When you shop for a computer monitor, you probably notice the display’s resolution, such as 1024x768, prominently listed. But this spec actually matters little to your buying decision, once you’ve settled on the size of monitor you want.
Here’s why:
The listed numbers represent the monitor’s maximum or "native" resolution—the number of pixels that can be displayed horizontally (the first number) and vertically (the second number) on the screen. Pixels are the screen elements that render detail; the more of them in every inch of screen, the more detail should be apparent—at least all other things being equal.
The number of pixels monitors have tends to rise in step with size, and be fairly uniform within sizes, too. So, today’s widescreen (16 x 10-aspect) monitors typically have a maximum resolution of 1440 x 900 pixels in the 19-inch size; 1680 x 1050 pixels in the 22-inch size, and 1920 x 1200 pixels in the 24-inch size.
Do the math (multiply the pixel counts, and divide by the number of inches) and you get about 89 pixels to every inch of screen for the 19-inch monitors; 90 for the 22-inchers; and 96 for the 24-inchers. A few outlying models in any category might have more or less pixels. For example, some non-widescreen (4:3-aspect) 19-inch monitors have 1280 x 1024 pixels, giving about 86 pixels per inch.
Such variation—at most, 10 or so pixels per inch—are too small for the eye to easily detect. In addition, as with TV screens, resolution alone isn’t the only determinant of how good (or even how detailed) images look on a monitor; a host of other engineering factors come into play.
That’s one reason we don’t even list resolution in our Ratings of monitors (available to subscribers). And why some monitors with the same resolution as most other models in their size category score lower for the quality of their display.
Bottom line: Don’t sweat the resolution. Decide how large a monitor you can fit into your desk space, and buy accordingly.
One caveat: If you’re planning to use your monitor to watch high-definition TV and video images, consider getting a monitor with a native resolution of at least 1920x1080—which is likely one 22 inches or bigger. That’s the resolution that allows you to get the most out of the 1080p "full HD" signals provided now by a Blu-ray high-def disc player, and that will eventually come to video from other sources, too. (Pro photographers and other serious graphics types, too, may have reason to seek higher-than-customary resolution.)
And one heads up: You may not be able to take advantage of the full native resolution of your screen if the graphics card in your computer isn’t up to the same level. You may need to upgrade the card, or replace your computer, to get the most out of that big new monitor. —Donna Tapellini
Previous
Post a comment
Comments: