[Valaska]

Hey there, I am looking for a monitor to use in a vertical/portrait fashion and I want it to be reasonably cheap. The BenQ GW2270 is only 109.95 CAD and is VerticalAlignment and I am generally okay with VA on my Samsung so far. The BenQ GW2480 is a bit more (175 CAD) for IPS, and either way, I will need to purchase a VESA mount to set it vertical on my desk.

I am up for alternatives too, but I would like VA or IPS, blue light filter, and no flicker. I’ll be starring at this while writing dozens of pages of dialogue and a day, programming, etc. I would like it to have decent colours though (hence VA or IPS) for viewing images or maybe watching a movie or two. The plan will be to set it up portrait to my right.

[PCM2]

Hi again Valaska,

As covered in our article on viewing comfort, there are a lot of factors to consider and individual preferences play a significant role. That extends to panel types, some prefer VA and some prefer IPS. I don’t have any specific experience or user feedback on the GW2270, although based on the GW2470H you should find it comfortable to use. It ticks many boxes and I’ve received a lot of positive feedback about the larger model based on text-heavy work and viewing comfort. The image quality is also something that has received praise given the strong contrast and decent colour reproduction characteristics – I don’t think you can really go wrong for the price.

[thelele]

Hello,

I’ve read a very detailed and good article on this subject here : https://pcmonitors.info/factors-influencing-pc-monitor-viewing-comfort/
Unfortunately I was a little sad to not see recommanded monitors for this use.

I am looking a monitor best for reading, I never play video games, I watch sometimes movie, often youtube. But what I really want is the best monitor for reading text (pdf, web, programming).

I have a few vision problem (visual snow and Irlen Syndrome for those who know) basically I get easily headache, eyes-strains and nausea in worse case when I read on a computeer monitor (also do it on a kindle e-ink but it takes way longuer to happen, like 1 hours instead of like 15 minutes on a monitor). In the other hand looking a video doesn’t hurt me at all, it’s only reading that cause a problem.

So I try to optimize everything to helps me bear with it. For example I have tinted glasses.

I currently have a LG 23″ LED – 23MB35PM-B
Screen size : 23 Inches
16/9
IPS (I’ve read somewhere AH-IPS)
Resolution : 1920 x 1080 pixels
Brightness : 250 cd/m²
Response time : 5 ms
Flicker free
https://www.lg.com/us/business/commercial-display/it-products/desktop-monitors/lg-23MB35PM-B

The ideal screen would be between 22″ and 24″, in 1080P (4k would have been great, but since high res and rescaling suck so much…), not curve.
A bit afraid of TN viewing angles.

Considering that I have no budget for it. What would be like the three top screens for this use ?

I’ve read that VA have a problem that make people have headache when using/reading on it, is it true ?

Thank you for your help

[PCM2]

Hi thelele,

I’ve merged your thread with an existing thread on the topic. It’s probably worthwhile re-reading the final section of the viewing comfort article. This explains why it isn’t possible to give a general list of monitors that are good for viewing comfort and will work for everyone. It’s far too subjective and there are far too many factors to consider, which vary in importance based on an individual’s own eyes and sensitivities. It then points you towards the recommendations section which does what it says on the tin. The models listed there all tick multiple boxes for viewing comfort, but you need to weigh things up based on your own preferences and sensitivities.

As for VA models causing headaches when people are reading on them, that’s a false and misleading generalisation. The viewing comfort article specifically explores the relative advantages and potential disadvantages for VA models when it comes to viewing comfort. Provided you get a model with a ‘normal’ subpixel layout (or aren’t sensitive to this sort of thing anyway), VA models are generally accepted to be a good choice for viewing comfort. With that said and considering your own preferences, you should consider the BenQ GW2470H.

[thelele]

Thank you,

It is indeed hard to find a monitor that have all the boxes checked.

How do I know a model use normal subpixel ?

I’m verry worried to make a bad choice since I have many vision problem and very sensitive.

If I understand well, for reading there is no difference between 60Hz and 144Hz monitor ? meaning that if the image doesn’t change, the screen is not refresh ?
Because if 60Hz mean that the image is refresh 60 times in a second even if the image doesn’t change (like on a webpage if I don’t scroll) 144Hz would make less flicker.
Anyways 144Hz are mostly TN and I don’t like that much.

So I think that the biggest choice for me is choosing whether I take a VA or IPS.

