Although 1440p, or WQHD, has 4 times more pixels than 720p. 4K, or Ultra HD, offers 4 times that of 1080p. 4K is undergoing a much faster adoption rate than that of 1440p, with a 50%+ US market share expected by the end of the decade. Conversely, 1440p has remained within the smartphone industry for over a decade.

The higher a monitor’s resolution is, the more detailed an image can be because a higher resolution monitor will be made up of more pixels than a lower resolution monitor. This will, of course, depend on the resolution of the content you are viewing. Additionally, more viewable content can fit onto a higher resolution computer screen than on a lower resolution screen.

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We’ll break down everything you need to know about monitor resolution and aspect ratios, giving you the tools to choose the right monitor for your setup confidently. Ready to make sense of it all? Let’s dive into the world of resolutions and aspect ratios!

In home automation, where every device needs to be both powerful and unobtrusive, compute modules provide a flexible solution.

The 16:9 is the standard aspect ratio for most consumer devices, including TVs, gaming monitors, and laptops. However, the 16:10 aspect ratio offers more vertical space, making it ideal for productivity tasks like coding, working with spreadsheets, and design work. The extra vertical space allows users to see more lines of code or rows in Excel without constant scrolling, enhancing efficiency. While 16:9 is better for media consumption and gaming, 16:10 is better suited for professional tasks that benefit from additional screen real estate. The choice between the two depends on whether you prioritize entertainment or productivity. If you’re still unsure and want to learn more before making a decision, check out our 16:9 vs. 16:10 guide.

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The following list ranks some of the more common monitor resolutions found on the market nowadays from lowest monitor resolution to highest.

These boards are often favored for their cost-effectiveness and flexibility in hardware customization, particularly for developers working with lower budgets.

In the example above, the 25-inch monitor would have a pixel density of about 88 ppi, while the 32-inch monitor would have a pixel density of about 69 ppi. In this situation, it’s safe to say that there would be some noticeable differences in image quality between the two, with the 25-inch display providing better-looking images. To take things even further, it is common for smartphones nowadays to have pixel densities ranging from 300 ppi all the way up to over 500 ppi.

But they have some downsides. They’re priced like full SBCs, lack built-in I/O or networking, and need extra boards, which adds cost and complexity.

Yet, for those who need the flexibility to design custom hardware solutions and scale their projects, these modules offer a valuable advantage.

Therefore, if a video was recorded in 1080p but you have a 4K monitor, the highest resolution you could watch that video in would be 1080p. Conversely, if you had a 1080p monitor and your video content was shot in 4K, you would still be able to watch the video but the resolution of the video would be limited to 1080p.

The 16:9 aspect ratio, also known as ‘widescreen’ has been the international standard for all things related to high definition. Since it overtook 4:3 in popularity, 16:9 can now be found in DVDs, televisions, cinemas, and video games.

The problem here is that the exact point where a higher PPI becomes undetectable is a matter of debate. Some say that the optimal pixel density is somewhere are around 400 ppi, while others say that the pixel density detectable by the eye is closer to 1000 ppi. Since this is a matter of personal preference, it’s always better to test a monitor out for yourself before deciding on which display to buy.

Imagine setting up a mini data center using compute modules—each module acting as a node in your cluster, providing significant computing power without occupying too much physical space.

About 1440p Resolution: 1440p is a progressive resolution containing 2560 x 1440 pixels. Known as ‘Quad HD’, 1440p is 4 times stronger than the base HD variant. 1440p is not fully widespread, but can be found largely within the realm of computing and smartphones, including from well-known companies such as HTC, Samsung, ViewSonic, and Apple.

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Compute modules might seem like a niche component, but their versatility makes them invaluable in a range of real-life applications.

About 720p Resolution: 720p resolution, or 1280 x 720, is a progressive-style monitor resolution. Is it the lowest of the HD-capable resolutions, and is utilized by all widespread HDTV broadcasters.

Rpiboot

This design choice is not merely about minimization; it reflects a broader intent to offer greater flexibility and integration potential.

To visualize this, we can think of pixels as puzzle pieces; each one makes up a small piece of a bigger picture. Moreover, the more pixels a monitor has, the more detailed images can be.

Picture this – you have two monitors side by side, both with a Full HD 1080p Full HD resolution. This means that both have 1,920 horizontal pixels and 1,080 vertical pixels. Now imagine that one screen is a 32-inch screen, while the other is a 25-inch screen. Now you can see how pixel density comes into play because you will have the same number of pixels spread across a larger screen with the 32-inch monitor. Thus, the smaller monitor will have a more densely packed pixel density, resulting in smoother lines and sharper images.

They house the essential processing components such as the CPU, memory, and storage but leave out many of the peripherals and I/O ports found on standard SBCs.

For those delving into high-performance computing or distributed systems, compute modules offer an efficient way to build compact, powerful clusters.

