K. This parameter directly affects the clarity of the picture, and is measured by the total number of pixels (dots) horizontally and vertically.

Full HD– the current minimum resolution for a high-quality monitor has parameters of 1920*1080 pixels.

When choosing a monitor for gaming and looking at options with 4K resolution, it’s worth asking yourself whether your video card can handle it? The price of such monitors is quite high, and if you buy it without considering the characteristics of the video card, you can waste your money.

Resolution and size are obvious parameters, and you probably know about them, but a monitor has no less significant characteristics, which you should pay attention to and it is important to understand what they mean. About such parameters below...

Backlight brightness

The backlight brightness parameter is measured in candelas per square meter (cd/m2). We won’t talk about what a candela is and how this unit of measurement came about; you can easily find this information by using the search.

The fact is that liquid crystals themselves do not emit light, therefore, in order to see the picture, we need backlighting; without it, monitors would simply be black, as if they were turned off. Accordingly, the higher this characteristic is, the brighter the picture we can get.

A good, and we would say the minimum indicator for a good monitor is 300 cd/m2.

It is worth remembering that this parameter must be considered in conjunction with another equally tricky thing, contrast.

Contrast

Contrast is the ratio of levels white, to the black level, i.e. how many times white dot lighter than black.

This is very important parameter, although marketers make the choice a little more difficult for us by coming up with the concept of “dynamic contrast”. This figure can reach 100,000,000:1. But what is it?

Dynamic contrast is also the ratio of the white level to the black level, but to the black level at minimum backlight, and to the white level at maximum backlight.

By and large, this parameter is absolutely meaningless, because why do we need to know how many times brighter the monitor is on than when it is off? Although it can be used as a source of lighting in the house in the form of a light bulb, but why?

Therefore, do not be distracted by this parameter, but when buying a monitor, look for an indicator, namely static contrast , i.e. at the same backlight level.

Why is contrast important to consider in conjunction with brightness? Let us explain, when shooting a monitor with a video camera, one monitor may look faded, while the other may look rich and contrasty.

We have three monitors in front of us, the middle one is working at the limit of its capacity, i.e. This is its normal contrast, at maximum brightness, and in reality, it appears a bit dark.

That is, everything that is in the shadows merges into a single dark spot, and when playing games, if the actions take place at night or in poorly lit rooms, it is very difficult to see anything.

If you try to correct this situation, for example, with drivers or settings, then yes, the shadows can be “stretched out”, they will look normal, but then all the light areas will begin to merge.

This happens because, despite good contrast indicators, the monitor has reached its maximum brightness, and this cannot be corrected.

If a monitor has, say, a brightness of 200 cd/m2 with a contrast of 600:1, then looking at such a monitor, it will seem that the screen is covered with a cloudy film, and although the color rendition will be good, it will be inconvenient to read texts and play.

Conclusion: The brightness level in the monitor should be at least 300 cd/m2 with a static contrast ratio of 900 to 1000:1.

Response time

Another important parameter is response time. Usually in the specifications it is indicated as Grey-to-Grey (GtG), this is the time during which a pixel can change the brightness of gray from 10% to 90%.

There is another indicator Black-to-White (BtW), the time during which a pixel can turn from a completely off, black state to its maximum brightness, that is, white.

And one more parameter Black-White-Black (BWB or BtB), the time during which the pixel goes from off to white and then off again.

In general, manufacturers specify Grey-to-Grey response times. Nowadays most monitors have between 5 and 7 milliseconds. And most of us won't notice any difference at all. On old monitors, this indicator was 10, 15 and even 25 milliseconds, and there was a trail behind all moving objects on the screen, this was especially noticeable when the mouse cursor moved across the screen.

Advanced gamers prefer monitors with a response time of 1 to 4 milliseconds, but they are more expensive, and in our opinion, this is not necessary, since it is difficult to notice such a small difference.

Matrix

Finally, we come directly to the monitor matrix. In simple words, this is the thing that forms the picture.

There are several types of matrices, but they have one base, liquid crystals, i.e. TFT displays, differing in the technologies used.

