TN matrix - cheap and fast
Let's start presenting the characteristics of individual types of matrices with the oldest platform on the list, TN. It is still used today, mainly in budget (and not only) monitors for gamers. This is due to the very low response time of 1ms.
In practice, this means there is no delay in rendering subsequent pixels, which is especially important for fans of fast-paced games and higher-level online competition in games such as Counter Strike: Global Offensive, the Battlefield shooter series and other FPS games.
High image smoothness and therefore gameplay is also affected by the refresh rate. It may vary depending on the monitor model, but people interested in achieving the highest possible values of this parameter should lean toward TN screens.
A tempting factor in this case is the price of 144 Hz and 240 Hz monitors based on a TN matrix. To use the full potential of such a monitor, the user will need a powerful computer capable of generating the required number of frames per second.
Acer KG241 TN Gaming Monitor
The advantages mainly end with a very short response time and a favorable 144/240 Hz refresh rate to price ratio. Unfortunately, the list of inconveniences is longer:
- poor color rendering;
- poor contrast;
- uneven lighting (there are both better and worse parts);
- overall quality of the displayed image;
- The TN matrix is limited in viewing angles.
The monitor should be positioned in front of the user. If you look at the projected image from the side, you may notice a lot of color distortion. Therefore, it is impossible for a large group of people to watch films on such a screen.
Reduced manufacturing costs mean that the manufacturer does not bother with factory calibration of image settings, but this applies to all types of sensors.
The bigger problem is that the limited color palette makes it difficult to achieve satisfactory results even at home.
Who is this for?
A TN monitor is recommended mainly for people who want to spend as little money as possible or play fast-paced games (mostly shooters) and want a high refresh rate and minimal response time.
Who is it not suitable for?
For people who particularly care about the best color reproduction:
- Professional graphic designers and photographers should stay away from TN panels;
- players seeking less dynamic settings and playing mainly in single player mode;
- people interested in purchasing an additional monitor that they can look at from an angle.
Office option
It would seem that the universal type of TN+film monitor matrix would be perfect for working with text. But, as practice shows, working with small print behind such a screen is extremely inconvenient. And if a monitor is purchased specifically for working with large volumes of text, then you should worry about your vision. The closest technology to TN at an affordable price is VA. Regardless of the manufacturer and screen size, such a device will allow you to sit at the computer for more than one hour without any problems.
When choosing a monitor for office work, attention should be paid to both the size and physical resolution of the matrix. The diagonal of the screen for working with text should not exceed the distance from the user’s eyes to the matrix. It is also recommended to select office monitors with an aspect ratio of 4:3, because in this ratio more readable information is placed on the screen.
IPS matrix - beautiful colors
The IPS matrix can be described in two words - “the opposite of TN”. This type of platform is basically the exact opposite of the matrix described earlier.
The strengths of monitors equipped with it are very good color reproduction, which can be oversaturated without basic calibration, and wide viewing angles. The latter makes IPS screens great for creating multi-monitor setups.
IPS is much slower than TN. Longer response times mean that the matrix is not welcomed by people who spend their free time playing fast-paced games. RPG fans will be happy about this.
A wide range of colors allows you to further decorate the breathtaking landscapes of virtual worlds. The slower IPS panel will also perform well in strategy, adventure and card games.
Iiyama ProLite XUB2792QSU-B1 monitor with IPS matrix
It is easy to find high refresh rate IPS displays in the market. However, it should be taken into account that their price is much higher than that of monitors with a TN matrix. In addition, the basic models come with a frequency of 60 Hz less.
The same goes for curved screens. Curved IPS is a really big expense compared to a device of this type with another type of panel. Among the three most popular panels (TN, VA and IPS), this is the most expensive.
In terms of backlighting, nothing changes compared to TN. There is a lot of randomness here, and you can find both better and worse examples. Here again we are dealing with LCD technology with zone LED backlighting or edge LED backlighting.
Monitors equipped with an IPS matrix can be appreciated by professionals who process photographs and create graphics every day. Top models offer good color coverage of the most popular palettes. However, it will not do without additional costs. It will be necessary to order a calibration service from specialists with professional equipment.
For whom is it recommended?
The IPS panel is a good choice for players who avoid online games and fast-paced arcade games. This type is also recommended for people interested in purchasing an additional monitor if it needs to be mounted at an acute angle towards the user.
The best models, once professionally calibrated, are also suitable for specialized applications.
Whom do we not recommend?
The IPS panel screen is not for those on a budget. Very cheap models exist, but leave much to be desired. A longer reaction time than the TN may prevent you from achieving better results in online shooters.
Who won?
