lcd monitors capable of drawing supplier
Advanced LED video wall with MicroLED models in 0.6, 0.7 and 0.9mm pixel pitches, and 1.2mm pixel pitch standard LED; with powerful processing, proprietary alignment technology and off-board electronics.
Planar® CarbonLight™ VX Series is comprised of carbon fiber-framed indoor LED video wall and floor displays with exceptional on-camera visual properties and deployment versatility, available in 1.9 and 2.6mm pixel pitch (wall) and 2.6mm (floor).
From cinema content to motion-based digital art, Planar® Luxe MicroLED Displays offer a way to enrich distinctive spaces. HDR support and superior dynamic range create vibrant, high-resolution canvases for creative expression and entertainment. Leading-edge MicroLED technology, design adaptability and the slimmest profiles ensure they seamlessly integrate with architectural elements and complement interior décor.
From cinema content to motion-based digital art, Planar® Luxe Displays offer a way to enrich distinctive spaces. These professional-grade displays provide vibrant, high-resolution canvases for creative expression and entertainment. Leading-edge technology, design adaptability and the slimmest profiles ensure they seamlessly integrate with architectural elements and complement interior decor.
LED video wall solution with advanced video wall processing, off-board electronics, front serviceable cabinets and outstanding image quality available in 0.9mm pixel pitch
Advanced LED video wall with MicroLED models in 0.6, 0.7 and 0.9mm pixel pitches, and 1.2mm pixel pitch standard LED; with powerful processing, proprietary alignment technology and off-board electronics.
From cinema content to motion-based digital art, Planar® Luxe MicroLED Displays offer a way to enrich distinctive spaces. HDR support and superior dynamic range create vibrant, high-resolution canvases for creative expression and entertainment. Leading-edge MicroLED technology, design adaptability and the slimmest profiles ensure they seamlessly integrate with architectural elements and complement interior décor.
Advanced LED video wall with MicroLED models in 0.6, 0.7 and 0.9mm pixel pitches, and 1.2mm pixel pitch standard LED; with powerful processing, proprietary alignment technology and off-board electronics.
LED video wall solution with advanced video wall processing, off-board electronics, front serviceable cabinets and outstanding image quality available in 0.9mm pixel pitch
Planar® CarbonLight™ VX Series is comprised of carbon fiber-framed indoor LED video wall and floor displays with exceptional on-camera visual properties and deployment versatility, available in 1.9 and 2.6mm pixel pitch (wall) and 2.6mm (floor).
a line of extreme and ultra-narrow bezel LCD displays that provides a video wall solution for demanding requirements of 24x7 mission-critical applications and high ambient light environments
Since 1983, Planar display solutions have benefitted countless organizations in every application. Planar displays are usually front and center, dutifully delivering the visual experiences and critical information customers need, with proven technology that is built to withstand the rigors of constant use.
Working with AutoCAD and similar computer-aided design (CAD) software requires a lot of moving parts to successfully create, view, and analyze designs. It’s one thing having the right skills, but it can’t be done without the right computer and accessories either. A monitor’s display is one non-negotiable. Fortunately, the best monitor for CAD will have no such issue and there are plenty of quality monitor options and screens available.
A fuzzy display screen or one that’s pixelated or warped can affect the quality and viewing precision for AutoCAD and CAD users, but those are not the only factors that can create a less than productive work day. Users working with important files and visuals that heavily rely on the utmost accuracy can’t settle for a subpar on-screen display and require features that have certain specifications and features designed for their line of work or project.
There are endless options for monitors, and it can be difficult to separate out the best monitors for AutoCAD from ones that simply aren’t a great fit for CAD programs. Keep in mind the following considerations when on the search to buy one.
The quality of images often comes down to pixel density, or how many pixels per inch there are (PPI). The more pixels, the denser they are and the clearer the image will be. High-resolution screens will be best for getting the crispest image. There are different qualities of definition and screen types too, including IPS technology, quad high definition (QHD), full high definition, and vertical alignment panels.
There are standard ratios and other options available with the most common being 4:3 and 16:9. This also relates to screen size. Aspect ratios and the pixels of images may look better on smaller screens though many larger screens now have higher resolutions and the ability to display crystal clear images.
Screen size can affect aspect ratios and how well an image translates. Users may also want to consider the portability and what size makes sense for the scale of projects they may be working on. Large CAD models might need something larger whereas people doing fieldwork or who often move from site to site may want a smaller screen size.
A curved screen, flicker-free technology, low blue light mode (or other settings that help reduce strain on the eyes), and a good response time are all features that are worth considering. The tech used to connect monitors to different operating systems and computers should also be thought about. Is an HDMI port necessary? Or are USB ports or other connectivity ports needed? Is a touch screen something that’s necessary? On-screen control options or shortcuts can also increase efficiency. After reviewing these most important factors, delve into other details that will make projects easier for you. Thereafter, you might also want to have a think about the style and budget, too.
Find the best monitor for CAD or AutoCAD from the below selection of hand-picked monitors, some with an IPS screen, LCD screen, and different viewing angles to choose the right one for your needs.
**Xometry members can save an extra 5-10% on Dell laptops, desktops, workstations, must-have accessories, and more. To do so, visit Xometry’s Dell page, call (855) 900-5548, or connect with a Small Business Advisor. And don’t forget to check out the time-limited deal from Dell at the top of this page.
“I"m not gaming, mostly AutoCAD, and 3D drawings,” explained a customer. “It"s also a great production monitor and can open up so many windows. I would recommend this monitor to anyone. I"ve had it for only a few weeks, so far so good. I have it sandwiched between two 27" monitors running vertically which gives me the right amount of screen real estate.”
**Xometry members can save an extra 5-10% on Dell laptops, desktops, workstations, must-have accessories, and more. To do so, visit Xometry’s Dell page, call (855) 900-5548, or connect with a Small Business Advisor. And don’t forget to check out the time-limited deal from Dell at the top of this page.
That being said, designers, photo editing pros, or anyone who needs exacting color standards will find this may not be up to par. “Wanted to use this for CAD work,” described one customer. “It is awesome. [The] images are clear and well defined. Picture quality is great. Used for 3/4 hours straight, no eye strain. To top off the awesomeness, the delivery was two days early.”