TFT TN matrix– the oldest technology and appeared to replace SRT monitors, i.e. monitors with ray tube.

pros - cheap price And fast time response (1-4 ms).

Minuses– poor viewing angle. As soon as you deviate a little vertically or horizontally, changing the viewing angle, the image on the screen becomes dark, the contrast changes, etc.

TFT AH-IPS matrix– replaced TN technology. Everyone is probably familiar with her, at all modern phones, I don’t think they’re budget ones, it’s just an IPS display.

pros– good viewing angles, almost 180 degrees. No matter what angle you look at, the picture remains virtually unchanged.

Minuses– price. IPS panels are significantly more expensive than TN, but this is understandable. Previously, the price gap was generally catastrophic, but now it has become acceptable.

Previously, IPS panels suffered from very long response times, but with the development of technology, the figure is 2-5 ms.

TFT MVA matrix– was invented as an alternative to expensive IPS panels at that time. Accordingly, several goals were pursued: to reduce the price and reduce the response time (5 ms). Currently, VA matrices have better contrast and better color rendition than IPS, and they cost either the same or less.

pros – good contrast and richness of color, price.

Minuses– at a higher angle, the picture becomes slightly yellowish and slightly less contrasting.

There are gaming VA matrices with a response time of 2 and even 1 millisecond.

Conclusion: Monitors with TFT MVA matrix, we consider very good and the right choice. These are the most versatile monitors, and they are cheaper in price than IPS, and the contrast and brightness are at the same level. Suitable for working with documents, graphics, games, watching movies.

Video on choosing a monitor

When you come to the store, having previously studied a bunch of forums and read reviews, you roughly understand that you need to definitely use the following software:

When buying a monitor, take with you a flash drive with a program called "TFT monitor test"(weighs about 250Kb). The program will allow you to check your monitor for dead pixels, backlight uniformity, and much more.

Let us remind you that the presence of 1 to 5 dead pixels is not a warranty case, and exchanging a purchased monitor may be problematic. Therefore, it would be nice to have this program at hand.

Take with you photos or screenshots from games that you know what they look like, so it will be easier for you to evaluate the quality of the monitor, since your eyes already know these images.

Play around with the monitor menu to adjust brightness and contrast.

Check the package contents, many monitors only come with a VGA cable, but it would be nice to have HDMI outputs and DisplayPort.

I hope we didn’t miss anything and you have an idea of how to choose the right monitor for your computer. Otherwise, write your comments and questions in the comments, we will try to answer. We specifically did not cover the topic of studio monitors, or as they are also called, monitors for designers, since professionals are busy with what they need.

Tags:

I've been thinking about writing an article like this for quite some time. Well, confirmation that this is indeed worth doing was the repeated questions from our readers in the comments to reviews of monitors. Indeed, with such a variety of models on the market, it is very easy to make a mistake in choosing, and a direct comparison of the monitors you like in a retail store head-to-head is, as a rule, simply impossible - due to the most various reasons. Static or dynamic scenes on a dozen different displays (mostly, by the way, those that sell poorly), connected to one hub on the shelves of well-known chain stores, even force the buyer to quickly leave the premises. In such a situation, figuring out who is better is an impossible task even for a professional.

This is how the buyer ends up on the Internet - Yandex.Market with its reviews and technical forums. But even here you need to strain, study the equipment, collect the information received together, separate the wheat from the chaff - and then make a choice. However, all people are busy, most are looking for ready-made solutions, and only a few can afford to delve into the study of a new topic.

Well, that’s why our test laboratory exists, through which dozens of different displays have passed, but I myself have been setting up monitors for many years, so I’ve seen dozens of other models - about 500 in total. So in this material I I’ll go through each class of monitors and highlight best solutions, based also on my own experience.

Why you should buy: There’s nowhere more affordable, BenQ’s ability to squeeze all the juice out of *VA matrices, good factory settings.

What can stop: There are virtually no options for adjusting the stand - only tilt in a small range.

