Monitors & Displays

Balance two things: resolution and refresh rate, then match them to your graphics card. A fast 1080p or 1440p screen at 144Hz or higher suits most gamers, while 4K is stunning if your GPU can drive it. For competitive shooters, a high refresh rate matters most. For single-player and visual games, resolution and panel quality take priority.

1080p is easiest to drive and great for fast esports. 1440p is the current sweet spot, with a clear jump in sharpness while staying within reach of mid-range cards. 4K looks superb and suits larger screens and single-player games, but it asks a lot of your graphics card. Pick the resolution your GPU can comfortably run at the frame rate you want.

Higher refresh means smoother motion. 144Hz is a big step up from 60Hz and plenty for most players. 240Hz suits fast competitive games if your PC can push the frames. 360Hz is for serious esports. There is little point buying 240Hz or 360Hz unless your graphics card can reach those frame rates in the games you play.

OLED gives the best contrast and near-instant response, which looks fantastic for games and films, and OLED gaming monitors are very popular for that reason. IPS offers great colour and value with strong all-round performance. Mini LED brings very bright HDR with deep local dimming. Choose OLED for the best image, IPS for value, and Mini LED for bright HDR.

24 inch suits 1080p and competitive play up close. 27 inch is the popular all-rounder and pairs beautifully with 1440p. 32 inch and above is great for 4K and immersive single-player games. An ultrawide (34 inch and up) wraps more of the scene around you, which is brilliant for racing, flight and productivity.

Variable refresh (G-Sync or FreeSync) keeps motion tear-free by syncing the screen to your graphics card, and it is worth having on any gaming monitor. HDMI 2.1 matters if you want high refresh at 4K or you are connecting a current console. Check that the monitor ports and sync support match your PC or console before you buy.

A computer monitor is the screen that shows everything your PC or laptop produces, from the desktop and web pages to games, films and creative work. It takes the video signal from your graphics card or laptop over HDMI, DisplayPort or USB-C and turns it into the image you see. A better monitor means sharper text, more accurate colour and smoother motion, which is why the screen matters as much as the parts inside your computer.

Screen size is measured diagonally, from one corner of the visible panel to the opposite corner, not including the bezel or stand. A 27 inch monitor is 27 inches corner to corner. Aspect ratio matters too, so a widescreen 32 inch display and an ultrawide 34 inch display are very different shapes even though the numbers look close. Always check both the diagonal size and the aspect ratio before you buy.

In the UK a solid everyday Full HD monitor starts from around 80 to 120 pounds. A good 27 inch QHD screen for work or gaming usually sits between 150 and 300 pounds, while high refresh 4K, OLED and ultrawide monitors run from about 400 pounds upward. Brand, panel type, refresh rate and HDR all affect the price, so decide what you actually need before you spend.

Yes. Most modern TVs have HDMI and work as a computer monitor, which is handy for films and couch gaming. The catch is that TVs are large and lower in pixel density, so text can look soft up close, and many have slower response times and more input lag than a proper monitor. For a desk where you read and work all day, a dedicated computer monitor is the better choice. For a big screen across the room, a TV is fine.

Almost every laptop can drive an external monitor through HDMI, USB-C or DisplayPort, giving you a bigger, more comfortable display for work or gaming, and portable monitors are made exactly for this. Using a laptop panel as a second screen for a desktop is trickier, since most laptops only send video out rather than take it in, but Windows can extend your desktop onto a laptop wirelessly using Miracast.

Turn the monitor off and let it cool. Wipe gently with a dry microfibre cloth to lift dust, then, if needed, lightly dampen the cloth with distilled water or a screen-safe cleaner. Never spray liquid straight onto the screen, and avoid paper towels, glass cleaner and anything with alcohol or ammonia, as these can strip the anti-glare coating. Wipe in soft, straight strokes and let it dry before switching back on.

In Windows, right-click the desktop and open Display settings. To rotate a screen, pick the display and change its Orientation to portrait or landscape. To use two monitors, connect the second screen, set the layout to Extend so you get one continuous desktop, then drag the monitor icons to match how they sit on your desk. You can drag windows between them or snap them side by side.