How We Test Computers
The review process for laptops, desktops, tablets and other computer-like devices consists of two parts: performance testing under controlled conditions in the CNET Labs and extensive hands-on use by our expert reviewers. This includes evaluating a device’s aesthetics, ergonomics and features. A final review verdict is a combination of both those objective and subjective judgments.
The list of benchmarking software we use changes over time as the devices we test evolve. The most important core tests we’re currently running on every compatible computer include: Primate Labs Geekbench 5, Cinebench R23, PCMark 10 and 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra.
A more detailed description of each benchmark and how we use it can be found in our How We Test Computers page.
Know Where You’re Pointing
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Make your mouse more visible by changing the color and size of the mouse pointer. Select the Start button, then select Settings > Accessibility > Mouse pointer & touch, and choose the options that work best for you.
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By adding pointer trails you can see where the mouse is moving on the screen. Select the Start button, then select Settings > Bluetooth & devices> Mouse > Additional mouse settings. In the Mouse Properties window, select the Pointer Options tab, and then Display pointer trails.
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Windows can also show visual feedback when you touch the screen. Select the Start button, then select Settings > Accessibility > Mouse pointer & touch, and then set Touch indicator to On.
How Do We Determine The Screen Quality
The most important factor that determines the image quality is the resolution of the screen. The resolution determines how sharp everything is displayed on the screen. On a Full HD screen, you’ll see more details than on a screen with a lower resolution. A UHD, also called 4K, is up to 4 times as detailed as a Full HD screen. The IPS panel also matters, as you can see more realistic colors from all sides than you can on a TN panel.
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Brightness: 250 Nits Is Best
Though resolution and color quality are more important, having a brighter screen provides a better experience. Brighter panels usually make colors pop and lead to wider viewing angles. If you plan to work outdoors or near a window, you need a fairly bright panel to see anything in direct sunlight.
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Most laptop companies and journalists measure brightness in nits and higher numbers equate to a more luminous screen. The brightest laptops on the market have screens that can reach 300 nits or more, but you can consider any screen with over 250 nits to be above average.
Screen Resolution For The Undecided
If you can’t determine your predispositions for resolution in your Gaming PC, choose 1080p FHD without hesitation. This resolution will give you the pleasure when playing every game, you will not have to worry about low FPS and you will see all the graphic effects available in games.
If you are going to buy a high end Gaming PC with a very efficient graphics card, you can think about 1440p QHD , this resolution should also provide you with high performance in all games, while you will have nicer graphics.
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Resolution: 1920 X 1080 Or Higher
Every display panel is made up of a series of dots called pixels, and the more pixels you have, the more detail you can fit on-screen. Most laptops come with low-resolution, 1366 x 768 screens that show far less content than high-resolution panels with at least 1920 x 1080 pixels.
In fact, a 1920 x 1080 display can show as much as 10 additional lines of text on a web page, or in an email or a document you’re editing. You can fit two full-size windows next to each other with 1920 horizontal pixels, but can’t really do that with just 1366 dots to work with. Videos and photos also look a lot sharper at 1080p because the dots are smaller, allowing you to see fine details without the graininess you get on a low-res screen.
If you really want to kick your display quality up a few notches, you can get a screen with an even higher resolution than 1080p. Some laptops are available with panels that are 2560 x 1440, 3200 x 1800 or 3840 x 2160 resolution. These higher-than-1080p resolutions are sharper, but they also use more power, harming battery life.
When you’re going through spec sheets for different laptops, you may see the same screen resolution referred to with different names. For example, a 2560 x 1440 screen could be listed as a 2K display, or as WQHD. Here’s a helpful table of common resolution names.
| Computer Industry Name | |
| UHD | 4K |
What Is The Normal Resolution For A Laptop
Laptops can have various screen resolutions. Usually, a higher resolution means better image quality. But what is the normal screen resolution for a laptop these days?
Most laptops these days, including the cheaper ones, can offer full HD resolution . This is considered the standard by most buyers, resulting in a really good image quality for internet browsing, watching movies and browsing.
There is not such thing as a normal resolution for laptops, because they can function well at various resolutions.
Smaller laptops will usually have lower resolutions simply because the screen is smaller and even at lower pixel density, the image will look good.
This means that you can still get a really good image quality on a small 14 laptop with a resolution of 1,600 x 900 , with no noticeable differences for the average users when compared to a full HD resolution.
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The Best Monitors For Pc Gaming
When you need to game on your PC, you need a gaming display to handle all the pixels sent by your GPU. Adding synchronization technology to the mix makes your game catalog shine, no matter what you play. Depending on what GPU you own and how much budget is available, we have the best recommendations for different resolutions.
