Work from Home Tip: Choose the Right Monitor

For millions of people the last few months have brought a lot of changes, but none are starker than the switch from working in an office on a regular basis to working from home. It’s been a big adjustment, and one that many people thought was temporary. However, six months later with many people still working from home and not sure when that might change, it might be time to reevaluate your work setup.

The Importance of Ergonomics

The term “ergonomics” refers to the study of how efficiently people operate in their work environment. It can be applied in a lot of different ways, but the most common way that people use the term is to describe whether your workstation is set up in a way that you can avoid excess strain on your body throughout the day.

For those working from a portable laptop for the past six months you may have noticed the downside of poor ergonomics over time. For example, hunching over the keyboard, looking down at a small screen, or sitting in a chair that isn’t designed to support your body (or worse, sitting on a couch or in bed). These might be okay at first, but over time you may notice soreness in your muscles and joints, headaches, and other negative health effects.

How the Right Monitor Can Help

One of the most common issues when it comes to poor ergonomics is your computer monitor. Using the wrong monitor can result in:

• Eye strain from a monitor that is too small or too close/too far away
• Neck strain from looking down at a laptop monitor
• Back strain from hunching over to try and get a closer look at a monitor

As with many workplace injuries related to ergonomics, you might not notice these issues in the short term. But they often build up over time and can result in serious long-term consequences if not addressed.

A high-quality monitor that is the correct size and brightness, and installed at the correct level, can help alleviate these issues in your work-from-home space. Some of the things to consider when shopping for a new monitor include:

• Size – the exact size you need depends on the space you have available, and how close or how far away you will be from the screen. In general you want to purchase the biggest monitor possible for the space you have to avoid straining to see it. For a traditional desktop setup, and 24-inch or 27-inch is often sufficient, although if you want to use your computer for gaming too, consider sizing up a little.
• Aspect ratio – the traditional aspect ratio of 16:9 should be fine for most workplace settings, but if you prefer a higher-end monitor for gaming, consider a 21:9 aspect ratio and a 4K display or Full HD for better graphics.
• Height – you want a monitor that sits right in front of your eye level, so get one that is adjustable up and down to choose the setting that allows you to see it with the least neck movement and strain.
• Other features – you may want to consider a curved screen or a dual monitor that allows you to have more windows open, or an ultra-wide screen.

If you’re still not sure what monitor might work best, consult the experts at PC Laptops to help you decide.