Last Updated on February 3, 2021 by Husain Parvez
Working from home has become part of our new normal as the COVID-19 virus spreads, and investing in your work from home set-up and types of equipment is a great idea since it looks like we will have this kind of set up for a little more while.
The best long-term investment you can make in your work-from-home journey is a decent monitor instead of leaning over and depending solely on your laptop and trying to do everything on its tiny screen, but how exactly would you define the word ‘decent’?
Guide to consider when buying a monitor for work
Kinds of monitor
There are a lot of types of monitors available out there including gaming monitors to business monitors, so you have to be careful and look at the features of the kind of monitor that will best suit your needs before purchasing. If you are into monitors that offer a wide selection of features, it is highly suggested that you consider a multimedia monitor. This may be more suitable for you as these are handy and offer a variety of ports including HDMI input that allows the monitor to be used for entertainment purposes and design, so you can use its features outside of your work also.
Size of the screen
Laptop screen sizes usually range between 12 to 17 inches when measured diagonally. When choosing between desktop monitor sizes, most of the time, you would want to go between 19 to 27 inches. With these sizes, there is enough room to spread out documents and applications, but it would not be that of a big screen that it takes over your entire desk.
When considering adding two monitors, 22 inches is the perfect size between being “too big” and “too small”. They go nicely side by side while ensuring that they do not take over your entire desk. Conversely, if you are opting for getting a single monitor, you can consider going to 24 to 27 inches.
Features
Monitors may somehow look-alike from each other but what makes them different are the additional features some models have over the others. For example, a gloss and matte screen each offers a different viewing experience, but it comes down mainly on your personal preference.
If you are working from home and usually presenting processes, monitors with a swivel base will make your life easier as it allows your screen to rotate towards your colleagues to show off processes. There are also monitors that come with adjustable height, which will make your life comfortable as it solves any neck aches or pains that usually comes if you are slouched to your current screen most of the time.
When it comes to specs, a 1080p resolution will work just fine for most people if most of the things you do are for work. Sharper resolutions are usually for gamers. Other basic features include an IPS screen for better viewing angles, and a good contrast ratio is at least 1,000:1.
Check also if your monitor has built-in speakers, adjustable stand, can you tilt it forward and backward, and can it be flipped 180 degrees? Some of these features you may not necessarily need, but you may want personally.
Consider other things: Some monitors have built-in speakers, but most don’t, which means the audio will still just come out of your laptop. Does it have an adjustable stand? You may want this if you want to adjust how high or low the monitor sits on your desk. Does it tilt forward and backward? Can it flip 180 degrees? These are other features I don’t need but that you may want. According to computer experts at Office Consumer, color grading is another monitor feature that you want to consider.
Color grading is important if your work is into photo and video production as each monitor displays colors uniquely. It is critical that you choose the right monitor if you will use it for color-sensitive work including photography, graphic design and video editing. If you have better monitor color accuracy, there will be better photos and videos that can be produced from that monitor.
Some monitors really have a lot of features, but ensure that you prioritize buying something that works for what you need. At this trying time, practicality will always come first.
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