[PCM2]

You would only know if a model had “normal” subpixels by looking at reviews like ours which mention such things. Or users who may mention them after taking macro photographs of the subpixel layout or structure.

Unless they’re using a strobe backlight setting, most LCDs are ‘sample and hold’. The refresh rate therefore has no effect on the backlight or flickering of the monitor. This is very different to old CRTs which are impulse-type displays, ‘flickering’ on and off at a frequency matching the refresh rate. This distinction is covered in our article on responsiveness. When looking at static content (such as text), the refresh rate therefore makes no difference to viewing comfort. A higher refresh rate (and frame rate) reduces perceived blur, though. So things look smoother when you move that text (i.e. scroll) – some users therefore prefer 144Hz for viewing comfort reasons. This is all summarised in the viewing comfort article – there is a specific section dedicated to this.

[thelele]

Hi everyone

I’m looking to buy a High DPI res screen. In 24″ there is not much available (this lg and a dell from what i’ve seen). I also would have like to try a 4K VA panel, but it doesn’t exist except in big size like 32″.
Best would be a 24″ 4k this is why I’m looking to buy the LG 24UD58-B
https://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-24UD58-B-4k-uhd-led-monitor

The factors

– Brightness : 250 cd/m2
I find it a bit low (my current lg 23MB35PM have the same brightness) but I can live with that
– Screen surface : Anti-Glare 3H
I don’t know if it means a low or high haze value ?

– Panel type : IPS
I’m okay with IPS, but also would have like to try VA (but only a 4k one, and not big 32″)

– Pixel density : 183 DPI
Quiet high, not as high as retina screen from apple (they have between 217 and 226 DPI) but it’s the highest DPI 24″ screen available on the market.
Also scaling at 200% will make it look like a 1080p 24″ and not fractional scaling work better, so all good.

– PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) – backlight flickering : Flicker Safe
It says Flicker Safe so I think it must be ok ?

– Temporal dithering : 10bit(8bit + A-FRC)
It does have it, so i’m a bit worried that it causes me eyes strains (already got bad eyes strains when I read anything on a computer…)
Is it possible do desactivate it on the screen OSD ?

– Refresh rate and pixel responsiveness : 60 hertz + 5ms
As I don’t play, and just want the best for reading text, I think that I don’t care much of that.

– Bluelight : It has a bluelight mode

From the review I’ve found on amazon, some of them got pretty bad IPS Glow (but ips glow is a problem only in game and movie no ? with text and white background you usually don’t see it I think ?)

Thank you

[PCM2]

The short answer to the quesiton in your title is “it depends”. I know you’re very familiar with our article on viewing comfort and are factoring in various points raised in that and seeing how the LG fits in. Which is good. So to address your questions:

– Do you use your 23MB35PM at 100% brightness? If you feel 250 cd/m² is too dim I’d advise adjusting room lighting. Most users would find this too bright, not too dim. You should also give yourself some time with the monitor set to a much lower brightness level and see if you can adjust to it. Then when you increase brightness even slightly (not to 100%) you’ll probably think the monitor looks bright.

– ‘3H’ is a measure of screen hardness (resistance to being scratched by a pencil, technically). It doesn’t tell you anything about the haze value of the screen surface. The screen surface on the 24UD58 is similar to the Dell P2415Q, as it uses a variant of the same panel.

– “Flicker Safe” usually means flicker-free with DC dimming. There are some exceptions (high frequency PWM being used) but it’s DC dimming that’s used in this case.

– It’s likely a tiny minority of users are actually sensitive to FRC – fewer than think they are. As implemented on a modern IPS monitor with an 8-bit base, you’re talking about tiny changes in brightness and the image which most don’t even notice, consciously or unconsciously. It’s also a difficult thing to avoid entirely, because the GPU will often add its own dithering in, even if a small amount, regardless of what the monitor is doing. It isn’t worth obsessing over this and I don’t like it when users latch onto this as an issue with monitors – it should be very low down on the list of potential concerns.

– ‘IPS glow’ is something you observe on dark content, especially when you’re sitting in a dark room. It’s exaggerated by high brightness levels on the monitor as well, so perhaps addressing that first point is important. If you’re just viewing black text on a white background, it’s not an issue really. I mean, the black text in regions affected by ‘IPS glow’ can technically lose some contrast in some conditions. But you’re probably not going to notice that or find it bothersome.