An ultra-wide monitor or a second computer screen with extra-large screen size is ideal when detailed work and designs are part of the daily routine, but for some businesses, portability is the top priority. Being able to review plans or models on-site or switching between the office and home means a smaller monitor, like
“I"m a civil engineer and I use AutoCAD Civil3d for approximately 75% of my job,” explained a buyer. “My company has a flexible work policy (work from home, etc.), but I"ve never felt comfortable utilizing it because AutoCAD is very difficult to use with one screen. Not anymore! I should have bought this screen years ago… Screen quality and resolution are better than my Dell Inspiron. The brightness seems to be on par with the Dell screen at my office workstation.”
“After getting used to only having one monitor and learning to split my desktop when needed, I love this monitor,” began a customer. “I can say I have no issues. The text is clear, and I do not see any blur, as noted in other reviews. I use it primarily for work, not gaming, and spend most of my time on CAD software and emails. Works like a charm.”
“I work in extremely high-end CAD for my job, and this works fantastically well,” explained a reviewer. “I was also pleasantly surprised that my CAD software supported this high of a resolution, as it has a high-res mode for printing, which I now use all the time.”
“4K monitors make text and UI features so small they are difficult to see,” explained a customer who uses it for CAD projects. “Work and professional quality monitors with QHD resolution are getting harder to find. This monitor rivals those that were in excess of $1,000 five years ago and puts out less heat… No dead pixels and the backlight and color accuracy are good enough for anything I am running on this machine.”
“I use my monitor for both gaming and AutoCAD applications and so far I like it for both applications,” wrote a customer. Another person noted, “The graphics are good enough for me, eye-saving settings are good, and the window snapping provides the space I need for work without the neck strain of looking back and forth between monitors.”
Whether an IPS panel monitor has caught your eye, a screen LED-lit monitor, or something with a touch screen and different orientation capabilities, there are plenty of choices for a premium monitor ideal for working with AutoCAD and other CAD software programs.
BenQ’s eye-protective monitor (US$349.99, Amazon), with IPS technology, and options of using its mini DisplayPort or other connective hubs make it a great choice. Alternatively, an ultra-wide monitor like Sceptre’s (
We hope our review of the best monitors for AutoCAD has been helpful. For more suppliers of related products, including computer monitor flare & radiation filters, computer and monitor mounts, and industrial computer monitors, consult our additional guides, or visit the Thomas Supplier Discovery Platform.
**Xometry members can save an extra 5-10% on Dell laptops, desktops, workstations, must-have accessories, and more. To do so, visit Xometry’s Dell page, call (855) 900-5548, or connect with a Small Business Advisor. And don’t forget to check out the time-limited deal from Dell at the top of this page.
Often, some tailoring of our enclosure designs are necessary to meet a customer’s specific requirements. The requests vary widely from military requirements for environment, shock/vibration, and/or emissions, to unique mounting requirements, specialty cooling or custom colors. Rest assured we are well equipped to handle special requests.
Titan’s ruggedized enclosures are designed to be used either as portable displays that can be transported from one location to another, or be mounted using the supplied mounting holes located on the rear and/or sides of the enclosures. Each Standalone enclosure is configured with a set of VESA standard mounting holes on the rear, allowing for the attachment of numerous desktop pedestals (standard or custom), cradles, articulating arms and mounting yokes. Speak with one of our Sales Engineers for a no-obligation consultation to determine the best mounting option for your application.
All of the interfaces (video, serial, power, etc.) utilize shielded locking connectors that are (typically) located on the rear of the enclosure. Other interfaces are available for field programmability and firmware upgrades, CompactFlash readers, USB ports and more.
Watertight (NEMA 4/6) gaskets are installed between the LCD (or overlay) and the front bezel to prevent liquids from entering the enclosure through the display opening.
Dust gaskets are often supplied for monitors that do not require a liquid-tight seal between the display and/or overlay and the bezel, or for systems that use a touch technology that are only compatible with certain gasket types.
Available with an integrated (or externally attached) power supply. For applications requiring a thinner enclosure or a unique power source, we optionally offer a separate external supply, DC input and/or DC-DC converters with a wider input range.
General Digital offers a wide range of video controllers, allowing you to fine tune the display features and support to your specific video requirements.
We can reprogram the video controller firmware/BIOS to support a variety of video timings and specialty needs, such as STANAG 3350 A, B and C, RS-343 and RS-170. Most of our video controllers will also support interlaced and non-interlaced analog video (separate, composite and Sync-On-Green), and live video signals such as NTSC, PAL or SECAM.
The Saber monitor can be configured with a variety of standard or custom user controls, most often in the form of membrane or silicone keypads. Choices of LED and NVIS backlighting are available, as well as configuration with electronics that allow backlight dimming.
Much like your home TV, the On-Screen Display controls allow the user to adjust important display parameters, such as input signal, brightness, contrast, color temperature, sharpness, phase, scaling (aspect ratio), language and dozens of others.
General Digital can integrate virtually any LCD display size/resolution, from almost any panel manufacturer (OEM), into our enclosures. To assist in selecting the right panel for your application requirements, we have provided a list of commonly used or recommended panels for standard/low luminance, high brightness, sunlight readable and NVIS compatible needs.
New display models are constantly being introduced to the market by the LCD manufacturers, making it extremely difficult for us to maintain a comprehensive list. For this reason, we encourage you to speak with a Sales Engineer to share your price and performance objectives, so we can assist you in making the best display selection.
General Digital has provided a sample listing of some common transmissive displays that are not sunlight readable. Typically, these displays are suitable for applications that are not going to require specialty functionality, such as sunlight readability or NVIS compatibility, and for customers with cost-sensitive budgets.
LCD backlight produces sufficient luminance for use in office, shaded and low ambient/darkness light levels. However, luminance is insufficient to overcome reflected light for use in direct sunlight.
This type of technology boosts the efficiency of the backlight’s light utilization and minimizes surface reflection of ambient light. It is a transmissive LCD module that produces high contrast images, even in bright outdoor light and direct sunlight. These displays feature a wider color reproduction range than reflective LCDs. Featuring an LED backlight, these displays consume very little power and produce very little heat, making them ideal for integration into fully sealed enclosures, which are devoid of ventilation holes and cooling fans to dissipate heat. They also provide the additional benefit of a wide operating/storage temperature (as great as -30°–85° C), so that they can endure exposure to greater internal ambient temperatures.
