Computers & Electronics

What screen size recommended for PC monitor?

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Newbie
Jan 14, 2011
55 posts
55 upvotes
DESERONTO

What screen size recommended for PC monitor?

Hi, was wondering what opinions people had on the best size for a monitor for PC use at 1080p. Mostly photoshop, some gaming, as the usual web browsing. I have already purchased a HP 25xw monitor from Staples last week on sale for 200.

http://www.staples.ca/en/HP-Pavilion-25 ... CA_1_20001

It is very clear imho, and a good price when on sale for $100 off. My concern is that the 27" version went on sale this week for $250.

http://www.staples.ca/en/HP-Pavilion-27 ... CA_1_20001

My concern is that usually prefer the largest screen available for viewing. However, is it a good idea to go 27" when the max resolution I can output is 1080p. I will be using monitor as an external for my laptop with an additional external keyboard to give me a proper work station when I do not feel like staring at a 15.6" screen. So far the 25" seems very clear to me, is it worth extra $50 to go to 27", or would the benefit of extra screen size be lost to a worse PPI count? Also, curious was screen size most people are using now, and what their ideal screen size would be. I read that anything over 23" should be higher then 1080p, so at 25" I may already be pushing it.

Thanks for your opinions.


*If this is a double post I apologize, could not find thread I started 10 min earlier.
36 replies
Deal Expert
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Jun 12, 2003
15213 posts
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Markham
Uh.. This comes down to personal preference..

My parents would certainly enjoy a 27" 1080P screen...
ShadowVlican
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Dec 29, 2008
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once you go big you can't go back. Guy at work uses a 40" 4K tv as his monitor. It works for him since he host a lot of meetings in his office but personally 24" is the right size for me, that is of course until I get a 27" but any bigger is probably to big.
Newbie
Jan 14, 2011
55 posts
55 upvotes
DESERONTO
Do you think a 27" monitor would look bad at a 1080p resolution? At wonder at what point the same number of pixels over a larger screen will start to look bad when sitting close to a monitor. I'm tempted to go back and get the 27" inch myself.
Sr. Member
May 13, 2014
765 posts
450 upvotes
Vancouver
oneowl wrote: Do you think a 27" monitor would look bad at a 1080p resolution? At wonder at what point the same number of pixels over a larger screen will start to look bad when sitting close to a monitor. I'm tempted to go back and get the 27" inch myself.
This is really a personal (eye) thing and it's the reason why HiDPI and 4K are so divisive. Ultimately, it boils down to this: can you see the individual pixels (or more likely, distinct pixel boundaries) on your 25xw, and does it bother you?
Deal Fanatic
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Nov 4, 2008
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Scarbs
I'm using a 27"@1080P monitor positioned a foot and a half away from my face, and I've got nothing against the image quality (I can see individual pixels if I try really, really hard). Relative to a 27@4K, my monitor won't look as nice; but in and of itself, it's still a very nice monitor.

It's like calling a Corolla a bad buy because you can drop a little more for a Camry. Sometimes people are perfectly content with a 'rolla, and don't want to spend more for something nicer.
When given enough time, all threads on RFD can and will go off on a tangent.
Deal Addict
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Dec 29, 2008
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IMO 2" will hardly make a difference in pixel's and if i was to get a monitor today it would be minimum 27" @1080p. If you are a hardcore gamer then I would say get something better but for general purposes 27" @ 1080 is fine, worth the extra $50.
Sr. Member
May 13, 2014
765 posts
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Vancouver
aeba7 wrote: It's like calling a Corolla a bad buy because you can drop a little more for a Camry. Sometimes people are perfectly content with a 'rolla, and don't want to spend more for something nicer.
Except that with monitors, some people actually prefer the Corolla. I'm sure you've seen plenty of elderly people using a 1280x720 resolution on a 1080p screen because that's what they need to use in order to read properly.

