how do lcd monitors work for sale
LCD panelscan be categorized as flat-panel displays. What makes them distinct from other display technologies is the layer of liquid crystal material within. In this thin layer, liquid crystal molecules are aligned between two glass substrates. On the inner surfaces of each of those substrates lie electrodes that control charge carriers like electrons that then interact with the liquid crystals, creating an electric field that runs through them; this, in turn, can change the alignment of the crystals, also changing the overall behavior of the molecules. On the opposite sides of the substrate, polarizers are used to control the levels of light passage, affecting the overall image of the display.
Unlike CRT monitors, LCD monitors cannot illuminate themselves, and so they require a light source: the backlight. This backlight is most frequently made of the well-known LEDs which stand for light-emitting diodes. Sourced from the backlight, light is moved through the back polarizer and back substrate, into the liquid crystals. Now, the light waves can behave in a variety of ways. Backlight used in LCD displays can be LED (Light Emitting Diode) backlight or CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp) backlight. LED backlights use less power which becomes more popular, while CCFL is lower cost for large size LCD displays such as large LCD TV. Recently, quantum dots technology is used to increase the LCD contrast.
Electrodes are the controlling factors of the liquid crystal behavior, and thus also the light behavior. By conducting or not conducting a current into the crystal layer, the light may or may not be able to pass through the liquid crystals in a manner that will allow passage through the polarizer. Because of this role, electrodes in LCDs are often made of indium tin oxide (ITO). ITO has good conducting properties and can also make for a transparent electrode which is essential to the appearance of displays today.
How the electrodes affect the liquid crystal alignment can vary depending on the method of alignment used (twistednematic,multi-domain,in-planeswitching). For example, twisted nematic liquid crystals are oriented in a twist when no electric field is present which then polarizes the light passing through the layer; when the electrodes apply the field in full, the twist will straighten out, no longer polarizing the light, and so no light passes. In each of these alignment types, the electrodes are placed differently within the structure, altering the properties of the display, such as width of viewing angle, power consumption, and response time. Despite these different alignment methods, the liquid crystal layer’s purpose remains the same: to polarize the light so that the polarized light passes through to the surface of the display. By polarizing the light transmitted from the backlight, the liquid crystal molecules play a role in how much of the light passes through the polarizing filters, whether it be all, none, or a partial amount.
These LCD displays are the most common among others, mainly because they are lightweight, produce the best images, and use less power. The display is composed of millions of pixels that form images.
If you are looking for information about LCD Monitors (see HP monitors) then you are at the right place. You will find everything you want to know about LCD Monitor with its definition, description, function, benefits, how to use it, where to buy, and links for reviews and comparisons to make the most out of your investment.
An LCD monitor (Liquid Crystal Display Monitor) is a video display device commonly used in computers and televisions. It is a flat panel display as opposed to the more traditional cathode-ray tube (CRT) for television sets and oscilloscope monitors.
Also, this flat panel display has other advantages over CRT displays that include higher resolution, brighter images, better contrast ratios, deeper black ranges, more color palettes, and most importantly extremely lower power demands. In most cases, LCD monitors are lightweight and thinner than CRT monitors, which makes them perfect as portable monitors, too.
There are various types of LCD monitors on the market, with each having its pros and cons. Some are designed to provide wide viewing angles, while others are made to provide great image quality. If you are looking for an LCD monitor for your Mac Mini, PC, or laptop, here are the main types to choose from;
Twisted Nematic (TN) is one of the most common LCD technologies. It has been the dominant technology for regular home and office displays from 2001 to 2010 until it was replaced by better alternative technologies of In-Plane Switching (IPS), and VA.
Vertical Alignment (VA) panels are a type of LCD display panel that features better contrast ratios and black uniformity when compared to IPS and TN panels.
The additional characteristics of this type of LCD monitor include high image quality, adaptability to bright light conditions, color accuracy, and competitive pricing - all factors which have made them very popular.
At the back of the LCD display, there is a backlight that emits white light. It goes through a horizontal polarizer; this is a kind of filter that allows only horizontal polarized light beams to pass through it.
Most modern LCD monitors have several parts that work together to produce an image. The main parts include;The panel,The cables (power cable and connectivity cables)The stand
LCD Monitor is one of the most important technologies that exist today, especially if you are working on a project. One of the very first LCD monitors was developed in 1970 by inventor J. Fergason (see also who created the first monitor historically).
Before that, cathode ray displays were bulky, consumed a lot of electricity, did not last a long time, and did not produce great images like today’s Acer LCD monitor, Dell LCD monitor, or AOC LCD monitor.
It is not until 1981 when Solartron introduced the first color LCD monitor; his name is always mentioned when one is researching thehistory ofmonitors. Since then, LCD monitors have evolved at an alarming rate. Even now, more innovations are being made to make them more durable and useful for customers.
The inventor of the LCD monitor is inventor J. Fergason. He was a business entrepreneur as well as an American inventor. He was born on January 12, 1934, and died on December 9, 2008.
Tests have proved that Samsung monitors such as Samsung u32j590 31.5 16 9 4k UHD LCD monitor and AOC 27b1h 27 LCD monitor black are much better than the traditional cathode ray and Plasma monitors. Why?
LCD is the best technology for most people, but it does have its downsides. The most obvious one is price. While LCD panels are getting cheaper, they"re still more expensive than CRT displays.
An LCD Monitor gives sharp clear image quality with its high resolution. The high resolution means viewing more pixels on the screen for a superior picture. Combining super-resolution, vivid colors, and extreme brightness, LCD monitors will amaze you. Nonetheless, when looking for your movies monitor, it is essential to go for high-resolution models.
The price of an LCD monitor depends on its size and features. Generally, prices range from roughly $150 to over $2000, although some models may be less expensive or more expensive.
There are various models of LCD monitors on the market. The power consumption of each model depends on the display size, resolution, brightness, etc. The power consumption of a 19-inch LCD monitor averages around 20 watts.