T-EVT technology uses the high brightness/efficiency LED backlight as a light source while minimizing the surface reflection of ambient light. The result is an LCD that produces high contrast images even in bright outdoor light or direct sunlight.
This type of panel incorporates a highly reflective backlight that reflects the ambient lighting back out of the display to enhance its native brightness produced by its active backlight. Like the Transmissive-Enhanced View Displays, GenFlective panels work best when coupled with anAR-coatedoverlay. They are least effective with overlays that retard the light transmission (e.g., resistive touch sensors) or have a matte finish.
T-EVT technology uses the high brightness/efficiency LED backlight as a light source while minimizing the surface reflection of ambient light. The result is an LCD that produces high contrast images even in bright outdoor light or direct sunlight.
These displays feature a value-add backlight, typically made from high efficiency LEDs. These displays produce significant active luminance. Often, the peak luminance is limited by internal ambient temperature constraints or must be connected to an intelligent backlight controller and thermal sensor that will automatically reduce brightness/power to avoid over-temperature conditions or thermal shutdown. The high luminance output makes them ideal for use with a wide variety of overlays such as touch sensors, EMI filters, heaters, etc.
Sunlight readable displays use a General Digital-enhanced, highly efficient, super bright/sunlight readable LED backlight to provide maximum functional brightness. The addition of surface treatments such as antireflective coatings and optical bonding reduce surface reflections and increase contrast so displays can be used in direct sunlight.
If our stock offering does not suit your needs in terms of size, fit or function, please contact a Sales Engineer and we will work with you to configure a system to your specifications. Customers can also request that we integrate one of our many LED-based sunlight readable, NVIS or sunlight readable/NVIS enhanced displays into their product. These solutions provide many advantages, such as increased longevity, improved durability, higher brightness, lower power consumption and/or NVIS compatibility.
A crucial part of every system build, a well-made computer monitor ensures that you will realize the performance output by your computer hardware. Perhaps you spent days, weeks, and months choosing the right CPU and the best graphics card to play the games at the resolutions you want. However, suppose you blew your budget on all the horsepower and left none for the display. In that case, you’re not going to appreciate the intensity of all those pixels that your computer renders at incredible speeds. With PC games getting more graphically intense, you must ensure your display can keep up.
You’ve probably seen terms like HD and Full HD on the boxes of monitors and TVs, but what does that mean? As you may have guessed, HD refers to “High Definition,” a quick way to refer to a high-quality video output. So if you see the term “Full HD” on a monitor box, that’s just a shorthand to denote its resolution, which would be 1920 by 1080, also called 1080p. The reason why it’s specified as “Full HD” is that there are also some TVs and monitors that output at 720p (high definition but not relatively as high as 1080p), which is 1280 by 720 pixels. 1080p is considered the current standard for monitors, and popular manufacturers, including Dell, Acer, Samsung, LG, BenQ and Viewsonic, offer a variety of 1080p monitors in their product lineups.
When it comes to resolution, 4K is all the buzz right now. Game developers and graphics card manufacturers focus on making and running games at 4k resolutions, twice the horizontal and vertical resolution of 1080p. Officially labeled as 4K UHD, the full pixel resolution is 3840 by 2160. That’s why there had to be a new term to define the resolution scale because 4k is much clearer and more vibrant than 1080p. Many people would call it hyper-realistic because of how many pixels populate the display area. To make it easier to distinguish between the two resolution types, 1080p is often referred to as 2k resolution.
As you can imagine, the more pixels there are to display, the more critical it is that your monitor has a high refresh rate, especially when it comes to gaming. Typically, the standard has been a 120-hertz refresh rate in gaming monitors, but many features a 144-hertz refresh rate. The quicker a monitor can refresh the display, and the smoother the visual experience will be. This is because the refresh rate in the monitor works in tandem with a low response time (which specifies how quickly the monitor can send and receive new information) to make a seamless visual transition. Sometimes, if the response rate is not quick enough, some residual pixels can remain on the screen as the monitor is trying to refresh new ones. This is called ‘ghosting.’ Although it’s standard to have a four-millisecond response time on many gaming monitors, Samsung, LG, BenQ, Viewsonic, and more all offer 2k and 4k monitors with one-millisecond response times. It is also important to ensure refresh rates are identical if you plan to sync two monitors for your display.
Regarding the internal specs, response time and refresh rate are the main factors contributing to a smooth, immersive viewing experience. Still, the physical panel type of the monitor can also play into this. First, there’s the matter of how the monitor lights up: either with LCD or LED. The main difference lies in the material that is used to light the liquid crystals in the display. In LCD, it’s cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs), and in LEDs, it’s tiny light emitting and low-energy consuming diodes. This is the preferred type in most monitors because it consumes less power and produces less harsh light, so darker colors appear more vivid. Additionally, LED monitors can be much thinner than LCD ones.
Newer LCD monitors have improved with the implementation of IPS (In-Plane Switching) panels. For some, it’s a matter of preference, but where the IPS panels have shown their strength with accurate color reproduction, which is great for content creators who want to do photo editing or graphic design. The panel type you choose depends more on preference than anything else. Samsung is well known for championing the IPS panel in their monitors, and many people also enjoy using them for gaming.
For some people, it’s essential, not just the monitor specs. Having a monitor that is fast, intuitive, and also looks nice on their desk is a crucial part of a computer build designed to make a statement. Asus’ Predator X34 shows off with its 34-inch curved IPS panel that also features Nvidia’s Gsync technology, which matches the gaming framerates with the monitor’s native refresh rate to prevent screen tearing. For those who want the style without the price tag, Samsung offers a 29-inch curved monitor with a 4-millisecond response time.
As touch navigation becomes more normalized due to mobile browsing, you may also want to consider a touch monitor for maximum accessibility. Planar offers a 22-inch optical touchscreen monitor that is highly portable due to its USB connection type. For something you can use in meetings for presentations, Dell provides a capacitive touchscreen monitor that also features an IPS panel.
Finally, another consideration is whether there are enough HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) ports. HDMI allows simultaneous digital video and audio transmission from one source to another. While HDMI ports are often standard, especially on gaming monitors, verifying that a monitor has enough HDMI compatibility for your setup before purchasing is essential.
