Before making a final purchase decision, it's advisable to test a monitor yourself – for example, in a specialist store. (Photo: © Tatiana Venkova /123RF.com)
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September 1, 2019
Industry 4.0: In craft businesses, the monitor is one of the most important components for office work. What should you look for when buying one? And which monitor is suitable for which application?
It's not uncommon for office workers in craft businesses to spend several hours a day at a computer . Choosing the right monitor is therefore crucial: a flickering or blurry display can not only lead to headaches over time , but also damage the eyes . And if the monitor can't be ergonomically adjusted, back pain or neck muscle tension are also likely. Furthermore, the monitor should deliver good image quality.
The technical specifications of current flat-screen displays are a jungle of abbreviations and technical jargon: aspect ratio, brightness, response time, contrast – which values are truly important? When buying a monitor, there are some fundamental points to consider, which vary in importance depending on the operation and intended use. First and foremost is the size : For new purchases, 24-inch monitors (around 61 cm diagonal screen size) with Full HD resolution (1.920 x 1.080 pixels) offer good value for money. They are ideal for everyday office tasks. Smaller devices should only be used if the desk offers very little space.
Those with more space and a larger budget might consider a display of at least 27 inches (approximately 68,6 cm). These devices offer a higher resolution of up to 3.840 x 2.160 pixels (4K) and a slightly larger viewing area, making it easier to, for example, view two Office documents side by side. Keep in mind that a higher resolution always results in a smaller display area. Therefore, 4K displays should ideally be at least 27 inches to ensure everything remains easily readable. The increased resolution is also beneficial for editing graphics, photos, and videos.
The giants among monitors currently reach up to 50 inches (127 cm) in size and require a considerable amount of space. These devices allow for the comfortable display of three or more program windows side by side. The resolution of top models reaches up to 7.680 x 4.320 pixels (8K), though this offers little benefit to typical office applications . The display format is a matter of personal preference: most monitors offer a 16:9 aspect ratio. Wider models are also available: the 21:9 format, for example, is perfect for film enthusiasts, while displays with extreme aspect ratios like 32:9 replace the entire screen area of two smaller monitors placed side by side.
Operations management
Operations management
Operations management
When choosing a monitor, ergonomics should always be a key consideration: Better displays are not only height-adjustable, but also swivel and tilt adjustable . Furthermore, matte screens with high brightness are better suited for office use than glossy screens (often recognizable by names like "Glare-Type," "TruBrite," or "BrightView"). While the latter offer a brilliant image under optimal conditions, they are difficult to read in many lighting situations.
Besides flat monitors, curved displays can also be useful for office work: The curvature is based on the curvature of the human eye, thus relieving eye strain . However, this only applies as long as you are sitting directly in front of the screen. If several people are looking at the monitor simultaneously, for example during meetings, curved displays are unsuitable . In many cases, the so-called pivot function is practical : The monitor can then be rotated 90 degrees, so that portrait-oriented office documents fit entirely on the screen. The OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display technology, familiar from the television industry, currently plays no role in PC monitors. The reason: With static images, which are typical for PC work, there is a risk of "burn-in."
Investing in a better monitor model can be worthwhile for businesses: More expensive devices often offer significantly more comfort and ergonomics . Furthermore, a display usually outlasts several PC generations. Before making a final purchase decision, however, it's advisable to test a monitor yourself – for example, in a specialist store. Technical specifications only provide a limited indication of the actual image quality. If you order your device online to assess its functionality at home, you can return it within 14 days without giving a reason if you are dissatisfied. In this case, the full purchase price must be refunded.
TN: Twisted Nematic
Advantage: Cost-effective technology, fast response, good image when viewed from the front. Disadvantage: When viewed from the side, the image becomes significantly darker and color shifts may occur.
VA: Vertical Alignment
Advantage: Slightly better image quality, higher contrast, and more natural colors than TN monitors. Less brightness loss from side angles. Disadvantage: Less responsive, slightly more expensive than TN monitors.
IPS: In-Plane Switching
Advantage: Usually very good image quality with high color fidelity. Minimal brightness loss from side viewing angles. Disadvantage: Not quite as responsive as TN monitors, slightly more expensive than VA displays.
Lighting conditions: Overhead lighting and desk lamps should be positioned so that little or no light falls on the monitor. This prevents annoying reflections that strain the eyes. A viewing direction parallel to the window is ideal.
Placement: The most ergonomic position is to position the monitor directly in front of your seat. The advantage: You don't have to turn your head or body, and all information can be easily read on the display. This also prevents damage to your back and neck muscles.
orientation: The distance from the monitor should be approximately 1,2 times the screen diagonal, with the top line of the screen below eye level. If the monitor is larger than 27 inches, experts recommend an eye distance of 82 to 100 cm (depending on the monitor resolution).
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.
reaction time
The response time of flat-screen monitors refers to the time it takes for the device to switch a pixel from white to black or from gray to gray. This time is measured in milliseconds (ms).
tariff
The screen diagonal of monitors is measured in inches. One inch is equivalent to 2,54 cm.
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