There are various brands that manufacture LCD monitors. Some of the most common brands include:Lenovo such as Lenovo l22e 20 21.5-inch LCD backlit lcd monitorDELL such as dell 2407wfp 24-inch widescreen ultrasharp lcd monitorSamsung such as Samsung 32 curved 1920x1080 HDMI 60hz 4ms fhd lcd monitorAcerHPLG such as LG 34 ips lcd ultrawide fhd freesync monitor blackSanyoSony
Huge number of professionals enjoy numerous benefits of LCD technology. No matter what you do, whether you use your computer monitor for editing videos, graphic design, programming, or if you are someone who plays computer games frequently, you will need the best LCD because of its great features.
LED monitors (a form of LCD) are your best choice as monitors for graphic design. They are a bit pricier than VA panels but the difference in performance is worth it. You get a faster response time and better color rendition while keeping everything within a budget.
If you are a photographer, working with monitors for photo editing is as important as the camera you work with. The key feature you should look for is backlight. LED"s (a form of LCD) will have brighter, sharper blacks than that of an regular LCD, making them ideal for the digital photo editor. The fact is also that you won"t have to spend a fortune as there are many affordable options.
When looking for a monitor for architects one should focus on color, brightness, and contrast. Optimal color performance and resolution is what most monitors for architecture are equiped with. We should also point out that best monitors for CAD and similar demanding software share similar features and technology.
Without a shadow of a doubt, to trade without hinderence you will need the best monitor for traders out there. The screen size matters, with better resolution, you get the better image quality, and most importantly with flicker free, and anti-glare screen features, you won"t to strain your eyes in artificial light.
In this category LCD monitor represents an excellent choice. You can have all features of a business-style monitor with full customibility according to what your work requires. We must point out that you should look at monitors for programming that provide vibrant colors and excellent viewing angles usually found in a 4k monitor - see Ultrawide Vs. 4K here - which may not be within your budget. If you must compromise than go for these budget monitors we reviewed.
I have made it simple for you to pick the best computer LCD monitors currently by listing them in this section. I have evaluated each monitor based on its price, display technology, panel type, size, inputs, speakers, ergonomics, and video performance.
If you want to buy an LCD monitor, there are several key factors to consider. They include screen size, screen resolution, response time, brightness, and refresh rate.
When buying an LCD monitor, one of the most important parameters to consider is screen resolution (the number of pixels). The higher the resolution, like in these 40 inch 4K monitors, the more you will see your documents (see here which monitors are our top choice for reading), spreadsheets, or photos on your screen. You"ll also enjoy sharper images and smoother lines.
The refresh rate of a small LCD monitor, curved LCD monitor, or a touch screen LCD monitor is very important, especially when playing video games. The refresh rate is measured in Hertz or Hz. It refers to the number of times the picture on the screen is refreshed per second. With 60Hz there could be plenty of ghosting, but with 120hz monitors, or, even better, 144Hz monitors, the difference will be obvious.
The higher the refresh rate, the more fluid video content will appear on your screen. A refresh rate is crucial when you are playing games, so the safest bet is to go for a 240Hz monitor. Also, you will give your games an immersive feel with one of the ultra-wide computer monitors.
Screen size is also an important thing to consider when you"re in the market for a new LCD monitor. The most common sizes used for monitors are 14, 17,21, 27,32 and 42 inches. Anything less than a 24 inch monitor would be considered a small LCD monitor.
These are the required steps to install an LCD monitor. Your new monitor can come with all the necessary accessories you"ll need, including cables and screws.
The first step to installing any LCD monitor is to unbox the product. Feel free to take your time as you unpack and familiarize yourself with the product. Look at all of the contents and verify that everything is accounted for.
The second step to installing an LCD monitor is gathering the tools required for the job such as a screwdriver, gloves, and screws and the cables needed.
Most monitors come with an instruction manual that can be read to better understand how to install the LCD screen. The user manual details the screen resolution, cable connection placement, and how to mount the monitor to its stand.
To connect an LCD monitor to a computer using a cable, insert one end of the cable into the appropriate port at the rear or the side of the computer. Connect the other end to the display.
In most cases, this is caused by dust that accumulates as time goes by. If you don"t clean your monitor from time to time, the dirt will pile up and might even cause damage to the device.
Are you afraid of making a mistake when cleaning it? Don"t worry, I have a great solution for you. You can follow my simple guidelines and learn how to clean a monitor in a matter of minutes.
Before cleaning your monitor, use the power button to switch it off or unplug it from the electric socket if it is still connected. Leaving this step out may cause serious injury as you risk the danger of electric shock if you do not turn off your monitor first.
If you want to clean your entire monitor, you will also need to remove it from its frame. You can do this by removing the screws at the back of the frame with a screwdriver. Then slide the monitor out of the frame.
To clean the LCD monitor of your computer, find some monitor wipes. These are available at most office supply stores and are perfect for cleaning monitor screens.
Yes, LCD monitors are suitable for gaming. High resolution, high refresh rates, and low response times are some of the features that make LCD monitors suitable for both professional gamers and amateur gamers.
The combination of high refresh rates and low response times enables gamers to react quickly and enjoy a smooth visual performance. Features like in G-sync monitors help eliminate motion blur and other issues that can reduce your performance.
Yes, LCD monitors are suitable for business. Business owners with limited space, or workers traveling on business, now can take their lightweight computer monitor with them. Moreover, since convenience is your number one goal in that case, it helps to have monitors with speakers built into them already!
The best work monitorsare superbly suited for the display of data, tables with rows and columns of numbers, figures, or other information. The performance is consistent and they help save energy as they are energy efficient. And for best productivity, if you are able to pull it off, using multiple monitors for which the bezel less monitors are best suited, is the right way to go.
It is also important that the monitor has some type of heat sink; the way it dissipates heat away from the circuitry. The most common heat sink is a base plate or duct that channels air through the back of the monitor. This helps prevent discoloration on the screen that can happen with some LCD monitors when they are left in a car continuously.
LCD monitors use cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) to illuminate the display while LED monitors use diode-based lights. Also, in terms of eye strain, visuals, and energy consumption, LEDs outperform LCDs.
IPS is a technology used in LCD screens. IPS monitors are preferred by professionals for their true-to-life color representation, wide viewing angles, and superior-high-quality image clarity.
