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June 1, 2024
Crafts 4.0: Current technologies like mini-LED and OLED promise improved image quality. But how can you benefit from these innovations? And what are affordable alternatives for simple office work?
Monitors have become larger, better, and more affordable in recent years . These work tools in tradespeople's offices not only impact efficiency but, above all, the health of employees . Optimal ergonomics should therefore be considered from the outset: To prevent neck strain and headaches, some monitors, for example, are adjustable in multiple directions – not only in height but also by tilting and swiveling . Depending on the application, a pivot function can also be useful, allowing the display to be rotated 90 degrees so that long office documents fit better on the screen.
The best solution for the office and home office is generally a bright monitor with the highest possible resolution and a matte display . Tradespeople should opt for a monitor with a screen diagonal of at least 23,8 inches (60,5 cm) and Full HD resolution (1.920 x 1.080 pixels) . Displays of 27 inches (68,6 cm) and larger offer greater comfort, as two program windows can easily fit side by side. To prevent the image from appearing blurry, the resolution should be at least 2.560 x 1.440 pixels.
Monitors with high refresh rates of 144 or even 240 Hz are generally good, but usually offer no advantage for office work: These high values are only relevant for gamers when every single frame counts in action games. For office applications, the image remains flicker-free even at 60 or 75 Hz. The monitor's other features should be chosen according to the workspace: Better monitors, for example, are equipped with USB hubs to which keyboards, mice, USB flash drives, or hard drives can be connected . If the display is later used with multiple PCs or laptops, there's no need to constantly switch accessories.
Good news for professionals who demand maximum image quality and high color accuracy : OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) technology is now available for PC monitors, offering exceptionally high contrast and true-to-life color reproduction with excellent black levels . This takes professional image and video editing to a whole new level. At the same time, these monitors also offer ergonomic advantages : They emit around 50 percent less blue light , which can cause long-term damage to the retina . Despite these unbeatable benefits, there are still some drawbacks: The overall image is somewhat darker than with LED displays, and brightness and color intensity decrease over time.
Operations management
Operations management
Operations management
Furthermore , temperature fluctuations, UV light, and high humidity can negatively impact the lifespan of the devices . Screen burn-in is also possible : if images are displayed statically on the monitor for an extended period, permanently visible shadows can remain. While manufacturers attempt to counteract this with technical solutions, the phenomenon cannot be completely eliminated. Before purchasing, tradespeople should ensure that the manufacturer offers a warranty against burn-in issues.
More and more monitor manufacturers are now venturing into the realm of mini-LED displays: These use significantly more LEDs for backlighting , resulting in noticeably more nuanced brightness control – while maintaining high contrast . While the image quality of mini-LED displays doesn't quite reach that of OLED monitors, their brightness is significantly superior , a major advantage, especially in bright environments. In short: These new monitor technologies now offer tradespeople excellent displays that, for the first time, combine superior image quality with superior ergonomic comfort . However, manufacturers are currently charging a premium for these advantages: The purchase price of mini-LED and OLED displays is sometimes several times higher than that of LED monitors. Those who can forgo lifelike colors and maximum contrast can benefit from lower prices with conventional displays – while still enjoying good quality that is perfectly adequate for office and home office work.
TN: Twisted Nematic
Advantages: Cost-effective technology, responsive, good image when viewed from the front. Disadvantages: When viewed from the side, the image becomes significantly darker and color shifts may occur.
VA: Vertical Alignment
Slightly better picture quality, higher contrast, and more natural colors than TN sets. Less brightness loss from side viewing angles. Disadvantages: Less responsive, slightly more expensive than TN monitors.
IPS: In-Plane Switching
Advantages: Generally very good image quality with high color fidelity. There's hardly any loss of brightness from side angles. Disadvantages: Not quite as responsive as TN monitors, slightly more expensive than VA displays.
Mini LED: Mini Light Emitting Diode
Advantages: Many small LEDs provide more luminosity, better brightness control and higher contrast compared to IPS, VA and TN. Disadvantages: Relatively expensive devices.
OLED: Organic Light Emitting Diode
Advantages: Outstanding black levels, a high contrast ratio and excellent picture quality. Disadvantages: Expensive technology, higher sensitivity and risk of burn-in.
4K, 8K
Abbreviations for the horizontal image resolution of monitors and televisions. A 4K device can display 4.000 pixels side by side. The "K" is the international abbreviation for "kilo," which also indicates a factor of 1.000.
Candela/cd
A unit of measurement for the brightness of a monitor. "Candela" (Latin for "candle") is a measure of the luminous intensity emitted by a source in a specific direction.
pivot function
Refers to the ability to rotate the display 90 degrees. This eliminates scrolling when viewing documents in portrait format.
tariff
The screen diagonal of monitors is measured in inches. One inch is equivalent to 2,54 cm.
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