In today’s market, 8K is top of the line. Four times stronger than 4K and 16 times 1080p, 8K is truly the bleeding edge. However, with 8K’s technological strengths comes a lack of commercial availability, given its ‘new’ status. Conversely, 4K is making great strides towards becoming the standard in several markets.

These modules are designed with GPU-intensive tasks in mind and are often used for edge AI, robotics, and smart video analytics.

While it doesn’t come with all the usual bells and whistles of a standard Raspberry Pi board like HDMI ports or USB connectors it provides the core processing power you need.

About 1080p Resolution: 1080p, or 1920 x 1080, is a non-interlaced monitor resolution that is marketed as the first resolution to take full advantage of HD’s complete range of capabilities. 1080p is currently the standard resolution for television, internet streaming services, video games, and smartphones, to name a few.

For instance, a compute module could be embedded in a custom-built control panel that manages factory equipment, providing the necessary computational power while allowing for a tailored interface with sensors and actuators.

In addition to a monitor’s panel type, screen size, refresh rate, etc., monitor resolution is usually one of the first specifications considered when shopping for a new monitor. Monitor resolution describes the visual dimensions of any given display. Expressed in terms of width and height, monitor resolution is comprised of a specific number of pixels.

This setup is ideal for creating specialized devices or products where every inch of space and every ounce of processing power must be optimally utilized.

PPI or DPI is a description of a monitor screen’s pixel density. A higher pixel density will mean that there are more pixels packed into every square inch of your screen.

Well, the answer is yes and no. While, generally speaking, a higher pixel density is better, there is a point of diminishing returns. As pixel density becomes higher and higher, the noticeable benefits of that higher pixel density become lower and lower. This will eventually lead to a point where the benefits offered by a higher pixel density are undetectable by your eye.

About 8K Resolution: 8K resolution measures at 7680 x 4320 pixels and is currently the highest monitor resolution currently available. The technology is so new that commercially available 8K UHD televisions and broadcasts are just now becoming available. On the market, 8K is currently being integrated into TVs, computer monitors, and broadcast cameras.

The aspect ratio of a monitor, like any ratio, is a proportional representation expressed as two distinct numbers separated by a colon. In the case of monitors and displays, the aspect ratio describes the correlation between width and height. Frequently encountered monitor aspect ratios include 4:3, 16:9, 16:10, and 21:9.

About 4K Resolution: 4K resolution is so-named due to its horizontal pixel count, although for monitors, 4K resolution is equal to a pixel count of 3840 x 2160. 4K resolution also has 4 times more pixels than 1080p. Although the market share for 4K resolution has increased year-over-year since 2014, its adoption has thus far been limited to internet video streaming, video projection, and commercial televisions.

While having a monitor with a high resolution is a good start, it doesn’t mean that you can start enjoying all of your content in that resolution. This is because the resolution of an image you see on your screen also depends on the resolution the content you are viewing was recorded in.

When viewing content, 4:3’s fullscreen experience yields a more ‘box-like’ display, while 16:9’s widescreen results in a letter-shaped appearance. In total, 4:3 gives newer media a feeling of being cropped, while 16:9 results in black bars manifesting on the top and bottom of the screen.

The 16:10 aspect ratio offers more vertical screen space compared to the popular 16:9 widescreen format, making it ideal for productivity and professional work. Once a common standard, 16:10 is especially favored in fields like design, coding, and document editing, where the extra vertical space allows users to view more content without scrolling. While less common in consumer devices, 16:10 is still popular in professional monitors and laptops, offering a balanced display for both work and entertainment.

DPI (dots per inch) indicates the number of dots found within a one-inch line of a scan or print. For monitors and displays, DPI is scrapped in favor of PPI (pixels per inch). While PPI is the correct term when referencing monitors and other displays, both terms are often used interchangeably.

Pixel density is a significant factor because it determines the quality of your image in that a higher pixel density will generally give you better-looking images. That being said, pixel density also depends on screen size.

Raspberry PiCM4

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I'm definitely not a nerd, perhaps a geek who likes to tinker around with whatever tech I get my hands on. Figuring things out on my own gives me joy. BTW, I don't use Arch.

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You can find links to some 1080p, 1440p, 4K, and ultrawide professional, gaming, and general entertainment monitors below to give you a better idea of some of the different monitors out there.

As your projects move from tinkering to serious development, the limitations of typical Raspberry Pi boards or any SBC becomes quite obvious.

In the world of embedded systems and custom hardware solutions, compute modules represent a distinct class of computing devices.

Revolutionize your meetings with ultrawide display. Discover how 21:9 ultrawide displays boost productivity, engagement, and collaboration.

Orange Pi provides a similar alternative to Raspberry Pi’s offerings, with its own compute modules designed for specific industrial and development purposes.

