All the latest generation laptops can be connected to an external monitor to see better or show the contents to others. In the workplace, having a laptop monitor is very important and today there are many models in circulation . There are different displays for all prices and for all types of users, from professionals to those who only need a better view.
Things To consider
Table of Contents
Here they are:
Screen resolution
If you decide to buy such an object it is because you want to make that leap in quality to be able to work optimally. Precisely for this reason, therefore, the screen resolution proves to be a real added value for those used to being around.
Dimensions
Obviously, you don’t necessarily have to take it big. Or, in any case, focus everything on size. Of course, this would allow you to have a greater understanding of the details that often make the difference. But it very often depends on the purpose for which you have decided to buy it.
Battery life
This is one real strengths compared to other technology products. And it is, therefore, a real shame if you had to get a portable monitor with a low battery life and low power. Watch this aspect very carefully .
Dimensions and weight
If it is true that one of the aspects of portability is the size that allows it to be transported easily, it is also true that a portable monitor that is equal to or smaller than the device to which they associate it would perhaps frustrate its main function, namely that to implement the visual possibilities of the device itself.
It will therefore be necessary to take into account the intended end use and the fact that the market currently offers models with dimensions ranging from 15.6 inches, up to 22 inches even if the more you increase in size, the less is the quick range of brands. and models we have.
Weight is certainly another factor that makes a device more or less portable . Among the range of models on the market, the latest ultra-light solutions are certainly the most suitable.
In any case, even here it is normal to have to make a compromise between display size and weight and, as for all other parameters, the choice will be of a personal nature based on the type of use that will be made.
Power and energy
The most common power supply mode for a portable monitor is via a USB cable . An important fact to check at the time of purchase concerns the real consumption of the screen in comparison with the energy possibilities of the device to which it will be combined.
The autonomy of a power bank and a laptop are obviously not the same as a smartphone. This will avoid having a black screen in the middle of an important conference or simply while working away from an electrical power point.
Ports and connectivity
As for connectivity, it is guaranteed by the classic USB and HDMI ports that allow efficient use in most situations. However, it is important to verify that your device has the corresponding input ports.
The generational compatibility of the device with the new monitor is therefore fundamental and, if it should be, as often happens, old from a technological point of view, you will probably need to equip yourself with the good old VGA in order to take full advantage of the portable monitor. of its potential.
Integrated speakers
It might seem like a luxury to have speakers in a portable monitor . They certainly are for many professional categories to which this lack does not affect their work, but for others, it can make a difference.
Just imagine that you want to combine the screen with a DVD player to exhibit your work in a meeting or other similar circumstances, it is clear that in this case it is essential to have efficient speakers that can support such use of a portable monitor. .
Connections of monitors for laptop PCs
Modern notebooks have good quality screens and almost always the ability to connect another display via the VGA port . Video connections have undergone many evolutions in recent years, so much so that the VGA connection is now outdated. The standards that have followed have improved the graphics, especially in the gaming sector.
Today’s notebooks compete with desktop computers, and some of them can be played safely at high levels. The VGA connection was the first to be introduced in 1987 and is still used in many laptops today. The video signal is analog and carries no audio, so it’s not exactly the best for gaming or watching movies.
The DVI connection was introduced in 1999 and is currently the most used although there are other better ones. The type of signal is digital or analog or both at the same time, but it does not carry audio.
The DVI versions that have followed over time are the following:
- DVI-A: Carries only analog signal.
- DVI-I: Carries analog and digital signal.
- DVI-D: Carries digital signal only.
DVI-I is in turn subdivided into Single Link and Dual Link. The latter can reach a resolution of 2563 x 1600 pixels at 60 Hz or Full HD at 144 Hz. The digital signal is less subject to interference than the analog one. If you have a monitor with one type of cable and your computer has a different port just buy an adapter .
HDMI and DisplayPort
In 2002 the HDMI ( High-Definition Multimedia Interface ) connector was invented and as usual it has been improved with later versions. HDMI carries only digital signals and for the first time compared to the others it carries both audio and video signals. This type of connection is perfect when using laptop monitors with built-in speakers.
