CBS News
The 5 best computer monitors of 2024
Samsung
A cutting-edge monitor is a must-have to if you want a top-tier computer setup. Whether you’re a graphic designer, hardcore gamer, or remote worker, the right display can make a huge difference.
The best monitors of 2024 go way beyond great-looking visuals. Ultra-wide monitors give you plenty of real estate for work or and immersive gaming. High refresh rates make for smooth, lag-free gameplay. Meanwhile, extras like flexible stands and highly customizable display settings can sweeten the deal. You may also want to use the monitor as an additional display for your laptop computer, so additional ports matter, too.
Ready to buy, but not sure where to start? We’re breaking down our picks for the top monitors of 2024. Check out game-changers like Samsung’s Odyssey G9 curved monitor, known for its massive ultra-wide screen and wicked-fast response for gaming. Or the Dell UltraSharp U2723QE 4K monitor, a cheaper option to satisfy any remote employee.
Whatever you need your new display to do , there’s an option for any budget. Read on to see our curated list of the best computer monitors of 2024.
Our top computer monitors for 2024
Samsung Odyssey G9 curved monitor
Amazon
Samsung’s Odyssey G9 49-inch gaming monitor is an absolute beast, with a super-wide curved screen, lightning-fast refresh rate, and stellar OLED picture. Though it’s marketed toward hardcore gamers, it’s a fantastic overall monitor that can benefit any user, if they have the space on their desk.
The 49-inch G9 boasts a 5,120 x 1,440 resolution on its dual QHD display. With a 240Hz refresh rate and 0.3ms response time, gameplay is seriously smooth with no stutter or tearing thanks to AMD FreeSync and G-Sync support. The panel’s Quantum Dot technology and DisplayHDR 400 deliver insanely vibrant, accurate colors too. That translates to a crystal clear, comfortable experience outside of the gaming realm too.
Setup is flexible, with adjustable height and tilt plus VESA mount compatibility. The 1800R curvature gives you desktop real estate equal to two monitors without the bezel break, and additional immersion when gaming. Plus, picture-by-picture mode lets you run two inputs simultaneously as well to up your productivity. OLED is the way to go for the best visuals, and the G9’s inky blacks, crisp whites and intense contrast really make games and media pop thanks to true pixel-level dimming control.
This monitor is an exemplary choice for anyone needing a desktop upgrade. It may be a bit pricey, but it’s every bit worth the money.
Dell UltraSharp U2723QE 4K monitor
Amazon
This Dell monitor uses the company’s IPS Black technology for excellent contrast and vivid colors. Those deep blacks and rich images will make movies, games — anything you view — come alive. But if you’ll be using it as your daily work monitor, it really shines in terms of text and spreadsheet content.
It’s not just the display that impresses though. It’s also packed with other, more general features to make it super versatile. Topping the list is a 90W USB-C port that simplifies connections and keeps your laptop juiced up with a single cable.
It also has KVM switching to seamlessly share a keyboard, mouse (and your attention) between multiple connected devices. That’s a major time saver for anyone juggling multiple machines. It also means you can work easily with an additional monitor if you need more than one.
So with its crisp IPS Black visuals, convenient USB-C charging, and slick KVM switching, Dell’s U2723QE checks all the boxes for your new go-to 4K monitor.
HP Omen 27K gaming monitor
Amazon
Want a super sharp 4K gaming monitor that won’t break the bank? The HP Omen 27 is a great choice. This 27-inch IPS display packs vibrant visuals and slick features into a surprisingly affordable package.
With 163 PPI pixel density, you’ll get razor sharp images and colors that pop thanks to its DCI-P3 color coverage, while its 400-nit brightness and HDR contrast ratio make lights and shadows stand out. The minimal glare AR coating is great for gamers who need zero distractions to keep their mind off the game, too.
The monitor’s smooth 144Hz refresh rate, FreeSync and G-Sync support also help bring you lag-free gameplay. Tweak blur reduction, overdrive and aim guides to customize your experience as well.
There’s also a variety of connectivity options, including KVM switching, USB-C, DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.1 ports. The LED ring lighting and integrated speakers are the cherry on top, with surprisingly powerful sound that can help pull you into your game, whether you’re chilling out in “Stardew Valley” or exploring the universe in “Starfield.”
It’s hard to believe you get great 4K visuals, buttery-smooth gaming, and a sturdy build at this price, but in this case, you definitely get more than you pay for, with no need to spend potentially triple that for a great gaming monitor.