ComputeBlade

In total pixels, 1080p offers over twice that of 720p, therefore 1080p is sharper and clearer. Other factors aside, although both are considered to be a part of the HD standard, 1080p has been considered the industry standard for monitors for a while now. 720p resolution has already reached peak adoption and is declining in popularity.

While they’re more expensive than Raspberry Pi or Orange Pi modules, their raw processing power and ability to handle complex algorithms make them a standout option in specialized fields.

In the case of a monitor with an industry-standard Full HD 1080p resolution, this display has a resolution of 1920 x 1080. This means that the screen will have a width of 1,920 pixels while the height of the screen will be 1,080 pixels. This results in a grand total of 2,073,600 pixels on-screen.

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Considering its current novelty, 21:9 lacks broad utility, with compatible products limited to those that are ultrawide. Compared to 16:9, 21:9 touts the lack of black on-screen bars when viewing content. You can read our ultrawide vs. dual monitor comparison to learn more about the differences between ultrawide and standard aspect ratio monitors.

Raspberry PiCM5

ArmSoM CM5 is a powerful replacement for the Raspberry Pi CM4. It has RK3576 system on chip that consists of an integrated CPU with quad-core Cortex-A72 @ 2.2GHz, quad-core Cortex-A53 @ 1.8GHz, and a dedicated NEON co-processor.

The CM4, in particular, is highly favored for its compact size, onboard eMMC storage, and the ability to support wireless connectivity via a custom carrier board.

With just over 3.6 million pixels, 1440p is just about 1.77 times smoother than 1080p. However, 1080p is the most popular monitor resolution currently on the market, while 1440p is just beginning to gain a foothold.

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TuringPi

Luckily though, more and more content is being shot in higher resolution and video streaming services such as Netflix offer a plethora of 4K content to choose from.

Raspberry Pi 5

Raspberry Pi’s compute modules are known for their adaptability and reliability, making them the go-to option for industrial automation, IoT, and embedded systems.

The 21:9 aspect ratio is a marketing term used to describe 64:27. As the logical next step from 16:9, the current international standard, 21:9 has yet to fully penetrate the market. Thus far, its use has been limited to ultrawide computer monitors and televisions, as well as cinematic widescreen projectors.

Having a smart home hub that controls lighting, security, and climate using compute modules, you can build a central unit that integrates seamlessly into your home, managing multiple systems from a single compact device.

In the end, compute modules give you the flexibility to create custom hardware solutions in a compact form, making them great for projects like IoT and automation.

RASPBERRYPIE

Whether it’s a custom handheld gaming console or a specialized field tool for professionals, compute modules offer the processing power you need in a small form factor.

They can be embedded into devices where space is limited, yet performance requirements are high, delivering a robust computing solution in a portable package.

TuringPi2

To some tinkerers, they may seem an odd choice, especially considering they’re often priced similarly to fully-featured SBCs.

For industrial applications, where ruggedness and customization are crucial, compute modules offer a way to build specialized controllers and monitoring systems.

From the original Compute Module 1 (CM1) to the more powerful and versatile Compute Module 4 (CM4), Raspberry Pi’s lineup offers a range of processing power, memory configurations, and connectivity options.

While Raspberry Pi's Compute Module series is the most popular, there are other contenders in the market that offer similar flexibility and customization options.

Unlike their more comprehensive counterparts, compute modules can lack built-in I/O ports and network capabilities, necessitating additional boards for setup.

Pixels, or picture elements, are the smallest physical points on a display and the base components. Pixels are therefore the building blocks of any image you see on your screen. Pixels and resolution are directly correlated and a higher resolution equals a higher number of pixels on a monitor screen.

It is actually based on the Raspberry Pi CM4 module. And as you can see in the image below, a full-fledged Raspberry Pi would NOT have been suitable in this case. The compute module offers the flexibility of expanding and customizing the hardware.

Understanding monitor resolution and aspect ratios is crucial for making an informed decision when choosing the right display for your needs. Whether you’re gaming, working, or enjoying entertainment, these specifications directly impact your viewing experience. Higher resolutions provide sharper, clearer images, while aspect ratios influence how content fits on your screen. With a variety of resolutions like 1080p, 1440p, 4K, and even 8K available, you can select a monitor that perfectly matches your preferences.

Finding the perfect monitor can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not familiar with technical specs. If you’ve ever shopped for a computer screen or TV, you’ve probably come across these terms. What exactly is monitor resolution, and why does it matter? Surprisingly, it’s simpler than you think. At its core, resolution determines how sharp and clear your screen looks—the higher the resolution, the crisper the display.

Image

Otherwise known as ‘fullscreen’, the four-by-three aspect ratio was once the standard for films, broadcasts, and computer monitors in the 20th century. With the advent of HD resolutions, 4:3 is no longer quite as common.