If there’s one thing I can’t do without…well, maybe, you know, a computer of some sort. But if there are two things, the second is the external light. Without at least two displays in front of me I feel like someone has their arm tied behind my back. For my personal computer, I use a 34-inch Acer ultrawide in the middle, but on both sides is a very capable, no-nonsense Dell 27-inch monitor. The same model, S2721DS, is it’s on sale for just $200 today.
I have been very happy with these observations for many reasons. It’s a good price for a QHD (2560 × 1440) panel that’s also a matte IPS, making the color accurate when I’m working on photo editing in Photoshop. The thin bezels make it a perfect match for my central monitor, and with the same shape and body height, it means I have a consistent image across all three monitors. The lightweight and built-in VESA mount means it’s perfect for my tripod setup on gas arms.
Dell
With DisplayPort and two HDMI connections, it works with most modern desktops and can handle other inputs from another laptop or game console. The screen includes built-in speakers, but at only three watts, I used the headphone jack instead.
At 75Hz, this monitor isn’t great for gaming and the lack of USB-C or USB-A ports means it’s not a good choice for a practical laptop. But as an add-on to an existing desktop (or laptop connected to a Thunderbolt port), it’s a great way to increase your screen space and increase your productivity. IPS screens of this size and concept usually go for $300 from major brands, so this is a great deal. If your budget won’t stretch to QHD, Dell has a similar 1080p version of the same monitor (minus the DisplayPort capability). for $164.