Choosing a computer monitor

I changed to a Samsung U28E590D monitor this year when my Dell 20" gave up the ghost.  It's a 28" model for just over £300 and can run up to 4K resolution.  There is a 24" version for a little less.  

I'm very pleased with it, and it doesn't seem as big on the desk as I expected as it has a narrow bezel so you may wish to consider if you could stretch to 28".  If your PC can output the extra resolution (I have mine set to 2560X1440) it's a joy as there is space for everything and you don't have to run things full screen.

We also have a Samsung 27" curved monitor.  This only goes to HD and I'm less impressed with this one.  The curved screen doesn't add much but the rudimentary sound is useful and it's very serviceable but it seems too big for the resolution.

I've always been impressed by the premium Dell models as well, they go under the name of 'Ultrasharp'.  The 25" version is around £275 and goes to 2560X1440.

Richard

How have you got the monitor connected? Ensure you connect it via DVI/HDMI if possible for the best possible image. It sounds like it may be connected via VGA

It is connected fine via a good quality HMDI cable. I tried the DVI port/cable out of interest too, same result.

 I am going to try a Dell Ultrasharp as they seem to get good reviews.

Cheers Bruce

If you want consistent colour reproduction and consistent clean blacks at all viewing angles look for an IPS screen (S-IPS or H-IPS are essentially the same thing).

If you do photo or video editing you may want to look got a wide colour gamut monitor and use a hardware colour calibrator, but that gets into more complicated territory.  Wide gamut monitors give the most saturated colours, but can be too much without calibration.

Indeed, I use a reasonably wide gamut capable screen, and calibrate it... but of course most software that can work with wider gamuts will handle different profiles to take advantage of the calibration. Most web /internet and consumer digital cameras work with sRGB which is restrictive gamut, however for my photo work I always work AdobeRGB and that larger gamut really can bring larger photos more to life, they look less artificial..... however if I didntcalibrate when using AdobeRGB then blues might be slightly off in very saturated skies or faces redder / paler than they should be or grass a little yellow or bluer than it should be, but converted to sRGB everything would look ok but colour resolution space will have reduced as colours saturate out... a wider gamut gives more intense and subtle  colour ranges without saturating.

i use a Mac Retina In Plane Switching screen.

The best advice I got about buying a monitor after having been disappointed with an LG one was to get a refurbished Dell from NRG (nrgit.biz). And rather than go for a very large screen to go for 2 more modest monitors  and the ability to have 2 screens operational  is incredibly useful I have found. 

I have had to go back to one screen at the moment due to house renovations and even Mrs Sloop misses the second monitor. 

.sjb

Check the GPU driver and ensure it's using the vendor drivers and not generic MS drivers

robgr posted:

Check the GPU driver and ensure it's using the vendor drivers and not generic MS drivers

How would I do that? The monitor was not supplied with a driver and just plugs in.

Windows 10 by the way

This PC > Properties > Device Manager > Monitors then right click for properties and select the "Driver" tab then click on Driver details. Highlight the Driver shown and it will tell you the Driver provider.

You can also check the Display Adapter driver via the Device manager.

Thanks

it appears to be a generic driver, and attempting to direct an update to the Iiyama drivers I downloaded fails to identify a more specific one. The manual says it is plug n play and no driver required. The system shows it as a generic monitor, not even identifying it as iiyama.

Anyway I have been ordered an alternate and will find use for this one at work I think.

bruce

The drivers of interest would be for the video card/integrated graphics (not the monitor). Also, ideally the PC should be identifying the correct monitor.

Google for drivers that match your monitor and d/l + install them if you do find any, same for your graphics card. Once installed there should be an extra option on the Desktop context menu (r-click) that will give access to much more in-depth settings. Try playing with these but note the initial values before you start, or look for a Return To Default option.

Check the monitor resolution - there should be a menu option on the monitor itself that gives its size e.g. 1920 x 1080. Make sure your driver is set to output in this resolution. Check also the Windows Display Settings - these can conflict with the driver settings. You can't break it as long as you have a start point, so play with anything to see what improvements are available.

Digital connection of both types has been covered but it's worth reiterating, as is the use of multiple monitors - it's one of the biggest improvements going in terms of bang for buck, having a monitor to park an app with a main area of screen estate to do the work on. 

Hi Bruce,

We have 3 dell Ultrasharp monitors in the family + a Samsung one.  The oldest Dell Ultra Sharp is 22", the newer ones are 24".  All cost around £200-240 at the time.  They are used for many, many hours every day (I use mine for work), connected to both macs and windows pcs.

There will no doubt be higher resolution screens out there but we just don't need it, so the Ultra Sharp hits the bullseye in terms of value for us.

An unqualified recommendation from these very happy users.  Brilliant value, totally reliable and a restful joy to use.

Hope this helps, FT

Very happy Ultrasharp user here; 23" U2312HM. One bought from new, I'd guess five years ago, second identical one bought second hand off a well known auction site just recently. Once you have used a two screen set up, you'll find a single screen very limiting.

Only comment is that it took a bit of tinkering to get the two screens to give identical (close enough) colours. I have not calibrated as such, just set by eye. Identical settings on both screens did not give identical colours.

My Ultrasharp is on order. Thanks all.

I really am not a demanding enough user to need two screens.

Bruce