What are the primary types of monitor panels?

The main types are IPS (In-Plane Switching) for excellent color accuracy and wide viewing angles, VA (Vertical Alignment) for good contrast ratios, and TN (Twisted Nematic) for the fastest response times, often preferred by competitive gamers.

What does 'refresh rate' mean for a monitor?

Refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), indicates how many times per second a monitor can draw a new image. Higher refresh rates (e.g., 144Hz, 240Hz) result in smoother motion, particularly beneficial for gaming and fast-paced content.

How do resolution and aspect ratio affect display quality?

Resolution refers to the number of pixels (e.g., 1920x1080 for Full HD), determining image sharpness. Aspect ratio (e.g., 16:9, 21:9) defines the screen's proportional width and height, impacting the layout and amount of content displayed.

What connectivity options should I look for in a monitor?

Common options include HDMI and DisplayPort, which support high resolutions and refresh rates. USB-C is increasingly popular for single-cable solutions, offering video, data, and power delivery. Older standards like DVI and VGA are less common now.