Monitor for Internet Addict with Tired Eyes - Too Many Choices?

usherer on 23/10/2018 - 00:32
Last edited 03/11/2018 - 19:28

UPDATE:
I'd checked out the 27" 1080px screens and didn't like them as I can see the text aliasing very clearly and it annoys me. Found a happy compromise between the 24 and 27 by settling for a 25" Acer G257HL with anti-blue light function from PC Case Gear at $193 (including postage).
And today, my husband spotted a 25" (KA240H) at Salvos for a grand total of $15 (also with anti blue light function).

Very happy with set-up now..except that I'd need a docking station for all the wires! And the 257HL is so wobbly compared to my $15 model!

Thanks, all!

I'm online quite a lot due to freelance work (I have a fulltime job) (which involves a lot of research and writing), unproductive useless surfing, and online classes. My birthday is coming up, and I want to treat my tired eyes to a larger monitor. Maybe come next birthday, I can have another monitor, as I really enjoy having 2-3 monitors.

I'm new to this activity of choosing a monitor and have learnt enough to know that a 27" requires 1440 pixels, so am settling for a 24". A quick look at Dick Smith (prefer to buy from brick and mortar stores in case I need to return a defective good etc) shows me these:
Philips 24" Full HD 1920x1080 LED Monitor with Speakers (243V5QHABA) ($139, down from $199)
https://www.dicksmith.com.au/da/buy/philips-24-full-hd-1920x…

LG 24" Full HD 1080p LED AMD FreeSync Monitor (24MK400H) ($159, down from $249)
https://www.dicksmith.com.au/da/buy/lg-24-full-hd-1080p-led-…

Acer 24" 16:9 1920x1080 Full HD LED Monitor (K242HL) ($165)
https://www.dicksmith.com.au/da/buy/acer-24-169-1920x1080-fu…

Philips 24" Full HD 1920x1080 IPS Monitor with Speakers (246E7QDAB) ($179, down from $215)
https://www.dicksmith.com.au/da/buy/philips-24-full-hd-1920x…

LG 24" Full HD 1080p IPS LED Monitor (24MK430H-B) ($179)
https://www.dicksmith.com.au/da/buy/lg-24-full-hd-1080p-ips-…

Samsung 24" 16:9 1920x1080 Full HD FreeSync Curved LED Monitor (LC24F390FHEXXY) ($199)
https://www.dicksmith.com.au/da/buy/samsung-24-1920-x-1080-f…

LG 24" Full HD 1080p IPS LED AMD FreeSync Monitor (24MK600M) ($219, down from $349)
https://www.dicksmith.com.au/da/buy/lg-24-full-hd-1080p-ips-…

They're all very close in terms of price range, and seem highly similar. I'm tempted to go for the one that gives me the largest discount since a high starting point means it must be good somewhat? I'm looking at you, LG 24MK400H.

What do you think of my needs and the monitor? I'm a tightass and hope my buy will last me another 20 years.

Computing

Comments

  • Diji1 on 23/10/2018 - 01:06
    +2

    I know you want to be a tight arse but I would recommend going up to 27" 2560x1440 if you can, it's a lot more useful for working.

    eBay often has the best prices during 10-20% price jack sales. Provided you stick to sellers with high rating (99% positive) and high numbers of feedback (say over 1000) usually returns are paid for by sellers (but check before buying!). They will send you a return label which you attach and ship it back, no payment required.

    There are also often good prices at bricks and mortar computer stores such as MSY as well.

    • Godric on 23/10/2018 - 06:32
      +2

      This, loosen that arse a bit and invest in a quality monitor, afterall you'll have it for years

    • HighAndDry on 23/10/2018 - 11:11

      Second this as well. Especially if OP wants one that'll last 20 years…. a 24", 1080p monitor will basically be obsolete straight out of the gate.

    • usherer on 23/10/2018 - 22:54

      Thanks. I saw your comment soon after my post, but decided I really needed to sleep. It was 1am??
      Would you recommend one 27" or two 24"?

  • dcep on 23/10/2018 - 01:33
    +1

    yeah, va2719-2k

  • IVI on 23/10/2018 - 04:00

    I’ve heard (but Factcheck this) that Higher Refresh-Rates
    can reduce Eye-strain.

    Dunno why…?

    But - if it is - it’d be good to find out, Before picking a monitor .

    • trongy on 23/10/2018 - 09:29

      What you heard about higher refresh rates may date back to the days of CRT monitors. The flicker of a 60 Hz CRT monitor was noticeable, because the screen updated by scanning one line at a time and then the phosphor faded. High speed video of CRT TV

      With LCD monitors, the backlight is constant and I've never seen any reports of eye-strain due to the refresh rate of an LCD monitor. Higher refresh rate LCD monitors are really only valued by competitive gamers.

    • HighAndDry on 23/10/2018 - 11:12

      Hypothetically higher refresh would mean less visibly noticeable (even subconsciously) flicker which is bad for your eyes. But really it just looks better.

    • usherer on 23/10/2018 - 22:53
      +1

      Thanks! I have the distance vision problem mentioned in the article. For better or for worse, I'm already using two of the possible solutions (spectacles for computer use, and eye drops). When I'm not on the computer, I'm reading a book though..

  • pjetson on 23/10/2018 - 08:41
    +2

    A quick look at Dick Smith (prefer to buy from brick and mortar stores in case I need to return a defective good etc)

    Dick Smith is not a "bricks and mortar" store. It's now only a brand name of Kogan, who also do not have bricks and mortar stores.