Alternative: the good old BenQ GW2760HS for 12,000 rubles - as the most trouble-free *VA Full HD solution with a screen diagonal increased to 27 inches. We will not recommend the new, but more problematic GC series for purchase. If you want to get a similar monitor with an ergonomic stand, then you should take a look at the XB series models manufactured by Iiyama.

Why you should buy: high quality.

What can stop: so much money for a 23-inch Full HD panel, also with a standard color gamut.

Alternative: recently reviewed by us for 19,000 rubles, which cannot boast of such capabilities as the NEC presented above, but is distinguished by a modern “frameless” design, small dimensions and a completely sufficient set of technologies and features characteristic of the Pro-solutions segment.

Why you should buy: You can find a better monitor among competitors, but it will be much more expensive.

What can stop: simple design, the case gets dirty quickly, limited ergonomics of the stand.

Alternative: Acer XF290Cbmjdprz for 24,000 rubles - if you want, get a practical matte case and an ergonomic stand. Or the 34-inch LG 34UM58 for 28,000 rubles - in case the “bold” pixel does not hurt your eyes and you want to get the largest possible computer monitor with the minimum budget allowed for this, without sacrificing quality.

⇡ For players

Working on a monitor with a vertical scan frequency of 60 and 120 Hz are two big differences. Well, for those who mainly play on the computer - even more so.

Contender: LG 34UC79G.

The most real gaming solution in the segment of UWFHD solutions with almost the maximum diagonal for it - and it has only recently been sold. The monitor is lost in the wide range of the manufacturer, little is said about it, but this does not make it lose its relevance. When compared with 35-inch *VA models with the same resolution, the IPS version from the Koreans, with an increased vertical scanning frequency to 144 Hz and support for AMD FreeSync, definitely beats them in speed, which you will also get without obvious artifacts Pictures.

Why you should buy: a huge, 34-inch curved beauty with a good IPS gaming panel, high-quality build, materials and support for AMD FreeSync.

What can stop: deep stand, low backlight uniformity on black.

Alternative: If you still really want a gaming A-MVA option in order to get the deepest black color with the same resolution, then you should take a look at the AOC C3583FQ for 42,000 rubles - among several identical monitors, this one has the best price. But do not forget about artifacts on moving objects and other features of such *VA matrices.

⇡ WQHD standard models (2560 × 1440 pixels)

Models of the WQHD standard, according to our observations and impressions, are beginning to take over the popularity of Full HD solutions. Moreover, firstly, they have fallen in price - if you look at the rest of the market segments, and secondly - options have appeared with a diagonal other than 27 inches: you can find displays from 23.6 to 32 inches - for every taste.

Why you should buy: if you want to buy your first WQHD monitor without overpaying for the name, better materials and design.

What can stop: brand, not the highest build quality - you should choose your copy more carefully.

This monitor was tested in our laboratory and left a good impression. The model uses an A-MVA panel produced by AUO, which is successful from all points of view, the only drawback of which is the Black Crush effect, inherited from the *VA technology itself. U this decision a huge list of advantages and a very short list of disadvantages. In addition, at the moment it is almost the most affordable 32-inch WQHD of those that generally make sense to consider.

Why you should buy: large diagonal coupled with a resolution of 2560 × 1440 pixels for the possible minimum amount of money in this class.

What can stop: not the best high level pixel density (ppi), appearance, workmanship.

Alternative: BenQ BL3200PT for 33,000 rubles, if you are not satisfied with the Philips design and want to get a monitor made from higher quality raw materials to higher standards.

⇡ For players (IPS-type)

The most interesting, from my point of view, class of monitors in 2016, and in 2017 too. In the last two years, its development was obviously hampered by the desire of manufacturers to get as rich as possible from such models, which is why their prices still frighten Russian consumers, and sales against the general background do not exceed 1-2% of the market volume. However, looking at the development of technology, one can come to the conclusion that someday high frequency scans will become the absolute norm. For now, it remains the prerogative of game models.

