Buy monitor with IPS panel - you should pay attention to that
A monitor with an IPS panel offers several advantages. Before you buy your IPS screen, we will tell you what to look for.
IPS screen: the main features
The abbreviation IPS stands for In-Plane Switching and refers to a technology in which you are no longer so dependent on the viewing direction. Due to the larger viewing angle of up to 178 degrees, you can also comfortably look at the screen with several people without anyone having to accept a loss in quality. In addition, the colors on the screens with IPS panels are displayed much more intensely and at the same time more naturally.
- In order for the viewing pleasure to be perfect, the screen should have a WUXGA resolution. This corresponds to a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels with an aspect ratio of 16:10. Even better, but generally much more expensive, is the Wide Quarter HD resolution with 2, 560 x 1, 440 pixels. Regardless of the resolution, the screen should be non-reflective.
- Also important is the contrast ratio and the intensity of the colors with the highest possible color accuracy, so that you can enjoy high-contrast images with lifelike color reproduction. The S-IPS panel, which is available with a 6-axis color correction, promises very accurate color reproduction. The contrast on the IPS panel screens is around 1, 000: 1 on average.
- So that you don't have to worry about ghosting and streaking effects later, you should also pay attention to the response time on the individual screens. The range for the different devices ranges from approximately 2 to 9 milliseconds.
- If you attach great importance to the perfect sound, even a preview before buying is not wrong. However, an external sound system is better.
- Intuitive buttons and a well-explained instruction manual complete the overall picture. You should also pay attention to which cables are included with the device and which additional costs you incur in this regard.
The connections of the IPS screen
- At least one VGA connection and one HDMI connection should be available for the connections. The more connections, the more options you have.
- You can achieve the best image transmission on most screens with an IPS panel via the HDMI connection.
- If you also want to connect your tablet or smartphone easily, the monitor should also have a Mobile High Definition Link (MHL). So you can enjoy your apps in full-screen format at any time.
- Furthermore, depending on the peripheral devices used, USB hubs, media card readers and composite and component connections could also be of importance to you.
- If you enjoy watching DRM-protected content from time to time, a DVI interface with HDCP support would be interesting.
The ergonomics of the IPS panel monitor
In addition to the attractive appearance that many of the flat screens bring, you should also pay attention to the stand.
- The base of the screen should not only be stylish, but also stable and very stable.
- The optimal monitor base is height adjustable and can be tilted forward and backward without any problems.
- Some screens can also be rotated 90 degrees so that you always have the right format in front of you.
The energy consumption of the IPS screens
Even if the monitors with IPS panels generally consume relatively little energy, there are of course differences between the individual screens.
- Monitors with white LED backlight technology, for example, use over 50 percent less energy and also contain no environmentally harmful substances such as mercury or halogen gases.
- In addition, some screens have a further developed eco mode, which always precisely matches the brightness of the backlight to your current activities. So you never consume more electricity than absolutely necessary and still always have an optimal picture.
In the next practical tip we will show you how you can use your screen as a second monitor.