They are the ultimate solution for professional photo editing, graphic designing, and video editing. Generally, LCD monitors are the most affordable and popular display options available today (see monitors under 200 dolars). These monitors are ideal for both office and home use, whether you want to game or watch movies. As for games exclusively, curved gaming monitors, which are mostly IPS, are especially comfortable for your eyes and they are probably the ones to turn to (see also top curved monitors overall)
Apart from LCD monitors, other types of computer monitors are;The first is the CRT or cathode ray tube monitor.Another type of monitor is an OLED Monitor. It is brighter, thinner, and with better color contrast than most other monitors.Plasma monitorsTouch Screen monitor
At TeleTraders, we want to buy your used LCD Displays from you in bulk. If you’re older LCD Displays are still usable, consider selling them to TeleTraders to help offset your equipment upgrade costs. Give TeleTraders a call at
We are based in Georgia, but we work with companies all over the U.S. and are committed to offering the most competitive rates on logistics and used equipment.
When it comes time to update your office, offset your expenses and sell used LCD Displays. We will make you a competitive offer for your old monitors, LCDs, computers, modems, and laptops.
Our company is happy to purchase your old used, outdated LCD displays and monitors to free your business from the sometimes complicated electronics disposal processes. Please give us a call at 770-864-9179 or get a Free Online Quote to get started.
Even if you do not see your office equipment brand listed here, we will likely accept the items as a part of your offload package. Contact our team anytime to inquire about the brands we purchase from our clients.
We work hard to repurpose or recycle the working items to save all companies money on their equipment costs and reduce the consumption of Earth’s natural resources. Equipment with minor problems may go through our refurbishment process to restore its functionality and improve its appearance to be resold again.
Since we recycle and dispose of the equipment, in addition to repurposing and reselling the items, your items do not need to be in perfect shape to qualify for our many purchase programs.
If you do not have instant access to this information, do not worry – Our team will help walk you through the assessment process for each item in your inventory.
Our team utilizes industry experience to provide you with a fair and competitive price quote for your old used LCD displays and computer devices. We continue to upgrade our knowledge base as office equipment quickly becomes outdated in the constantly changing world of electronics. We team up with many companies around the world to quickly resell, repurpose, or recycle the LCD displays sent our way. Our efforts ensure the electronics remain in operation well beyond their initial run with your company.
When you sell your LCD displays and other office equipment to TeleTraders, we can also handle all of the packing, removal and transporting for the equipment, helping free up both your space and your time.
We understand that office technology needs change over time. The LCD displays and monitors that worked for your office a year or two ago may not be keeping pace anymore with your needs. We can help by offering you the best rates possible for your bulk LCD displays. Contact TeleTraders to get started right now.
When it’s time to upgrade your computer and LCD displays, you shouldn’t have to spend lots of time trying to figure out how to dispose of, sell or recycle your used LCD displays and office equipment – that’s where TeleTraders will be able to help you.
We request a detailed list of your used office LCD displays, including make, model, and quantity of units. Please, also include a photo of your equipment so we can gauge the current quality of the hardware.
TeleTraders is happy to accept most major and minor brands of common IT office LCD displays, office LCD display systems, and also other IT office equipment. If there is any question about whether we will accept your brand of equipment, feel free to contact us by phone or email at any time and we will respond to your inquiry as quickly as possible.
We are always looking to help businesses, small and large, offset the costs of upgrading their IT office LCD displays and IT office LCD display systems. In order to make an inquiry about a possible trade-in valuation, please Contact Us so we can work with you to evaluate used IT office LCD display gear. You may also Call Us directly for immediate assistance.
Abbreviated LCD, liquid crystal display is a flat, thin display device that has replaced the older CRT display. LCD provides better picture quality and support for large resolutions.
Generally, LCD refers to a type of monitor utilizing the LCD technology, but also flat-screen displays like those in laptops, calculators, digital cameras, digital watches, and other similar devices.
There"s also an FTP command that uses the letters "LCD." If that"s what you"re after, you can read more about it on Microsoft"s website, but it doesn"t have anything to do with computers or TV displays.
As liquid crystal display would indicate, LCD screens use liquid crystals to switch pixels on and off to reveal a specific color. Liquid crystals are like a mixture between a solid and a liquid, where an electric current can be applied to change their state in order for a specific reaction to occur.
These liquid crystals can be thought of like a window shutter. When the shutter is open, light can easily pass through into the room. With LCD screens, when the crystals are aligned in a special way, they no longer allow that light through.
It"s the back of an LCD screen that"s responsible for shining light through the screen. In front of the light is a screen made up of pixels that are colored red, blue, or green. The liquid crystals are responsible for electronically turning a filter on or off in order to reveal a certain color to or keep that pixel black.
This means that LCD screens work by blocking light emanating from the back of the screen instead of creating the light themselves like how CRT screens work. This allows LCD monitors and TVs to use much less power than CRT ones.
LED stands for light-emitting diode. Although it has a different name than liquid crystal display, it"s not something entirely different, but really just a different type of LCD screen.
The major difference between LCD and LED screens is how they provide backlighting. Backlighting refers to how the screen turns light on or off, something that"s crucial for providing a great picture, especially between black and colored portions of the screen.
A regular LCD screen uses a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) for backlighting purposes, while LED screens use more efficient and smaller light-emitting diodes (LED"s). The difference is that CCFL-backlit LCDs can"t always block out all black colors, in which case something like a black on white scene in a movie may not appear so black after all, while LED-backlit LCDs can localize the blackness for a much deeper contrast.
If you"re having a hard time understanding this, just consider a dark movie scene as an example. In the scene is a really dark, black room with a closed door that"s allowing some light through the bottom crack. An LCD screen with LED backlighting can pull it off better than CCFL backlighting screens because the former can turn on color for just the portion around the door, allowing all the rest of the screen to remain truly black.
Unlike CRT monitors and TVs, LCD screens don"t have a refresh rate. You might need to change the monitor"s refresh rate setting on your CRT screen if eye strain is a problem, but it"s not needed on the newer LCD screens.
Most LCD computer monitors have a connection for HDMI and DVI cables. Some still support VGA cables, but that"s much less common. If your computer"s video card only supports the older VGA connection, double-check that the LCD monitor has a connection for it. You might need to purchase a VGA to HDMI or VGA to DVI adapter so that both ends can be used on each device.
If there isn"t anything showing up on your computer monitor, you can run through the steps in our How to Test a Computer Monitor That Isn"t Working troubleshooting guide to find out why.