[thelele]

Thanks for the quick and complete answer as always 🙂

Yes the afternoon I use it at 100%, sometimes it’s okay, but sometimes I find it not enough, also with my eyes problem when reading text I put Irlen colored overlay on top of the screen, which dim the brightness, so this is also why it’s sometimes not enough. Also the opposite happen, in morning and evening I have to use a software ColorVeil, to dim it more than the hardware allow me to.

Good to hear that the haze should not be too strong

Anyways, I’ve put the trigger, and bought it for 280€, will see how it fits me.

[PCM2]

I hope it works out for you, I look forward to your thoughts when it arrives. 🙂

[thelele]

I received it !

Brightness : brighter than my old LG 23MB35PM that also have 250cd/m2, but the minimum brightness is also higher than my old one :/

The OSD could have been made better, especially for quick setting, we can only change the game mode in quick settings, and not put low blue light mode/reading mode. The others quick setting is for sound, I would have like to use it for brightness instead. because to change brightness you need like 4 “button click”. On my old LG, I had one click button for brightness and change mode (low blue light/reader mode).

Beside that, the OSD settings are easy to use.

I had to return it because I had a few dead black/grey pixels. Also IPS glow is very light, nothing significant (my old lg had bigger one).

The 4k is great, text is so sharp and clear. But I really recommend windows 10 because windows 7 doesn’t handle it that much correctly.

I use 200% scalling, and it makes it looks like a 1080p 24″ screen, but with way higher DPI, so super sharp text.

The stand is poor, cuz you can’t move it much, my old Lg had an awesome stand, and I think I will steal it for the new one, I wish I could bought it on the internet.
You can move the screen left and right, incline, and 90° turn. and also up and down, best stand ever ! I need to buy a plate, because the new lg have a 100mm vesa, and old one had 75mm vesa.
Best stand ever !

The plastic of stand and frame of the screen is shiny, I prefer matte, for less reflection, also it doesn’t have it much.
The screen haze looks quite low, a good point.

For the graphic card part, I bought a GT 1030 because I don’t game, and wanted it fanless, It works well on windows 10 but lag and struggle on Windows 7 (idk why). I also returned it, because you need to be careful, some of this model have Gddr5 and some ddr4. You can look benchs and fps in game, the Gddr5 is two times faster. So if you buy this one, make sure it uses Gddr5 memory.

[PCM2]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It sounds like you like it overall and will be happy with your replacement, assuming it doesn’t have pixel defects. Good call on replacing the stand, make use of those VESA holes (why not?)

[thelele]

Yes, I liked the taste of the High DPI 🙂 Hope next one will have as good low ips glow and no dead pixels.

It’s a shame that for a 280e monitor, the stand is basic.

[Kylwinn]

Hello everyone,

Before start, Sorry for the long text.

I need help to a somewhat complicate case where all monitor display during the past few years, has cause me an eyestrain no matter the setting brightness or color (I even use therespec red glasses).
Even with saturation put to 0 I feel pain/headache while playing games or even reading text I tried with different hz to see if it had an impact but I felt similar on c24fg73 and xg2530 being the former worst due the monitor being too bright (I believe) or may be the panel.

My monitors:

Benq xl2411 -> c24fg73( and c24fg70 replaced) -> ViewSonic xg2530(returned)

The first one is where the pain is most severe and though that maybe would be that is an old TN on where the colors are pretty bad while the others two are more or less the same.

I don’t know what is the source of this or what I should look at anymore but I being playing with some settings and have some points:

1)I can’t tolerate light very well, I usually have 0 light from exterior and have a bias light behind the monitor which helped a bit but it depends on the day.

2)I notice the pain at 5min-1h min of playtime depending on the day and if I’m reading or programming I notice it even earlier.

3)My eyes tolerate more the FPS games(like cs:go) than the MOBA games ( like LOL) I believe that is for the changes on the contrast when the champions skills are being used but I wouldn’t bet my money for that statement.
4)My eyes feel more relaxed on phone display
5)My eyes feel more relaxed on laptop display.
6)My eyes feel more relaxed on office display although not 100% but I can read and code for a longer time. (dell p22h14)
7)My eyes feel much more relaxed while playing handheld on nintendo switch, there almost no pain although I can’t catch all details in some games ( like diablo 3)

8)Additionally, I use glasses since 18 years ago so my view is corrected, and use artificial tears that doesn’t do much in relation to my pain while playing.

So my conclusions, the main difference about these display are the mate vs glossy not sure if is a coincidence but more glossy == better for my eyes , sadly there are literally 0 glossy displays (not sure why) for 120hz+.

