How to choose a monitor for Black Friday: size, panel, ports and example models

Black Friday brings big discounts, but a monitor that looks cheap can still be wrong for your work or your computer. This guide helps you write down your needs in advance and buy calmly, without paying extra for features you will never use.

What will you use the monitor for?

Before looking at models, answer three questions:

• Office work, documents, spreadsheets, video calls. Comfortable resolution, low eye strain and good ergonomics matter most.
• Home office. You often need a single-cable connection to a laptop and a practical desk setup.
• Leisure. For films, games and photos, picture quality, contrast and refresh rate matter more.

Note down which computer you will connect, how much desk space you have and whether you may want a second screen. That will narrow your choice more than any discount.

Screen size and resolution

Size and resolution should suit each other. A large screen with low resolution looks grainy, while very high resolution on a small screen means scaling things up.

• About 24 inches, Full HD (1920 x 1080): a good choice for the office and home when the desk is small.
• About 27 inches, Full HD: a roomier screen for films and everyday tasks, though fine detail will look less sharp.
• 27 inches, Quad HD (2560 x 1440): more room for windows and a clearer picture, comfortable for long working days.
• 27 inches, 4K (3840 x 2160): very detailed for photos, video and games, as long as your computer can drive that resolution.
• Around 17 inches, 1280 x 1024: an older format, usually chosen for specific places where a compact screen is needed.

Panel type and refresh rate

Panel types in plain words

The panel determines how the screen shows colour and viewing angles.

• IPS: widely valued for stable colours and wide viewing angles. Good for photo work or if you often look at the screen from the side.
• VA: usually deeper blacks and higher contrast, which suits films.
• TN: an older type, usually cheaper, with weaker colours and viewing angles.
• OLED: each pixel produces its own light, so black looks very dark. Among the models in this offer, the Samsung G70SH is OLED.

The product data we have does not state the panel type, so check it in the product description or the manufacturer's specification before you buy.

Why refresh rate matters

Refresh rate (Hz) shows how many times per second the screen updates the picture. For office work and films, 60 Hz is perfectly adequate. A higher rate, such as 100 Hz or more, makes mouse movement and scrolling smoother, which is most noticeable in games. If you do not play games, you do not have to pay extra for it. Some models here are listed at 60 Hz (for example the ASUS VY279HG2 and AG Neovo X-17E); for the others our data does not give this figure, so check it yourself.

Ports and compatibility

A common mistake is to buy a great monitor and then find that your computer has no suitable output. Check both sides.

• HDMI: the most common connector, suitable for most laptops and desktop computers.
• DisplayPort: common on desktop computers and worth considering for higher resolutions.
• VGA: an old analogue connector. If your computer or monitor no longer has it, you will need an adapter, and picture quality is lower than over digital connections.
• USB-C: very convenient for laptops because it can carry video over one cable. Your computer's USB-C port must support video output, which is stated in its specification.

If you will connect the monitor to a laptop, check which ports it has. If you take a lot of video calls, a pair of headphones may come in handy too. Also see which cables are included, as that saves time and extra spending.

Stand, adjustment and energy class

The stand matters more than it seems. If the screen is too low or too high, your neck and shoulders tire sooner. Check whether a stand is included and what adjustments it allows. For example, the Dell P2425H in this offer comes without a stand, so you will need to buy one separately or use a mount. The Samsung G70SH comes with a HAS-type stand.

The energy efficiency scale for these monitors runs from A to G. Look for the specific class on the product's energy label, as it helps you compare consumption. For example, the ASUS VY279HG2 lists 14 W power consumption in operation.

Example models from the offer

Below are a few models from the monitors category. This is not a ranking, just examples of how different needs match different specifications.

In short: the ASUS suits those who want a larger Full HD screen with eye-friendly features. The Dell P2425H appeals to people looking for a smaller, compact screen, but you will need to sort out a stand. The EIZO suits long working evenings: Quad HD resolution gives more room and a USB-C cable is included. The AG Neovo X-17E is better where a small screen and a VGA connection are needed. The Samsung G70SH is for those who want 4K resolution and an OLED picture.

How to prepare for Black Friday

1. Write down your needs. Purpose, size, resolution, ports, stand type and budget limit.
2. Check your computer. Which video outputs it has and whether its USB-C supports video.
3. Pick 2–3 models in advance and compare their specifications in a table. See which cables come in the box and whether a stand is included.
4. Check the price before the sale so you know whether a discount is really worthwhile. A cheaper but unsuitable monitor is a poor investment.
5. Read the warranty terms. For example, the EIZO in this offer lists a 7-year warranty.
6. Do not buy in a rush. If your list is ready, the decision is simple.

With a clear list, Black Friday stops being a lottery and becomes a convenient chance to buy exactly what you need.