Are you able to work from home? One screen may not be sufficient
Because they are portable and smaller, some companies offer laptop computers to their employees. Many are now working from home (opens new tab). However, they often use their laptops at work or their personal laptops. They are beginning to notice the limitations of working on a small screen, most ranging from 13 to 15 inches.
Laptop users can have neck and back problems from bending over and staring at their laptops all day. They also experience a loss of screen real estate when compared to desktop users.
The good news is that most modern laptops can connect to an external monitor. A laptop with an external monitor can improve your productivity and ergonomics. A larger monitor screen will allow you to see clearly and a stand (or monitor arm) can be added to make it easier for you to use while you work.
How to use your external monitor with your laptop
Your external monitor can be used as the only display on your laptop or as a dual-display option. An external monitor can be connected to your laptop in mirror mode. This means that the same image will appear on both displays. You can see more information on one screen if you have a bigger screen or a higher resolution.
You can maximize your productivity by using two screens at once. This is possible by expanding your desktop to allow for two screens. You can run two full-screen applications simultaneously. This will allow you to organize your program windows more efficiently and make it easier for you to work with others.
It doesn’t matter if you have one application open that fills the screen or two full-screen applications (one for each screen), productivity gains are substantial. You won’t need to scroll to find the information you want and you don’t have the option to switch between apps. Two monitors are ideal for editing documents in word processors (opens new tab), spreadsheets (opens new tab), and looking up information in other apps, such as a web browser (opens new tab), email client or PDF reader (opens new tab).
The monitor and laptop should be at the same height when using dual-screen scenarios. The Scribbler suggests using a laptop stand that tilts your laptop’s keyboard at 45°. You’ll never go back to using a single monitor on your laptop again once you become comfortable with it.
1. Monitor Dell UltraSharp UltraSharp U2518D
The best overall home work environment
Specifications
Screen size: 25-inch
Resolution: 2K Quad-HD (QHD) (2560 x 1440 )
Brightness: 350 cd/m2
Ports: HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort1.2, DisplayPort1.2 (input.Mini), DisplayPort1.2 (output), USB 1.2 (output), USB 3.1 (x1,upstream), USB 3.0, USB 3.0, downstream USB 3.0, USB 3.0(x2) 5V 2A Charging, 3.5mm Audio Jack
There are many reasons to buy
+Great ergonomics+Supports portrait mode+Can be used to charge USB ports+Usb hub+2A+Has DisplayPort available to daisy-chain another monitor
Avoidable reasons
-HDR support only via HDMI-Limited Adobe RGB-Internal power supply is not user replaceable. No HDMI cable included
The Dell 25-inch monitor is made with a high-quality 2K QHD HD IPS panel. It’s a great choice for home offices and complements your laptop’s built in display.
The panel of the screen is bright enough to be used for all types of work. It also handles reflections well and comes in great colors. You can adjust the tilt, height, pivot, and swivel to make it work in portrait mode. It also has VESA mounting holes if you wish to attach it to a desk arm or wall mount.
The panel supports 10-bit input, and offers a wide range of SDR colors. SDR can only be used when connected via HDMI. Although sRGB color space rendering can be excellent, Adobe sRGB coverage may not be optimal. Graphic designers, especially those who work with print media, should consider other options.
The Dell U2518D is a USB 3.0 hub that has one input and four downstream USB3.0 ports. Two of these are marked to indicate that they can provide up to 2AMPs power for fast charging your smartphone or tablet. The trademark Dell hole in the stand allows for easy cable management. The hub works even when the monitor’s not on. This means that you can use USB flash drives and a webcam to monitor your surroundings even if the monitor is off.
DisplayPort in and DisplayPort out are also available, which allow you to daisy-chain two monitors using one DisplayPort cable.
You can adjust the default monitor settings easily by using the On Screen Display menu. ComfortView, one of the presets provided, provides low-blue light to aid eyesight during long hours of work.
While there are more sophisticated monitors available, the Dell model is still a good choice for home workers who want to find a balance between price and features. Dell’s three-year warranty is the cherry on top.
2. Dell P3222QE 32 inch 4K Hub Monitor
The best for productivity
Specifications
Screen size: 31.5-inch
Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
Brightness: 350 cd/m2
Ports: HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort1.4 (x1) and Ethernet RJ45(x1)), USB 3.2 Type-C (x1) (downstream), USB 3.2 Type A (x4)
There are many reasons to buy
+ Robust construction + Sharp image quality +USB C support+Excellent connectivity+High contrast and excellent colors
Avoidable reasons
-Dell speakers can be purchased separately. USB-C charging is limited to 65 Watts
If your home becomes your new office, you need flexibility. This model features a Dell “docking” monitor that offers multiple connectivity options including USB-C, to make it easier and increase productivity. This monitor was created by Dell to act as your connectivity hub. You can plug your mouse, trackball and webcam(s), and keyboard into it, and then only need to plug one cable into your laptop.
It is large and has a stunning 31.5-inch 4K IPS display. This means that you can see more and do even more. You won’t need to strain to view data in large spreadsheets or complicated software programs with a resolution of 4K.
These specs are combined with modern aesthetics, such as a matte black chassis and silver metal stand. One joystick controls the OSD menus, which can calibrate and switch between display modes. The stand allows you to adjust the display height, tilt and swivel, pivot, as well as rotate the monitor to portrait mode. If you don’t wish to be restricted by the stand, the VESA holes at the back can be used to attach the monitor to a wall mount or arm.
There are three options for video input: DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0. You can also charge your laptop using the same cable you use to view video. It also has four USB 3.0 ports and an RJ45 network port. This removes the need to charge your laptop, as well as routing all fixed cabling, such as high-speed Gigabit Ethernet networking, directly to the monitor.
Notable is the fact that Dell made speakers optional. The optional Dell mini soundbar can be attached magnetically below the bottom bezel. This model does not have a headphone jack, so you will need to use Bluetooth-connected headphones or speakers if you don’t want to buy the Dell SB521A slim soundbar.
