Screening Now: Is It Time For A New Computer Monitor?

Worried that your computer monitor is not long for this world? There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to the lifespan of computer screens, but there are ways to tell if your monitor’s days are numbered. And on the bright side, there are so many spectacular monitors available that you’re bound to upgrade to a whole new world of screen quality and eye comfort. Here’s what you need to keep in mind.

Do You Need A New Monitor?

The warning signs that your old monitor is dying a slow death can be obvious, like bright spots, dead pixels or visible lines. Those are all going to make using the monitor more difficult.

“One of the harder things to spot is blurriness because that tends to happen slowly, over time, so you don’t notice until it’s really bad – think headaches and eye strain,” says Jason Tavoletti, The Good Guys Buyer - Tech.

“There could also be colour distortions, or maybe the monitor just takes a really long time to turn on.”

The other, more obvious, telltale sign could be just that the monitor is not doing what you want it to do. Perhaps the refresh rate is too low for the latest games; or it’s too small, thus hampering your productivity at work. These are all signs that it’s time to either buy a new monitor or start saving for one.

“To keep your monitor going strong for as long as possible, keep it out of direct sunlight and wipe it down with a microfibre cloth every now and then.”

What To Consider When Buying A Monitor

There’s a monitor out there to suit everyone – you just need to know your must-haves and nice-to-haves first. These are the questions to ask yourself before you buy a new monitor:

• What are you going to use it for? This is the most important consideration because gamers, creatives and spreadsheet warriors will all have different priorities. Gamers will need high refresh rates; creatives will need extremely accurate colour reproduction; and those who need a number of different windows open would benefit from either two screens, or one ultra-wide screen.

• What size screen do you need? How much information do you need to see at once? Do you need something bigger or wider, or do you need two separate monitors to make it easier to cross-check information?

• What is your office like? Is it fairly dark, so you could have a glossy screen with all the vibrancy that brings? Or do you have a big window that shines light directly on the screen, so you’ll benefit from a matte, anti-glare screen?

• What inputs does your computer have? Will the new monitor be compatible with your existing set-up?

• Do you need any built-in accessories, like a webcam and speakers, or would you prefer them to be separate?

New Innovations In Monitors

Not sure what features to look for in your new monitor? One exciting innovation is Thunderbolt 3 connectivity. Great for when you have one laptop and two screens, it means you can run both screens off the one Thunderbolt port in your (compatible) laptop. This allows you to have the ultimate home office set-up, with a laptop you can take on the go then reconnect with one cable when you get back.

Another clever innovation is the monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate – because of its higher refresh rate, you’ll get a smoother gaming experience.

Hot Buys: Shop The Latest Monitors

• Lenovo 23.8" L24e-40 FHD Monitor is the perfect screen for people setting up a home office on a budget. Lenovo’s products are built to last and are backed up by an impressive three-year warranty.

• If you edit a lot of photos, or use your computer to watch videos, then the Samsung 32" Curved UHD Monitor is the right choice. It’s got a 2500:1 contrast ratio and 4K UHD resolution.

• The Dell 32" QHD Curved Gaming Monitor is the ultimate monitor for PC gamers. It delivers an immersive curved viewing experience and AMD FreeSync technology for smooth, tear-free gameplay, while the rapid 165Hz refresh rate and ultra-fast 2ms grey-to-grey response time ensure even the fastest on-screen motion remains buttery smooth.

Maintenance Tips, Hacks And Advice

To keep your monitor going strong for as long as possible, keep it out of direct sunlight and wipe it down with a microfibre cloth every now and then. Also, try to keep it in a well-ventilated area, away from any temperature extremes or moisture.

Are you ready to upgrade to the computer monitor of your dreams? Come see us in-store or online for expert advice, the biggest range and the best prices.