Should you buy a TV or a monitor for your computer?

When buying a computer, people think, “Should I get a monitor or pair it up with my TV?” It depends on the personal preference of the person. But there are many advantages of using a computer monitor over a TV.

While buying a TV, people prefer the screen size to be bigger. But while buying a computer monitor,  size is not as important as the screen resolution. TVs usually have a smaller pixel density as compared to a computer monitor. If you want to play games, using a computer monitor is best. It will provide you with a high-quality image and help you play better.

The response time of a TV doesn’t matter much. So, the manufacturers don’t consider this factor while making a TV. The response time of a computer monitor matters a lot especially if you are planning to play games on it. Computer monitors are much more responsive than TV.

The refresh rate of a computer monitor is also fast. Many other such features make a computer monitor better than a TV. It is because the manufactures have specific aims. They don’t aim for the TV to work as a computer monitor.

If you want a computer monitor for gaming then you should go for one. But if you want it for watching movies and seasons only, then connecting your desktop with a TV is not a bad idea.

What are the types of computer monitors?

There are 3 most common types of computer monitor. These are:

• CRT monitors
• LED monitors
• LCD monitors

Let’s learn the major differences between these three types.

CRT Monitors

Cathode Ray tube monitors use a cathode ray to display images. The cathodes and anodes work together. In a CRT monitor, electron beams travel from one side to the other. As a result, brightness occurs on the screen due to which image displays there.

The CRT monitor is old technology. They usually don’t come into the market now. Moreover, their shape was different from the monitors today. They occupy more space than an LCD or LED due to their large size.

LED Monitors

Light Emitting Diode monitors are flat screened monitors. They are lightweight and have a short depth.

LED monitors are somewhat like LCD monitors. The only difference is that LED monitors use light-emitting diodes. LEDs are thinner than CCFL. So, LED monitors are thinner than both CRT monitors and LCD monitors.

You can use LED monitors in daylight too because they are extremely bright. That is the reason why billboards have LED screens.

LCD Monitors

Liquid Crystal Display monitors are thicker than an LED monitor. But they are thinner than a CRT monitor. They have liquid crystals between two polarised glass pieces. They use a backlight to display the image.

How much electricity does a computer monitor consume?

Computer monitors alone don’t consume a lot of electricity. Even when you add up the electricity that a computer monitor and a desktop consume, it won’t be too much.

It depends upon the type of monitor that you use and the size of the screen. Bigger monitors consume more electricity than smaller ones. CRT monitors consume more electricity than both LED and LCD monitors.

A typical CRT monitor of 17 inches consumes about 80 watts of electricity. While an LCD monitor of the same size only consumes 35 watts of electricity. A 24 inches LCD monitor can consume up to 70 watts of electricity.

If you are looking to save some bucks, an LCD monitor is a good option.

How does a computer monitor work?

A computer monitor works by using either CRT or LCD technology. Modern computer monitors use LCD technology because it saves both space and energy.

LCD monitors block light instead of creating light to display images. The image that an LCD monitor produces is bright enough to see it in daylight.

How much does a computer monitor cost in the Philippines?

It depends upon the type of computer monitor that you are going to buy. If you are buying a CRT monitor, it will cost less because of its old technology.

An LCD monitor will cost more because it is better than a CRT monitor in terms of technology. It is modern technology and consumes less energy. A typical 20+ inch LCD monitor can cost anywhere from ₱2500-7500.

If you buy the monitor from a known high-end brand, it will cost you more. Costly monitors don’t always mean that they are better than cheap ones. There are many cheap options in the market today that can give you the same feel as a high-end one.

How to choose the best computer monitor?

There are many factors that you should consider before buying a computer monitor. With time, technology has become so vast that it becomes hard to choose a specific product. But when you know your exact goal, you will be able to choose the right computer monitor for yourself.

LCD vs LED

The hardest choice is to make between LCD and LED monitors. If you want to play games, you can choose either of them. LED monitors consume less energy than an LED monitor. If you want to play games all day every day then LED monitors are better for you.

On the other hand, if you are looking for an affordable monitor, LCD monitors are good for you. It is because LCD monitors are much cheaper than LED monitors.

LED monitors are brighter and have a better response time. If you have the money, then you should go for LED monitors for gaming. They will make your gaming experience better.

Size

The size of the screen matters a lot when you are buying a computer monitor. You can play games on a small-sized computer monitor because you will most likely sit closer to it.

But if you want to buy a computer monitor for watching movies, bigger-sized screens are better. If you watch movies sitting far away from the screen, small-sized monitors won't be ideal.

Always remember that the bigger the screen, the more it will cost you.

Panel Type

There are different panel types in the market today. The most common ones are VA, IPS and TN.

VP panels have a slow response rate as compared to IPS and TN panels. But their display quality is good. They are great if you want to do some office work.

IPS monitors display the best colours. So, they are good for watching movies and TV shows. They are also good if you want to use your computer for graphic designing. There are two reasons why IPS panels are not good for gaming. Firstly, their response time is not fast. Secondly, they are more expensive than a TN panel.

For gaming purposes, Twisted-Nematic (TN) monitors are best. These monitors are affordable and also provide you with the highest performance. Their refresh rate and response time are fast too. You won’t feel any lag while playing games on a TN monitor.

Space

If you have less space, then you will have to settle with an LED monitor. LED monitors are thinner than LCD ones. Due to this reason, most people with space problems use LED monitors.

What’s inside a computer monitor?

If you want to learn whether your computer monitor is eco-friendly or not, you must know what’s inside a computer monitor. Usually, computer monitors are not that eco-friendly. But there are many eco-friendly options in the market.