CRT hardware, LCD"s predecessor, was famously susceptible to screen burn-in, a faint image imprinted on the electronic display that could not be removed.
LCD conditioning solves minor problems that occur on LCD monitors, including persistent images or ghost images. The process involves flooding the screen or monitor with various colors (or with all white). Dell includes an image conditioning feature in its LCD monitors.
Unlike the old projection or tube televisions that were nowhere near as flat, LCD screens function in a totally different way. The pixels in the liquid crystal panel are tiny blocks that each display a portion of the overall image. Typically, the more pixels, the better the image quality. Each pixel can display a broad array of colors by controlling the combination of primary colors used -- red, green, and blue. In more expensive models, entire layers are dedicated to controlling the levels of single colors.
LCDs also work by blocking unwanted light. Some of the light that moves from the backlight could potentially interfere with the desired image because it is not traveling at the same angle or is a different color than what is needed. This is why polarizers work so well, as they also block this unwanted light in addition to allowing only certain amounts through. When several polarizers are stacked on top of each other (but rotated to various angles), the LCD has an even greater ability to filter and harness different colors of light.
The advantage of having an internal light source is the ability to illuminate the display independently of any other source. But, this comes at a cost, as lighting the display requires a very high amount of energy. Reflective technology significantly reduces the amount of energy required to generate an image. And, although it does not involve emitting light, it is quickly improving how efficiently the displays can utilize what light is already available. This makes reflective displays much more cost-effective – especially when used for long periods of time.
Reflective LCD technology is constantly improving and consumers are becoming noticeably more aware of it. Between its outstanding ability to conserve power and its number of useful applications, its usage is expected to continue growing. It is perfect for outdoor use and purposed to withstand extreme weather. If you enjoyed what you’ve read so far and would like to learn more, please take a look at our website:www.Sunvisiondisplay.com. Also, if you’re interested in seeing a short clip about how Reflective LCD technology works, you can watch the video below.
From panel technology to refresh rates, there are a lot of things to consider when looking for a new gaming monitor. To aid you on your journey for the perfect setup, we"re breaking down two of the most common display technology terms: LED and LCD. Here"s what you need to know about LED and LCD screens, what the terms stand for, and how they factor into modern gaming monitors.
LCD stands for liquid-crystal display, which refers to how the monitor works. Behind the screen, liquid crystals are sandwiched between two layers of glass and used to change the colors of pixels to create the images that you see. The whole process is a lot more complicated, but that"s the gist of how LCDs function.
In the past, some LCDs were backlit by CCFLs (cold-cathode fluorescent lamps). LCDs with fluorescent backlighting have been around longer, so if you can find one, they will be cheaper than LED monitors. However, if you"re a gamer looking for decent refresh rates and response times, it"s going to be hard to find a monitor with fluorescent backlighting. They"ve almost completely been replaced by LCD monitors with LED backlights.
LEDs work in a similar way; in fact, you can consider LEDs a subcategory of LCDs. The only difference between some LCDs and LEDs is the type of backlighting: LEDs use LED (light-emitting diodes) backlighting.
In contrast to fluorescent backlighting, LED backlighting generally provides brighter colors and sharper contrast. The monitors are also thinner in size and, in the long run, more energy efficient than LCDs with fluorescent backlights. LED backlighting is the newer technology and the current standard for monitors with high refresh rates and fast response times. When you see LCD in product descriptions, they"re almost always LCD monitors that use LED (as opposed to fluorescent) backlighting. For example, BenQ"s EL2870U monitor is listed as an LCD, but it"s an LCD with LED backlighting.
There are different types of LED backlighting: edge-lit and array-lit. In edge-lit monitors, the lights are placed around the edges of the monitor. Light guides are then used to diffuse the light evenly across the screen. In array-lit monitors, lights are placed behind the screen in a pattern.
The tricky thing, however, is that it"s pretty much impossible to tell what type of backlight and how many backlights a monitor has based on a typical product description. Some manufacturers will share that info, but generally they won"t unless the backlight setup is a premium feature you"re paying for.
For example, some edge-lit and array-lit LEDs have local dimming capabilities, a feature that can selectively dim certain zones of LED lights. Local dimming improves contrast ratio and provides deeper blacks in dimly lit scenes. These monitors, however, tend to be pricey. Some well-reviewed options include the Samsung Odyssey G7 and Philips Momentum 436M6VBPAB, both of which are edge-lit monitors with partial local dimming capabilities. The Acer Predator X35 is an (expensive) full-array monitor with full local dimming (FALD) capabilities.
You won"t have much of a choice between LED or LCD. Most monitors, regardless of whether they"re marked as LED or LCD, will use LED backlights. LED backlights became the new standard because they allow manufacturers to make thinner, more energy-efficient monitors with better graphics. It"s not worth going out of your way to find an LCD with fluorescent backlighting, unless you really, really hate LED lights.
Which backlights a monitor has isn"t as important as other factors such as panel technology, refresh rates and response time, G-Sync vs. FreeSync, and HDR --those are the characteristics you should pay more attention to when choosing a monitor. If you"re not looking to break the bank, a couple of great LED monitors at excellent price points we can recommend are the Asus VP249QGR, a nice budget 1080p monitor, and Acer XF250Q Cbmiiprx 24.5, a well-reviewed budget 240Hz monitor.
Check out our guide to the best cheap gaming monitors for more budget options; plus, see our picks for the best monitors for PS5 and Xbox Series X, best 144Hz monitors, and the best 4K gaming monitors for more LED displays worth picking up.
The monitor is the window to your PC’s soul. Without the right display, everything you do on your system will seem lackluster, whether gaming, viewing/editing photos and video or just reading text on your favorite websites.
Hardware vendors understand how the experience changes with different display specs and features and have flooded the market with a plethora of options. But which features and specs are most valuable for how you use your monitor? For example, should you get 4K, 1440p, 1080p or just plain HD resolution—and what"s the difference anyway? How much do refresh rates and response times matter? Are things like flicker-free, low blue light mode, G-Sync and FreeSync crucial? And how should your priorities change if your focus is gaming versus professional applications versus general use?
