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Jan 17, 2022 · Most are less than $100. Here’s how to shop for a new monitor for your laptop or desktop PC — we’ll go over screen size, refresh rate, resolution, IPS, VA, TN, HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C PD ...
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- Overview
- How to use an external monitor with your laptop
- The best monitors for home working of 2024 in full:
- What you need to know about configuring your external monitor
- How to choose a monitor for home working
Best
By Collin Probst
Contributions from
Fernando Cassia
published 27 October 2022
Working from home? A single screen might not be enough
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You can choose your external monitor as your laptop's only display or make it a dual display configuration. When you plug an external monitor into your laptop, it functions in mirror mode, displaying the same image on both screens. With a larger screen and a higher resolution, you can view more information at once.
However, you can be most productive by using two screens simultaneously and extending your desktop to two displays. This lets you run two full-screen apps at the same time. This way, the second external screen will let you organize your program windows and work more smoothly.
Whether you have a single application running expanded to fill the two screens or two full-screen applications (one on each display), the productivity gains are significant: you won't have to scroll to find information, and you won't have to switch between applications. Using two monitors is also ideal if you want to edit a document in a word processor or spreadsheet while looking up information in another app, such as a web browser, email client, or PDF reader.
You should keep the monitor and laptop at the same height when using this dual-screen scenario. The Scribbler recommends using a laptop stand that tilts the laptop’s keyboard at 45 degrees. Once you get used to an external monitor with your laptop, you'll never want to return to a single display.
We've also featured the best business monitors.
1. Dell UltraSharp U2518D monitor
Best overall for home working Average Amazon review: ☆☆☆☆☆
2. Dell P3222QE 32” 4K Hub Monitor
Best for productivity Our expert review:
3. Dell S2722DZ 27” (QHD) Video Conferencing Monitor
Best for video conferencing Our expert review:
Once you have plugged in an external monitor, here’s what you need to do to extend your desktop with an external monitor properly:
How to configure your external monitor on Windows:
Right-click on the desktop, choose “Display Settings,” then scroll down to "Multiple Displays" and select "Extend desktop"
You can arrange your monitor location relative to your laptop by moving the boxes on that screen. Once you have finished this configuration, you can move your mouse cursor between monitors, and your workspace will effectively be doubled. Now you can enjoy running your web browser full screen and your productivity apps or video calls on the other.
How to configure your external monitor on a Mac:
Go to System Preferences and select Displays, then click on the Arrangement tab. You have to uncheck “Mirror Displays” there. You can then arrange the screen location relative to your Mac's screen.
When choosing a monitor, the first obvious hurdle is price, how much to spend on it, and if the price you’re paying offsets the benefits you’ll get. The second issue to consider is connectivity; ideally, you want a monitor that matches your laptop's outputs: USB-C, Thunderbolt, HDMI, or DisplayPort. If your laptop is old, maybe it has a VGA output. In that case, you´ll probably need an inexpensive HDMI adapter or, better yet, a USB external graphics adapter with modern outputs.
Past these basic decision points, the hurdles multiply: you must consider the resolution and color accuracy if you are a creative professional, and finally, display size according to your work needs and also the available desk and room space.
If you do frequent video calls (Zoom, Google Meet, Jitsi Meet, Skype, etc), you’ll need to decide if you’re going to use your main laptop screen and webcam for them or instead get a secondary monitor with a better webcam built-in and use that for your video calls. All these choices will steer your selection toward the monitor that best suits your needs.
Size: There are no limitations to what you choose, but setting up an improvised workspace at home can limit how big you can realistically go. A 24-inch monitor is a good starting point for limited desk spaces; you can place it almost anywhere. For those with a dedicated home office space, a 27-inch or a 32-inch might be workable, or you can even go up to a 34-inch ultrawide for the ultimate home office.
Resolution: If you choose to keep your laptop as your main work display, sometimes a secondary 1080P Full-HD display for video conferencing is a game changer and all you need to improve your workflow without breaking the bank. Full HD monitors are inexpensive these days, so cheap that getting two is no longer a luxury. You can find retailers selling them in packs of two, as 1080P is no longer state-of-the-art technology.
However, if your work requires high information density, like spreadsheets or specialized software with complex user interfaces, 2K, also known as QuadHD, is a good intermediate step before going UHD. Creative professionals that need crisp text and a high DPI display will be better served by going straight to a 4K monitor.
Jul 6, 2020 · Users should consider future proofing their monitor investments with larger screen sizes, higher resolutions and better connectivity. Investing in the right monitors for a more comfortable...
- Dell P3222QE USB-C Hub Monitor. Great looks, colour and connectivity make this our top pick. Screen size: 32-inch. Aspect ratio: 16:9. Resolution: 4K.
- HP 24MH. A fantastic price for a surprisingly good looking monitor for home working. Screen size: 23.8-inch. Aspect ratio: 16:9. Resolution: FHD (1920x1080)
- Dell UltraSharp U3223QZ. Fantastic colour accuracy and a great webcam for execs working from homer with a webcam. Screen size: 31.5-inch. Aspect ratio: 16:9.
- Asus ProArt PA279CRV. An excellent home office monitor for creative work. Screen size: 27-inch. Aspect ratio: 16:9. Resolution: 4K (3840 x 2160)
Oct 16, 2023 · Computers. Peripherals. The best monitors for home offices in 2024. Here’s the big picture on a small investment that pays dividends in efficiency—new monitors for a home office. By Tony Ware....
Jan 31, 2022 · AOC U2790VQ is hands down one of the most versatile best monitors for working from home, providing a decent color gamut alongside a 27” 4K monitor for under $300. Supporting HDMI and Display Port, there’s enough wiggle room for your work machine and a cheeky Xbox for break times.
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