So instead of looking for a glossy display I’ve been search for almost-glossy or low haze (I read the article) but there are also little options.

So the question, What I’m looking then is for a monitor 120hz+ with the highest text clarity possible 0 graininess and 1440p if is 27” or 1080p if is 25 or below (unless a 1440p on 25” could help me). On which my principal aim is to have 0 eye strain and if there are nicer solution I could go for 60hz ( although I’m unwilling, but what is the point if I can’t look to the monitor) , I’m willing to have any suggestion regarding to this.

Thanks for the reading and your time,

[PCM2]

Kylwinn,

I’ve merged your thread with an existing ‘mega-thread’ on this topic. There are many factors which affect viewing comfort and it’s a very individual thing. You’ve identified screen surface which can absolutely make a difference, alongside refresh rate which can also have an impact. That does help narrow things down. Although I agree that the range of glossy models on the market is sadly lacking. It’s not just for high refresh rate models, although they’re completely absent there – it’s across the range really.

I’d suggest trying either one of the IPS-type models or the Dell S2719DGF, because they offer a lower haze value screen surface than the ones you’ve tried and found annoying. Especially the XG2530 and BenQ XL2411 you tried and particularly disliked.

[Kylwinn]

Thank you for the recommendation,

Before writing the post I already looked at a bunch of reviews on this site and also noticed the Dell S2719DGF, however, I did not see the recommendation badge that is given to some monitors so I wonderer why was that, so instead of jump at it, I kept looking to others displays.

I found that dell though the link to amazon and will be looking at it through this week since is black week, hoping there is an offer.

About the IPS-type models, do you mind to you recommend that feels as “most sharp” or text clarity posible? I’ve looked at the reviews and they seem similar each other so I don’t know which one would be more appropriate and since I didn’t have an IPS panel I’m a bit worried about that “IPS glow” would also disturb me (that was the reason for try a VA ) , I want to try that dell you recommended but since black Friday is coming I would want an alternative for offers.

Thanks again for your time and patience

[PCM2]

The final paragraph of the review explains:

“Although the issues with imperfect pixel overdrive and inability to achieve appropriate gamma through OSD adjustment alone will prevent us giving this model our coveted ‘recommended badge’, it certainly won’t stop us urging users to strongly consider it. You do get a lot of monitor for your money and if you feel you can live with the potential quirks (all monitors have them) then it could be just what the doctor ordered.” And indeed we feature it in the recommended monitors section, which is less stringent and it is recommended in various threads on the forum. 🙂

All of the IPS-type models we’ve looked at are similar in terms of sharpness, there are no specific issues with that that were worth noting. ‘IPS glow’ does annoy some users, although it’s something you’d have to judge for yourself and if you’re using a low luminance setting or have your room well-lit (lighting around the monitor can also help) it isn’t really a problem. I’d advise making sure your room is well-lit for any monitor and that’s always worth getting right if you’re having issues with eye strain. I appreciate some users prefer or find dimmer lighting conditions more practical or relaxing.

Unfortunately the VA alternatives don’t have quite the same low haze treatment. They are still ‘light’ matte, but the surface texture is noticeably less smooth as noted in our reviews of such models.

[Kylwinn]

Thank you for the input, I read so many reviews that somewhat I forgot that conclusion.

I think I will prioritize the dell then if I’m lucky maybe there will be an offer in amazon(to use your link) on Friday

[drtim]

I want to buy a 32″ screen for productivity purposes and for easier reading purposes. I don’t game but will watch video and movies. The most important thing for me is reading and productivity. I have an NVIDIA GTX 1080 video card. I am interested in HDR technology but don’t know if it is completely necessary. I have been using an HP w2338h monitor for years but I have also noted eye fatigue and deterioration in my eyesight. I am looking at a BenQ monitor – EW3280U or PD3220U or any other monitor that you might think would be better for me. What would you recommend?

[PCM2]

For productivity purposes and viewing comfort (plus watching movies), the PD3220U is complete overkill really. Neither BenQ model you listed offers a good enough HDR implementation for it to really bring anything dramatic to the video viewing experience. And you have to consider that most video content still lacks support for HDR. If you really want to dip your toes into HDR and you subscribe to something like the Netflix ‘4K’ (premium) plan which does have a fair amount of HDR content, consider something like the Philips 326M6VJRMB.

If you feel HDR is something you can do without, the Philips 328E1CA which we recommend would be more appropriate.

[Author]

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