The exception? If you actually need things like text to be bigger, such as if you have impaired vision. I find a pixel density (the number of pixels per inch, or ppi) of at least 90 a good balance, but YMMV. And because it's spreading them across a bigger screen, some people (like me) may get annoyed at seeing the pixel grid. But if it's using the same number of pixels, it just makes everything bigger - it doesn't put more on the screen. Essentially, the reason you buy a 27-inch monitor over a 24-inch is usually because you want to fit more on to it.

At 27 inches or larger, it's not great except in one important case.

A maximum of 1,920x1,080-pixel screen resolution (dubbed by marketers as 'Full HD resolution' and also referred to as 1080p or 2K for its roughly 2,000 pixels across).

You should always take them with a grain of salt, anyway.įor less than $200, you can generally expect to get:

Unless you're a hardcore gamer or creative professional, many of the most technical specs - latency and color gamut, for example - won't really matter to you (though many of these could serve as a budget gaming monitor). Read more: How to Buy a Monitor for Gaming or Working From Home You may also need to fiddle with the resolution and scaling settings in Mac OS, since it natively prefers a 16:10 aspect ratio, not the 16:9 aspect ratio that's much more popular on Windows. MacBooks with USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 connections will require an adapter or cable with conversion built-in because they won't have a dedicated display port. Got a Mac? If it's an old MacBook Pro with an HDMI port, or an iMac or Mac Mini, you won't have a problem. But in that case, you should ensure the mount screws on the back of the monitor match yours: The bulk of these have 100x100-millimeter mounts, but in some cases, they have 200x200mm or 75x75mm mounts - or they don't support a VESA mount at all. The stand might not be an issue if you're planning to use the VESA mount to put it on a wall or arm. Make sure it's not missing items that you would have to purchase separately and that would drive the price above that 'cheap monitor' threshold, like a stand or cables. There are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for the best monitors: When buying a budget monitor, you should check out the listing to see what's included. Check out the options we've found for the best monitor under $200 below. We've rounded up some of the top monitors on the market right now that you can pick up without setting you back too much. You don't have to drop $500 or more to get your hands on a decent display. Even if you typically work on a laptop, adding a second screen to your desk space for everyday use can make a huge difference in your productivity. A good monitor is an essential piece of workstation equipment for everyone, from remote workers to gamers and creatives.

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