Due to my line of work, I managed to get acquainted with all the gaming WQHD IPS-type models among those presented on the Moscow market, but none of them managed to outdo the model from ASUS. The ROG PG279Q is the first to be released in its class, and it still remains the leader. Yes, it is not cheap, but when it comes to 60-70 thousand rubles for a device that you will use for at least a couple of years, it seems to us that it is better to overpay than to bite your elbows later.

Why you should buy: high quality, the best that is on the market (provided that an NVIDIA video card is used in the PC).

What can stop: high price, low backlight uniformity on black in almost all copies (the problem with such monitors).

Alternative: in many ways similar to the above model ASUS MG279Q for 48,000 rubles - for owners and fans of GPUs from AMD, but with reduced capabilities for increasing picture smoothness (there is no ULMB mode).

⇡ For players (TN+Film)

Gaming TN+Film with WQHD resolution, in my opinion, is a very controversial segment. With not much of a difference in price relative to IPS-type options, you get a slightly higher matrix speed, but lose in picture quality and stability (we’re talking about viewing angles). It's comfortable to play, but not so much to work. You can convince yourself for a long time that TN+Film panels have a noticeable advantage in speed, but in reality this has not been the case for a long time, especially among WQHD models. But if you still want to save money and have a large workspace at your disposal, then there is a choice, albeit a small one.

The first Dell gaming monitor - and it immediately hit the target. The company's engineers did a great job, and the new product came out without serious flaws. The manufacturer installed a high-speed, 144-Hz TN+Film panel in a body familiar from other models, flavored it all with support for NVIDIA G-Sync technology and ULMB mode, as well as excellent matrix overclocking settings. The result is quite a decent display.

Why you should buy: I want to save money, but get a 27-inch WQHD gaming monitor.

What can stop: clearly visible crystalline effect, poor factory settings and average build quality.

Alternative: We dare to suggest that as an alternative we can only consider the BenQ ZOWIE XL2735, which went on sale for the same 42,000 rubles. It does not support G-Sync adaptive synchronization technology, which is obvious disadvantage compared to Dell. But you can hope for quality factory setting and receive light-protective curtains included.

Just a year ago we would never have thought that this place could be taken by a BenQ product, but the reality is that new monitor The PV270 won us over with its combination of capabilities, build quality, customization and, of course, price. He cannot compete on equal terms with alternative models, the manufacturers of which are easy to guess even without our hints, but it returns every ruble invested in it and offers almost everything (or even everything) that 99% of buyers of such displays require.

Why you should buy: you don't want to overpay for the brand.

What can stop: distrust of professional BenQ monitors, a real need for the exclusive features of NEC and Eizo displays.

Alternative:“coffin” NEC MultiSync PA272W-SV2 for 85,000 rubles - with ideal factory settings, an ambient light sensor and a license for SV2 software. Well, or Eizo ColorEdge CG277 for 180,000 rubles with a built-in colorimeter, system automatic calibration and other amenities.

When choosing a monitor for work in the office or for home use, one cannot help but pay attention to such a critical point as the diagonal. Monitor resolution, manufacturer and other characteristics are, of course, no less important, but in this article we will build on this indicator.

The computer market, without exaggeration, is oversaturated with displays different types and sizes. Therefore, it is sometimes very difficult for an ordinary user to make the right and informed choice. Let's try to figure out how the diagonal affects the other characteristics of the device, and discuss which models are best to pay attention to.

What are we looking for?

First, let's look at the state of affairs in modern computer market. Very often, when choosing this kind of device, the question of where exactly the monitor will be used (what diagonal we need - more on that below) does not arise. In the understanding of most users, a good device simply must be universal: you can work with it around the clock, play until late at night, comfortably surf the Internet, and also watch your favorite TV shows and movies.

These desires are quite understandable, but then why on the market, instead of several universal monitors, do we see a whole bunch of devices that differ from each other very slightly? The answer is quite simple - to increase sales. Agree that you will choose devices and the same monitor diagonals from a manufacturer that represents its brand with dozens of models, and not from a company whose range is limited to three devices, even very good ones. In addition, almost any more or less significant brand don’t mind creating the illusion of choice for your future consumer.

