Lately I've been trying to pick up the best parts to build a new computer workstation, as my PC is about to celebrate it's 10th anniversary, which in technology years is crippling old!
So let's start with a bigger monitor, I need to have plenty of working space for open documents, files explorer, programming IDE, web browser tabs, image editor, etc.
For 4K monitors the recommended viewing distance is: [1]
87% of screen width
154% of screen height
75% of screen diagonal
Simple calculation gives us the recommended minimum viewing distance:
0.75×32=24 inch (61cm)
[2]
Analysing the graph, we learn that for a 32 inch UHD monitor, in order to benefit from such a high resolution we have to sit between 60-120cm from the screen.
In my opinion this is the average viewing distance for the majority of computer users.
It's also about the viewing distance that I sit from my 24 inch monitor right now, sometimes a bit further away.
So 32 inch monitor is a good choice for a 4k monitor, as you'll be able to notice greater image quality and crispness from the UHD (3840x2160) pixel resolution, and it's inside the recommended value.
Additionally my desk wouldn't allow a much bigger monitor.
Panel type
For someone like me that doesn't like to play a lot of games, those high frequency 144Hz, low latency, low response time, low input lag monitors are unnecessary, 60Hz with flicker free backlight and blue light correction to save your eyes from strain is the right choice.
IPS technology panels gives us the best color fidelity.
So what are the options available in the market for such a monitor?
Navigating to Display Specifications, PC Part Picker and aplying the necessary search filtering, we are presented with a dozen monitors:
Now what? Which one is the best?
Supposing I don't want to spend $3000 in a monitor lets set a maximum budget of $900, and select the one with the best design...
The winner is: LG 32UD99 31.5"
Specifications
Display: 31.5 in, IPS, W-LED, 3840 x 2160 pixels
Viewing angles (H/V): 178 ° / 178 °
Brightness: 550 cd/m²
Static contrast: 1300 : 1
Refresh rate: 56 Hz - 61 Hz
sRGB: 99 %
Dimensions: 713.8 x 410.2 x 44.6 mm
Weight: 6.5 kg
[1] http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/articles/visual_acuity.htm
[2] https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/by-size/size-to-distance-relationship