Version 2.0 of HDMI reaches a maximum resolution of 4K at 60Hz frequency and version 2.1 can theoretically achieve 10K resolution at 120Hz.
The latest standard to come out on the market is DisplayPort, introduced in 2006. The signal carried is both digital audio and video and the latest version has a maximum resolution of 8K at 60Hz or 4K at 120Hz. When the laptop monitor is connected at a distance greater than 2 meters it is advisable to use this type of connection because the signal remains intact.
DisplayPort supports Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync technologies , which allow you to synchronize the video card with the monitor for optimal viewing. Obviously, the video card must also be compatible with these technologies. Gaming enthusiasts must use a type of laptop PC monitor with a DisplayPort connection, while those with no particular pretensions can fall back on less performing connections.
HDMI is always used successfully and is the best compromise between price and quality. Laptop monitors with DisplayPort are quite demanding and can only be appreciated if the video card is up to par.
Gaming monitor
In theory, you can connect external monitors to any device, as long as it has a video output . If this is not compatible, just buy an adapter for less than 10 dollars. This solution is not suitable for image purists because inevitably some quality is lost.
The solution is also not suitable for those who want to play high-quality titles loaded on the notebook and transmitted on a laptop monitor perhaps attached to the wall.
In this case you need a display with a very high refresh rate which is indicated in the specifications with the English term refresh rate and varies depending on the intended use of the monitor. Its unit of measurement is Hz and the higher it is, the less update delays there will be.
This means that the screen reloads a full image more quickly without annoying graphics defects . Common monitors usually have a refresh rate of 60Hz, which means that in one second they will completely refresh the image on the screen 60 times. Graphics defects occur when the video card is more powerful than the monitor’s refresh rate, so it loads images faster than they can be viewed.
The frames overlap, generating the defect called tearing in jargon . With G-Sync and FreeSync technologies the video card is forced to process the same amount of frames that the monitor can handle. Without going into further details, just know that a laptop monitor suitable for gaming must have a very high refresh rate and G-Sync or FreeSync technology depending on the video card.
Home and professional monitors
There are so many commonly used monitors to connect to a laptop. As long as they have an adequate size and connection compatible with the notebook. Today, even low-end laptop monitors are perfect for playing some games and watching movies , because technology has come a long way since it used to be.
To judge a common screen you have to look at the type of panel used and the resolution. It does not matter that they are compatible with sophisticated technologies because it is useless to invest in something that will never be used. A different speech must be made for professional monitors. Those who work in the field of graphics or video editing do not have to spare any expense and equip themselves with a large and comfortable screen where they can spend their days working.
One feature that is often overlooked is the protection for eyesight. All screens emit lights that tire the eyes and can even damage them.
Workers must ensure that the screen is anti-glare and blue light shielded . The size must be proportional to the space and it is preferable not to buy a monitor that is too large if the distance is not great, so as not to have to continually move the head from one corner of the display to the other.
Average prices
The average prices of laptop monitors are extremely variable because, as we have already said, practically all screens can be connected to the notebook. A basic general purpose monitor costs $ 100 and is 22 inches in size. The resolution is Full HD 1920 × 1080 pixels and possibly implements Low Blue Light technology, the one mentioned at the end of the previous paragraph.
Reducing blue light is always recommended, even when you spend little time in front of the screen.
The most expensive laptop monitors are the ones to play games , whose average price is 160 dollars for a 24-inch with IPS panel and Full HD 1920 × 1080 pixel resolution. Curved screens are excellent for gaming, which must have a minimum size of 34 inches and a response time of 4 ms.
A VA panel with a resolution of 3440 × 1440 pixels that supports V-Sync or FreeSync technologies with an ultra wide 21: 9 curved screen costs at least 650 dollars. High prices even for image professionals. An LED laptop monitor with IPS panel and Ultra HD 4K resolution is priced at a minimum of 500 dollars for 27 inches in size.
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