Types of Monitors Leave a comment
What are the different types of monitors available in Kenya ? :
When you want to buy a monitor, a good question you may want to ask yourself is which types of monitor would be best for you. Over the last decade, monitors have evolved in terms of functionality, size, design and color. Many brands like HP have also come up each its own style. In this post, we break down for you some common types you’ll see on sale in Kenya.
LCD Monitors:
LCD monitors also known as liquid crystal display monitors, are a good choice when it comes to price. These panels use liquid crystal energies to display images and text panel. These monitors succeeded the old, heavy CRT monitors and manufacturers have improved their design over -the years. Compared to CRT monitors, which were bulky, they are much lighter and thin. LCD screens were first used on the 1st laptop built, the Epson HX-20. Since then, there has been 10 generations of LCD panels, with the last bunch manufactured in 2009.
For most models, they can reach a maximum resolution of (1920 × 1080p). They are still liked today by many consumers as they are: energy efficient, highly durable, have great contrast ratios and produce vivid colors.
What are the different types of LCD monitors ? :
- TN (Twisted Nematic):
They consist of liquid crystals sandwiched between 2 glass panels. When an electric current passes through the liquid crystals, the molecules twist at an angle of 90-degrees, allowing light to pass through the polarizing filters and create an image on the screen. A good example of a TN LCD monitor is the HP P19B G4
- VA (Vertical Alignment):
VA LCD monitors have their pixels aligned vertically between 2 glass panels. They have higher contrast ratios and wider viewing angles when compared to TN and IPS displays. However, they are slow when it comes to response time.
- IPS (In-Plane Switching):
The liquid crystals in IPS Panels rotate parallel, allowing images to be displayed when electric voltage passes through them. They are much superior, mainly in terms of overall image quality.
LED Monitors:
LED monitors, or Light Emitting Diode monitors, are similar to LCD monitors in terms of design. The difference between an LCD and an LED panel is how they produce light. LED’s use light emitting diodes, while LCD’s use fluorescent lamps.
They are the mostly used today by many organizations in Kenya. They offer advantages over traditional LCD monitors, which include better color accuracy, higher contrast ratios, and improved energy efficiency. Creatives are better off using an LED monitor, as they can achieve higher and wider color gamuts.
The different types of LED monitors:
- Edge-Lit:
From the word edge-lit, these type of monitors have the LED diodes located at the edge of the screen. The light is then directed towards the center of the screen through a series of reflectors and diffusers.
- Full-Array LED display’s:
Unlike edge-lit monitors, Full-Array LED display’s have the diodes located on the entire screen. This arrangement of diodes results in a more improved image quality and even-lighting.
- OLED:
Also known as organic light-emitting diode panels, an OLED monitor is extremely bright and vibrant and they are relatively new in the market. The organic compounds in them produce images when current is passed through them. OLED monitors are also expensive when compared to LED and LCD panels.
- QLED:
QLED simply means Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diodes. QLED monitors produce vibrant and more accurate colors. Additionally, they have better contrast ratio’s meaning you get deeper blacks. QLED displays are immersive and are likened by gamers and graphic designers.
Curved Monitors:
Curved monitors have their display’s slightly curved inwards or outwards. These monitors were first introduced to the world in 2013. They offer an immersive experience over traditional flat monitors, as the curvature mimics the curved nature of the human eye. By mimicking the human eye, strain is reduced, unlike in an LCD or LED monitor where the eye has to constantly move. They are also likened by designers, programmers and artist’s.
Curved monitors can be divided into 4:
- 1800R
- 2300R
- 3000R
- 4000R
The “R” stands for radius.
Touchscreen Monitors:
Touchscreen monitors allow you to interact with the computer using fingers or a stylus pen. Touch-enabled screens are more common in 2-in-1 laptops. When a user touches the surface of the screen, an electrical charge is produced, which is detected by a conductive layer. The location of the touch is then determined by measuring the amount of charge at different points on the screen. A touch-screen monitor can be beneficial for certain tasks, such as drawing and doing illustrations. These monitors however may be expensive.
Gaming Monitors:
Gaming monitors are designed to looked like curved monitors. They are specifically made for playing games, as they offer better refresh rates and low input lag. They are also very bright and color accurate, giving gamers a more immersive experience. Their screen resolution can also match QLED screens as they are capable of 4K clarity.
Ultra-Wide Monitors:
Ultra-wide monitors are different from normal monitors as they have a bigger aspect ratio of 21:9 when compared to a standard 16:9 aspect ratio. If you’re not into dual monitor set-ups, an ultrawide monitor can suit you well. Ultra-wide screens are much longer and bulkier. They are beneficial for tasks such as video editing, graphic design, and gaming, where having more screen-room can be beneficial.
You’ll also see a difference when watching movies on an Ultra-wide screen. When watching a movie a traditional monitor may have letter-boxing, an ultra-wide though eliminates that.
Conclusion:
There are different types of monitors one can buy. When buying one, always look at your productivity needs. For example, a 24-inch monitor is much better for gaming than an 18-inch monitor which more suitable for office work. A good number of monitors are also compatible with the majority of computers, whether it’s a laptop or a desktop. Shop a brand-new monitor today at Smartbuy.
