Display questions we are always asked

A 27-inch screen suits most desks 60 to 80 cm deep. Choose 24 inches for shallow desks, and 32 inches only if you can sit at least 80 cm away.

For reading and creative work, yes: about 163 pixels per inch makes text look printed, though you will need around 150% scaling. For gaming it demands a powerful graphics card, so 1440p is often the smarter pick. See the office guide.

60 Hz is enough for office work. Gamers should look for 144 Hz or higher, as long as their hardware can deliver matching frame rates. See the gaming guide.

IPS suits most people thanks to its wide viewing angles and steady colour. VA offers deeper contrast for dark rooms and media. OLED gives the best contrast and motion at a higher price.

There is a small risk when static elements, such as taskbars, stay on screen for long periods. Dark modes, moving windows around and running the panel's built-in refresh routines reduce it. Warranty terms vary, so read them before you buy.

DisplayHDR 400 on an ordinary LCD makes little visible difference. OLED panels, or LCDs with local dimming rated DisplayHDR 1000, show a real benefit in supported games and films.

Yes, if the laptop port supports DisplayPort Alternate Mode, Thunderbolt or USB4, and the monitor's power delivery meets your laptop's charger rating. Otherwise the battery may drain under load.

A curve helps on 32-inch and wider screens, especially ultrawides such as 34-inch 21:9 models. On 24 to 27-inch screens it is largely a matter of taste. See the ultrawide guide.

Office and gaming users usually do not. Photographers, designers and video editors benefit from calibrating with a colorimeter about once a month. See the creative guide.