Everything You Need To Know About Monitors Before You Buy

Before you push that "buy now" button and pull the trigger on a new monitor, there are a few things you should know that could save you a headache down the line.

What is monitor?

A monitor is essentially a window into the computers and devices that have become such an integral part of our lives. It allows us to see the screens of phones, tablets, laptops, desktops and more. Without monitors, we wouldn't be able to visually experience the vast array of information, entertainment, creativity and productivity that technology provides.

 

How do monitors work?

Computer monitors don't magically conjure up pixels from thin air. There's a fascinating process happening behind the screen that brings your digital world to life.

Most monitors today use liquid crystal display or LCD technology. LCDs contain tiny liquid crystal molecules that can bend light to create pixels. When an electric current passes through the LCD, it causes the liquid crystal molecules to shift positions. In their new configuration, they allow light to pass through, which we perceive as a bright pixel. Without any current, the LCD blocks the light, so we see a dark pixel.

By carefully controlling the electric signals to each part of the LCD, the monitor choreographs a light show that forms the images and text you see. It's truly an optical illusion come to life!

 

Monitor Connection Types

Thunderbolt 3

Thunderbolt 3 is the port standard that will transform monitor connectivity. It offers a staggering 40Gbps of bandwidth, enough to connect not one or two but up to four high-resolution displays at once. Running multiple monitors has never been easier or provided a better experience. Thunderbolt 3 also supports DisplayPort, HDMI, USB, and even PCIe, giving you maximum flexibility in how you set up your workspace. Known for its sleek, miniature design, Thunderbolt 3 is a port that is as stunning as the monitors it enables.

If you demand the absolute best performance for graphics-intensive tasks like video editing, 3D modeling, or gaming, the DisplayPort 2.0 standard is for you. It provides a bandwidth of 80 Gbps, nearly doubling the throughput of current DisplayPorts. This allows for jaw-dropping visuals with fewer compression artifacts or lag when moving complex 3D scenes.

Monitor makers are also embracing enthusiast-grade HDMI 2.1, which supports up to 10K resolution at a silky-smooth 120Hz refresh rate with HDR for a truly immersive experience. These future-focused options fortify the PC as a hub for creative power users and hardcore gamers alike.

With Thunderbolt 3, DisplayPort 2.0, and HDMI 2.1 as options, you have real choice in building a monitor setup tailored to your unique needs. No longer are we limited to just HDMI or DisplayPort—we can choose based on bandwidth, features, plug-and-play ease, and more. The future of PC monitor connectivity is here, offering unprecedented performance, vivid visuals, and the flexibility to connect in whatever way inspires you. The possibilities are truly limitless.

What are the 3 types of monitor?

After decades in the tech industry, I've seen monitors come and go, but

There are really only three main types that have stood the test of time: CRT, LCD, and LED. Each has its pros and cons, so choosing the right monitor for your needs is key.

CRT

CRT or cathode ray tube monitors were the standard for decades and are still used in some niche applications today. The bulky, glass tubes may seem archaic, but CRTs actually offer a few benefits like minimal motion blur, wide viewing angles, and vibrant color reproduction. Many retro gamers and arcade enthusiasts swear by CRTs to this day!

 

LCD

LCD stands for liquid crystal display and refers to monitors that use liquid crystal technology to produce images. LCD panels are thinner, lighter, and more energy efficient than CRTs while providing good picture quality and color for most basic needs. LCD monitors were a huge leap forward and swiftly replaced CRTs, becoming the mainstream monitor of choice for Microsoft Windows PCs. If you want an inoffensive, cost-effective monitor for everyday tasks, an LCD fits the bill.

https://www.networkhardwares.com/products/viewsonic-ips-ultra-wide-va3456-mhdj

If you're looking for an ultra-wide LCD monitor, the ViewSonicVA3456-MHDJ 34'' 1440p IPS Ultra-Wide Monitor might be for you.

This IPS panel delivers vibrant colors and wide viewing angles so the entire screen feels alive. The ViewSonic VA3456-MHDJ monitor brings the breathtaking experience of widescreen immersion to your desk. Vibrant colors, fast visuals, and flexible ergonomics combine for an entertaining space that feels endlessly engaging and puts you in the center of the action.