Before we get started, if you"re looking for recommendations, see our Best Computer Monitors page or gaming-specific Best Gaming Monitors list. We also have high-res picks on our Best 4K Gaming Monitors and Best Budget 4K Monitors pages and break down HDR displays in our How to Choose the Best HDR Monitor article.
Why you can trust Tom"s HardwareOur expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.Determine your monitor’s main purpose: gaming, professional or general use. Generally, gamers should prioritize fast refresh rates and low response times, professionals should prioritize color accuracy and general use users have less specific needs but will often opt for a monitor with a high-contrast VA panel.The higher the resolution, the better the picture. A monitor’s resolution tells you how many pixels a monitor has in width x height format. 1920 x 1080 (also known as 1080p, Full HD (FHD) and HD) is the minimum you need. But you"ll get sharper images with QHD and even sharper with 4K.Size matters too.Pixel density has a big impact on monitor quality, and our sweet spot is 109 pixels per inch (ppi). A larger monitor will have low pixel density if it"s a lower resolution. For viewing from typical desktop distances, 32 inches is plenty ‘big." It’s not hard to find a 32-inch gaming or general use monitor at 4K resolution for under $1,000.Refresh rates: bigger is better. This tells you the number of times your monitor updates with new information per second and is measured in hertz (Hz). Bigger numbers equal better, smoother, less choppy images. Refresh rate is especially important for gamers, who"ll want a monitor with at least 75 Hz (most monitors designed for gaming offer at least 120 Hz), combined with the lowest response time you can find. If you’re not gaming, a 60 Hz refresh rate should do.Response times: Shorter is better, but it"s not a big priority unless you’re gaming. Response time tells you how long a monitor takes to change individual pixels from black to white or, if its GTG response time, from one shade of gray to another. Longer response times can mean motion blur when gaming or watching fast-paced videos. For gaming monitors, the highest response time you’ll likely see is 5ms, while the fastest gaming monitors can have a 0.5ms response time.Panel tech: For image quality, TN < IPS < VA. TN monitors are the fastest but cheapest, due to poorer image quality when viewing from a side angle. IPS monitors have slightly faster response times and show color better than VA panels, but VA monitors have the best contrast out of all three panel types. For more on the difference between panel types, see the dedicated section below.Consider a curved monitor.Curved monitors are supposed to make your experience more immersive with a large field of view(opens in new tab) and are said to be less eye-straining. However, they can be prone to glare when viewing from certain angles (light sources are coming from various angles instead of one). Effective curved monitors are usually ultrawide and at least 30 inches, which both point to higher costs.
If you do buy a curved monitor, understand curvature specs. An 1800R curvature has a curved radius of 1800mm and a suggested best max viewing distance of 1.8 meters -- and so on. The lower the curvature (as low as 1000R), the more curved the display is.
Images on an LCD panel are comprised of millions of tiny dots. Each pixel consists of three sub-pixels, one for each primary color. A monitor’s resolution provides a screen’s length x width in pixels. The more pixels you can pack into each square-inch of a monitor, the more realistic and smooth the image. A higher resolution (QHD or better) is important if you want a monitor that"s bigger than 27 inches.
You can tell how many pixels a monitor has based on the name of its resolution. Some resolutions have multiple names. Below are the most common monitor resolutions you’ll encounter from best (highest number of pixels) to worst (least number of pixels). Except where noted, we’re talking about a 16:9 aspect ratio.
The first is your PC"s graphics card(opens in new tab). The more pixels you have, the more processing power your graphics card needs to alter those pixels in a timely fashion. Images on 4K monitors look stunning, but if your system isn’t up to the task of driving 8.3 million pixels per frame, your overall experience will suffer and that extra resolution will actually become a hindrance, particularly if you"re gaming.
The second thing that can hold back a high-res monitor is your operating system"s font-scaling capabilities. Windows is best at a pixel density of 90-110ppi. If a monitor has a pixel density much greater than that, objects and text will look extremely small and potentially impossible to read. When reviewing 27-inch 5K monitors, we’ve been forced to use DPI (dots per inch) scaling for any hope of reading text in our apps. The quality of scaling varies among monitors and isn"t always a sure fix when text is too tiny.
For the best picture, more pixels are better. But when gaming, those pixels can also slow you down if you don’t have a beefy enough graphics card. Most video interfaces don’t support refresh rates faster than 60 Hz for 4K/UHD or 5K signals. That"s starting to change (for a premium), but you still need a very expensive graphics card to play at 4K and push past 60 frames per second (fps). The GeForce RTX 3080 can usually get there, as can the GeForce RTX 3090, but good luck finding one!
The current sweet spot seems to be QHD (2560 x 1440) resolution. With monitors up to 32 inches, you see good pixel density and a detailed image that isn’t too difficult for mid-priced graphics cards to handle.
If you want ultimate speed that"s also not too taxing on your GPU, FHD (1920 x 1080) delivers the highest frame rates (you won"t find gaming monitors today with lower resolution). But avoid stretching that resolution past 27 inches, as you may notice a dip in image quality, with pesky individual pixels being visible.
Minimum graphics card requirements vary based on the game, but if you plan on buying a monitor for gaming at QHD resolution (and don’t want to have to turn the in-game settings down to low), you’ll want at least a GeForce RTX 3060 Ti or Radeon RX 6800.
4K gamers should find the fastest card they can afford. The GeForce RTX 3070 might be sufficient for lighter games or if you turn down some settings, but the GeForce RTX 3080/3090 or the Radeon RX 6800 XT or Radeon RX 6900 XT would do you better. For more tips on picking a graphics card, see our Graphics Card Buying Guide(opens in new tab), Best Graphics Cards(opens in new tab) and GPU Benchmarks(opens in new tab) Hierarchy pages. For help choosing a 4K gaming display, see our Best 4K Gaming Monitors(opens in new tab) page.
There are three major LCD technologies used in today’s PC monitors: twisted nematic (TN(opens in new tab)), vertical alignment (VA(opens in new tab)) and in-plane switching (IPS)(opens in new tab). Each has several variations that offer different advantages. We won’t get into the intricacies of how these differing panels work. Instead, the chart below explains how each impacts image quality and the best use cases for each panel.
