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A computer monitor connects to your laptop or desktop and lets you work, play, game, browse, and create on a bigger screen.

Useful Information

What to consider when buying a monitor

Since there are so many types of monitors available, you need to consider which will be best for you based on how you will use it, your workspace, and the specs you require.

Monitor use

Basic Computing

For tasks like sending emails, checking social media, browsing the web and paying bills online, you won’t need a high-performance monitor with lots of extra features. Monitors ranging from 21” to 27” are the best value for basic use.


Multipurpose

Monitors for multipurpose use provide the display quality and performance you need for everyday activities like streaming videos and movies, sharing photos and slideshows, creating spreadsheets and video conferencing. An LED or IPS monitor with full HD resolution is ideal.


Multimedia or Professional

Photographers, graphic designers, video production artists and multimedia professionals need a monitor specifically designed for content creation. This means a larger screen with QHD resolution or above to ensure more screen space and the better display of images. You can't go wrong with an IPS panel, with its accurate colours, crystal-clear display and wide viewing angles.

If you regularly edit video files, look for a monitor with a response time of 5ms or less to reduce motion blur and ghosting. This is when a faint trail is left on the screen from previous images. Also, consider if you’ll need an adjustable stand or dual-display mount to make viewing easier and more ergonomic.


Gaming

Gamers need a special gaming monitor that can keep up with the speed and processing requirements of computer games. We recommend a monitor with full HD resolution, a response time of 5 milliseconds or faster (the smaller the number the better the response rate) and should range from 25 to 27 inches with a high refresh rate. If you enjoy multiplayer games, add a second monitor to your gaming monitor setup to simultaneously view each character's screen.

Monitor Size

What’s the best monitor screen size for me?

Always measure the width and height of the space where your monitor will sit before making a purchase. If you tend to work on multiple documents on your desktop, two smaller monitors might be better than one large screen.


20” and Under

Smaller monitors deliver quality performance for a range of everyday applications, like using MS Office and browsing the internet.


21” to 26”

Monitors in the mid-size screen range are perfect for multipurpose home and office use, whether you’re watching movies and TV shows, playing games or viewing and creating documents.


27” and Up

Larger monitors offer a bigger viewing area for serious gamers and professionals in photography, graphic arts and video production. Use a ‘dual screen’ monitor system to give you a larger display for working on projects.

Resolution

Full HD (1920 x 1080)

Full high definition monitors have a resolution equivalent to 1080p HDTVs. The crystal-clear picture is great for both everyday use and watching movies and videos.


Quad HD (2560 x 1440)

Also known as QHD, Wide Quad HD or WQHD, this technology gives you four times as many pixels as 720p HD. It delivers extraordinary image clarity, ideal for demanding applications such as CAD, graphic design and professional photo and video editing.


4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160)

Sometimes called 4K or UHD, 4K Ultra HD is the highest resolution currently available. With four times as many pixels as Full HD, it delivers the ultimate technology for gaming, multi-tasking, high-resolution photo and video editing, and many other purposes. 4K Ultra HD is perfect for gamers, graphics pros and movie fans who demand the very best from their multimedia. Movie fans and gamers should check to see what 4K content is available before they choose this resolution.

Monitor Display Technology

What to consider when choosing monitor display types

The closer a monitor can get to displaying a true black, the more accurate its colour is. A good way to check the display quality of a monitor is by testing at what angle the colours and brightness begin to look different. The wider the viewable angle, the better the monitor.


LED

Most modern LCD monitors use LED (light-emitting diode) technology. LED monitors provide excellent overall picture quality. They produce brighter images and require less power than traditional CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lighting) LCD monitors. They usually have slimmer and lighter designs too.


In-place switching (LED-IPS)

IPS (in-plane switching) monitors deliver deeper blacks and more accurate colour than most LED or LCD monitors. This makes them ideal for photo editing, graphics work and gaming. These monitors also offer wider viewing angles, so the picture looks exceptional even if you're not sitting directly in front of it.


Vertical Alignment (LED-VA)

VA’s offer large viewing angles and good colour reproduction, though not as good as IPS panels. They offer better colour reproduction and wider viewing angles than TN panels but have slower response times.


Twisted Nematic (LED-TN)

TN is the most common panel type. The main advantages of TN panels are the response time which is usually quicker than most other panel types. Their viewing angles, brightness, and colour reproduction are not as good as the IPS and VA panels.

Our Categories

Monitors

Officeworks has a wide range of monitors for gaming, designing, businesses and students. Discover our range of monitors below.

flat panel

Flat Panel Monitors

Flat panel monitors use LCD (liquid crystal display), IPS (in-plane switching), or LED (light-emitting diode) technology to visually project your computer software, much like the screens you’ll most typically find on laptops. Flat panel monitors are one of the more common types today due to their high-quality resolution, and lightweight builds, making them easy to move around and place on your desk.