When you’ve picked out the perfect display, don’t forget the essential accessories to go with it. For a two or three-screen setup, Ergotron, Rosewill, and SIIG offer a variety of stationary and swivel monitor mounts for both the wall and your desk. Soon, you’ll have a command center that you’ll never want to leave. So, ready to get started?
Since monitors have to be lit in order for the viewer to see anything, the difference between the two types is in what is used to light up the crystals within the display. For LCD, that’s cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL’s) and in LEDs, it’s tiny light emitting and low-energy consuming diodes. LED monitors tend to be thinner and more power-efficient, but improvements in the panel types have made LCDs more competitive.
Explore your options from a wide selection of LCD and LED monitors. They come in an array of sizes and with different features. Choosing the right monitor will depend on your needs. Ultra-wide business computer monitors boast generous displays that allow for productive split-screen setups. In contrast, gaming monitors offer faster refresh rates and high-resolution drivers that deliver vivid HD images for a captivating gaming experience. Some monitors provide work-friendly features, like blue-light filtering and anti-glare treatment, making them a suitable pick for the office. Many modern monitors offer built-in speakers and strategically placed USB ports for charging smart mobile devices. Other factors to consider when choosing a computer monitor include the screen size, resolution and ergonomic flexibility.
Most modern flat panel monitors offer sleeker designs that make them easier to fit in almost any workspace. Some models even have innovative cable management to help ensure your workspace is clutter-free for optimal productivity. They also provide energy-saving features, so you spend less on your power bill. Widescreen business computer monitors often boast strategically placed controls that allow for easy manipulation. They also offer lighting modes structured to reduce eyestrain during extended use, making them suitable for multi-tasking professionals. Some Full HD LED monitors come with multiple connectivity options, giving you a lot more flexibility.
If you’re a professional content creator in the digital arts, opt for LCD and LED monitors with higher pixel densities that deliver clear, lifelike images. Some monitors feature slim and trendy designs, making them an aesthetic addition to your workstation. Profession monitors feature HDMI™ 2.0 ports, allowing for more consistent multimedia output. Capable of decoding HDR™ video, these computer monitors support fast and detailed video playback. Some feature sleek, frameless designs with screen panels that offer near-seamless wide-angle viewing. Touch screen monitors help improve productivity by providing a convenient alternative to clicking or scrolling with a mouse or trackpad. Many LCD and LED monitors feature built-in speakers, reducing the cost of procuring external speakers.
Gaming monitors are a vital component of any serious gaming set up. The larger models may offer a wide aspect ratio that allows for viewing high-definition media. Some come with functionalities to deliver crisp and bright images with vibrant colors. Gaming LCD and LED monitors may also feature adaptive synchronization technology designed to reduce input latency for smoother gameplay. Often, gaming monitors offer connectivity to various sources, and feature Picture-In-Picture (PIP) functionalities, enabling convenient multitasking. Most full HD LED monitors feature fast pixel response and refresh rates that reduce motion blur and image lag. Some HD models boast curved screens for an optimal gaming experience, while others offer even sharper 4K resolutions. They also feature USB 3.0 ports for connection to other monitor accessories.
There are many computer monitors out there, and all seem to have similar specifications. It can be hard to find a clear answer to what’s the best monitor for art and graphic design.
This is a quick comparison of my favorite monitors for artists and designers. More picks are in the overview below, such as value picks and EIZO models.
With a surprisingly high-quality picture – deep color saturation, great accuracy, strong contrast and brightness, and exceptional sharpness – the LG 27UL500 UltraFine computer monitor looks much better than some monitors costing way more money.
The only monitor that can rival the Apple Pro Display above in terms of color fidelity, the EIZO CG279X is the perfect choice for professional artists and photographers who need absolute color accuracy, brightness, and contrast – and for a much lower price.
A truly professional caliber monitor, the EIZO ColorEdge has a startlingly beautiful screen with such depth and energy that any image will show brilliantly.
It is very easy to do the most detailed work, make the most minute and subtle adjustments and fixes, and see the effect of any retouching or editing work before submitting or printing a piece.
Still an expensive monitor, the EIZO CG279X ColorEdge Professional 27” Color Graphics Monitor is an absolute necessity for top-level commercial artists and illustrators, photographers, and animators, and it is, at that level, an amazing value.
Surprisingly inexpensive for a professional monitor with this kind of over-engineering and this level of performance, the EIZO FlexScan EV2785 is fully up to the needs of even the most demanding commercial or fine artist.
With full 4K UHD resolution, superb contrast, and brightness, this EIZO FlexScan look noticeably better than even the best, less expensive monitors that are designed for more normal consumer use, and like other EIZO monitors, it is designed for long work sessions with a minimum of fatigue or eye strain.
Even at almost 1,200 dollars, the EIZO FlexScan EV2785 27″ Professional Color Graphics Monitor is an easy recommendation for the best value in a truly professional monitor for artists.
A big, bold monitor with super high resolution and bright, beautiful colors, the EIXZO EV3285FX is a favorite among professionals, and it’s easy to see why.
But the EIZO FlexScan is so popular among professional artists, illustrators, animators, photographers and video editors not just because of the accuracy and control they get, but because it is designed for long, detail-intensive work sessions – anti-flicker technology, high refresh rate, auto-brightness sensor, anti-glare screen and blue-light filters all provide maximum comfort and minimum eye strain.
Another superb monitor from a company that clearly knows commercial and fine artists and our needs, the EIZO EV3285FX FlexScan Professional 31.5″ Color Graphics Monitor is the best truly professional large format computer display for artists on the market today.
It seems like some of the biggest and most well-known manufacturers of computers, monitors, and accessories are starting to suffer from issues over lower quality and reliability recently, and their latest lines and models just aren’t what they used to be.
Their latest 4K monitors are absolutely superb in performance, material quality, construction, and reliability. And BenQ is already famous for offering amazing value for the money.
While I would normally be a little wary of a computer monitor billed as a multi-media display, with obviously a lot of engineering and resources put into speakers and sound, it is clear that the same engineering has led to a monitor that has everything even the most serious or high-level artist or animator might need – and, somehow, at a true bargain price for this level of equipment.
A big, bright, high-resolution screen that can be worked on for long periods of time without fatigue or eye strain, the BenQ EW3280U 32-inch 4K UHD Eye Care Monitor with IPS Switching is the best large format computer monitor for artists on the market today and the best value.
