I am in need of a new monitor. Mine is very old and has a refresh rate of 60Hz. I didn't realize how much more than "it looks pretty" is involved with checking out monitors. I would like a 24" (unless someone has a reason that they could tell me I'm making a bad choice). I would also like it to be 300 or less (without tax etc.)

Any suggestions? Pros or cons I need to know? I did lots of research the last couple weeks and some seems to be conflicting.

I found This one on sale at Best Buy.
Thoughts?

Thank you in advance!

Ana

I can't help you but I'm glad you asked about this. I looked briefly at monitors when I purchased my new computer but, as you say, there is a lot more involved than the look of it. I decided I don't really need a new one right now but may want or need one in the future.

How do you find the refresh rate of a monitor? (Like, how do I know what mine is? Do I have to find old paperwork or can I find that information in my computer somewhere?) And, what does that do anyway? I'm pretty sure both of mine are 60hz.

You can see what you are currently running here.

You can check your monitors capabilities here.

A 60 Hz refresh rate means the display updates 60 times per second. The higher the rate, the smoother the picture. Mine frequently can't keep up.

Ana

Thanks Ana!

Don't confuse refresh rate with response time.
Refresh rate was important with CRT monitors and affects screen flicker. If you see screen flicker on an LCD/LED monitor it's because of a bad backlight, not refresh rate.

None of the LCD/LED monitors I've used had more than 60 Hz refresh rate and none had slow response. My brother had an LCD monitor -- one of the earliest ones which had a 32ms response time, and you didn't have to be a gamer to tell that monitor was slow.

You probably won't see a difference due to it being 144 Hz but 144 Hz monitors usually also have very low response time.

There are reviews for the AOC G2590FX monitor at Amazon and it's considered an "Amazon's Choice"
https://www.amazon.com/AOC-G2590FX-Framless-1920x1080-DisplayPort/dp/B07D377Q6D/qid=1584111704

If you want to pay a little more, there is this Benq ZOWIE at Amazon which has a higher overall rating
https://www.amazon.com/BenQ-XL2411-Equalizer-Vibrance-Competitive/dp/B01H5KKQTM/qid=1584112127

I'm using a 24" curved Samsung that I've had for about 3 years that I really like. I just worked on a computer with a 24" ASUS monitor that is now 7 years old. It still looks great.

When I did my set up at least 5 years ago I bought an ASUS VE247. Very pleased with it. I must say though when I get another one I’m going to try the curved one.

What features does a curved Monitor have that makes it better or worse. I have heard of them but don't know the reason for them.

Supposedly they provide a better field of view and viewing angles. I'm not sure that is true, but I know when I work on a computer with a flat monitor, I miss the curve. Not even sure why unless it's just that I'm used to it!

Why I asked is because of what Theaters went through back in the...60 thru 80's (I think) when movie theaters were hyping the the "Cinerama" screens which were curved. I had thought that they were to increase the viewing immersion from anywhere in a large theater so no matter where one sat they didn't lose clarity from the sides. I haven't been to a theater in many years but aren't they flat now? My brain can't figure out how a curved monitor screen is better viewing for a one on one experience like my face in front of my flat 24" monitor. Now a 100" TV where several people are watching in different parts of a small room would probably be better so the viewing angle wouldn't wash out the other side I can see being better. I think I will be in the market soon to as I have notice a few faint lines on my current one which I have 2 of (Grandson confiscated one for his XBox as it is fast) ASUS VG-248-QE very happy with this.

I am no expert on these things, just thinking out loud. BTW...as we are talking about Monitors right now...why does my 24" screen look so small to me now when this size seemed huge when they first came out years ago?

We used to have one of those "Cinerama" theatres in my town, and it was the movie theatre I almost always went to when I was a kid. Eventually it was divided into three screens so they could show three movies at once. They didn't change the curve, so the movies on the side screens always looked wrong because one side of the screen was curved in and the other was not.


If you have a really wide monitor, like 2560x1080 or wider, the distance between your eyes and the viewing area toward the sides of the screen will make the picture look warped on the sides unless the sides of the monitor are curved in. It's more obvious if you wear "computer glasses" that are calibrated for normal computer-to-eye viewing distance, and the sides of the monitor screen are far enough away that they're out of focus. Some people will just lean over or it won't bother them at all, but others would rather have the curve. Some 2560x1080 monitors do come flat, but when you have something like this 5120x1440 monitor
https://www.newegg.com/lg-49bl95c-w-49-dual-qhd/p/N82E16824025947
it gets obvious that the sides of the monitor would be fairly far away compared to the center, and the curve mitigates the problem.