There are different circuits and wires inside a computer monitor. LCD monitors have a small number of metals in them as compared to a CRT monitor. Most common metals in a computer monitor are lead and mercury.

There is one downfall of an LCD monitor. While manufacturing liquid crystals, nitrogen trifluoride is used. It is much more harmful than carbon dioxide.

Are computer monitors harmful to the eyes?

Old CRT monitors were very harmful to eyes if used for a longer period. Moreover, people used to advise you to sit a little far away while using a CRT monitor.

With time, the new technology resolved this issue. The computer monitors of today like LCD and LED monitors are not harmful to your eyes. Even if you stare at the screen for a long time, it won’t affect your eyesight. But that doesn’t mean that you should use a computer all day. Staring at a screen for hours can give you a digital eye strain. Moreover, it can also give you a headache and fatigue. So, taking the rest from the screen is essential.

Digital Eye Strain

Digital Eye Strain can give you headaches due to prolonged screen use. It can also give you neck and back pain as well as dry eyes. It usually occurs when you look at a screen for hours. Other reasons may include bad posture and bad lighting.

How long does a computer monitor work for?

Computer monitors are very long-lasting. They can work for up to 20 years. If you buy a computer monitor from a known brand, it will last for a long time. Such computer monitors come with a warranty.

The lifespan of a computer monitor depends upon many factors. These factors include the usage of a computer monitor per day and the brand of the monitor. The type of computer monitors and technology used in it also determine the life span of it.

An LCD monitor usually lasts up to 30k-60k hours. That means, if you use it for 8-10 hours every day, it can last for 20 years. It means you can use them for a long time without changing them. But people usually change their monitors to get new technology.

LED monitors work a little longer than an LCD monitor. You can use them for 50k hours. It means you can use them for some extra years.

CRT monitors don’t last as long as LED and LCD monitors. The most they can last for is up to 10 years. But that is still a long time. All these monitors require a one-time investment and can last a long time.

What are the best computer monitors brands in the Philippines?

There are many computer monitor brands in the Philippines that are considered the best. Some of them are high-end while others are cheaper options. Some of them are Samsung, AOC, Acer, Nvision, and SpecterPro.

Samsung and SpectorPro are slightly expensive. Nvision is considered a cheaper option. Some other inexpensive options are by Dell, Asus and AOC.

You can get eco-friendly monitors from SpecterPro. All these brands have different specialties. You don’t necessarily need to buy the most expensive monitor to get a good one.

How to connect a computer monitor with a desktop?

You need a port to connect your computer monitor to the desktop. The most common ports are VGA, HDMI and DVI.

Before buying a computer monitor, you should check which port your desktop has. For that, you should look behind your desktop and you will find the port.

Buy a computer monitor that you can connect with the port of your desktop. You can also convert one port into the other if needed.

Get a suitable connector for your monitor and desktop. After that,  connect your computer monitor to your desktop by using the connector.

Are computer monitors more expensive than TVs?

Computer monitors are more expensive than TVs. But there are many reasons for it. Computer monitors have better resolution and response time. Whereas, a TV doesn’t have as good of a resolution as a computer monitor.

Manufacturers make computer monitors to connect it with a desktop. But TV manufacturers don’t keep such things into consideration. They make the TV only for watching purposes. Therefore, computer monitors are better than TVs for pairing it up with a desktop.

You can get a TV instead of a computer monitor to save some bucks. But the experience won’t be as good as a monitor. If you are planning to play games, then a computer monitor is the best option.

How to use a computer monitor?

Using a computer monitor doesn’t involve any rocket science. After you have connected a computer monitor with a desktop, the using part is very easy.

There is a button on the front of your screen to turn the monitor on or off. You can press it to turn it on. After that, you can use the monitor by using a mouse and keyboard. You can also get a touch-sensitive monitor if you find it hard to use with a mouse.

What is the difference between a computer monitor and a TV?

The major difference between a computer monitor and a TV is the screen resolution. The resolution of a computer monitor is much higher than a TV.

Another difference is the screen size. The size of a TV is much larger than a computer monitor. But you can always get larger computer monitors.

You don’t interact much with a TV because everything displayed on them is pre-recorded. On the other hand, monitors are designed in such a way that they are interaction friendly.

Lastly, TVs are cheaper than a computer monitor. It is because computer monitors have more features than a TV.

How to keep your computer monitor long-lasting?

Taking proper care of any electronic device is essential to keep it long-lasting. You can protect your computer monitor by following a few advice mentioned below:

Don’t keep your computer monitor on when you are not using it. You should shut down your PC when it is not in use. If you don’t want to shut down the PC for some reason, you can turn off the computer monitor.

Shut down your PC properly so that both the desktop and computer monitor don’t face any damage.

If there is some electricity problem such as voltage issues, don’t use your computer monitor. The chances are that your monitor won’t get sufficient voltage. As a result, it can get damaged.

Don't let your computer monitor get dusty. Clean it with a dry cloth every week so that dust doesn’t accommodate inside the unit.

If you use your computer monitor all day, don’t shut it down just for a while. Turning it on and off a lot can damage the monitor. Only turn it off if you are not going to use it for 2-3

Bottom Line?

Computer monitors are great if you want to pair them up with your desktop. In fact, they are better than a TV for this purpose. They might be a little more expensive than a TV but their features are worth the money.

You can find many inexpensive options for computer monitors in the market. Always make sure that you know your demands before buying a computer monitor. At the end of the day, the best choice for a computer monitor depends upon your personal preference.