While we’ve included it in the above list, don’t go for 720p. Ever. A 1080p monitor should be your minimum entry point, with displays having become relatively affordable around the $100 mark. You can even pick one up with support for AMD FreeSync technology for stutter-free gaming.
When should you make the jump to 1440p or 4K?
Whats The Best Resolution For A 13
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Each screen comes with a default or native resolution, on which images and video look more crispy and sharper. Day by day people are shifting from low-resolution screen to high-resolution screen for the sake of Eyes. 13 laptop comes with various resolution ranging from 720p to high-end 4K resolution, so today we will talk about 13-inch screen resolution along with standard DPI/PPI.
The majority of 13-inch devices come with a standard resolution of 1920×1080 or 1366×768 pixels, but this is not a standard value of something that is very pleasing to human eye.
- The first example is if you have a 13-inch laptop with a resolution of 1366×768 this will result slightly okay pixel per inch number which will be approximately 1 million. If you look at your screen very carefully, you can easily differentiate between two pixels. The same resolution on a 15 laptop may result in a weak PPI of ~100.
- The second example we have here in a 13-inch laptop with a resolution of 1920 by 1080 p, which produces a good number of PPI which is 165. If compared to 15 the PPI value would come around 146.
- The third example would be anything higher than the 1920x1080p, and you can see up to 400 PPI screens in modern laptops.I have seen that if youre getting a 13 laptop with 1080p resolution, paying an additional $100 or $200 will get you a 4K resolution screen.
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Resolution With Respect To Gaming
The same is true for gaming. Apart from the resolution of the screen, you want to make sure that the display is better than an average gaming experience on a PC. This means getting a monitor with a higher resolution like 4K. That way you will be able to have a cinematic experience and you will also be able to move about a meter away from the screen.
Now, increasing the distance will also give you a better view of the field which is crucial when playing certain games. You want to make sure that the field of view is at least 30 degrees for a good experience, 40 degrees if you want to make it even better.
This is possible when you increase the size of the screen by 1.2 which is what a 32-inch monitor offers over a 27-inch monitor. And with UHD 4K resolution, you wont have to strain your eyes for details.
The Best Resolution For A Gaming Ps4 Display
In addition to the resolution, the best monitor for a gaming console will depend on several other things. While shopping for the right display, you need to consider the type of games you will be playing, the type of console, as well as your budget.
To choose the best gaming monitor resolution for your PS4 device, here some of the important things you need to consider:
Resolution
To get clear images from your gaming console, it is advisable to go for a monitor with a 1080p resolution or better. As a rule of thumb, you should never go for anything lower than 1920 x 1080 pixels . A considerable number of competitive gamers prefer 1080p displays as they are less demanding on the console.
If you prefer a display that delivers better graphical quality, you can go for the Quad HD , 1440p, or 4K PS4 gaming monitors. For the best resolution, you may also go for the Ultra HD 4Kwhich is the highest resolution offered by mainstream displays for PS4 consoles.
Such a display will have a resolution of up to 3840 x 2160 pixels. While the 4K displays are more demanding on the hardware resources, they are known to deliver outstanding image quality.
Refresh Rate
The monitor refresh rate is crucial if you will be playing a racing, fighter, or first-person shooter game on your gaming console. A faster refresh rate allows the display to keep up with the fastest movements in such games.
Other Considerations
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Considering Performance And Affordability When Buying A Gaming Monitor
When buying a new gaming monitor, its essential to purchase one that you can afford without compromising the performance and quality. Theres no doubt that the price increases as the performance do, but this doesnt mean you need to break the bank to get a high-quality resolution.
Although the best 2k gaming monitor choices dont have as clear graphics as the 4K monitors, this doesnt mean that the former doesnt offer an excellent resolution. If anything, QHD monitors are a significant investment because of their outstanding balance between quality and price.
Many gamers refuse to upgrade to higher monitor resolutions because of these benefits like less visual cluster. On the other hand, FHD monitors also benefit regardless of the low price. It all depends on the experience youre getting and how much you can spend.
Aside from the performance and affordability, it would be best to consider other factors when buying a gaming computer. The GPU of your computer system is important because it determines the displayed pixels and frames per second. So, if you use a low-quality GPU with 1440p or even 4K, you would still get subpar quality.
The performance capacity of your computer is also vital because 2k monitors demand more and consume more power than the 1080p systems. So, if your computer is too old, its better to save up and buy a new one rather than upgrade the monitor.
Inch Monitor Viewing Distance
Ideally, you will be seated at a distance where the image appears sharp and clear, even if it might not be at a closer distance.
