Guide
Monitors for home and open plan offices
by Zeynep Bekar
Monitor buying advice: Find the perfect screen here
31.7.2019
Translation: machine translated
IPS or TN? Curved or not? WQHD or UHD? HDMI or USB-C? When choosing a new screen, you can get lost in the details or take a look at our monitor buying guide.
My old iMac has given up the ghost after almost ten years. However, I don't want to put a new all-in-one computer on my desk, but have started looking for a monitor. My goal: to be more flexible when using computers in the future. I've found the right monitor for me and gathered a lot of information and looked at a few models, so I can now give you some advice - even if you have different requirements to me.
- An all-rounder for the home
- Gaming monitors for all games
- Work better in the home office
- Video editing / image processing
- The TV replacement
- Touchscreen: A screen you can touch
At the moment, I only want to connect my personal and work notebooks to the new monitor - but I also want to have the option of connecting a desktop computer in the future. I don't have a specific purpose for the monitor. I need an all-rounder. I want to be able to surf the internet, work on it, edit holiday photos, maybe watch a film and, if time permits, play games on it.
In terms of connections, I currently only need HDMI for image transmission. USB-C is essential so that the monitor can still connect to new computers in a few years' time. Ideally, the monitor charges the connected notebook directly via this, so I don't need a power supply unit at my desk - I can then also connect the mouse, keyboard and an external hard drive directly to the monitor, which serves as a hub.
In the end, I opted for the Acer BE270U. With its narrow bezel, it also impresses me visually - and thankfully, the manufacturer also refrains from placing its lettering on the front.
An all-rounder for the home
If my choice doesn't convince you, there are other screens that are well suited for all-round use. If you can do without one or two features, you can even get away with it for less.
Gaming monitors for all games
If the frame rate and the frames per second (FPS) delivered by the graphics card do not match, unsightly errors will occur in the image display. To prevent this, manufacturers of graphics cards and monitors use sync technologies to harmonise the FPS and hertz.
Work better when working from home
Video editing / image processing (wide)
Image quality is crucial for editing videos and photos. Or to be more precise: colour reproduction. The monitor should not only be of high quality, but should also be calibratable and easy on the eyes. An aspect ratio of 21:9 or even wider could be worthwhile so that the tool palette of the image or video editing software fits next to your work surface without a second screen.
The Eizo CG279X is slightly smaller and has less resolution, but scores points with its integrated colour calibration. You don't have to use external tools for this. There is also colour management software as well as presets for HDR and preset modes for colour spaces and gamma values.
The television replacement
Touch screen: A screen you can touch
My first choice would be the Dell P2418HT. Its touchscreen is anti-glare and it can be swivelled and adjusted in height. The Acer T272HLbmjjz is slightly larger at 27 inches, but less flexible. You can only tilt it. On the other hand, it has built-in speakers.
Since the sound of the monitor's integrated speakers is usually not convincing, it's worth taking a look at Raphael's guide to PC speakers.
Header image: Photo by Andreas Palmer on Unsplash
Jan Johannsen
Senior Editor
Jan.Johannsen@galaxus.deWhen I was but a young student, I'd sit in my friend's living room with all my classmates and play on his SuperNES. Since then I've had the opportunity to test out all the newest technology for you. I've done reviews at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, and have now arrived at Galaxus.de.
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