I don't know, unless you use a larger monitor somewhere else. My 24" looks the same size it always did. What does look tiny is the 17" CRT I used to use, and thought was nice and big compared to the 15" CRT I'd used previously.

I am now more confused than ever.

Right Ana? Sounds to me like the response time is more important. Both of my monitors have 5ms but I see all the ones linked to here, are 1ms which I assume is better.

Really, the only time those really fast response times are critical is when you are playing high demand games like shooters.

Okay, thanks Draclvr. So now it sounds like neither the refresh rate nor the response time makes a lot of difference. They just muck you up when you're reading the details and trying to buy a monitor

Pretty much, oldbroad! My Samsung has a 4 ms response time and I've never had any lag or stuttering while playing some high demand shooters.

Soooooo......still have my head reeling, but after browsing, I found this one: Samsung 27" Curved. Is this a good one for the long run?

Ana

That one looks great -- great specs and has great reviews.
As long as your desk is big enough.
You'll have to let us know how you like the QLED colors.


Response time does make a difference, but any modern monitor will have a decent response time (unless it's malfunctioning).
Remember that 32ms monitor I mentioned earlier?
That monitor was purchased before 2005.
Most people won't see a difference between 6ms and 1ms response time.

It sure looks like a good one! Read some of the reviews and seems like there are a few hiccups, but getting 83% 4 and 5 star ratings is good recommendation. It has the same stand as mine and I really like my stand for stability.

My current monitor is an ACER and it's from 2008. I imagine this one will blow it away! I placed my order and it'll be here Monday.

Once again, can't thank you all enough for your input!

Ana

It looks like a beautiful monitor, Ana.

Can't wait to hear what you think of it!

Looks like a nice one Ana.... I'll be interested in what you think also.

Thanks everyone! My new computer came yesterday but I'll wait for the new monitor to set it up. Can't wait!

I'm so excited! I love living vicariously through you getting a new rig!

Well, between the Amazon gift cards I saved the last year from clients and the harsh reality that our planned vacation I've been saving for the last few years is now cancelled, I splurged on myself. I'm looking forward to getting it all set up!

I will be looking forward to what you think of the curvature and the 27". Isn't the one you have now a 24". 3 more inches on a diagonal is a lot and has me drooling. I like what I read about that Samsung except I am leery of the 75x75 Wall mount when the one I have now is 100x100.

Greyfuss, I have 2 computers and monitors I currently use and this will replace both. The gaming monitor I have now is 24" and my work monitor is 19". This will certainly take getting used to!

Ana

It all sounds just fabulous, BrownEyedTigre, and I hope you enjoy every minute you spend with your new stuff !!

I just wanted to let you all know my new monitor is a thing of beauty! I am loving the curve, and the size. I ended up with this one, in case you can't find it in the thread.

At first it felt really large but the curve made reading it and processing the whole thing easy. The color and images are spectacular! I'm thrilled with it!

I'm so glad you like it! There is something about the curve that is easy on my eyes.

Congratulations Sheriff

Isn't it a great feeling when you purchase something not really knowing if you are going to like it and after much deliberation liking what you have received?

Question: With flat-screen TV's and Monitors there is picture distortion when looking from angles not straight on from the sides and top, do you find this with the curved screen or does it eliminate it or make it worse?

My computer is in the living room of my house and my husband sits on the couch significantly to the side of it. I just asked him and he said he sees it perfectly with no distortion. He said the curve is easier for him to see videos etc if I show him.

And yes, I couldn't be more relieved! I don't part with hard earned money easily and I hesitate to purchase things without research. I am so thankful for the opinions here!

Thanks Sheriff, that is good to know. I have the same problem when my Grandson wants to show me something in a game he is playing and I have to bend over to align my site more towards the middle of the screen to see well enough. It doesn't help that even though I have to bend my body over I then have to tilt my head way back contorting my whole body to see through the darn bifocals area of these glasses.

Wouldn't it be neat if they could make prescription made Monitors where we wouldn't have to wear glasses?

The other nice thing about the monitor is is actually has a swivel and also an up/down height adjustment . I forget about the swivel because I'm not used to it yet.

Fantastic !! I'm so pleased for you that you are happy with your new stuff

Glad to hear you like it! I like the swivel and up/down height adjustment feature a lot.

I'm assuming you are happy with the computer too?

Yes, I do like the computer very much, oldbroad! I haven't fully installed all my programs on it and still using my old one for mail, but I'll get around to making it fully operational soon! I am using it for gaming and it's quite lovely!

Late to the results... glad you like it Ana.