Choosing a 4K Monitor - What to Consider
Monitors for office or home use
If you know you will spend a lot of time using the monitor, choose a model with an adjustable height and technology that minimise eye fatigue (Flicker-free, Flicker-safe, etc.). Otherwise, a basic office monitor will be sufficient for your needs.
4K Gaming Monitor
For a 4K gaming monitor, response times and refresh rates are critical criteria. Gaming enthusiasts often choose 4k gaming monitors with 4ms response times and refresh rates of at least 60Hz, which provide smooth and sharp images even during fast action scenes.
Professional 4K Graphics Monitor
To work with photos, videos, and CAD software, 4K PC monitors with at least 10-bit colour depth are recommended. The graphics display should have a wide colour gamut and wide viewing angles.
Commercial 4K Monitor
- Large-format displays are typically larger than 30". Such 4K PC monitors are designed for everyday use (12 hrs a day or more); suitable for presentations.
- Touchscreen monitors allow you to control a computer without a keyboard and mouse. Ideal for promotional kiosks, POS monitors or self-service systems.
4K Monitor - What Else to Focus On?
4K Monitor - Panel Type
- IPS/S-IPS monitors - excel in natural colours, low power consumption and wide viewing angles. The disadvantage is a higher purchase price.
- TN monitors - often characterised by low response times. Compared with IPS monitors they are cheaper, offer lower-quality colour reproduction and narrower viewing angles. While cheaper TN monitors are sufficient for less demanding users, models with 4ms response times are popular with gamers.
- MVA/PVA monitors - in terms of price and picture quality, these are somewhere between IPS/S-IPS and TN monitors. These 4K PC monitors provide more realistic colour reproduction and wider viewing angles than TN monitors and are cheaper than IPS monitors.
4K Monitor - Screen Surface
- Matte - reflects some ambient; provides less-saturated color reproduction.
- Glossy - provides vibrant and realistic colours but reflect more ambient light, so the display can be hard to see in bright sunlight.
- Anti-glare - a compromise between glossy and matte screens; they are easier to view in direct sunlight than glossy screens but offer lower quality colour reproduction.
4K Monitor - Connectors
Before buying, make sure the monitor has at the least one compatible port with your computer. If not, you won't be able to connect the monitor to it.
4K Monitor - Useful Functions and Features
- Eyestrain-minimising technology - Flicker-free, Flicker-safe, etc.
- Adjustable height - allows you to adjust the monitor to a comfortable position.
- VESA mount - allows you to mount the monitor on a bracket.
- Web camera - useful if you plan to make calls over the Internet.
- USB Hub - play data from portable drives; connect a keyboard or mouse.
- Pivot - allows the screen to rotate horizontally; suitable for office work and reading texts from your computer.
