• The screens above are better buys than the two other models that do the job.

    The WIRED editor bought a BenQ monitor and used it with his MacBook, and it works well. If you sit too close to the monitor, things can look fuzzy, but it's not a problem at distances. The VESA mounting standard is supported by it.

    It's a hassle-free second monitor with the stand on this monitor, and you can VESA mount it as well. He bought it for his partner in 2020 and it's been doing well ever since, with a high-resolution display and a slim design. Most built-in speakers sound great, but don't bother with the built-in speakers as they don't sound good.

  • We're going to look at a few key points to look for. Some of these factors matter more for certain uses than others, but they are all useful to know.

    • Resolution: This is the big one you've probably heard of, and higher resolution is generally better, but it's also worth considering the size of the monitor you're getting. The bigger the monitor, the more it will benefit from higher resolutions. That will allow you to have app windows that take up less space but are still legible. Most monitors today are typically 1080p, 1440p (2K), or 4K.
    • Refresh rate: This refers to how many times the display can refresh the picture per second, measured in hertz (or Hz). This makes the action in games look more smooth because you're seeing more information. For productivity, 60 Hz is more than enough, but gamers will generally want a panel that can hit 120 or 144 Hz. You'll need a good computer that can maintain a high frame rate to take advantage of these high refresh rates. 
    • Nvidia G-Sync/AMD FreeSync support: A gamer-specific criteria, these two features let monitors adjust their frame rates based on the games they're playing. This reduces screen tearing without affecting performance. G-Sync is made by Nvidia and FreeSync comes from AMD, and while FreeSync monitors can usually work with most modern Nvidia graphics cards, G-Sync doesn't work with AMD cards, so make sure everything you have is compatible when buying.
    • HDR support: This isn't crucial for productivity, but if you watch a lot of media or play games, it's nice to have. Just like on TVs, HDR dramatically expands the range of colors a screen can reproduce, leading to more vivid pictures. Content still has to support HDR, but many sources do these days so it's often worth springing for. 
    • Port availability: A crucial but easy to overlook factor is what kind of ports the monitor has for connecting your devices. Most typically come with one or two HDMI inputs, and a DisplayPort input, which will cover most needs, but it's always a good idea to check what your setup needs. Check out our Best USB Hubs and Docks guide if you need to expand your computer's port options.
    • Stands: Many monitors come with their own stands, and if you don't use your own mounts, the flexibility of these stands can go a long way toward reducing neck strain and/or back pain. Ideal stands let you adjust the height, tilt, and rotation of a monitor so you can position it exactly where you need.
    • Mounting brackets: If you use your own monitor arms, then the type of mount the display uses is crucial. Most monitors use the VESA standard. You should check the size and type of mount on the equipment you have before buying.
    • Speakers: A lot of monitors come with built-in speakers, but I wouldn't put much stock into them. They usually sound poor and don't get very loud. You're much better off getting a dedicated set of speakers. 

MonitorJulian Chokkattu boughtWIRED editor Julianeditor Julian Chokkattu
Related News
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs prevail against Buffalo Bills, win wild AFC divisional game in overtime
Popular on TVN
Stay In Touch

All Rights Reserved © 2024