While that graph should be enough to make a quick decision on panel type, if you want to dive deeper, consider the following:Contrast is the most important factor in image quality and reliability (5,000:1 is better than 1,000:1). As such, we consider VA panels to offer the best image quality among VA, IPS and TN.We’ve reviewed plenty of TN screens that can hold their own in the color department with more expensive IPS and VA displays. While the general perception is that TN offers less accurate color and contrast than VA and IPS panels, there’s a chance you won’t notice the difference. Many gaming monitors use TN panels for their speed. We’ve found that color quality differs by price more than it does by panel tech.
There are many confusing choices and even more confusing marketing terms to sift through when buying a new gaming monitor. Let"s break down the features that actually benefit gamers. Note that some factors depend on a player"s skill level.
For our top gaming monitor recommendations, check out our Best Gaming Monitors(opens in new tab) page. And for 4K stunners, see our Best 4K Gaming Monitors(opens in new tab) page.
Ideally, you want a monitor with at least a 75 Hz, combined with the lowest response time you can find. Refresh rate is particularly important for gamers, so most gaming monitors have a refresh rate of at least 120 Hz, (the fastest availabile is 360 Hz), and you’ll want a maximum response time of 5ms.
However, there are some worthy 60 Hz gaming monitors, and many 4K ones are limited to 60 Hz. If you opt for a 60 Hz display and plan to game, G-Sync or FreeSync is a must (more on that below).
Worried about input lag? Input lag is how long it takes your monitor to recognize output from your graphics card or when you’ve pushed a button on your keyboard or mouse and is something gamers should avoid. High refresh rates generally point to lower input lag, but input lag isn’t usually listed in specs, so check our monitor reviews(opens in new tab) for insight. Sites like DisplayLag(opens in new tab) also offer unbiased breakdowns of many monitors’ input lag.
Gaming monitors usually have Nvidia G-Sync (for PCs with Nvidia graphics cards) and/or AMD FreeSync (for running with PCs using AMD graphics cards). Both features reduce screen tearing and stuttering and add to the price tag; although, G-Sync monitors usually cost more than FreeSync ones.
Another thing to keep in mind is that G-Sync relies on DisplayPort, while FreeSync works with both HDMI and DisplayPort. For more on which port is best for gaming, see our DisplayPort vs. HDMI(opens in new tab)analysis. And for more on the two popular Adaptive-Sync flavors, see our G-Sync(opens in new tab) and FreeSync(opens in new tab) pages in the Tom"s Hardware Glossary(opens in new tab).
Regardless, if your budget only has room for a low to mid-speed graphics card, you’ll certainly want a monitor with either G-Sync or FreeSync that works at a low minimum refresh rate.
So, should you opt for G-Sync or FreeSync? Here’s what to consider:Which hardware do you already have? If you’ve already nabbed a shiny new RTX 3080, for example, the choice is clear.Team Nvidia or Team AMD? If you"re not tied to either, remember that G-Sync and FreeSync offer comparable performance for the typical user. We learned this when we tested both against each other in ourNvidia G-Sync vs. AMD FreeSync(opens in new tab) faceoff.What"s the Adaptive-Sync"s lowest supported refresh rate? G-Sync monitors operate from a 30 Hz refresh rate up to the monitor’s maximum, but not all FreeSync ones do.FreeSync monitors usually support Adaptive-Sync up to a monitor’s maximum refresh rate, but it’s the lower limit you must note. We’ve reviewed screens that bottom out at as high as 55 Hz. This can be problematic if your graphics card can’t keep frame rates above that level. Low frame rate compensation (LFC), which G-Sync kicks in at below 30 Hz, is a viable solution but will only work if the max refresh is at least 2.5 times the minimum (example: if the maximum refresh rate is 100 Hz, the minimum must be 40 Hz for LFC to help).Many FreeSync monitors can run G-Sync.Nvidia has tested and certified some of these as G-Sync Compatible. Many non-certified monitors can also run G-Sync too, but performance is not guaranteed. See our article on how to run on G-Sync on a FreeSync monitor for more.
If you plan on doing a lot of competitive gaming with HDR content, consider getting a G-Sync Ultimate or FreeSync Premium Pro display. Both features are certified for lower input latency and include additional benefits for HDR titles.
Overdrive and motion blur reduction are available in many gaming monitors (under various brand names). To understand their value, you’ll first need to understand ghosting. Ghosting is that blurry trail a moving object creates on the screen sometimes. That’s caused by uneven pixel transition, or when it takes a monitor’s pixel longer to change from Color A to Color B than from Color B to Color A.
Overdrive reduces ghosting by speeding the rate at which pixels transition through higher voltages. When done correctly, the pixel reaches that level quickly, then changes for the next frame before voltage gets too high.
Here’s what to consider before deciding for or against the two:Overdrive can create inverse ghosting artifacts, so check our reviews to learn how good a monitor’s overdrive feature is. You can test your own monitor’s overdrive by using the BlurBusters UFO test(opens in new tab). Watch the UFO while switching between your monitor’s different overdrive options. When you see a white trail behind the saucer, you’ve gone too far.You typically can’t use motion blur reduction and G-Sync / FreeSync at the same time. (There are rare exceptions, like the Asus ROG Strix XG27AQ.) Gamers should opt for Adaptive-Sync every time. A fast graphics card running at 60 fps and higher with G-Sync or FreeSync will pretty much eliminate any need for motion blur reduction.Motion blur reduction reduces overall brightness. We’ve tested monitors that cut brightness by over 60% if blur reduction is on.
Gaming monitors often go on sale, but it’s hard to tell if you’re actually getting a good deal. The first way to find out is to check reviews to make sure it’s the right monitor for you.
Finally, we love PCPartPicker.com(opens in new tab) and, for Amazon listings, CamelCamelCamel(opens in new tab)for tracking the price history of specific monitors.
