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Monitor Buying Guide

Which monitor is right for you?

Dell S Series Monitors

Dell S Series Monitors

Discover an entertainment experience with rich color and screen clarity. Featuring ultra-thin bezels for a virtually borderless screen and a modern design.

Dell S Series Monitors can be used for:

  • Email
  • Social media
  • Photo sharings
  • Streaming movies

Browse S Series Monitors

Alienware Monitors

Alienware Monitors

High performance gaming monitors offering the best in speed and immersion for gamers who want an uncompromised, ultimate experience.


Gaming Experience:

  • Adaptive sync
  • Refresh rates of up to 240Hz
  • As fast as 1ms response times
  • Clear details and life-like images

Browse Alienware Monitors

Dell UltraSharp Monitors

Dell UltraSharp Monitors

Create visuals that meet demanding graphic needs using these top tier monitors that provide technology and design for the ultimate performance.

Dell UltraSharp Monitors can be used for:


  • Content creation
  • Video and photo editing
  • Present highly detailed charts and graphs
  • Create and view multiple documents at once
Browse UltraSharp Monitors
Learn More about UltraSharp

Dell Gaming Monitors

Dell Gaming Monitors

Gaming monitors designed to offer a range of performance levels with core essentials and delivering the best value for money to our gamers.

Gaming Experience:

  • Adaptive Sync
  • Edge-to-edge gameplay
  • Crisp resolution and rapid refresh rates
  • Vibrant graphics and reduced motion blur


Browse Dell Gaming Monitors

Dell P Series Monitors

Dell P Series Monitors

Enhance productivity and improve user comfort with these professional, height-adjustable monitors designed with non-reflective screens.


Dell P Series Monitors can be used for:

  • Ergonomic home office setup
  • Create presentations and spreadsheetss
  • Multi-task between different applications
  • Work seamlessly across one or more screens

Browse P Series Monitors

Dell E Series Monitors

Dell E Series Monitors

This suite of monitors are affordable, stylish, and eco-friendly. They are efficient and reliable for everyday computing at home and work.


Dell E Series Monitors can be used for:

  • Email
  • Browsing the internet
  • Writing papers for school or work
  • Receive notifications through the integrated speakers

Browse E Series Monitors

C series

Dell C Series Monitors

Featuring a wide range of displays built for world-class collaboration whether you are working from home or from the office.

Dell C Series Monitors can be used for:

  • Conferencing
  • Portable options
  • Large screen size options

SE series

Dell SE Series Monitors

Experience productivity on a new level with thoughtfully designed features.

Dell SE Series Monitors can be used for:

  • Email
  • Social media
  • Easy Setup
  • Superb Clarity

Monitor Screen Size

Monitor Screen Size

When choosing your monitor screen size, it is crucial to consider a model that fits your needs. Here are a few suggested guidelines:

  • Monitor screen size uses a diagonal measurement in inches – similar to TVs.
  • Find a monitor that fits your desk space and provides a large enough screen.
  • Larger screens provide more space for enhanced productivity and multi-tasking in one place.
  • Smaller screens are perfect for day-to-day tasks like email or browsing the internet.

23 Inch Monitors & Under

23 Inch Monitors & Under

23 inches and under fall within the budget friendly market are perfect for day-to-day tasks.

Can be used for:

  • Email
  • Browsing the internet
  • Writing papers for school or work

24 - 27 Inch Monitors

24 - 27 Inch Monitors

This range of monitors provides multimedia features for both personal and work uses.

Can be used for:

  • Email
  • Videoconferencing
  • Streaming movies

28 - 32 Inch Monitors

28 - 32 Inch Monitors

Monitors in these sizes provide a larger viewing area for graphics-intensive content.

Can be used for:

  • Content creation
  • Sharing photos and slideshows
  • Reviewing large files and documents

34 - 38 Inch Monitors

34 - 38 Inch Monitors

A larger screen with a higher resolution provides clear images and more space to get things done.

Can be used for:

  • Video and photo editing
  • Create presentations and spreadsheets
  • Present highly detailed charts and graphs



Browse 34 - 38 Inch Monitors

43 Inch Monitors & Above

43 Inch Monitors & Above

Instead of using two or more monitors, try a larger screen that offers one wide and fluid desktop space.

Can be used for:

  • Content creation
  • Keep an eye on your email inbox while working
  • Reference a document while writing an email or paper

Curved Monitors

Curved Monitors

Curved monitors offer reduced eye movement across the screen for a more immersive experience.