Flat panel monitors are suited for all basic types of users. You can use them for office work, web browsing, gaming, and media viewing. However, for higher resolutions and longer, more complex work, you may want to look at a curved panel style or a performance monitor.

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Curved Panel Monitors

Curved panel monitors use the same LCD, IPS and LED technology as flat panels but have a curve at each end of the screen to create an experience that’s more immersive. Curved Panel Monitors have become increasingly more popular over the past few years with gamers, designers and office workers, due to their reduced glare and reflections, creating a more pleasant, comfortable experience over long durations.

If you’re somebody who spends a long time working, gaming or browsing on the computer, the curved panel monitor is a worthwhile investment. However, if you’re only an occasional computer user and use your device to perform basic tasks, the flat panel is more cost effective.

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curved panel
gaming panel

Monitors for Gaming

Gaming is become a sensory experience due to advancements in technology. To get the full experience out of your playing time, you need a high-quality display. There are several monitors today designed specifically for gaming applications.

Things to look out for in gaming monitors include the refresh rate in which your monitor can display frames, adaptive sync technology such as FreeSync or G-Sync so that there’s no screen tearing, the response time for quick movements on the screen, and connectors such as DisplayPort. To choose the best gaming monitor, consider the types of games you’ll be playing and look for features that will give you a better gaming experience.

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Performance / Business Monitors

The increasing need to deliver on highly adjustable monitors that keep up with editing, multi-tasking and rich colour schemes has helped develop a category of higher performance monitors. For a better viewing experience, these monitors have a high-quality display and focus on showing colours more vividly. A higher resolution, like a 4k monitor, also helps reduce eyestrain. Combining this with a curve monitor makes working on the computer a more comfortable experience overall.

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performance panel
digital signage panel

Digital Signage and Display Screens

Digital signage is designed for businesses to promote their brand through windows or promote their services and products to customers inside their business. Ideal for restaurants, cafes, retail shops and service-based businesses, digital signage is a dynamic way to display advertising

We have a wide range of digital signage and display screens that you can use to promote your business. Most have built-in HDMI connectivity so you can display your services or promotions directly from your laptop, as well as high refresh rates and quick response time to engage your customers.

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Monitor Accessories

Enhance your viewing experience with monitor accessories. Surge protector power boards connected to your monitor prevent damage to your monitor from power surges. Monitor risers and stands allow you to adjust the height of your monitor on your desk for optimal viewing. It can help with your posture and prevent strain. Monitor mounts let you create a ‘dual screen’ solution, allowing you to mount two monitors side by side. This is great for users who need multiple screens open at once.

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Features and Benefits

Additional features to look for when buying a monitor

There are some extra features to look out for to help you get the most out of your new computer monitor.

  1. Mountable Monitors

    If you plan to mount your monitor to a desk or wall, look for one that is VESA compliant. This means the monitor has an industry-standard mounting (hole) pattern on the back.

  2. Built-In Speakers

    Not all monitors have built-in speakers, so be sure to add this feature to your checklist if you plan to use your monitor for Skype calls, watching videos or listening to music. Speakers can also be purchased separately if you prefer.

  3. Ergonomic Features

    Monitors with stands and adjustable functionality — like tilt and swivel, height and pivot adjustment — mean you'll be able to move the monitor into a comfortable position. Some monitors can be rotated into the portrait position and are great if you work on spreadsheets.

  4. Built-In Webcams

    Monitors that have a built-in webcam are ideal if you have limited space above or around your monitor. They’re great for video chats with family and friends or video conferences with colleagues.

  5. HDMI Connection

    Most computer monitors have HDMI, which carries both video and audio signals. HDMI is excellent for playing HD content from your computer, gaming console, Blu-ray player and other devices and displaying it on your monitor.

  6. DisplayPort Connection

    DisplayPort is the best choice for very high resolutions and frame rates. It carries both video and audio signals like HDMI, but while HDMI can only carry 4K Ultra HD at 30 fps (frames per second), DisplayPort can handle this resolution at 60 fps, giving you a much smoother picture for fast-paced games and movies.

  7. DVI Connection

    DVI connections provide a video signal like HDMI, but they usually do not carry audio. The resolution they support varies. Some types of DVI connections can carry 1920 x 1200 resolution, while other types can carry more.

  8. VGA Connection

    While HDMI, DVI and DisplayPort are all digital connections, VGA is the old analog technology. It can carry high resolutions and frame rates, but you won't get the crystal-clear images that you do with DVI.

  9. USB Ports

    A monitor with a USB hub allows you to connect peripherals to the hub to improve your productivity. Connect your Notebook to the display with a single USB cable, and you are ready to use the attached peripherals like an external HDD or a camera.

  10. How Energy Efficient Is Your Monitor?

    An energy-efficient monitor uses less electricity, helping you to save money. Look for the energy rating label when selecting your monitor - the more stars, the more energy-efficient it is. Use the Australian Government's Energy Rating Calculator Energy Rating Calculator to find out approximately how much your monitor will cost to run.

 

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