Both gaming and professional monitors are more than qualified to serve as general use displays. But if you want to avoid spending extra money on a specialized monitor, you need something that works well for every kind of computing, entertainment and productivity. Here’s how to decide what’s best for you:Contrast is king, so VA panels are too. We consider contrast the first measure of image quality, followed by color saturation, accuracy and resolution. When a display has a large dynamic range, the picture is more realistic and 3D-like. VA panels typically offer 3-5 times the contrast of IPS or TN screens. If you place a VA and IPS monitor next to each other with matched brightness levels and calibration standards, the VA screen will easily win in terms of image quality.Consider flicker-free if you"ll be staring at the screen for over 8 hours. They won’t flicker at any brightness level, so even those particularly sensitive to flickering will be pleased.Low blue light isn’t a buying point. Most operating systems, including Windows 10(opens in new tab), have modes for reducing blue light, based on the theory that blue light interferes with sleep. But although many monitors offer this feature, it"s not necessary. Low blue light can make a computer image less straining on your eyes, but so can accurate calibration. And since reducing blue brightness also affects all other colors, you may experience an unnatural look in graphics and photos. This is especially distracting in games and videos. There"s no need to prioritize low blue light, but it’s becoming harder to find monitors without it.
Professional users have special needs. If you’re a photographer, print proofer, web designer, special effects artist, game designer or someone that needs precise color control, this section’s for you. Here’s what to know:Monitors vendor-certified as color accurate cost more but are worth it. If you want a monitor that’s accurate out of the box, this is your best choice. It’s especially important for monitors without calibration capabilities. Professional monitors should come ready for work with no adjustment required. A DeltaE (dE)(opens in new tab) value of 2 or lower is a good sign. A dE under 3 is typically considered invisible to the human eye.You want calibration options. There are two ways to accomplish this: the on-screen display (OSD) and software. Check our reviews for monitor-specific calibration recommendations.Calibration options should include choices for different color gamuts, color temperatures and gamma curves. At minimum there should be sRGBand Adobe RGB standards, color temperatures ranging from 5,000 to 7,500K and gamma presets from 1.8 to 2.4. Monitors used for TV or movie production should also support the BT.1886 gamma standard.Flicker-free goes a long way if you’re spending eight hours or more in front of a computer screen. Many pro monitors today offer this.
What bit-depth do I need?Higher is better, and professionals need at least 10-bits. An 8-bit panel won’t cut it for most professional graphics work. If possible, opt for 12-bit. For more, see our article on the difference between 10 and 12-bit(opens in new tab).A deep color monitor won’t do you any good if your graphics card can’t output a 10- or 12-bit signal. Yes, the monitor will fill in the extra information, but only by interpolation. Just as with pixel scaling, a display can’t add information that isn’t there in the first place; it can only approximate. Many consumer-grade graphics cards are limited to 8-bit output.
No matter what PC you have, your monitor choice has a dramatic effect on everything you do. That makes buying a new monitor a worthy investment and one that can benefit you immediately, whether your playing games or doing work, with the right selection. Just make sure you don"t waste money on a screen with excess features or without the specs you need to help your PC shine.
There are plenty of new and confusing terms facing TV shoppers today, but when it comes down to the screen technology itself, there are only two: Nearly every TV sold today is either LCD or OLED.
The biggest between the two is in how they work. With OLED, each pixel provides its own illumination so there"s no separate backlight. With an LCD TV, all of the pixels are illuminated by an LED backlight. That difference leads to all kinds of picture quality effects, some of which favor LCD, but most of which benefit OLED.
LCDs are made by a number of companies across Asia. All current OLED TVs are built by LG Display, though companies like Sony and Vizio buy OLED panels from LG and then use their own electronics and aesthetic design.
So which one is better? Read on for their strengths and weaknesses. In general we"ll be comparing OLED to the best (read: most expensive) LCD has to offer, mainly because there"s no such thing as a cheap OLED TV (yet).
Take this category with a grain of salt. Both TV types are very bright and can look good in even a sunny room, let alone more moderate indoor lighting situations or the dark rooms that make TV images look their best. When it comes down to it, no modern TV could ever be considered "dim."
At the other side of light output is black level, or how dark the TV can get. OLED wins here because of its ability to turn off individual pixels completely. It can produce truly perfect black.
The better LCDs have local dimming, where parts of the screen can dim independently of others. This isn"t quite as good as per-pixel control because the black areas still aren"t absolutely black, but it"s better than nothing. The best LCDs have full-array local dimming, which provides even finer control over the contrast of what"s onscreen -- but even they can suffer from "blooming," where a bright area spoils the black of an adjacent dark area.
One of the main downsides of LCD TVs is a change in picture quality if you sit away from dead center (as in, off to the sides). How much this matters to you certainly depends on your seating arrangement, but also on how much you love your loved ones.
A few LCDs use in-plane switching (IPS) panels, which have better off-axis picture quality than other kinds of LCDs, but don"t look as good as other LCDs straight on (primarily due to a lower contrast ratio).
OLED doesn"t have the off-axis issue LCDs have; its image looks basically the same, even from extreme angles. So if you have a wide seating area, OLED is the better option.
Nearly all current TVs are HDR compatible, but that"s not the entire story. Just because a TV claims HDR compatibility doesn"t mean it can accurately display HDR content. All OLED TVs have the dynamic range to take advantage of HDR, but lower-priced LCDs, especially those without local-dimming backlights, do not. So if you want to see HDR content it all its dynamic, vibrant beauty, go for OLED or an LCD with local dimming.
In our tests comparing the best new OLED and LCD TVs with HDR games and movies, OLED usually looks better. Its superior contrast and lack of blooming win the day despite LCD"s brightness advantage. In other words LCD TVs can get brighter, especially in full-screen bright scenes and HDR highlights, but none of them can control that illumination as precisely as an OLED TV.
The energy consumption of LCD varies depending on the backlight setting. The lower the backlight, the lower the power consumption. A basic LED LCD with its backlight set low will draw less power than OLED.
LG has said their OLED TVs have a lifespan of 100,000 hours to half brightness, a figure that"s similar to LED LCDs. Generally speaking, all modern TVs are quite reliable.
Does that mean your new LCD or OLED will last for several decades like your parent"s last CRT (like the one pictured). Probably not, but then, why would you want it to? A 42-inch flat panel cost $14,000 in the late 90"s, and now a 65-inch TV with more than 16x the resolution and a million times better contrast ratio costs $1,400. Which is to say, by the time you"ll want/need to replace it, there will be something even better than what"s available now, for less money.
OLED TVs are available in sizes from 48 to 88 inches, but LCD TVs come in smaller and larger sizes than that -- with many more choices in between -- so LCD wins. At the high end of the size scale, however, the biggest "TVs" don"t use either technology.
