MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
I've been working from home a lot lately (prior to current events, fitting in a busy job around parenting, evenings, sick days etc...) and I was thinking I'd perhaps treat myself to a new monitor. I currently have a 10yo 22" monitor (here). The picture quality is probably better than the twin 24" setup I have at work but its a bit small. I was thinking about getting a new monitor to either use on its own or run in tandem as the primary. Any recommendations/considerations from the stw hive mind? I use it to remote desktop to my work machine where I'm looking at big spreadsheets/3D models.
This monitor is exceptionally good. 25” but QHD so fits way more on screen than even a 24” 1920x1200.
Colour accuracy is superb to and it seems well made. I’m definitely going to bag a second when funds allow.
BenQ PD2500Q 25 Inch 1440p QHD Monitor for Graphic Design, IPS, 100% Rec. 709, sRGB, 10 bit Eye-Care, Height Adjustable, Flicker-Free, Anti-Glare, HDMI, DP https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0737M9QP7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_9y.BEb4FF7WE7
Up until today I’ve been using two Dell U2719D monitors at work and will be missing them while I work from home for the foreseeable future. Almost enough that I was thinking about buying my own; then I remembered I might need more loo roll instead.
I use the cheapest Acer one from Argos for spreadsheets, visio and the like. It's perfectly fine, and it's £70.
I use Dell P2719H's at work, I'd def recommend 27 over 24 if you have the space available. I did have a cheaper 27" BenQ model at home (gave it to my dad in the end as also have a 27" gaming monitor), it actually seemed almost as good as the Dell models
In true "recommend what you've got" style, I got one of these last year which I run as a main monitor off my laptop (secondary monitor) when working form home.
AOC 27B1H (27", 1920 x 1080 pixels)
It was cheap, had good reviews, nice small bezels, big screen, good colour accuracy (IPS panel), great viewing angles. Apart from a slightly flimsy stand, I think it's incredible value for money. So good in fact, that we use it as the default purchase now in the office when we need a new one.
Good for work (ms office), photos and Dirt Rally 🙂
I have an AOC 4k monitor (U2879VF) that I think is the cheapest around at £240 ish. It's great for the money, spot on for work usage. I can fit four normal sized browser windows with no cover-up. Don't get one though if you're the kind of person who full-screens everything...
I've had a variety of Dell monitors and they're great. Currently using a U2417H, can't fault it at all (same model comes in a range of sizes).
Cheapest 27 inch / 2560x1440 (QHD) monitor you can get hold of.
Depending you what you've got driving it, it might not handle a 4k monitor. My last work laptop which has just been replaced wouldn't drive 4K. The new one does, but my 2012 Mac Mini doesn't so I won't be upgrading for a bit.
Almost anything from the last 5 years will drive QHD.
I got a 32" AOC for £175 last year. It's great.
HDMI, DP, DVI and VGA connections.
I use it with an Xbox at 1440p through the HDMI and a laptop through DP.
It's huge and great for multiple windows.
We have the Dell U2518D monitors, they are pretty solid but not cheap.
Managed to get one from work to have at home whilst working and it helps.
We have these in the office - ultra wide so they can basically do the job of two monitors
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07J4CZYND
Coincidentally I replaced my monitor just last week because I actually needed a new one.
Got an LG 27UL850 which is lovely, even has decent speakers.
But it appears to have risen in price by over 100 quid in the space of a week!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/LG-27UL850-DisplayHDR-DisplayPort-Adjustable/dp/B07RBX5LTZ
You don't give a budget which is pretty critical. Anyway, I second Johndoh's answer. 34" ultra wide (I have an LG one). It's just so great for getting a lot done - there's so much real estate.
Or if you want something a bit more reasonably priced, a 27" 1440p 16:9.
I tried a 27" 4k and it was too small (for me) to run at 1:1 pixel scaling. 32" is probably OK.
I guess budget wise maybe an absolute ceiling of £300 (as lovely as that 34" looks). Obviously you get what you pay for but I'm looking to hit the VFM sweet spot, I'm happy paying more if there's a tangible benefit but probably looking for the Deore/SLX option. Thanks fro all the suggestions above.
BENQ SW2700PT.
27" QHD
Hardware calibration memory.
Accurate.
ElectriQ 35", VA, 100HZ Freesync, 3440x1440. £330 so slightly over budget but utterly lovely if you get a good one.
Go 1440 or 4k imo.
The sharpness makes reading and viewing so much better. Depends on the size obviously, the bigger you go the more important to go 4k. Up to 27" ISH 1440 ok.
Don’t know much about specs of monitors, but the dell refurb store has 35% off its current stock:
https://www.dellrefurbished.co.uk/
Just got a 24” one from there and it’s better than the old thing it replaced
I just bought a Dell P2720DC which turned up today. I wanted a 27” QHD to match the size of my iMac that it will be paired with when not connected to a laptop for WFH purposes. If you are connecting to a laptop that has full-fat USB-C its worth getting a monitor with that also. One cable then provides video out to monitor and power in to the laptop. I also added a wireless keyboard/mouse with USB dongle connected to one of the monitors USB ports so no need to swap dongles between laptops. All works very neatly.
https://www.lambda-tek.com/DELL-DELL-P2720DC~sh/B43858205
Go 1440 or 4k imo.
The sharpness makes reading and viewing so much better. Depends on the size obviously, the bigger you go the more important to go 4k. Up to 27″ ISH 1440 ok
Disagree with this unless you have clear use case for fitting huge amounts of stuff on the screen at once. Whilst my 27" gaming monitor is 1440 my 27" work monitors are 1080 and they're better for general work stuff (Word, Excel etc.). Also the higher res you go the more likely a budget option is to give you problems with picture quality. Ofc you could go 4k and change you OS settings to magnify everything but then what's the point!
Well that's just like your opinion man! (As was mine😉)
that 27" dell for £360 on the refurb store is very hard to beat
Useful and timely thread. My old 21inch (I think, at least 10 years old) Dell monitor died. It’s mainly used for Zwift but with this WFH malarky, I could do with a second one to connect to my Mac when doing big collaboration meetings on teams and zoom.
I think I’ll go with the cheaper AOC one and if it’s no good for working, bung it on the Zwift table and bit the bullet to pay more for a better quality one.
I'm an accountant so it's spreadsheets and outlook, so work from two at work. I recently bought 3 23" monitors off a local PC recycling company for £13 each - all perfect if dusty. 2 were for my Zwift setup in the garage and one spare. That spare is now going to be used for working at home.
Gah - just went all out and bought a 27" job on Dell refurbed. Figured I needed to move fast with them so perhaps wasnt that considered. Thank you everyone for your responses and suggestions, lets hope it turns up!
I found Viewsonic to be good value and quality on two occasions
I have just bought a 32" Samsung UH850 4k. Waiting for my Dell refurbed desktop from the outlet store, so just using my Surface Pro on a USB-C to HDMI, with a bluetooth keyboard & mouse at the moment.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49919578832_d495b6c828_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49919578832_d495b6c828_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2j4dTBE ]2020-05-21_01-07-40[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/85252658@N05/ ]davetheblade[/url], on Flickr
The dell 27inch monitors recommeded are very good. Ive had one for 3 years, and love it.