BUYING A BUSINESS MONITOR - KEY FACTORS TO CONSIDER

As technology continues to evolve and Aussie businesses become even more reliant on computers, it's important for business owners and professionals alike to ensure they are equipped with the right devices for work. One critical device that is often overlooked is the business monitor. With so many options available on the market, it's important to understand the key factors to consider when making a purchase. In this guide, we'll explore why a business monitor is important, how to assess your specific needs, and the key features to look for when selecting the perfect business monitor.

Understanding the importance of a business monitor

A business monitor is a crucial component of any office setup, and for good reason. The right business monitor can have a significant impact on productivity, efficiency, and user experience within an office or work from home environment.

ENHANCING PRODUCTIVITY AND EFFICIENCY

When it comes to productivity, having a larger and higher resolution monitor can make a huge difference. Larger monitors allow for better multitasking, as several windows can be open and displayed simultaneously. This means that you can work on multiple tasks at once, increasing your efficiency and productivity. Moreover, higher resolution monitors also provide more screen real estate, enabling you to view and work with more detailed content and graphics. This can make tasks such as editing documents or designing graphics much easier and time efficient.

If you are working on a project that requires you to compare multiple documents, having a larger monitor can help you to view all the documents side by side without having to switch between them. This can save you time and increase your productivity.

ENSURING ERGONOMIC COMFORT

Sitting in front of a monitor for extended periods of time can cause strain on your eyes and body. A business monitor with ergonomic features such as height adjustment, tilt adjustment, and anti-glare screens can help reduce strain and increase comfort. This can lead to less eye and neck strain, making for a more comfortable work experience.

A monitor with adjustable height and tilt features can help you to position the monitor at the right height and angle, reducing strain on your neck and shoulders. Anti-glare screens can also help to reduce eye strain, especially if you work in a brightly lit environment. Consider a monitor with a built-in blue light filter or flicker-free technology to reduce eye strain during prolonged use.

IMPROVING OVERALL USER EXPERIENCE

Users who have high-quality monitors are typically more productive and efficient, but they also have a better overall user experience. A monitor with vibrant and accurate colour display can enhance the look of images and videos, making them appear more lifelike and engaging. This can make your work more enjoyable and less monotonous.

A high-quality monitor can also help you to spot errors and inconsistencies in your work more easily. For example, if you are working on a design project, a monitor with accurate colour display can help you to identify any colour mismatches or inconsistencies in the design. This can save you time and help you to produce higher quality work.

Assessing your specific needs

Before selecting a computer monitor for work, it is important to evaluate your specific needs. Here are some factors to consider when assessing your workspace:

IDENTIFYING YOUR PRIMARY TASKS

Identifying your primary tasks is the first step in assessing your needs. If you spend a lot of time writing or reading text, you may want to prioritise a monitor with high resolution, whereas a monitor with a faster refresh rate may be more important for gamers or those working with fast-moving graphics. Make sure the monitor you select complements your primary tasks.

If you are a professional photographer for example, you may want to consider a monitor with a wider colour gamut and a higher resolution to ensure that your photos are displayed accurately. Alternatively, if you are a programmer, you may want a monitor with a high resolution and multiple inputs to allow for multitasking and coding on multiple screens.

CONSIDERING YOUR WORKSPACE

The size and layout of your workspace will determine how big of a monitor you can comfortably fit. Measuring your desk and work area is an important step in selecting the right size monitor. Make sure there is ample desk space, and that the monitor will not take up too much room.

Additionally, consider the lighting in your workspace. If you have a lot of natural light, you may want to select a monitor with a matte screen to reduce glare. On the other hand, if you work in a dimly lit environment, you may want to prioritize a monitor with a bright, backlit screen.

FACTORING IN YOUR BUDGET

Your budget will naturally impact the range of options available to you. However, the good news is that at Landmark Computers there are fantastic monitors available at all price points. Make sure to prioritise the features that are most important to you and choose a monitor that fits your budget.

It is important to note that investing in a high-quality monitor is a worthwhile business cost, as it can improve your productivity and reduce eye strain. Additionally, most of our monitors come with 3-year warranties, which can provide peace of mind and protection for your investment.

Selecting the right business monitor requires careful consideration of your specific needs, workspace, and budget. By taking the time to evaluate these factors, you can find a monitor that will enhance your work and improve your overall experience.

Key features to look for in a business monitor

Now that you understand why a business monitor is important, and how to assess your specific needs, it's time to consider the key features to look for in your monitor. Here are some features to consider:

SCREEN SIZE AND RESOLUTION

Screen size and resolution are some of the most important factors to consider when selecting a monitor. A larger monitor with higher resolution is great for multitasking and viewing detailed graphics. Monitors with 4K resolutions are becoming more common, and offer unmatched levels of picture clarity, however they do cost the most. For most business users, a resolution of 1920x1080 (Full HD) is a good starting point as well as being the most budget friendly. If FHD is not sufficient enough then you may want to consider monitors with Quad HD resolution (2560x1440), as they offer a sweet spot in terms of price and performance, between FHD & 4K.

