PC monitors: How to buy the best LCD computer monitor Monitor setup
Dual monitors
If you’ve already got a flatscreen LCD monitor, and need more desktop space, then consider adding a second monitor, which can help you work more effectively when using extra-wide spreadsheets, or for photo editing.
Some users find that dual screens work well when editing photos or videos, as they can have all the palettes and menus on one screen, leaving the other monitor free for a full-screen display of the photo or video.
To run dual monitors simultaneously you’ll need a graphics card with two video outputs, either analogue or digital.
Laptop monitors
Buying an new monitor is often a useful purchase to upgrade a laptop. If your laptop or netbook screen is fine for use on the move, but a little too small for working at your desk, then buying a larger monitor is a great solution.
Check that your laptop or netbook has the graphics output sockets you need (analogue or digital) before deciding on a monitor.
Wall mounting monitors
If you want to wall mount a monitor, you’ll need to buy monitor that is ‘VESA wall mount compatible’ and buy a suitable wall-mounting bracket.
These come in different sizes, according to the size of the monitor and the position of the mounting holes. Common VESA wall mount dimensions are 75x75mm or 100x100mm.
Usability
While it may seem that all monitors are going to be pretty much the same, when it comes to how easy they are to use, there are plenty of little niggles that can get annoying.
Which? monitor reviews rate the buttons that are used to adjust the settings, looking at how well they're labelled and how easy they are to identify and push.
On-screen menus and displays (OSD)
Flat screen monitors have on-screen menus that give you access to change picture settings and setup your monitor to suit your needs.
Menus are accessed from buttons on the bezel of the monitor. Check that these are well-spaced and labelled.
Though buttons on the side or underside of the bezel make the design of the monitor less cluttered, they can be harder to use.
Monitor warranties
LCD monitors are generally very reliable, but for peace of mind, look for a manufacturer’s warranty that is longer than the standard 12-month period. More expensive monitors from major brands can offer up to a three-year warranty.
Energy efficiency and power consumption
LCD monitors use less power than CRT monitors. Which? tests the power consumption and energy efficiency of each monitor in our expert PC monitor reviews.
Most monitors are Energy Star compliant, and many offer power-save modes which can reduce the brightness of the screen.
LCD monitor specifications
Most monitor brands offer entry-level 17-inch or 19-inch LCD models that combine low prices, between about £50 and £100, with reduced features.
Major PC manufacturers such as Dell often bundle low-spec LCD monitors with their PCs, but upgrading to a larger monitor when purchasing a PC bundle can offer significant cost savings over buying it separately.
Cheap monitors often only have analogue video inputs, and may compromise on other features by having a slow response rate, and reduced brightness and contrast levels. They’re also likely to have non-adjustable stands.
Check the outputs on your PC’s graphics card, especially if it’s an older computer, to make sure it’s got the connections you’ll need for a new monitor. If you haven’t got a digital video output socket (DVI or HDMI) then a digital input on your new LCD monitor will be redundant.
Dead pixels
Occasionally, due to the manufacturing process, computer monitors may have pixels which are stuck on a certain colour or black, referred to as dead pixels.
Generally each monitor manufacturer has a policy on how many dead pixels are acceptable before a replacement monitor will be provided, but the number of acceptable dead pixels is usually less than 10.
Some manufacturers, such as Dell, offer zero bright pixel (ie dead black pixels are excluded) guarantees on their high-spec monitors.
Dead pixel policies generally refer to ISO13406-2 standards and quote a ‘pixel fault class’, which allows a certain number of dead pixels per million. LCD panels range from Class I (the highest) to Class IV (the lowest). A Class II LCD panel, for example, is allowed to have two dead pixels per million.
New monitor technology
LCD monitors using LED backlighting are starting to appear, as in the world of LCD TVs, but they're still quite expensive. LED-LCD screens offer improved energy efficiency and picture quality, longer life and can have even slimmer and lighter casings.
The next generation of computer monitors are also likely to include touchscreen monitors, and the new Windows 7 operating system is compatible with touchscreen devices.
