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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Digital Crafts - Theme specials
September 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 is not uncommon for office employees to work in craft businesses several hours a day on the PC. Therefore, choosing the right monitor is very important: A flickering or blurry display can not only lead to Headache lead, but also the Damage eyesAnd if the monitor cannot be adjusted ergonomically, Back pain or Muscle tension in the neck area to be feared. The monitor should also deliver good image quality.
The technical data sheets of current Flat screen displays are a jungle of abbreviations and technical jargon: format, brightness, response time, contrast – which values are really important here? When purchasing a monitor, there are a few basic points to consider, which vary depending on the application and intended use. First and foremost is the sizeFor new purchases, 24-inch monitors (approximately 61 cm diagonal) with Full HD resolution (1.920 x 1.080 pixels) offer good value for money. They are ideal for everyday office tasks. Smaller monitors should only be used if the desk offers very limited space.
Those with more space and budget can 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, so that, for example, two Office documents fit even more comfortably next to each other. Please note that a higher resolution always reduces the size of the display. Therefore, 4K displays should be at least 27 inches to ensure everything remains clearly legible. The increased resolution is also beneficial for the Editing graphics, photos and videos is an advantage.
The giant monitors currently measure up to 50 inches (127 cm) and require a lot of space. These devices can comfortably display three or more program windows side by side. The resolution of top models is up to 7.680 x 4.320 pixels (8K), of which typical Office applications, however, hardly benefitThe display format is a matter of taste: Most monitors offer a 16:9 aspect ratio. Wider models are also available: The 21:9 format, for example, is perfect for movie fans, 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, one focus should always be on ergonomics: Better displays are not only adjustable in height, but also by rotation and tiltIn addition, matte screens with high brightness are more suitable for office use than mirrored ones (often identified by labels such as "Glare-Type," "TruBrite," or "BrightView"). While the latter offer a brilliant image under optimal conditions, they are difficult to read in many lighting conditions.
In addition to flat monitors, curved displays can also be useful for office work: The Curvature is based on the curvature of the human eye, so that the eyes are relievedHowever, this only applies if you are sitting in the center of the screen. If several people are looking at the monitor at the same time, for example Curved displays are unsuitable for meetingsIn many cases, however, the so-called pivot function: The monitor can then be rotated 90 degrees, allowing Office documents to fit completely on the screen in portrait format. OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display technology, familiar from television, is currently not used in PC monitors. The reason: static images, which are typical for PC work, pose the risk of "burn-in."
Investing in a better monitor model can be worthwhile for companies: Often, More expensive devices offer significantly more comfort and ergonomics. Furthermore, a display usually outlives several PC generations. However, before making a final purchase decision, it's advisable to test a monitor yourself – for example, in a specialist store. Technical specifications only provide limited information about the actual image quality. Anyone who orders their device online to see its functionality for themselves at home can return it within 14 days without giving any reason if they 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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