THE SCREENS OF TOMORROW
With chip shortages, the cryptomining craze, and painful pricing for all kinds of components, we’re hardly operating in normal times when it comes to PC tech. Without mentioning the p-word, let’s just say the world has more to worry about right now than overpriced GPUs.
Excuse the pun, but screen tech hasn’t been immune to the madness. Yet progress continues. In fact, after years of headline-grabbing advances in gaming panels, the next 12 months might offer the best chance to upgrade a tired productivity-oriented screen.
The introduction of the first mainstream OLED monitors this year is certainly a milestone. Likewise, wider adoption of mini-LED backlighting is a game changer. The mere availability of affordable monitor models that combine a quality 32-inch IPS or VA panel with 4K resolution and 120Hz-plus refresh could actually be what marks 2021 as a really significant real-world inflection point.
If the value of high refresh outside of a gaming context is debatable, the wider adoption of USB Type-C and the associated Thunderbolt 4 as the display interface of choice is surely an unambiguous win. So, if you’ve been holding out for an upgrade for that aging 1440p or 4K 60Hz SDR panel, it could be the time to finally pull the trigger.
Not that the next year or so will satisfy all your monitor-related hopes and dreams. The stubborn refusal of the market