If you sit within 1 foot to 2 feet of your 32-inch monitor, then you want a 4K UHD resolution.
If you sit within 2 feet to 3 feet then you should go for 1440p .
If you sit 3 to 4 feet from your 32 inch monitor, then Full HD 1080p is the best resolution.
Of course, you can always choose a higher resolution for a crisper image, but you might not see the difference if you sit further away.
So measure how far you sit from your monitor, and use that as the basis for your ideal resolution.
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K Gaming: What To Do For Power
Unless you have a PC to handle the powerful visuals, you will need to have at least a 500-watt power supply. This thing eats a ton of electricity, and its not surprising why.
When buying a power supply, we recommend at least a 750 watt supply. This will give you enough juice to feel comfortable. If youre feeling incredibly brave, go ahead and upgrade to 1,000 watts. Just beware of the electricity bill!
How To Know Which Resolution Is The Best Fit For You
With the 1080p monitor, you can enjoy an affordable and decent quality resolution, offering a competitive advantage, compatibility with many GPUs and computers, fantastic image quality, and less visual clutter. This type of monitor will be a perfect choice for new gamers, those working with a budget, or if you prefer this type of quality. Unfortunately, you would have to deal with smaller screens.
On the other hand, 1440p monitors are generally considered better because of their higher quality. Although they are more expensive, gamers can enjoy massive screens with every detail for competitive advantage, sharper images, higher resolution and frame rates, and excellent zooming quality. Its large workspace offers an immersive gaming experience.
Whichever gaming monitor resolution you choose depends mainly on your preferences, budget, and the condition of your computer if youre upgrading. While some gamers enjoy using 1080p for their fun, others prefer the higher quality of 2K. And if you want and even higher quality gaming monitor, 4K is available. Check out our wide selection of gaming monitors that enhance your overall gaming experience.
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What You Need To Know About Configuring Your External Monitor
Once you have plugged an external monitor, heres what you need to do to properly extend your desktop with an external monitor:
How to configure your external monitor on Windows:
Right click on the desktop, choose Display Settings then scroll down to “Multiple Displays” and select “Extend desktop”
In that screen you can arrange your monitor location relative to your laptop’s by moving the boxes. Once you have finished this configuration, you can move your mouse cursor between monitors, and your workspace will effectively be doubled. Now you can enjoy running your web browser full screen and your productivity apps or video calls on the other.
How to configure your external monitor on a Mac:
Go to System Preferences and select Displays, then click on the Arrangement tab. You have to uncheck Mirror Displays there. You can then arrange the screen location relative to your Mac’s screen.
P Vs 1440p Vs 4k Gaming Display Resolution
1440p monitors are of extremely high resolution, in between the resolution offered by 4K, and Full HD. Although they are a preferred choice by many gamers, 1440p gaming displays are not as ubiquitous as the 1080p or 4K gaming displays.
So, how do the three different resolution options compare for various gaming applications?
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Best Gaming Monitor Resolution To Fit Your Needs
If you enjoy gaming on your PC, you might think that your current gaming resolution fits your needs. This might be true, but are you getting the best visual experience while playing? This is why its essential to choose a gaming display that can handle the pixels set by your GPU.
It can be overwhelming to upgrade your gaming monitor resolution or buy a new one since many choices are available. The gaming industry continues to improve, and gamers are always looking for ways to enhance their experience. One of the ways gamers can do this is with high-quality monitor resolution, which meets their gaming needs.
This guide will explore the different types of gaming monitor resolution, from 1080p to 1440p or 2k and other enhanced options. Then you can choose the best resolution for your gaming experience.
What Screen Resolution Should I Use
So, what screen resolution should you go for? The answer to that question varies depending on the sort of work you’ll be doing and what kind of machine you’ll be working on.
Let’s start with the kind of work. If you’re a graphic artist or 3D modeller, then the minimum resolution you should opt for is 1360 x 768. However, if you can, we recommend going for 1920 x 1080. That extra resolution will give you a bigger canvas to work on, and it will improve the image quality.
For people working with complex 3D models, such as architects, animators or game developers, going above 1920 x 1080 can begin to put a real strain on your machine’s GPU . If you want to go for a higher resolution, make sure your hardware can handle it, otherwise you may find your PC performs very slowly when trying to render at those high resolutions.
For video editors, we recommend 1920 x 1080 as a minimum. This is because 1080p is the standard high-definition resolution for videos, so if you’re working with 1080p video, you’ll want a screen that can display that natively. If you work with 4K video, then go for a screen resolution of 3840 x 2160 since this will allow you to play back 4K footage natively.
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