But among all this diversity, there is definitely that particular device and that monitor screen diagonal that is considered the best in its segment. We’ll talk about exactly how to find them among all this heap in this article. It’s worth mentioning right away that the diagonal of the monitor is measured in inches. Some manufacturers, for some reason that is not entirely clear, try to measure dimensions in feet, centimeters or something else, but the international computer market is unshakably based on inches, as is our article.

Monitor diagonals

Screen diagonal is one of the critical characteristics that helps distinguish one device from another and significantly affects the price tag. In principle, you can do it by eye. Judging by the reviews of most owners, 18.5-inch devices are considered small devices, 19-21.5” are considered normal, 23-24” are large, 27” are huge, and more than 30” is something in the “ Wow!"

Monitor diagonal (dimensions)

Let's try to somehow systematize this general data into a more or less attractive picture, where everyone can choose their own optimal option. We will talk about ordinary monitors that can be bought in a store, that is, they do not pretend to perform any specific or highly complex tasks.

18.5-20 inches

This niche can be called budget or office. By virtue of low cost, this kind of equipment is in great demand in organizations, as well as to buyers who, for some fundamental reason, prefer small diagonals of monitors (for a child, this will suit me, I just need to look at the photo on it, etc.) or are simply limited in funds .

21.5-24 inches

Judging by raw statistics, approximately a little more than half of all monitors purchased this year are in this category. Naturally, all creators of games, websites, videos and other content for the personal computer know about this, so most developers test their products before release on this particular group. The universal type of device in this case is an IPS/*VA monitor (24” diagonal).

27 inches

This is a rather promising segment with its own nuances. If you buy an inexpensive model with such a diagonal, then at a standard working distance, which is about 70 cm from the eyes, you can see individual pixels in the image, and the overall picture will seem a little rough. Therefore, if you are limited in funds, it is better to take a more sensible matrix, but with smaller size, that is, a high-quality IPS monitor (diagonal 17-24”).

30 inches or more

This is for the most part an exclusive niche with very steep prices. The maximum monitor diagonal in this segment was seen in the Sharp device - 43 inches. Devices with such dimensions are not popular, and they cannot be called consumer products due to their high cost and large width. That is, the opposite edges of the monitor are out of the user’s field of vision, and in order to cover the entire usable area of the device with his gaze, he has to rotate his head.

Even less common are monitors, one might even say systems where several devices are installed. They have their undeniable advantages (for example, excellent realism in games), but for correct operation For such a far from cheap set, you just need a monster, not a computer. High technologies do not stand still, and such systems are being replaced by virtual glasses and other devices that allow you to immerse yourself in virtual reality as much as possible. But nevertheless, they are not able to displace ordinary monitors (at least for now).

Optimal options

Why you should choose 24-27” monitors:

on a screen with a larger diagonal, much more data is available and there is no need to actively use scrolling;
massive objects (maps, complex tables, drawings, etc.) are very poorly visualized on small screens;
modern games on large monitor have more realistic notes, because the entire visual space is occupied by the screen;
The average lifespan of today's monitors is about 10-12 years, and buying an inexpensive and small device is not very reasonable in terms of practicality.

There are many myths that devices with a diagonal of 24 inches or more tire the nervous retina and spoil vision (the “eyes run wide” effect). In fact, this is nothing more than a strange legend, because you get used to a good and large screen quite quickly, but on the contrary, it’s a terrible discomfort.

Diagonal, resolution and aspect ratio

In order to find the optimal ratio of monitor diagonal to its resolution, it is necessary to take into account a number of certain factors. Most media content for personal computers, such as games, Internet resources, videos, etc., are developed for standard aspect ratios, that is, 16:9.

In addition, the developer designs different resolutions for his products, where for full balance you need to clearly know: what, where and how.

Monitor resolutions and video stream indicator:

HD - 1368 by 768 pixels.
Full HD - 1920 by 1080 pixels.
WQ HD - 2560 by 1440 pixels.
Ultra HD - 3840 by 2160 pixels.