If you want something even brighter, and don"t mind spending a literal fortune to get it, Samsung, Sony, and LG all sell direct-view LED displays. In most cases these are
You can get 4K resolution, 50-inch LCDs for around $400 -- or half that on sale. It"s going to be a long time before OLEDs are that price, but they have come down considerably.
LCD dominates the market because it"s cheap to manufacture and delivers good enough picture quality for just about everybody. But according to reviews at CNET and elsewhere, OLED wins for overall picture quality, largely due to the incredible contrast ratio. The price difference isn"t as severe as it used to be, and in the mid- to high-end of the market, there are lots of options.
Monitors and digital signage can help convey important information to colleagues and clients. With a wide array of sizes and resolutions available, you"ll be sure to find an LCD monitor or LED monitor with appropriate risers or monitor stands to suit your needs. Digital signage can help promote your brand and business in just about any location, from inside the office to retail locations with a high amount of foot traffic where casual passersby can see everything your company has to offer.
If you"re looking for a new computer monitor, considering the tasks it will be used for is a great place to start. An LED monitor will generate vivid and accurate colors that are essential for photo and video editing. LEDs are also generally slimmer, making them more suitable for areas where space is limited. The HP Laptop Touch Screen offers LED backlighting, which permits a thinner and more energy-efficient screen. When a single image must be displayed for extended periods, LCD monitors help guard against screen damage. There are also a wide range of resolutions available. Choose a lower resolution for basic tasks, such as editing text documents or creating spreadsheets, and opt for a higher resolution when intense visual clarity is required.
Promoting your brand and company can be an easy way to help expand and grow a business. Strategically placed digital signage attracts the attention of potential clients and creates an engaging way to showcase goods and other offerings. An all-in-one design with a built-in television tuned in to the big game can help maintain interest while advertisements play on the side, and interactive touch screens make it easy and engaging for people to find out more information about specific products and services.
Employees spend a lot of time working on monitors, and if monitors are positioned too high or too low it can result in frustrating neck strain and sore, tired shoulders. Place monitors on mounts or extendable arms to keep on-screen data even with the user"s eyes. Choose a dual-monitor mount for environments that often require people to work on two screens at the same time.
If you"re in the market for portability, or if you are looking to create a Raspberry Pi-friendly computer, a portable 14-inch LCD monitor can be very useful. These monitors are smaller than a full-sized PC monitor but have more screen space than some laptops, which makes them great for mobile computing. Additionally, if you need HD performance, a good 14-inch monitor will look better due to having more pixels in a smaller space.Outside of computing, what else can a 14-inch monitor do?
Since these monitors are so portable and versatile, you can use one of these 14-inch LCD monitors for a wide array of uses. These include:Video monitor: If you want to keep up with your little one"s needs, you can use one of these to take a look into their room from time to time - you"ll just need a camera.
Car entertainment display: Video displays are becoming fairly common in cars, and you can install a 14 monitor like this in the back of a car"s driver or passenger seat so the kids can watch their favorite shows and movies while you are on long car trips.
Video console gaming: These also serve as great portable monitors for those that take their gaming consoles with them. All you"ll need is a 14-inch monitor with HDMI connectivity.
Security display: These also can work as a 14-inch monitor LCD that links via HDMI to a closed circuit camera monitoring system.How do these small monitor HDMI models stand up?
These mini computer monitors have a few systems that enable them to stand. Some of them have standard computer stands that allow them to be placed on most surfaces, and others have folding "feet" that tuck in when you want to carry these 14-inch LCD monitors from place to place.What are some features that make these monitors portable?
These 14-inch TFT monitors are usually more rugged than standard computer monitors. For example, the screens will be much more impact-resistant than a regular display. Additionally, the chassis itself will resist scratches and the occasional ding. Rather than using a standard DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort connector, many of these products can also be attached to your computing devices through a simple USB connector, which means that there"s a wider range of display options available with a 14-inch LCD monitor that connects this way.
Your computer is running perfectly, but your monitor could use a makeover. There’s no reason to buy an entire machine if you simply want to upgrade your screen. Computer monitors are simple to purchase an install, and can change the way you use your Windows or Apple machine. On eBay, you have multiple buying options when it comes to selecting screens. You can shop by size and find just the right monitor for your desk, or you can shop the latest and greatest inventory to find an updated monitor with fresher features. On a budget? Shop refurbished monitors at unbeatable prices, and score a screen for less. Check out monitors from well known brands like Dell and HP, and put together the perfect machine for your needs.
Choosing the size of your new monitor can be difficult. If you’re working in a small space and you don’t have much room, you can go down to as little as 16 inches. However, since many users today are combining their computer use with their TV viewing, there are monitors that go all the way up to 40 inches and above. It’s best to measure the area you wish to place the monitor first, and if you’re mounting it, make sure you have enough space for your new monitor. Some models stand horizontally or vertically, to give you even more flexibility when it comes to using your computer monitor.
Large Selection Of Used LCD"s Always: Seattle Laptop always carries in stock a large selection of used LCD Monitors. These used computer screens work for both desktop and laptop computers. Our store sells a lot of used monitors so we try to keep a nice inventory, and lots of choices for our customers at all times. We carry used LCD Monitors from 15" to 27" and possibly larger sometimes. Our used monitors are all marked with what kind of video connectors they have on the back. When you are shopping for a used LCD Monitor at Seattle Laptop you can easily choose the one you like by the listed connectors, and our needs.
There really aren"t many places around the Seattle Area that actually has as good of selection of LCD"s to choose from. Also, if you happen to be looking for a local computer store around Seattle with a good selection of Used LCD Monitors For Sale, you don"t have to look any more.
HDMI - VGA - DVI - Display Port: All of our used LCD Monitors at Seattle Laptop will have more than one video connector on the back. You need to let our staff know what kind of connectors you have on your video card, so we can find you the right monitor. As we all know there are many types of video connectors. You will need to let us know what kind of connector you have on the back of your video card. We can then determine what video cable you may need. We recommend taking pictures of your video card connectors on the back of your desktop. That way we will know what type of video cable to give to supply your with. Used Monitors All Come With Video Cables: All of the LCD Monitors we have will always come with a free video cable of your choice.
Used Computers For Sale: We have a very good selection of used desktop computers in stock. If you come into our store to buy a