With exceptional brightness, contrast, resolution, color depth, and color accuracy all immediately obvious the moment you look at it, and more and more obvious the longer you work, the Dell Ultrasharp also clearly shows how certain great monitors with the same specifications as others, can somehow look and work much better.
While it is not the least expensive computer monitor on the market, the Dell Ultrasharp is worth the money and more – a truly premium product in terms of material quality, workmanship, and performance, and more than sufficient for all levels and kinds of art production, from amateur to serious professional. It is also a perfect monitor for the art student or newcomer to growing into.
But all of that cannot possibly prepare you for the experience of seeing or working on the Apple Pro Display XDR – the life and depth of images, the breathtaking beauty, and the way you can see and better work on every single aspect of your art.
In fact, if you have ever made a mistake on a piece of art and not noticed it until after you had professional prints made (or, more upsettingly, have submitted the work to a client!), well, I daresay it wouldn’t be possible with this screen – you would see the mistake straight away.
But you also see the beauty, quality, and skill of your work and your own talent, in all its glory, and that is one of the things I love most about the Apple Pro Display XDR. It is such a stunning monitor and makes my artworks look so good that I always end up feeling like a better artist – and, somehow, I think this makes me a better artist.
Now, is it worth almost six grand? Yes, absolutely! Whether you (or I) can afford it or not, well that’s another question… But don’t forget you’ll also need a Pro Display Stand, which is not included and costs more than most other monitors in my guide!
The high resolution offered by 4K monitors allows for a level of precision in fine detail work not possible even a few years ago. The color fidelity that comes from IPS (In-Plane Switching, which improves a screen’s color fidelity and visibility), along with other technologies, lets you see what you’re doing with color choices, contrasts, and complements, as well as very subtle gradation and shading.
So while specifications and the latest technologies are certainly important, just as important is the quality of the components, construction, and graphic design elements and, of course, a beautiful, bright, accurate, and stable display.
After looking at and testing lots and lots of monitors and talking to friends, colleagues, and other artists and graphic designers, I have put together this guide, intended to make sure you find the best computer monitor currently available for commercial artists, fine artists, animators and illustrators, professional and serious amateur photographers.
All these monitors are fully compatible with all platforms and current hardware, so if you’re running Apple macOS, Windows, Linux, or are on Chromebook, they will work for you.
It comes down to what’s important to you and what you can afford. All of the monitors in this guide for best computer displays for artists have great color and resolution, depth, life, and light, but they look better as you go up in price.
These are all great computer monitors for artists, though, and whichever one you buy will have the color fidelity, brightness, and contrast, and resolution you need, will be a joy to look at and to use, will make you a better artist and improve your work, and will offer the best value you can get for the money.
A good monitor for art has a 4K UHD resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels), uses IPS Screen technology, and delivers high brightness and color gamut for reliable color accuracy. It also uses technologies to reduce your eye strain and fatigue. I recommend monitors from EIZO, for example, Eizo EV3285 4K Ultra-Slim Monitor or EIZO ColorEdge CS2731 27″ IPS LCD Monitor.
From my experience, a 27″ or 32″ 4K UHD (3840 x 2160 pixels) IPS monitor with high brightness and color gamut is best for design. I recommend monitors from EIZO, for example, Eizo EV3285 4K Ultra-Slim Monitor or EIZO ColorEdge CS2731 27″ IPS LCD Monitor.
One is that the best monitors help you learn – and, believe me, you are never too old, too experienced, too knowledgeable, or too good an artist to learn!
Really seeing exactly how colors interact with each other – when the colors themselves and their slight shifts and changes are perfectly represented – allows us to understand better color theory and practical usage of colors in our artwork.
The same is true with detail. When we see exactly how textures, fine lines, and the tiniest details affect the object and the overall composition – in terms of space, perspective and dimensions, balance and relationship, color and light – we learn more about composition, representation, and much more.
I hope my guide helped you to choose your new monitor for your design work and you will have a lot of fun designing, illustrating and painting your creative ideas!
Hi, I am Iva (rhymes with “viva”). I am an artist, illustrator, founder of Art Side of Life®, and Top Teacher on Skillshare. Since 2009 I"ve worked as an illustrator, character designer, art director, and branding specialist focusing on illustration, storytelling, concepts, and animation. I believe that we are all creative in infinite numbers of ways, so I"ve made it my mission to teach you everything I know and help either wake up or develop your creative genius. Learn more about me.
LCD Monitor Course II, which kicks off this session, will address certain points one must know to choose the LCD monitor best-suited to one"s needs from the various models available. Part 1 will focus on color gamut. While wide color gamuts are the latest trend in LCD monitors, color gamut is a term that lends itself to misunderstanding. Our hope is that this session will help users better understand the color gamut of LCD monitors and better select, use, and adjust the products.
Note: Below is the translation from the Japanese of the ITmedia article "IT Media LCD Monitor Course II, Part 1" published on November 11, 2008. Copyright 2011 ITmedia Inc. All Rights Reserved.
A color gamut defines a more specific range of colors from the range of colors identifiable by the human eye (i.e., the visible spectrum). While color imaging devices include a wide range of devices, such as digital cameras, scanners, monitors, and printers, since the range of colors they can reproduce varies, the color gamut is established to make these differences clear and to reconcile the colors that can be used in common between devices.
Various methods are used to express (diagram) the color gamut, but the common method used for display products is the xy chromaticity diagram of the XYZ color system established by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE). In an xy chromaticity diagram, the colors of the visible range are represented using numerical figures and graphed as color coordinates. In the following xy chromaticity diagram, the area shaped like an upside-down "U" surrounded by dotted lines indicates the range of colors visible to human beings with the naked eye.
Various standards govern color gamuts. The three standards frequently cited in relation to personal computers are sRGB, Adobe RGB, and NTSC. The color gamut defined by each standard is depicted as a triangle on the xy chromaticity diagram. These triangles show the peak RGB coordinates connected by straight lines. A larger area inside a triangle is regarded to represent a standard capable of displaying more colors. For LCD monitors, this means that a product compatible with a color gamut associated with a larger triangle can reproduce a wider range of colors on screen.