Dell S2722QC 4K monitor
Amazon
Want a crisp QHD monitor that doesn’t destroy your budget? This great-looking Dell option brings quality and value together in a low-priced package.
This 27-inch display can bring you deep blacks and vivid color with crisp contrast and true-to-life colors. That makes it something of a jack of all trades. It’s perfect for work, creative projects, or entertainment, even if you just watch the occasional YouTube video while on break.
With its excellent QHD visuals, convenient USB-C port to use as an additional display, and strong exchange policy, the reasonably priced Dell S2722QC is one of the best you can introduce to your home office or at the very least suggest to your boss to try out in-house. It’s a reliable display upgrade for both productivity and fun, and it won’t leave your wallet crying.
Dell also backs this monitor with a Premium Panel Exchange policy. If any too-bright pixels or defects pop up, the company will overnight a replacement unit the next business day, so you won’t be stuck trying to figure out what to do when you have clients waiting and no monitor to work on.
If you want reasonably priced QHD quality for work, this Dell monitor delivers. Crisp resolution, vivid colors, and thoughtful features make it a well-rounded choice, even if you spend most of your day filling out spreadsheets.
Gigabyte M27Q Pro monitor
Amazon
Sometimes you want a monitor that can play multiple roles, but you don’t want to spend half your paycheck to get one. The Gigabyte M27Q Pro is the answer to your wildest budget-monitor dreams.
This 27-inch 1440p display hits the sweet spot between screen space and sharpness. With a 170Hz refresh rate and FreeSync/G-Sync support, everything looks great — from your PowerPoint presentation to your favorite roguelike action game.
New for this model is an RGB subpixel layout, which improves text clarity. Your eyes need all the help they can get, right? Plus, DisplayPort 1.4 boasts high-res gaming abilities at fast refresh rates.
Beyond gaming, the M27Q Pro features some useful productivity options. Picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture modes allow for some serious multitasking, while the KVM switch lets you control two systems with one mouse or keyboard if you just need more real estate to work with.
All this and more for less than $300? This is excellent value, and a versatile option for most users. Don’t let the fact that it’s marketed as a gaming monitor fool you. It can do it all and then some.
What kind of computer monitor should I buy?
There are several specs to keep in mind when choosing one to match your needs.
Resolution: 4K screens look super sharp, especially for gaming, but you’ll pay for all those extra pixels. For most folks, full HD (1080p) or 2K hits the sweet spot, though you could absolutely go bigger if that’s your preference. Got a ton of desktop space? Go big with a 27″ or larger display for immersive gaming and movies. Beyond that, expect to pay more, especially if you want a rig that can rightly handle your favorite video games, which require a lot more from your typical monitor.
Panel type: Check the panel type, too. IPS panels show vivid, accurate colors from any viewing angle, which makes them perfect for photo/video editing. TN panels are affordable and super fast and can be ideal for competitive gaming. VA panels balance color and speed at a moderate price point for everyday use.
Refresh rate: Refresh rate and response times are vital for gaming, too, if that’s something you’ll be doing with your new monitor. You’ll want at least 120Hz-144Hz refresh for buttery smooth gameplay, while low response times reduce blur and ghosting. For everyday tasks, 60Hz and average response times are fine.
Connectivity: Make sure your monitor has the ports to connect to all of your devices. HDMI and DisplayPort are common, but USB-C handles video, data and power over one cable which is mega convenient for new laptops. More ports and newer versions support higher resolutions and refresh rates.
In-home space: Ultrawide 21:9 monitors are immersive for work and play, but need more space. The classic 16:9 ratio works for most. Ergonomic adjustment can help keep you comfortable when you spend long hours in front of the computer, too.
Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves made his professional auto racing debut on Saturday at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“The Matrix” star, who qualified 31st out of 35 cars, ran as high as 21st before a single-car crash a little more than halfway through the 45-minute race briefly stopped him in his tracks.
Darron Cummings / AP
The 60-year-old spun into the grass without a collision on the exit of Turn 9 when he had about 21 minutes of racing left. He re-entered the course and continued driving, signaling he was uninjured.
Reeves finished 25th.
The actor is competing at Indianapolis in the Toyota GR Cup, a Toyota spec-racing series and a support series for this weekend’s Indy 8 Hour sports car event. He has a second race on Sunday.
Darron Cummings / AP
He is driving the No. 92 BRZRKR car, which is promoting his graphic novel “The Book of Elsewhere.” He is teammates with Cody Jones from “Dude Perfect.”
