What to Look for in a TV for a Computer Monitor

4 Best TVs To Use as a Computer Monitor. What to Look for in a TV for a Computer Monitor.

A flat panel TV and a computer monitor are essentially the same devices, with some important differences that make them better for their respective purposes. However, what if you’re tempted to get the best price per inch that the TV has to offer? Can you use your TV as a monitor? You should?.

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It turns out that there are tons of TVs out there that are great for this purpose, and we’re going to highlight the ones we think are the best.

What to Look for in a TV for a Computer Monitor

Regardless of the size of your TV, there are several important features to look out for if you want to use it as a computer monitor.

First of all, the TV must have the correct inputs. All modern GPUs and all modern TVs have HDMI. This way, you will never have any problems getting the picture, but if you want to have high resolution and high refresh rate at the same time, you will need HDMI 2.1, which supports 4K 120Hz signals.

Unfortunately, few GPUs have HDMI 2.1 as DisplayPort is the more popular choice in the industry. This means you should look for DisplayPort TVs if 4K60 isn’t right for you. Alternatively, make sure your next GPU you purchase also includes an HDMI 2.1 port.

The second important factor has to do with the TV’s post-processing settings. Modern TVs apply a lot of programming magic to the incoming image before displaying it. They can make the image sharper, more vibrant and generally more enjoyable to view. Unfortunately, post-processing takes time. So, there is a delay between the reception of a signal by the TV and its display on the screen.

It’s okay if you’re lounging on the couch and watching Netflix. But if you’re doing something interactive like moving your mouse or playing a video game, input lag can make the process unbearable. So take a look at a feature called “game” or “PC” mode, which disables all this post-processing to ensure maximum responsiveness, albeit at the expense of image quality.

The Best Budget Option: Sony X80J 43” (Approx. $800)

While you can get 4K TVs in this class for less money, the X80J delivers picture quality to a much more expensive TV, making it the perfect size for immersive desktop use. You’re limited to 4K 60Hz, but for the price, that’s forgivable as 120Hz and higher TVs that also deliver good 4K picture quality are much more expensive.

The X80J TVs have great basic specs, but nothing flashy. At this price though, you might consider buying two 32-inch computer monitors if you need screen real estate for productivity rather than playing games or watching movies.

The Best Gaming Option: Alienware 55” OLED (Approx. $3000)

While console gamers are taking advantage of OLED technology, that’s not what’s really popular in the world of PC monitors. In all fairness, this is probably a good thing, as OLEDs are not suitable for static content like the Windows taskbar or desktop icons.

However, if you’re only going to use your TV for gaming, OLED technology has a lot to offer, with impressive contrast levels and pure blacks that really make images look vibrant.

As with Asus, you won’t find HDMI 2.1 here, but DisplayPort 1.4, with options for both FreeSync and Gsync, means you will plunge into the nirvana of PC gaming. However, we cannot recommend this monitor for any other PC use other than watching movies. If you intend to browse the web or use static UI elements like you would on a regular monitor, you are at serious risk of burnout.

The Best Budget OLED: LG 48” C1 OLED (Approx. $1100)

If the Alienware OLED is too expensive (and frankly it really is), then another fantastic OLED monitor for PC is the LG 48 “C1. It is arguably the most popular choice among PC users looking to use their TV as a monitor.

First off, the 48-inch size is small for a TV, but that’s the upper limit for comfortable use at a desk. Secondly, true OLED PC monitors are virtually non-existent, so this is the closest you can get without labeling it as a monitor.

The OLED in C1 is widely regarded as one of the best on the market with absolutely fantastic picture quality and performance. This is a TV that received the renowned RTings critique of 8.9 for use as a monitor. The biggest issue is the lack of DisplayPort, but it does have HDMI 2.1 if you also want to run your consoles on it at high refresh rates. DisplayPort to HDMI 2.1 adapters are available, but these are generally unreliable. However, future PC GPUs may eventually support HDMI 2.1, so there is some hope for full compatibility one day.

The Next-Generation Choice: Samsung 65” 8K QN800A (Approx. $2000)

If you check out our article Is 8K GAMING Worth It On PS5 AND XBOX SERIES X? Videos, you know the next generation resolution is still far beyond the reach of conventional gaming systems.

However, this is not entirely true for PCs, and there are actually several good reasons to opt for an 8K widescreen display if you are a PC user. For productivity, you’re looking at a bunch of real estate, and high-resolution professionals can literally see the bigger picture.

For gamers with high-performance systems, 8K games at 30 or 60 frames per second are out of reach. This is especially true if you’re using an HDMI 2.1 card like the ROG Strix RTX 3090. An 8K widescreen makes a lot more sense than a small 8K PC monitor, so if you’re looking to upgrade your PC to the 8K generation, it’s a great choice.

Special Considerations

All of the TVs on this list are great, but if you’re really in the mood to use one as your PC monitor, there are a few important things to keep in mind.

First, it can be difficult to determine the viewing distance. There is a reason that PC monitors usually don’t come in sizes larger than 32 “or 34”. It is physically problematic to use anything more at the table.

If the screen fills your entire field of view at a standard distance from the table, increasing the size means you have to turn your head to see the entire screen. This is further complicated by the fact that the content performs best at different viewing distances.

Computer video games can work well at the same distance as movies, but web browsing or small text applications can be difficult to use. You may need to use UI scaling so that the screen can be used from a distance.

If you are thinking of any kind of professional work based on color fidelity, TV is a poor choice! Instead, you should consider a color-calibrated professional monitor, even if it’s smaller. If you’ve pondered these problems and you have a solution that works for you, then you’re ready for (literal) great success.

4 Best TVs To Use as a Computer Monitor

4 Best TVs To Use as a Computer Monitor

What to Look for in a TV for a Computer Monitor

What to Look for in a TV for a Computer Monitor