For instance, if you work with images or videos, a higher resolution monitor can help you see more details and colours. A larger screen can also help you see multiple windows or applications at once, which can increase your productivity. However, a larger screen may not be suitable for everyone. If you work in a small office or have limited desk space, a smaller monitor may be more appropriate. 24 and 27 inch are the two most popular monitor sizes for business users.

PANEL TYPE AND DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY

There are various types of monitors available with different display technologies. For example, IPS panels offer wide viewing angles, while VA panels offer higher contrast ratios. It's important to evaluate how you are going to use your monitor and choose a display technology that is best suited to your business tasks.

If you work in a collaborative environment, an IPS panel can be a good choice because it allows multiple people to view the screen from different angles without losing colour accuracy or image quality. On the other hand, if you work with dark images or videos, a VA panel can provide deeper blacks and better contrast, which can enhance your viewing experience.

Most of business-grade computer monitors these days thankfully come with IPS panels.

REFRESH RATE AND RESPONSE TIME

Refresh rate and response time are important for better performance and graphics handling. A higher refresh rate means smoother visuals, while a faster response time helps prevent blurring of moving images.

If you work with fast-paced games or videos, a higher refresh rate can help you see more details and reduce motion blur. Similarly, a faster response time can help prevent ghosting or blurring of moving images, which can be distracting or affect your work quality. However, if you don't use your monitor for gaming or video editing, a lower refresh rate and response time may be sufficient for your needs. The typical response time for a modern business monitor is around 5 to 7ms. While a refresh rate of 60Hz is typical and is sufficient for office-based work environments.

CONNECTIVITY OPTIONS

Make sure the monitor has the necessary ports to connect with your computer, as well as any other peripherals you may need to use. Consider the number and type of ports available, such as HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort, and USB-C.

Some monitors also come with built-in USB hubs, which can be useful for charging your phone or connecting a USB drive without having to reach for the back of your computer.

ERGONOMICS AND ADJUSTABILITY

Ergonomics and adjustability are two critical features that can make a significant difference in your long-term comfort and productivity. When it comes to selecting a monitor, there are several features to consider that can help you achieve the ideal viewing position for your body.

HEIGHT AND TILT ADJUSTMENTS

Adjusting the height and tilt of your monitor is crucial to reducing strain on your neck and eyes. Monitors with adjustable heights and tilts allow you to customize the monitor to your ideal viewing position. By setting the monitor at the correct height, you can avoid bending your neck or slouching to view the screen, which can lead to neck and back pain over time. Tilting the monitor can also help to reduce glare and improve your viewing angle.

Additionally, some monitors come with built-in sensors that can detect your posture and automatically adjust the height and tilt of the monitor to the optimal position. This feature can be particularly useful for those who spend long hours in front of a screen.

SWIVEL AND PIVOT CAPABILITIES

Some monitors offer the ability to swivel horizontally or pivot vertically, which can be useful for users working with multiple documents or applications open at the same time. By swiveling the monitor, you can quickly switch between documents or share your screen with others without having to physically move the monitor.

Vertical pivot capabilities can also be beneficial for users who need to view documents or web pages in portrait mode. This feature is particularly useful for designers, programmers, and writers who need to view long documents or code snippets.

VESA MOUNTING COMPATIBILITY

VESA mounting compatibility is another essential feature to consider when selecting a monitor. This feature allows for the monitor to be mounted on an external arm, freeing up desk space and giving users more flexibility when it comes to monitor positioning and adjustment.

Mounting your monitor on an external arm can also help to reduce neck and eye strain by allowing you to adjust the height and angle of the monitor to your ideal viewing position. Additionally, it can help to reduce clutter on your desk and create a more ergonomic workspace.

When selecting the perfect monitor, it's essential to consider the ergonomics and adjustability features available. By choosing a monitor with height and tilt adjustments, swivel and pivot capabilities, and VESA mounting compatibility, you can create a comfortable and ergonomic workspace that promotes productivity and reduces the risk of injury.

Other factors to consider

BRAND

There are many different brands of business monitors available. Some of the most popular brands include Dell, HP, LG, Philips, and Samsung.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Energy-efficient monitors can help reduce power consumption and lower your electricity costs. Look for monitors with ENERGY STAR certification.

YOUR IT TEAM

Check with your organisation’s IT team, as they might have specific requirements that you are not aware of. They should also be able to provide recommendations too.

Top 3 models to consider

Dell U2422H