LED

LED stands for light emitting diode. LED monitors provide a premium experience with stunning picture quality for graphics design, video editing, gaming and more. LED backlights can achieve deeper blacks, higher contrast ratios, wider color gamuts and faster response times than traditional LCD panels. LED monitors are the priciest of the three types but produce some of the best images currently possible, making them a fashionable must-have for visual creatives, enthusiasts and tech lovers.

When it comes to choosing a monitor, go with what inspires you rather than just meets your needs.

 

https://www.networkhardwares.com/products/asus-va24dq-23-8-full-hd-led-lcd-monitor

Introducing the Asus VA24DQ, a cozy companion for any desk. This 23.8-inch monitor is the perfect pocket-sized pal for enjoying content and creativity.

The Asus VA24DQ is cozy, portable and prepped to please with vibrant visuals and unexpected features in a stylish, compact package. Whether for work, play or creativity, it wears its talents lightly for an experience you'll enjoy using day after day. This 23-inch LED monitor aims to impress with the nice. Simple, enjoyable and like an old friend, it's always there when you need it.

 

What is the most important feature of a monitor?

What is the most important feature of a monitor? It is not resolution, refresh rate or response time - although those are all crucial in their own right. The single most vital attribute of a high-quality monitor is color accuracy.

A monitor that can reproduce colors faithfully allows you to experience digital media as the creators intended. When you view photorealistic paintings, Nature documentaries or your own cherished vacation photos, the images should burst with vibrant hues and subtle nuances. Anything less washes out the visuals and robs them of emotion.

True-to-Life Colors

For content creators like photographers, designers and video producers, color accuracy is not just important - it is imperative. They spend countless hours crafting images and compositions to evoke feelings in the audience. If those emotions get lost in translation when viewed on subpar monitors, their work feels incomplete. Each shade and tint is deliberately chosen to achieve a specific aesthetic. ±5% sRGB coverage at minimum is non-negotiable for these professionals.

 

Curved vs. Flat Monitors

Curved monitors, with their distinctive arched shape, are aimed at providing a more immersive viewing experience. The curve helps create a subtle wrap-around effect that pulls you into the center of the screen. Whether you're gaming, watching movies, or just browsing the web, a curved screen can make you feel more present in the content.

These monitors also often have a wider aspect ratio and higher resolution, allowing for a more engrossing visual feast. The curve even helps reduce glare and reflective highlights on the screen for better picture quality and less eye strain. If immersion and visuals are priorities, a curved monitor is hard to beat.

https://www.networkhardwares.com/products/hp-z40c-g3-3a6f7aa-aba-40-curved-monitor

From ultra-wide screen space to ultra-high definition clarity and everything in between, the HP Z40c G3 curved monitor will captivate your senses and fuel your imagination. This monitor's ribbon of visual splendor is sure to inspire wonder and ignite passion for viewing.

This 40-inch curved monitor is a sight to behold. With an immersive 1800R curved screen, you'll feel like you're stepping into another world. The Z40c G3 offers a view that stretches beyond the edges of your peripheral vision for a super wide viewing experience.

 

On the other hand, flat monitors offer a simpler, more practical design that many people still prefer. They are less expensive, easier to mount and arrange, and compatible with more accessories like monitor arms or multiple monitor setups. The screen is also often viewed as more professional and suitable for productivity tasks like editing documents or coding.

Resolution and picture quality have also come a long way for flat monitors, narrowing the gap with their curved counterparts. With ample screen space, excellent contrast and color, wide viewing angles and anti-glare coatings, a flat monitor can provide a great viewing experience for most casual to professional needs.

https://www.networkhardwares.com/products/asus-rog-strix-xg17ahpe-17-3-gaming-monitor

The Asus ROG Strix XG17AHPE is an epic 17.3-inch gaming monitor ready to immerse you in vibrant worlds and pulse-pounding action. This isn't your average gaming rig — the Strix XG17AHPE is something special.

The Strix XG17AHPE is intoxicating, electrically charged fun from start to finish. With its earnest dedication to performance, responsiveness and visual excellence, the Strix XG17AHPE delivers an experience that is authentically passionate, vicariously thrilling and wildly memorable.

In the end, the choice of curved or flat monitor comes down to weighing these pros and cons based on your own workflow and visual preferences.

 

In short, monitors are vital access points to the information, entertainment and possibilities of technology. They continue to become more immersive, inspire greater creativity and improve rapidly. I hope thishas given you a newfound appreciation for the screens that shape how we interact with the digital world each and every day.