I, on the other hand, am farsighted, so I can easily see individual pixels even on 24" 1080p monitor (though I got used to it long before 4K was around so it doesn't bother me at all), but again, this is one of those things where YMMV.
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Nov 25, 2009
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Winnipeg
Raident wrote: Except that with monitors, some people actually prefer the Corolla. I'm sure you've seen plenty of elderly people using a 1280x720 resolution on a 1080p screen because that's what they need to use in order to read properly.
This! Seen too many people buy a 22/23" screen cause its bigger then a 17/19" only to find everything is smaller at its default resolution and since font scaling in Windows has always been hit or miss you see them dumbing down the res and if its not a quality screen the pic is not clear.

I just scream at the people saying 768 is too low for a laptop. It's up to the individual. Low res better for bad eyes.
Deal Expert
Jun 30, 2006
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Toronto
Personally I would say minimum 24inch. I love the 27inch.
Deal Fanatic
Jan 18, 2010
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I sit 2 ft from a 23" 1080p screen and it appears sharp enough to me.
If I upgrade to 27" 1080p, will I see a pixels? Or should I wait for 27" 1440p prices to come down? Would I need a new graphics card for 1440p or even 4k? (i have Radeon HD 7790 1GB).
Deal Fanatic
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Nov 4, 2008
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iHateShaw wrote: I sit 2 ft from a 23" 1080p screen and it appears sharp enough to me.
If I upgrade to 27" 1080p, will I see a pixels? Or should I wait for 27" 1440p prices to come down? Would I need a new graphics card for 1440p or even 4k? (i have Radeon HD 7790 1GB).
I have to be 10" away from my 27, or closer, to see pixels.
When given enough time, all threads on RFD can and will go off on a tangent.
Deal Expert
Oct 6, 2005
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I think the sweet spot right now is a 27" Monitor @ 2560x1440. It provides a good compromise between resolution and DPI.
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Jan 19, 2005
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Vancity
22-24 @ 1080p. 27-29 @ 4-5k (I use an iMac @ 5k at work, and it looks beautiful).
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Deal Addict
Jun 29, 2008
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North York
I would love to have four 27's with a 40" mounted on the wall above.
Sr. Member
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Apr 23, 2011
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TORONTO
27", either 2560x1440 and 1920x1080 are great, as long as you stick to IPS.
Alternatively, 34", 21:9, 3440x1440, because I think it's better than dual monitors.

Hint: You can play games and videos windowed at 720p on 2560x1440 and 3440x1440 monitors and still have desktop space leftover, if you have a serious case of ADHD, like I do. Also great for having two browser windows open, unlike 1920x1080 monitors, which kinda lack the pixel width for properly displaying that stuff on modern web pages.
Newbie
Jun 28, 2015
3 posts
Langley, BC
I have got 32inch and it’s pretty comfortable to me, so I will suggest you the same, I am using 1366 x 768 Resolution, I have another on my brother’s room and it’s 27 which is also nice, so it’s basically bit about the budget that you could afford.
Deal Addict
Aug 4, 2006
3428 posts
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Toronto
Once I moved to my Dell 30" I can never go to a smaller screen. Next "monitor" I buy will be oculus rift for gaming.
Deal Addict
Sep 15, 2004
3309 posts
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Gone through a lot of monitors various sizes (sometimes I use a TV as a monitor too). Well my trusty (eight years) 24" Samsung (1920x1200) died the other days... buzzsffit, and I replaced it with a 27" 1920 x 1080 Asus and I can tell you I miss those extras pixels big time... this 27" looks smaller than my old 24" aspect wise. If wide aspect is the size you're looking for, then a 30" minimum would be in the cards and after many years of bigger and smaller 32" sounds cool, and the higher the resolution the better. Apples 5K monitor still brings gasps.

I recently saw a 4K Samsung 28" I could live with at Best Buy ($450), but driving it properly might be an issue. If the monitor is a bit too big, you can always sit or mount the monitor at a distance. Leave you with my last words... BIGGER IS BETTER!
Deal Expert
Aug 22, 2006
31271 posts
17295 upvotes
Depends on what my use case is.
For me I'd rather have multiple monitors over a single one so I'd put out like 3x 23" over 1x 27"
In fact... I retired a couple workstations with 27" and replaced them with 2-3 23"

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