Monitors & Displays

Computer Monitor FAQ

Can I plug in my laptop to my monitor, if so, how?

The majority of laptops will have a video out feature.

Firstly, please confirm what inputs you have on your monitor. Most modern monitors will have a HDMI port, however, there may also be DisplayPort, USB-C or older styles, such as VGA or DVI. 

After, please identify what video out connector type your laptop uses. Ideally, this will be either HDMI, Mini HDMI, Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt.

If you are unsure, please search for your model laptop online and find the product page from the manufacturer. Under specifications, there should be a category called External I/O ports or similar, this will show you what video outputs you have.

Once that's done, head on over to our cables section and find the appropriate cable for you!

For gaming, should I prioritise an IPS panel at 60hz or a 144hz TN/VA panel?

Competitive orientated PC gamers should aim for a monitor capable of outputting over 100hz (Hz is the number of times the monitor image changes per second). Most modern games (including CS:GO, Dota2, Fortnight, League of Legends) are capable of delivering over 100 frames per second. As a result, a gamer using a monitor with a high refresh rate, will receive more visual information per second and is a competitive advantage at the highest level of play.

In contrast, IPS panels typically produce superior image quality. IPS panels offer better colour accuracy, colour range and viewing angles. For gamers who are seeking immersiveness (titles such as WoW, Dark Souls, The Legend of Zelda come to mind), an IPS panel will bring everything to life. Therefore, if people are casual gamers and also want to use their monitor for graphic design, movies photography or website editing, then an IPS panel is a superior choice.

Browse our gaming monitors or talk to our staff for further help.

What’s a good monitor for office purposes?

For everyday purposes, we have a range of general and business use monitors. Firstly, you can consider a monitor with low power consumption. Low power would be considered in the range of 12-25 W whilst in use. If you’re looking for an affordable option, simply filter our monitors within your price range.

If you’re constantly working on two documents at a time and wasting time swapping back and forth, then consider upgrading to a monitor of at least 30 inches (more than two A4 sized sheets of paper side by side). If you have the desk space, 32’ and above is really the sweet spot. This should last you a decade. View our range of large office monitors under $800 here.

What’s the best monitor for photography, graphic design and professional use?

For professional use, the “must-haves” are an IPS panel, a decent-sized screen (27” or above), a resolution of over 2560 x 1440 and excellent colour reproduction. In all honesty, 4k resolution is the standard for professional use.

An excellent choice is the BenQ PD 3200U 32”. It’s boasting 4k (3840 x 2160), so it’s great for photographers capturing in full resolution. It’s large enough to have multiple windows open side by side (includes a dual view mode, allowing you to separate the screen for two different uses), and large enough for two people to easily collaborate on. The build quality is also superb. High-end BenQ’s really set the standard for professional media use.

Of course, this monitor is not within everyone’s budget. Please browse our large, high resolutions monitors here or talk with our staff and we’ll help you align a monitor to your goals and budget.

Can I come to view monitors at your Sydney stores before purchasing?

Put simply, yes, it is possible, however, this is at the discretion of the store.

JW Computers' monitors may be in stock with us, or in-stock at the supplier. If we have it in stock, please phone the nearest JW to you, we will confirm we have it available and can show it to you.

In the event, we are extremely busy, or the monitor is in stock with our supplier, we may not be able to show you the monitor, however, we will do everything we can to help you!