Apparently, this is the only case when in the war between manufacturers for the sales market, the buyer wins, who receives a worthy device in terms of its characteristics at a price that is quite acceptable to him. The disadvantage is the small selection of manufacturers, because Samsung has not released the technology beyond its concerns, so the Korean brand has few competitors - Philips and AOC.
But, faced with the choice of which type of monitor matrix is better - IPS or PLS, a potential buyer who decides to save money will definitely give preference to the latter. After all, in fact, there is not much difference between the devices. And if you pay attention to the fact that most mobile devices, including tablets, have a PLS matrix, which is very often presented by the seller as a more expensive IPS, then only one conclusion suggests itself.
VA matrix - popular among gamers
Considered by many to be the "sweet spot", the VA panel combines the greatest advantages of IPS and TN panels, or, if you prefer, eliminates the most important disadvantages of both types in one product. In any case, this means low response times, decent color reproduction, although not as good as IPS, and great viewing angles.
This alone is enough to make the VA panel one of the most commonly used in gaming monitors. There are no barriers to its high refresh rate.
AOC C27G1 VA Gaming Monitor
It can be described as average. Generally speaking, VA displays are cheaper than IPS, but more expensive than TN. However, the final value is influenced by many different factors, not just the type of matrix.
The most important thing is that the illumination is fairly uniform and immediately after unpacking you can start adjusting the image parameters in accordance with your preferences.
Who should be interested in a monitor with a VA matrix? This type of hardware should satisfy all gamers, no matter what genre they prefer. Wide viewing angles allow you to use the screen as an additional one standing on the side.
Who should cancel the purchase? Color reproduction, although at a higher level than TN, will not satisfy photo editing professionals and graphic designers.
No flaws?
IPS matrices and their various modifications have been on the market for quite a long time. However, their cost is not as attractive to buyers as the impeccable characteristics of screens that use an expensive type of monitor matrix. Only Apple knows which screen is better for a businessman and designer, the president of a company or a traveler, because all of its devices, without exception, have IPS (In-Plane Switching) matrix technology.
From year to year, all kinds of technologies appear, experts are trying to improve the quality of an already expensive and high-quality matrix, as a result of which there are a number of modifications on the market: AH-IPS, P-IPS, H-IPS, S-IPS, e-IPS. The difference between them is minor, but it is there. For example, e-IPS (Enhanced) has technology that increases screen contrast and brightness, and also reduces response time. The professional P-IPS series can display 30-bit color, but it’s a pity that the user will not clearly notice this.
OLED is the future of monitors
OLED is likely to be the future of computer monitors, and one day everyone will have a piece of equipment equipped with an organic matrix screen on their desk. Phones and TVs with OLED matrices are already becoming increasingly popular.
The first monitors of this type can also be found on the market. However, the very high price of monitors and TVs with an OLED matrix is still keeping the mass consumer from purchasing.
No one knows when it will drop to the level that the average user can afford to buy such equipment, but the situation is improving every year as this technology spreads more and more.
Radical solution
The type of monitor matrix AH-IPS was of interest only to buyers in developed countries of the world. After all, for the best quality you have to pay a very large amount, which is beyond the means of residents of the post-Soviet space. And there is no point in purchasing a monitor that is slightly more expensive than a modern personal computer assembly. Therefore, manufacturers of expensive devices had to reduce the cost of technology by reducing the quality in the production of components. This is how a new type of monitor matrix PLS (plane-to-line switching) appeared on the market.
After analyzing the characteristics and studying the operating principle of the new matrix, you might think that this is just an improved modification of the PVA matrix from Samsung. This is true. As it turned out, the manufacturer developed this technology a long time ago, but its implementation occurred quite recently, when there was a huge price difference between middle-class and expensive devices, and there was an urgent need to fill the empty price niche.
How to choose a monitor or laptop display with ideal characteristics?
A high-quality display has a huge advantage in multimedia tasks on a PC, and in relation to a laptop it’s half that. Take a look at this short list of display issues to watch out for when purchasing a new mobile computer or PC monitor:
- low brightness and contrast characteristics
- small viewing angles
- glare
Replacing a laptop screen is more difficult than buying a new monitor for a desktop computer, not to mention installing a new LCD matrix in a mobile computer, which cannot be done in all cases, so you should be careful choosing a laptop screen with full responsibility.
Let me remind you once again that you cannot believe the promises of advertising materials of retail chains and computer manufacturers. After reading the guide to choosing a monitor and display for a mobile computer , you will be able to find the difference between a TN matrix and an IPS matrix , evaluate the contrast, determine the required brightness level and other important parameters of the LCD screen. You'll save time and money searching for a PC monitor and laptop display by choosing a quality LCD screen instead of a mediocre one.