    Officeworks, JB HiFi, the Good Guys, MSY, CPL, etc all have bricks and mortar stores.

    As for tired eyes, I too sit in front of a computer for extended periods. I've just ordered a pair of (prescription) "blue-blocker" glasses that are supposed to help - not sure if it will work, but I'm willing to give it a try. I may have left it a little late, though - I've been working with computers for more than 40 years.

    One of the guys where I work uses a program on his PC that changes the screen colour slightly during the day, and that's also supposed to help with eyesight.

    • usherer on 23/10/2018 - 22:57

      No wonder the number of reviews showing up on Dick Smith site is the same as that of Kogan's.
      I use the blue-blocker glasses - they're fantastic as I can feel my eyes are no longer as tired. However, my eyes have started becoming really dry so I needed additional remedies. I used the f.lux programme in the past but always found the tint to be too much to take - somehow I can never get the same shade as the blue light filter on my phone. The glasses work much better for me as they don't alter the screen colours too much.

  • EFC94 on 23/10/2018 - 08:44
    +2

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Dick smith close every store and now they're online only and basically run through Kogan?

    • usherer on 23/10/2018 - 22:57

      Seems like it from what everyone is saying!

  • bobbified on 23/10/2018 - 09:49

    Do you already take regular breaks away from the monitor every hour or so?

    • usherer on 23/10/2018 - 22:58

      Sort of - I would sit for about 2-3hrs straight, then take a walk. The article linked by another commentator here suggests every 45 mins for a break. Will have to revise my routine.

      • bobbified on 23/10/2018 - 23:15
        +1

        Yeah.. I spend my days on front of the computer and I go for a break every hour. Give it a go and you might not need a new monitor.

  • garetz on 23/10/2018 - 10:10

    Get whichever has the best warranty terms, which is propably dell.

    • usherer on 23/10/2018 - 23:01

      Why? Thought monitors are built to last. Like the Great Wall or pyramids.

  • jonathonsunshine on 23/10/2018 - 10:18

    If your eyes are legit sore from too much internet, you probs need these! https://youtu.be/vqmCu854rHc

    • usherer on 23/10/2018 - 23:02

      maybe I should actually rectify my surfing addiction with these instead of getting better equipment to feed my habit…

      • jonathonsunshine on 24/10/2018 - 09:35

        :) I meant it as a joke but it's funny because it's true

  • playswithfire on 23/10/2018 - 10:26

    Asus eye-care range. I have them at work and home and they are seriously good for people with eyes that strain easily. When my eyes start to strain I get a migraine that can knock me out for a few days. I find that having no direct light shining on the screen from above really helps too.

    This is my primary at home: https://www.pccasegear.com/products/39364/asus-vz27aq-qhd-27…

    These are the model up from the ones I have at work and my secondary at home: https://www.pccasegear.com/products/35120/asus-vc279h-fhd-27… - yes they are 1080p at 27", but they are still awesome to work on.

    They also have a 32" 1440p one which is new and looks nice https://www.pccasegear.com/products/40070/asus-va32aq-qhd-32…

    • usherer on 23/10/2018 - 23:22

      I like the reading book-mode. Found one for my tight-arse budget at $169, but it doesn't offer the same mode. Still, it's similarly-priced as any other 24" 1080 screens. I might get this one if postage/returns policy are good. Thanks for the suggestion. Have a look at the other suggestions here to help you. Blue-blocker glasses help me a great deal. I also have my text display on my Acer S7-292 (13.3"!) at 150%, I set it at 125% on my 24" screen at work.

      BTW, I thought the 27" 1080p would result in blurry images. That doesn't happen for you?

      • playswithfire on 24/10/2018 - 10:13

        Not at all. The images on the 1080p next to the 1440p are fine. The thing that's most noticable is everything on the 1440p is a little bit smaller. Adjusting the text to 125% then increases it on the 1080p screen too!

  • HighAndDry on 23/10/2018 - 11:13

    Try getting a pair of computer blue-light glasses for eye strain.

    • rompastompa on 23/10/2018 - 12:42
      +1

      So, I thought I'd check out what all this new fangled 'blue-light glasses' were. I looked at OPSM's information.

      I'm having trouble with one part.. On average, we're actually spending 25.3 hours per 24 hours a day currently (9.4hrs screen + 8.6hrs life + 7.3hrs sleep). So, the will the blue-light glasses help us adapt to these increased hours per day? ;)

      • HighAndDry on 23/10/2018 - 12:52

        I wonder if it scales with how many pairs of glasses I buy. I could dearly use an extra hour (or ten…) every day haha.

    • usherer on 23/10/2018 - 23:24

      I've been using it for years. Works like a charm! I can feel the difference when I take it off, and when I don't Also helps with horrid white light in the office. I'm a bit of a vampire, or hippie.

  • chyawala on 23/10/2018 - 12:31

    To treat your tired eyes to something better, I'd reccommend looking for a monitor that features:
    low blue light option (or use flux program)
    No PWM dimming
    No dithering or FRAC (go for true 8bit colour IPS or VA)

    I'd suggest a Benq 27 inch, even 1080p at a distance is fine, around $200 new from PCCG.
    Relax and spend a little, it will be worth it, or even go second hand for better value, monitors are very durable and built to last.

  • jonathonsunshine on 24/10/2018 - 16:11
    +1

    Ding! Ding! Ding! Asus VP228NE 21.5" Full HD 1MS Eyecare Monitor $99 + Delivery @Shopping Express

    If it's not big enough, get two? Two small better than 1 large imho.

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