Reeves has previous racing experience as a former participant in the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach in the celebrity race. Reeves won the event in 2009.
A passenger successfully landed a small plane on Friday after the pilot had a medical emergency, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
The twin-engine Beechcraft King Air 90 was traveling from Henderson Executive Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada to Monterey Regional Airport in California, with a pilot and one other person on board, the FAA said.
The pilot suffered an unspecified medical emergency while flying, the FAA said, forcing the passenger to take the controls and make an emergency landing at Meadows Field Airport in Bakersfield, California.
The Kern Fire Department told CBS News affiliate KBAX that firefighters were called to a report of a medical emergency on the plane. The pilot was reported to be “incapacitated,” the fire department said. Firefighters saw the plane approach and land safely, then “chased” the plane down the runway in emergency vehicles to meet it.
The FAA did not release the passenger or pilot’s identities nor give an update on the pilot’s condition. The pilot was taken to an area hospital by ambulance. The passenger did not report any injuries.
The FAA and the National Transportation Security Board will investigate the incident, the FAA said.
Congolese authorities began vaccination against mpox on Saturday, nearly two months after the disease outbreak that spread from Congo to several African countries and beyond was declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization.
The 265,000 doses donated to Congo by the European Union and the U.S. were rolled out in the eastern city of Goma in North Kivu province, where hospitals and health workers have been overstretched, struggling to contain the new and possibly more infectious strain of mpox.
Congo, with about 30,000 suspected mpox cases and 859 deaths, accounts for more than 80% of all the cases and 99% of all the deaths reported in Africa this year. All of the Central African nation’s 26 provinces have recorded mpox cases. Officials in Congo previously told CBS News that they’ve struggled to diagnose patients and provide basic care in the vast country of 100 million people, where a fragile, under-resourced healthcare system is also burdened by the stigma associated with the virus.
Although most mpox infections and deaths recorded in Congo are in children under age 15, the doses being administered are only meant for adults and will be given to at-risk populations and front-line workers, Health Minister Roger Kamba said this week.
“Strategies have been put in place by the services in order to vaccinate all targeted personnel,” Muboyayi ChikayaI, the minister’s chief of staff, said as he kicked off the vaccination.
Moses Sawasawa / AP
At least 3 million doses of the vaccine approved for use in children are expected from Japan in the coming days, Kamba said.
Mpox, also known as monkeypox, had been spreading mostly undetected for years in Africa before the disease prompted the 2022 global outbreak that saw wealthy countries quickly respond with vaccines from their stockpiles while Africa received only a few doses despite pleas from its governments.
However, unlike the global outbreak in 2022 that was overwhelmingly focused on gay and bisexual men, mpox in Africa is now being spread via sexual transmission as well as through close contact among children, pregnant women and other vulnerable groups, Dr. Dimie Ogoina, the chair of WHO’s mpox emergency committee, recently told reporters.
More than 34,000 suspected cases and 866 deaths from the virus have been recorded across 16 countries in Africa this year. That is a 200% increase compared to the same period last year, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
A lack of diagnostic materials and basic medicines to treat the virus, which can improve survival rates, have also hampered efforts to contain the outbreak, and access to vaccines remains a challenge.
Moses Sawasawa / AP
The continent of 1.4 billion people has only secured a commitment for 5.9 million doses of mpox vaccines, expected to be available from October through December, Dr. Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa CDC, told reporters last week. Congo remains a priority, he said.
At the vaccination drive in Goma, Dr Jean Bruno Kibunda, the WHO representative, warned that North Kivu province is at a risk of a major outbreak due to the “promiscuity observed in the camps” for displaced people, as one of the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis caused by armed violence unfolds there.
The news of the vaccination program brought relief to many in Congo, especially in hospitals that had been struggling to manage the outbreak. Doctors with several charities working in the country have told CBS News they’re overstretched and short on supplies, even having to use tents and mattresses on the floor of makeshift isolation wards to treat a constant influx of patients.
“If everyone could be vaccinated, it would be even better to stop the spread of the disease,” said Dr. Musole Mulambamunva Robert, the medical director of Kavumu Hospital, one of the mpox treatment centers in eastern Congo.
Eastern Congo has been beset by conflict for years, with more than 100 armed groups vying for a foothold in the mineral-rich area near the border with Rwanda. Some have been accused of carrying out mass killings.
