One of the best feelings, when classes start, is getting shiny new gear, from the smell of newly opened packages to the bling and coolness factor they add to your educational arsenal. Of course, you are going to need a computer for your school work, so getting a good monitor within a specified budget is a must. There are some factors to consider before pulling the trigger, but owning a device from reliable brands is now easier than ever.
What to Consider Before Buying a Monitor for School
1. Size and Aspect Ratio
Monitors come in all sizes and shapes, but often, study corners or work desks are limited. If you have to live in a dorm, it will be much more cramped since you might end up having to share your space with a roommate. Thus, getting an ideal sized monitor would be beneficial to your comfort and neatness, without wasting space or encroaching on your roomie’s space.
We typically recommend 27 inches as the best medium between screen size and space consumed, although it will be too much for the tighter spaces in dormitories. If you have your room, it shouldn’t be an issue, but otherwise, a 24-inch model is more practical. The latter provides enough screen real estate for comfortable viewing, but at the same time, it won’t overwhelm your environment.
You can also choose smaller models up to 22 inches, but anything less will feel too cramped especially if you need to work on documents or want a bit of gaming entertainment. We’re stating this consideration being gamers ourselves, plus we know that it’s a great outlet without dulling your mind after a stressful day.
As for aspect ratio, 16:9 is always more ideal despite 21:9’s appeal regarding productivity. The extra peripheral space ultrawides can help streamline your work flow, but then again the issue of size comes biting back. Unless you have a massive wall to hang an ultrawide, then there is no choice other than the smaller counterparts. You can also consider 16:10 monitors for the extra vertical space, but models with this form factor aren’t ubiquitous, especially in the affordable ranges.
2. Resolution
The best fix to the limitations above is getting a compact monitor for school which has a wider resolution. Each step of increase exponentially increases your virtual work space, so squeezing in more documents or media will be easier. As an example, a 90% scaled word document will take up around 70% of a 1080p screen, but a 1440p model can fit two side by side.
Higher resolutions will also make after-hours gaming much more enjoyable since the crispness and smoothness of graphics will increase. So long as you have a capable rig sitting beside your study corner, you shouldn’t have an issue. But for the more important parts of your usage, don’t forget that squeezing in 1440p or 4K in a 24-inch monitor might reduce text size too far, so unless you have eagle eye vision, it would be safer to stay at 1080p.
3. Price
Getting a college education can be expensive, while middle school to high school students are usually stuck with allowance-grade budgets or savings from summer jobs which are also limited. Although if you have the extra cash, you can choose from our selected best gaming monitors without worrying about budgeting.
A typical display for your school PC would fit somewhere between a hundred bucks to three hundred, considering that the market is full of practical options. The first two considerations will have a remarkable effect on pricing, so choose wisely. As long as the screen functions within reasonable performance standards, your schooling computer needs will be secure.
The Best Back to School Monitors Available Today
1. HP Pavilion 22CWA
The best selling HP Pavilion 22CWA is a fabulous choice if both space and budget are limited. This 22-inch 1080p monitor with a vibrant IPS panel provides excellent clarity and vibrancy for the price, all while staying compact and lightweight. The build quality is robust and reliable, while the stand’s footprint will only eat up 6 inches of depth on your desk.
Not to mention, the product is gorgeously designed, with a bezel-free face and a minimalist stand. Even if it doesn’t come with extra features, the value presented by the price and what you get for it is difficult to ignore.
2. Dell SE2417HG
The Dell SE2417HG offers a mix of enterprise usability and a bit of gaming panache wrapped into its simple and budget oriented exterior. We can’t stress it enough how we love the brand’s subdued design for any use, but we reckon this baby will look great and add neatness to your dorm room.
The TN screen provides plenty of clarity and responsiveness at 1080p for both studying and entertainment, making this model suitable for this guide. The twin HDMI slots signal usability as both a PC monitor and a gaming console display, so you can still build a respectable battle station in your apartment or dorm.
3. Samsung C24FG70
The Samsung C24FG70 is a unique gaming monitor with enhanced color thanks to Quantum Dot tech for eye popping visuals. The VA screen features an enhanced contrast ratio for immersive shades and color to compliment the 144Hz refresh rate for a smoother, blur-free experience.
The screen on the Samsung C24FG70 has tighter, 1800r curve for an engrossing experience, but we think it would also help you focus on your schoolwork, keeping your eyes away from external distractions. This minimalist model comes with an articulated arm instead of a rigid stand for desk posture, so its flexibility in finding a comfortable angle is unmatched.
4. Asus VX24AH
The Asus VX24AH is a step up model when compared to the previous three thanks to its tightly packed 1440p resolution. Combine its sharpness with the lush colors and excellent viewing angles of IPS technology, and you get the convenience of a larger view space with spirited visuals. Although in our review we found some compromises in performance, buying affordable 1440p displays will always entail some limitations.
The visuals on the Asus VX24AH are larger than your usual FHD screen, but the monitor is simplified and sleek. The face is bezel free save for some panel borders, plus the ring-shaped base doesn’t eat up a lot of space on a desk. The hollow center allows users to keep tiny knick knacks such as coins in keys in one place, so despite its ergonomic restrictions, this model is still a wise choice.
5. ViewSonic VP2468
If you are prissy about color accuracy or your chosen course is related to graphics design, the ViewSonic VP2468 is a superb entry level option to solve your needs. The 1080p IPS panel comes factory calibrated to have 100% sRGB gamut coverage thanks in part to a 14-bit LUT.
Even if it doesn’t have Adobe RGB support, the ViewSonic VP2468 includes filters for content creation like SMPTE-C, Rec709, and DICOM SIM. The package comes with a fully ergonomic stand and so even if you have work in a corner, getting a comfortable position is always accessible.
6. Asus MG24UQ
The Asus MG24UQ combines 4K visuals with a compact, but functional form factor ideal for tight spaces. This high-quality gaming grade monitor comes equipped with FreeSync for buttery-smooth, and highly detailed gaming, although you will need a mighty GPU to power its output. Despite the limitations of TN, the panel Asus used has an 8-bit interface that can create a vibrancy that nearly matches IPS tech.
If you go with this option, you will go slightly over budget because of 4K’s premium tax. But spending that extra will get you a solidly built, high-performance monitor that comes with a sophisticated and well-built exterior.
Thoughts
Honestly, the market for monitors ideal for school isn’t limited to this list, but we created it to provide a benchmark for you. If you require more sophisticated, or bigger monitors, you can consult our gaming and professional guides for more options. Or if like the rest of us mortals, your budget is unforgiving, you can check our 150 Dollar and 200 Dollar selections for the cheapest, high quality monitors available.
If you are an early adopter and planning to tackle this school year with advanced tech, you can consult our USB-C buying guide for your latest Type-C exclusive laptop. Whatever your needs maybe for the semesters ahead in display tech, rest assured that the possibilities are endless and Monitornerds is here to help you get the best out of your hard-earned cash.
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