Can be used for:

  • Create multiple documents at once
  • Game with an extremely wide field of vision
  • Open different browsers and applications at the same time

Monitor Resolution

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Monitor resolution depicts how clearly a monitor can show visual content.

  • Monitor resolution shows how many pixels a monitor has in width x height format.
  • For example, a 1920x1080 resolution means the width has 1,920 pixels and the height has 1,080 pixels.
  • The higher the monitor resolution, the more pixels, the clearer the picture will be displayed.

HD (1366 x 768 – 1600 x 900)

HD (1366x768 – 1600x900)


High definition monitors are affordable and provide a quality screen view.


Can be used for:

  • Email
  • Social media
  • Browsing the internet


Browse HD (1366x768 – 1600x900) Monitors

Full HD (1920 x 1080)

Full HD (1920x1080)


Full high definition monitors are well known as the standard resolution for home and office uses.

Can be used for:

  • Photo sharing
  • Videoconferencing
  • Streaming movies


Browse Full HD (1920x1080) Monitors

Quad HD (2560 x 1440 - 3440 x 1440)

Quad HD (2560x1440- 3440x1440)


QHD or Wide QHD monitors deliver crystal-clear graphics, fine details and vibrant colors to your screen.

Can be used for:

  • Content creation
  • Competitive gaming
  • Present highly detailed charts and graphs


Browse Quad HD (2560x1440- 3440x1440)

4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160)

4K Ultra HD (3840x2160)

Commonly known as 4K, UHD or Ultra HD resolution, 4K resolution gives you four times more detail than Full HD monitors.


Can be used for:

  • AAA gaming
  • Video and photo editing
  • Create illustrations for web-design projects


Browse 4K Ultra HD (3840x2160) Monitors

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Refresh Rate

The number of times per second that your monitor screen refreshes the image being displayed on your screen.

Refresh rate is measured in hertz (Hz) and ranges from 60Hz up to 240Hz. The higher the refresh rate, the smoother your image will be.

If a monitor has a 60Hz refresh rate, this means that the picture on a screen would refresh 60 times per second.

Here are a few examples of how different refresh rates can be used:

  • 60 Hz - Creating spreadsheets, streaming movies or music
  • 144 Hz - PC gaming, photo sharing, video editing
  • 240 Hz - Competitive, eSports, and FPS gaming

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Response Time

This refers to how much time it takes for monitor pixels to change from one color to another.

Response time is measured in milliseconds and is as fast as 0.5ms.

Unlike refresh rate, you want a lower response time – the lower the millisecond, the faster the screen can change an image.

Faster response times are key for gamers:

  • Reduce image ghosting
  • Minimize distortion and blurring
  • Sharp pictures for fast-moving gameplay

Monitor Cables & Connectors

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It’s important to check the monitor ports and the cables needed to connect to your computer and other devices like docks, computer speakers, mice and keyboards, or even phone chargers.

  • Your monitor port can be found on the back and/or sides of your monitor.
  • The monitor port is used as a point of connection from your monitor to your computer’s port.
  • Use the cable guide below to identify the cables you need to get your monitor connected.
  • Questions? Speak to a product expert: Call 1-866-640-3355 or Click to Chat.

Monitor Cables

USB-C (Universal Serial Bus - C)

USB-C (Universal Serial Bus - C)


  • Transmits power, audio, data, and video through a single cable
  • Reversible orientation: transmits and receives up to 100W of power
  • USB-C Plus Thunderbolt:brings USB-C speeds up to 40GB per second

HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface)

HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface)

  • Used for connecting high-definition video and audio between devices through a single cable
  • Popular choice for transmitting HD content while using an inexpensive and user-friendly cable

DP (DisplayPort)

DP (DisplayPort)


  • Transmits video signals to monitors
  • Supports both audio and video signal transmission
  • Can transmit up to 100W of power
  • Required for certain high-end gaming setups

Mini DisplayPort

Mini DisplayPort

  • Compact version of the DisplayPort that transmits up to 100W of power

DVI (Digital Visual Interface)

DVI (Digital Visual Interface)

  • Transmits video signals to monitors
  • Very high-resolution transmissions – as high as 2560x1600
  • Used for high-quality monitors

VGA (Video Graphics Array)

VGA (Video Graphics Array)

  • Older generation connector for monitors, laptops, projectors and televisions
  • It might not be compatible with newer computers and electronics
  • Produces lower quality resolutions on screens

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Intel® Core™ Processors
Learn More about Intel