That is, for each diagonal you like, you need to choose your own maximum resolution screen. For small devices(see section “Diagonals of monitors”) HD-scanning is quite sufficient for medium and large screens you need at least Full HD, but noble and expensive models There is no way to do without WQ HD resolution.

Ultra High Definition Features

In general, the Ultra HD format will not become relevant for the mass consumer soon, because not so much media content is written for it. Many buyers fall for smart marketing moves in stores, where they are presented with a super-detailed and vivid picture on one or another monitor in Ultra HD format. It is worth remembering that this is a specially designed advertising trailer, and in everyday life (at work or in games) you will not find such Ultra material. Therefore, the only place where you can fully appreciate all the delights of “Ultra” technologies is working with photographs, moreover, taken with high-level equipment.

And by the way, about non-standard resolutions. On sale you can still find square “oldies” with proportions of 5:4. Due to their distinctive features, as well as their low price, they are very convenient for working in the office with documents and text editors such as Word or Excel. But, for the reasons stated above, they cannot be called universal.

Diagonal and grain

Grain is a unit of image, that is, the smallest point on the monitor. This unit directly affects the quality of the picture: the larger the grain, the more convenient it is to read small text, which is especially important for people with poor vision. However, the downside of coarse grain is a rough representation of all other information. That is, on smooth lines or in photographs in high resolution pixels are noticeable.

The lower the grain size, the more realistic the picture looks on the monitor screen, but small font suffers. And although this point can be called a double-edged sword, many media content developers are trying to find a certain balance, that is, to correctly display all the information on a fine grain. But in our everyday life there are still a sufficient number of programs where working on a non-fine-grained monitor causes discomfort.

Optimal grain size relative to screen diagonal:

0.27-0.30 mm for 18.5-20 inches;
0.24-0.25 mm for 21-22 inches;
0.265 mm for 23 inches;
0.27-0.28 mm for 24 inches;
0.31-0.32 mm for 27-28 inches;
0.14-0.18 mm for “ultra” monitors.

Many experts, along with buyers, believe that the optimal ratio of diagonal, grain and cost of a monitor is found in 24-inch devices with Full HD resolution. If you wear glasses or have other vision problems, then you should not buy devices with fine or even medium grain, because it will hurt your eyes to look at system fonts or other small content details. Of course, you can change the display scale to a larger one, but then the clarity of the picture will greatly suffer and its proportions will be distorted.

Diagonal and matrix

The second most important characteristic of a monitor after the diagonal is the matrix. Difficulties in choosing optimal option adds a variety of which has accumulated more than a dozen: TN, IPS, PLS, MVA, PVA, etc. Moreover, each type has its own distinctive characteristics and remarkable properties.

If we try to simplify this entire range, we get the following picture. TN scans are the cheapest and fastest, but have poor viewing angles and mediocre color rendition. Models with IPS matrices have the most comfortable viewing angles and a deep range of colors, but have a high price tag and slow display. MVA and PVA scans convey the depth of black and white colors best of all, but there are certain difficulties with halftones and color balance with slight changes in the viewing angle.

By by and large, with all the diversity that we see in the computer market, the ideal matrix simply does not exist: each has its own fly in the ointment, as well as its own advantages.

You shouldn’t get hung up on studying and choosing the ideal type of matrix. The main attention should be paid, in addition to the screen diagonal, to viewing angles, maximum contrast and brightness, as well as color saturation. All these parameters, as a rule, are indicated in large print on the device box or are written in the price tag on the store counter.

The main “disease” of all modern monitors is insufficient viewing angles, that is, distortion of the image when the screen is rotated or tilted. This point is especially critical for devices with large diagonals and operating on TN matrices. Sometimes, even if you look at the screen at right angles, the picture in the corners seems blurry, which is typical for cheap models. If you want to protect yourself from such discomfort, then it is better to choose devices with viewing angles of at least 160 degrees vertically and 170 degrees horizontally.