Computer Monitors for Work, Gaming & Display

Get more done on your PC by picking the right monitor for it. This screen serves as a display for tasks performed on the machine. When shopping for one, consider the primary task of the display. For example, a high-resolution screen is important when performing graphics-intensive tasks like video editing and gaming. Browse the large inventory of computer displays at Staples to find the best unit for a work or entertainment PC.

Choose from different types of computer monitors
General-use and business computer displays are multipurpose screens used for browsing the web, word processing, and watching movies. They mostly only need to be bright and crisp. Professional displays used for graphics design and multimedia editing have sharper screens. When shopping for one of these, look for a high-resolution unit with very high color accuracy. Besides a high-resolution, gaming monitors also need very high refresh rates and quick response times. These features reduce blurriness when rendering fast-moving images.

Two other important specialty computer displays are ultrawide and curved displays. An ultrawide unit is wider than regular and widescreen models. It can fit multiple applications side by side and makes multitasking easier. A curved display also provides similar benefits. With its two edges curved toward the user, it offers better immersion. The curved edges keep users from turning their heads to see from one end of the widescreen to the other.

Key features to consider when shopping for computer screens
Computer displays come in sizes ranging from 19 inches to 43 inches. Smaller displays are lighter and suitable for small work desks, but larger ones offer more screen estate. General-use models usually come in sizes between 21 and 24 inches, while ultrawide and curved models measure 29 inches and wider. A 16:9 aspect ratio is the most common for PC screens. Some professional displays have an aspect ratio of 16:10. These are slightly taller and fit a little more content. Ultrawide displays have stretched aspect ratio of 21:9.

Screen resolution determines the sharpness of a display. The minimum resolution to look for in a computer display is 1920 x 1080 pixels or 1080p. This full high-definition (FHD) resolution makes images crisp on mid-sized screens. Choose higher resolutions when opting for large displays. These include quad high-definition (QHD) at 2560 x 1440 pixels or 2K and 4K at 3840 x 2160 pixel resolutions. There are a few high-end models meant for content creation with 5K and 8K resolutions.

Should you consider panel type when shopping for a computer monitor?
The most common types of panels used by LCD computer displays are vertical alignment (VA), in-plane switching (IPS), and twisted nematic (TN). TN panels are common in gaming PC displays. They offer very fast response times and support refresh rates up to 240Hz. VA panels have better color accuracy, viewing angles, and contrast ratio but slower response times. They’re ideal for affordable general-use and business PC screens. IPS panels enjoy better color accuracy and viewing angles than the other two types of panels. They’re best for graphics design and video/photo editing.

What are the benefits of portable monitors?
A portable screen serves as a secondary display for a laptop or desktop computer. It’s lightweight and easy to carry around. They’re ideal for users looking to extend their computer screens with no need to set up additional monitors.

What are the essential video connection ports to look for in computer monitors?
The most important ones are DisplayPort and HDMI. Both support resolutions up to 4K and refresh rates of 60Hz or higher. They can also transmit audio signals.