This is a CIE XYZ color system xy chromaticity diagram. The areas enclosed in dotted lines represent the range of colors human beings can see with the naked eye. The ranges corresponding to the sRGB, Adobe RGB, and NTSC standards defining color gamuts appear as triangles connecting their RGB peak coordinates. The color gamut of an LCD monitor"s hardware can be indicated using similar triangles. An LCD monitor is not capable of reproduction (display) of colors outside its color gamut.
The standard color gamut for personal computers is the international sRGB standard prepared in 1998 by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). sRGB has established a firm position as the standard in Windows environments. In most cases, products like LCD monitors, printers, digital cameras, and various applications are configured to reproduce the sRGB color gamut as accurately as possible. By ensuring that the devices and applications used in the input and output of image data are sRGB compatible, we can reduce discrepancies in color between input and output.
However, a look at the xy chromaticity diagram shows that the range of colors that can be expressed using sRGB is narrow. In particular, sRGB excludes the range of highly saturated colors. For this reason, as well as the fact that advances in devices such as digital cameras and printers have led to widespread use of devices capable of reproducing colors more vivid than those allowed under the sRGB standard, the Adobe RGB standard and its wider color gamut have recently drawn interest. Adobe RGB is characterized by a broader range than sRGB, particularly in the G domain—that is, by its ability to express more vivid greens.
Adobe RGB was defined in 1998 by Adobe Systems, maker of the well-known Photoshop series of photo-retouching software products. While not an international standard like sRGB, it has become— backed by the high market share of Adobe"s graphics applications—the de facto standard in professional color imaging environments and in the print and publishing industries. Growing numbers of LCD monitors can reproduce most of the Adobe RGB color gamut.
NTSC, the color-gamut standard for analog television, is a color gamut developed by the National Television Standards Committee of the United States. While the range of colors that can be depicted under the NTSC standard is close to that of Adobe RGB, its R and B values differ slightly. The sRGB color gamut covers about 72% of the NTSC gamut. While monitors capable of reproducing the NTSC color gamut are required in places like video production sites, this is less important for individual users or for applications involving still images. sRGB compatibility and the capacity to reproduce the Adobe RGB color gamut are key points of LCD monitors that handle still images.
The visual differences between Adobe RGB (photo at left) and sRGB (photo at right). Converting a photograph in the Adobe RGB color gamut to the sRGB domain results in the loss of highly saturated color data and loss of tonal subtleties (i.e., a susceptibility to color saturation and tone jumping). The Adobe RGB color gamut can reproduce more highly saturated colors than sRGB color. (Note that the actual colors displayed will vary with factors such as the monitor used to view them and the software environment. The sample photographs should be used for reference only.)
In general, the LCD monitors currently available for use with PCs have color gamuts capable of displaying nearly the entire sRGB gamut, thanks to the specifications for their LCD panels (and panel controls). However, given the rising demand mentioned above for reproducing color gamuts broader than sRGB, recent models have expanded the color gamuts of LCD monitors, with Adobe RGB serving as one target. But how is such expansion of LCD monitor color gamuts taking place?
Improvements in backlights account for a significant proportion of the technologies expanding the color gamuts of LCD monitors. There are two major approaches to doing this: one involves expanding the color gamut of cold cathodes, the mainstream backlight technology; the other involves RGB LED backlights.
On the subject of color-gamut expansion using cold cathodes, while strengthening the LCD panel"s color filter is a quick fix, this also lowers screen luminance by decreasing light transmissivity. Increasing the luminance of the cold cathode to counter this effect tends to shorten the life of the device and often results in lighting irregularities. Efforts to date have overcome these drawbacks to a large extent; many LCD monitors feature cold cathodes with wide color gamuts resulting from modification of their phosphors. This generates cost benefits as well, since it makes it possible to expand the color gamut without major changes in the existing structure.
Use of RGB LED backlights has increased relatively recently. These backlights make it possible to achieve higher levels of luminance and purity of color than cold cathodes. Despite certain disadvantages, including lower color stability (i.e., radiant-heat problems) than a cold cathode and difficulty in attaining a uniform white color across the entire screen, since it involves a mixture of RGB LEDs, these weaknesses have been resolved for the most part. RGB LED backlights cost more than cold-cathode backlights and are currently used in a fairly small proportion of LCD monitors. However, based on their efficacy in expanding color gamuts, the number of LCD monitors incorporating the technology will likely increase. This is also true for LCD televisions.
In passing, many LCD monitors that extol wide color gamuts promote the area ratios of specific color gamuts (i.e., triangles on the xy chromaticity diagram). Many of us have probably have seen indications of attributes such as Adobe RGB rates and NTSC rates in product catalogs.
However, these are only area ratios. Very few products include the entire Adobe RGB and NTSC color gamuts. Even if a monitor featured a 120% Adobe RGB ratio, it would remain impossible to determine the extent of the difference in RGB values between the LCD monitor"s color gamut and the Adobe RGB color gamut. Since such statements lend themselves to misinterpretation, it is important to avoid being confused by product specifications.
To eliminate problems involving labeled specifications, some manufacturers use the expression "coverage" in place of "area." Clearly, for example, an LCD monitor labeled as having Adobe RGB coverage of 95% can reproduce 95% of the Adobe RGB color gamut.
From the user"s perspective, coverage is a more user-friendly, easier-to-understand type of labeling than surface ratio. While switching all labeling to coverage presents difficulties, showing in xy chromaticity diagrams the color gamuts of LCD monitors to be used in color management will certainly make it easier for users to form their own judgments.
With regard to the difference between area labeling and coverage labeling as gauges of an LCD monitor"s color gamut, to use Adobe RGB as an example, in many cases, even a monitor with an Adobe RGB ratio of 100% in terms of area will feature coverage of less than 100 percent. Since coverage impacts practical use, one must avoid the mistake of seeing a higher figure as automatically better.
When we check the color gamut of an LCD monitor, it"s also important to remember that a wide color gamut is not necessarily equivalent to high image quality. This point may generate misunderstanding among many people.
Color gamut is one spec used to measure the image quality of an LCD monitor, but color gamut alone does not determine image quality. The quality of the controls used to realize the full capabilities of an LCD panel having a wide color gamut is crucial. In essence, the capacity to generate accurate colors suited to one"s own purposes outweighs a wide color gamut.
When considering an LCD monitor with a wide color gamut, we need to determine if it has a color-gamut conversion function. Such functions control the LCD monitor"s color gamut based on the target color gamut, such as Adobe RGB or sRGB. For example, by selecting sRGB mode from a menu option, we can adjust even an LCD monitor with a wide color gamut and high Adobe RGB coverage so that the colors displayed on screen fall within the sRGB color gamut.
