DISPLAYS
Upgrade it: Enhance your viewing pleasure!
It’s worth spending more on a good display, because you could be using it longer than any other component, says Neil Mohr.
You’ll spend countless hours staring at it and you’ll likely Y still be using it long after you consign your GPU or CPU to the ewaste bin. We’re talking about your computer’s visual display unit. The humble monitor has received a dazzling number of upgrades over the last decade or so – after the awkward long shift to flatpanels and 1080p resolutions, the display world was suddenly inundated with 4K UHD, HDR, 144Hz refresh, OLED, MicroLED, curved screens, ultra-wide screens, USB hubs, dynamic sync and more.
As with most things, choosing a display is a combination of what you want to use it for and your budget. We’ve got a selection that costs from £110 up to almost £4,000, but most people won’t need an 8K display. Let’s start by looking at panel types and going from there.
First, determine your monitor’s main purpose: gaming, professional or general use. Generally, gamers should prioritise fast refresh rates and low response times; professionals should prioritise colour accuracy; while general users have less specific needs but often opt for a monitor with a high-contrast panel.