Flat Screen Monitor Guide

If you’re in the market for a new flat screen monitor and have been looking at your options, then you know that it can be difficult and even overwhelming to make a choice due to the sheer volume of monitors in the market.  There are many terms and specifications that you may not fully understand, so you may want to take a look at our previous post which offers a quick summary of common terms and features. After you’ve familiarized yourself about LCD monitors, you need to determine what you plan on mostly using the monitor for. You need to ask yourself whether or not you need high performance out of your monitor. Basically, if you plan on doing mostly work and internet browsing, then you don’t need as expensive and advanced of a monitor as you would if you were intending to play a lot of video games.

If you’re choosing a monitor to do your work on and for internet browsing, then you don’t need a super high refresh rate. Shoot for a monitor with a large display area so that you can manage multiple programs at once easily and have plenty of space. A 17 inch monitor can do the job, but we wouldn’t recommend this size as it’s really just not enough space.  A 19 inch monitor is a much better alternative, and there isn’t much of a price gap between these two sizes. If you are willing to spend more, you can go bigger. It eventually all comes down to personal preference. Another thing to pay attention to is the adjustability of the monitor. Since you’ll be sitting in front of it for long periods of time working, you want it to be flexible so that you can be comfortable.

If you enjoy playing games, especially high definition games, then you’ll need a monitor with a fast response time so that you get a clear picture. Generally, the bigger the monitor the better experience you’ll have when playing games. If you intend on hooking up a console to your monitor, you’ll want to make sure you have multiple input options and an easy way to switch inputs back and forth so that you can swap between your gaming system and windows when need be. Some monitors have a dedicated button for this purpose, so if you see yourself needing to switch back and forth a lot, then it may be wise to seek out a monitor like this for your convenience.

In conclusion, you need to decide what you intend to use your flat screen monitor for so you can make the right purchase. If you don’t intend to use your monitor for gaming, you can easily get away with selecting a monitor with lower specs without any negative effects. But if you plan on playing games or other graphically demanding applications, then it’s best to get a monitor with a higher refresh rate.