Few current LCD monitors offer color-gamut conversion functions (i.e., feature compatibility with both Adobe RGB and sRGB color gamuts). However, a color-gamut conversion function is essential for applications demanding accurate color generation in the Adobe RGB and sRGB color gamuts, such as photo retouching and Web production.
For purposes requiring accurate color generation, an LCD color monitor lacking any color-gamut conversion function but having a wide color gamut can actually be a disadvantage in some cases. These LCD monitors display each RGB color mapped to the color gamut inherent to the LCD panel in eight bits at full color. As a result, the colors generated are often too vivid for displaying images in the sRGB color gamut (i.e., the sRGB color gamut cannot be reproduced accurately).
Shown here are examples of an sRGB color gamut photograph displayed on an sRGB-compatible LCD monitor (photo at left) and on an LCD monitor with a wide color gamut but incompatible with sRGB and with no color-gamut conversion function (photo at right). While the photograph at right appears vivid, saturation is unnaturally high in parts of the photo. We also see a significant departure from the colors envisioned by the photographer, as well as so-called memory colors.
In more than a few cases, as expanding LCD monitor color gamuts result in the capacity to reproduce a wider range of colors and more opportunities to check colors or adjusting images on monitor screens, problems such as breakdowns in tonal gradations, variations in chromaticity caused by narrow viewing angles, and screen display irregularities, less conspicuous at color gamuts in the sRGB range, have become more pronounced. As mentioned earlier, the mere fact of incorporating an LCD panel with a wide color gamut does not ensure that an LCD monitor offers high image quality. On this subject, let"s take a close look at various technologies for putting a wide color gamut to use.
First we look at technologies to increase gradation. Key here is the internal gamma-correction function for multi-level gradation. This function displays eight-bit input signals on screen in each RGB color from the PC side after first subjecting them to multi-level gradation to 10 or more bits in each RGB color inside the LCD monitor, then assigning these to each RGB eight-bit color deemed optimal. This improves tonal gradations and gaps in hue by improving the gamma curve.
On the subject of the viewing angle of an LCD panel, while larger screen sizes generally make it easier to see differences, particularly with products with wide color gamuts, variations in chromaticity can be an issue. For the most part, chromaticity variation due to viewing angle is determined by the technology of the LCD panel, with superior ones showing no variation in color even when viewed from a moderate angle. Setting aside the various particulars of LCD panel technologies, these generally include in-plane switching (IPS), vertical alignment (VA), and twisted nematic (TN) panels, listed from smaller to larger chromaticity variation. While TN technology has advanced to the point at which viewing angle characteristics are much improved from several years back, a significant gap remains between this technology and VA and IPS technologies. If color performance and chromaticity variation are important, VA or IPS technology remains the better choice.
A uniformity-correction function is a technology for reducing display irregularities. The uniformity referred to here refers to colors and brightness (luminance) on screen. An LCD monitor with superior uniformity has low levels of screen luminance irregularities or color irregularities. High-performance LCD monitors feature systems that measure luminance and chromaticity at each position on screen and correct them internally.
This is a comparison of monitors with and without uniformity correction. An LCD monitor with uniformity correction (photo at left) has more uniform luminance and color on screen than one lacking uniformity correction (photo at right). The two photographs above have been adjusted to equalize levels to emphasize display irregularities. Actual irregularities would be less conspicuous.
To make full use of an LCD monitor with a wide color gamut and to display colors as the user intended, one needs to consider adopting a calibration environment. LCD monitor calibration is a system for measuring colors on screen using a special-purpose calibrator and reflecting the characteristics of the colors in the ICC profile (a file defining device color characteristics) used by the operating system. Going through an ICC profile ensures uniformity between the color information handled by graphics software or other software and the colors generated by the LCD monitor to a high degree of precision.
Software calibration refers to following the instructions of specialized calibration software to adjust parameters such as luminance, contrast, and color temperature (RGB balance) using the LCD monitor"s adjustment menu, approaching the intended color through manual adjustments. Graphics driver colors are manipulated in some cases in place of the LCD monitor"s adjustment menu. Software calibration features low cost and can be used to calibrate any LCD monitor.
However, variations in precision can arise since software calibration involves manual adjustment. Internally, RGB gradation can suffer because display balance is matched by thinning RGB output levels using software processing. Even so, use of software calibration will likely make it easier to reproduce colors as intended than using no calibration at all.
In contrast, hardware calibration is clearly more precise than software calibration. It also requires less effort, although it can be used only with compatible LCD monitors and entails certain setup costs. In general, it involves the following steps: calibration software controls the calibrator; matching color characteristics on screen with target color characteristics and directly adjusting the LCD monitor"s luminance, contrast, and gamma-correction table (look-up table) at the hardware level. Another aspect of hardware calibration that cannot be overlooked is its ease of use. All tasks through the preparation of an ICC profile for the results of adjustment and registering this to the OS are done automatically.
The EIZO LCD monitors currently compatible with hardware calibration include models in the ColorEdge series. The FlexScan series uses software calibration. (Note: As of January 2011, FlexScan monitors compatible with EasyPIX ver. 2 offer hardware calibration functionality.)
By combining a ColorEdge-series monitor with a calibrator and ColorNavigator special-purpose color-calibration software, one can achieve easy, precise hardware calibration.
In the next session, we will examine LCD monitor interfaces and a number of video interfaces for LCD monitors, including the latest generation of interfaces such as HDMI and DisplayPort.
Apple Inc. sold a variety of LCD and CRT computer displays in the past. Apple paused production of their own standalone displays in 2016 and partnered with LG to design displays for Macs.Pro Display XDR was introduced, however it was expensive and targeted for professionals. Nearly three years later, in March 2022, the Studio Display was launched as a consumer-targeted counterpart to the professional monitor. These two are currently the only Apple-branded displays available.
In the beginning (throughout the 1970s), Apple did not manufacture or sell displays of any kind, instead recommending users plug-into their television sets or (then) expensive third party monochrome monitors. However, in order to offer complete systems through its dealers, Apple began to offer various third party manufactured 12″ monochrome displays, re-badged as the Monitor II.
Apple"s manufacture history of CRT displays began in 1980, starting with the Apple III business computer. It was a 12″ monochrome (green) screen that could display 80×24 text characters and any type of graphics, however it suffered from a very slow phosphor refresh that resulted in a "ghosting" video effect. So it could be shared with Apple II computers, a plastic stand was made available to accommodate the larger footprint of the display.
Three years later came the introduction of the Apple manufactured Apple IIc computer to help complement its compact size. This display was also the first to use the brand new design language for Apple"s products called Monitor 100, a digital RGB display for the Apple III and Apple IIe (with appropriate card), followed shortly by the 14″ ColorMonitor IIe (later renamed to ColorMonitor IIc (later renamed to AppleColor Composite Monitor IIc), composite video displays for those respective models. All of these Apple displays support the maximum Apple II Double Hi-Res standard of 560×192.
In 1986 came the introduction of the AppleColor RGB Monitor, a 12″ analog RGB display designed specifically for the Apple IIGS computer. It supported a resolution of 640×400 interlaced (640×200 non-interlaced) and could be used by the Macintosh II, in a limited fashion, with the Apple High Resolution Display Video Card. Also introduced that year was the Apple Monochrome Monitor, which cosmetically was identical to the former model but was a black and white composite display suitable in external appearance for the Apple IIGS, Apple IIc or Apple IIc Plus.
The second generation of displays were built into the Lisa and Macintosh computers. The Macintosh had a 9-inch monochrome display that could display 512×342 pixels which would be used in all monochrome Compact Macintosh computers.
A new external AppleColor High-Resolution RGB Monitor was introduced in 1987 for the Macintosh II. It had a 13″ Trinitron CRT (the first Apple display to use an aperture grille CRT) with a fixed resolution of 640×480 pixels. The Macintosh II was a modular system with no internal display and was able to drive up to six displays simultaneously using multiple graphics cards. The desktop spanned multiple displays, and windows could be moved between displays or straddle them. In 1989, Apple introduced a series of monochrome displays for the Macintosh, the 20″ Macintosh Two Page Monochrome Display which could display two pages side by side, the 15″ Macintosh Portrait Display with a vertical orientation to display one page, and the 12″ High-Resolution Monochrome Monitor. In 1990, two 12″ displays were introduced for the low end, a 640×480 monochrome model and a 512×384 color model (560×384 for compatibility with Apple IIe Card), meant for the Macintosh LC. These were succeeded by the Apple Macintosh 16″ Color Display, and Apple Macintosh 20″ Color Display with resolutions of 640×480, 832×624 and 1152×870, respectively. There were also the Apple Performa Plus Display (a low-end Goldstar-built 14″ display with 640×480 resolution) for the Macintosh Performa series and the Apple Color Plus 14″ Display.
The third generation of displays marked the end of the monochrome display era and the beginning of the multimedia era. The first display to include built-in speakers was introduced in 1993 as the Multiple Scan series of displays began with the Multiple Scan 17 and 20 with Trinitron CRTs and the Multiple Scan 14 with shadow mask CRT, and would ultimately become Apple"s value line of shadow mask displays. The AppleVision series of displays then became the high-end display line, using 17″ and 20″ Trinitron CRTs and with AV versions containing integrated speakers. The AppleVision line was later renamed to Steve Jobs returned to Apple.
The Macintosh Color Classic introduced a 10″ color Trinitron display to the Classic compact Macintosh, with a slightly enhanced resolution of 512×384 (560×384 to accommodate the Apple IIe Card) like the standalone 12″ color display. Apple continued the all-in-one series with the larger 14″ Macintosh LC 500 series, featuring a 14″, 640×480 Trinitron CRT until the LC 580 in 1995, which heralded the switch to shadow mask CRTs for the remainder of Apple"s all-in-one computers until the switch to LCDs in 2002. The last Macintosh to include an integrated CRT was the eMac, which boosted the display area to 17″ with support up to 1280×960 resolution. It used a 4th generation flat-screen CRT and was discontinued in 2006.
The fourth generation of displays were introduced simultaneously with the Blue & White Power Macintosh G3 in 1999, which included the translucent plastics of the iMac (initially white and blue "blueberry", then white and grey "graphite" upon the introduction of the Power Mac G4). The displays were also designed with same translucent look. The Apple Studio Display series of CRT displays were available in a 17″ Diamondtron and a 21″ Trinitron CRT, both driven by an LG-Manufactured chassis. The 17″ displays were notorious for faulty flybacks and failing in a manner that could destroy the monitor and catch fire. It"s also reported that these monitors can destroy GPU"s, and sometimes the entire computer. The last Apple external CRT display was introduced in 2000 along with the Power Mac G4 Cube. Both it and the new LCD Studio Displays featured clear plastics to match the Cube, and the new Apple Display Connector, which provided power, USB, and video signals to the display through a single cable. It was available only in a 17″ flat screen Diamondtron CRT. It was discontinued the following year.
The history of Apple LCDs started in 1984 when the Apple Flat Panel Display was introduced for the Apple IIc computer, principally to enhance the IIc"s portability (see Apple IIc Portability enhancements). This monochrome display was capable of 80 columns by 24 lines, as well as double hi-res graphics, but had an odd aspect ratio (making images look vertically squished) and required a very strong external light source, such as a desk lamp or direct sunlight to be used. Even then it had a very poor contrast overall and was quite expensive (US$600), contributing to its poor sales and consequently it dropping from the market not long after its introduction. An estimated 10,000 IIc LCD displays were produced.
The next attempt at a flat panel was with the Macintosh Portable. More of a "luggable" than a laptop, it contained a high-resolution, active-matrix, 1-bit black & white, 9.8″ LCD with 640×400 resolution. Like the IIc Flat Panel, it was not backlit and required a bright light source to be used. A second generation model employed a backlit LCD. The PowerBook and MacBook series would continue to use LCD displays, following an industry-wide evolution from black-and-white to grayscale to color and ranging from 9″ to 17″. Two primary technologies were used, active matrix (higher quality and more expensive) and passive matrix displays (lower quality and cheaper). By 1998 all laptops would use active-matrix color LCDs, though the Newton products and eMate portables would continue to use black and white LCDs. Apple"s current MacBook portable displays include LED backlighting and support either 2560×1600 or 2880×1800 pixel resolutions depending on screen size. The iPod series