If you have looked at the price of a monitor for your computer, you may have noticed how expensive they are.
Monitors are often priced even higher than televisions, which has many people wondering if this is a good purchase or not.
With the prices of monitors continuing to go up and not down, you may be wondering what the cause is.
Here are some reasons monitors are so expensive.
Why Are Monitors so Expensive?
1. Not Replaced Often
Sometimes objects that are not replaced often are sold for higher prices.
If a company is going to be able to sell you a new product in a year or two, then their product may be a bit less expensive.
They know that you will get a replacement in a short period of time and they will benefit from that.
A computer monitor is not something people replace that often.
In fact, most people are much more likely to replace their television than they are to replace their monitors.
This is partly because a television is considered a form of entertainment.
A monitor is seen as more of a must have unless a person is using the monitor for a game or maybe for work as well.
Since a monitor should last for a long time without going bad or needing to be replaced, the initial costs are traditionally a bit higher.
Although this may seem frustrating, it is not necessarily a bad thing that your monitor will hold up for a long time.
To make sure your monitor lasts, it is a good idea to use sleep mode when it is not in use and adjusts the brightness settings so that it does not burn out.
If you take great care of your monitor, you will often find that you have no reason to replace it.
2. Necessary Items to Operate a Computer
Another reason monitors are expensive is that they are necessary to operate a computer.
If you want to use your computer, you are going to need a monitor.
This means that the monitor manufacturers know they kind of have you in a tough spot.
You can’t go and make your own monitor, and you probably don’t have the ability to fix an old one, so you are sort of stuck purchasing a monitor.
This is unfortunate, but it is also a common trend in business.
If you need (as opposed to want) a product, companies can traditionally raise the price so that they benefit from the situation you are in.
Of course, if you don’t have a monitor, you could always use a projector or something similar, but you will probably spend even more money.
You will have to pay for your monitor, but you can purchase older models when they go on sale.
Also, many smaller sized monitors will be less expensive than the large gaming or work monitors.
If you are accustomed to working on a laptop of a tablet, you probably don’t need a very large, high-end monitor.
Unless you are playing games or watching movies most of the time, standard-sized monitors are more than fine to get the job done.
3. Long Warranty
Monitors come with a very long warranty.
This goes back to what we said earlier about how most of these models are built to last for many years.
Companies that produce monitors know that the monitors are going to last for several years.
The warranty is usually going to be about five years long, which is plenty of time.
When you purchase a new TV, you usually only get about a year’s warranty with it.
The one-year warranty is quite short, and it helps keep the price of the TV down.
When you purchase a product, a warranty is a good thing to have.
However, leaving the warranty behind is a great way to save money on initial costs.
With a monitor, you won’t usually have this choice because the warranty will be a built-in feature.
4. Gaming Features
The most expensive monitors are those that are used for gaming.
This is because gaming monitors have very fast speeds and very clear pictures as well.
The gaming monitors can sell for several thousand dollars, depending on what you are looking for.
Technology improves and changes so often, you will notice that, after just a few short years, the gaming monitors are no longer technologically relevant.
For some people who are using video games as a way to make a living, it is important to stay up to date on the latest and greatest technology.
Gaming monitors have very high refresh rates.
This means the picture they display will be updated much quicker than the television or a regular computer monitor.
Video games are constantly changing.
The game is never going to be the same every time, and therefore the monitor has much more work to do.
The graphics will change quickly and have to update as the game is played.
It’s impossible to predict what screens or movements will be made ahead of time.
Some other reasons behind the high cost of these gaming monitors are that they display a very wide picture.
The picture needs to be large to get the proper view of the game.
Graphic designers also have the same need for a larger screen to see both colors and small details much easier.
5. Convenience
You will notice that products which offer us some convenience in our everyday lives are going to be priced quite high.
You can see this when you look at monitors that are larger or are for gaming.
The larger monitors are going to be helpful for those who are running businesses or need to have multiple screens open at a given time.
Monitors that are built for your convenience and those that will help you get your work done at a quicker pace are going to be higher in price.
If you don’t necessarily need an expensive monitor, there are some options for lower priced monitors available.
You won’t be able to expect or demand the same features, but you can still get a monitor to be able to review your data.
Are Monitors More Expensive Than Televisions?
Most monitors are more expensive than televisions.
Part of the reason behind this is the marketing that is done.
Monitors are known for being longer term investments and being quite high quality.
Televisions are a dime a dozen these days.
You can purchase a television anywhere, and you will likely pay significantly less for it than you did for your last TV.
A TV used to be an expensive piece of electronic equipment in a home, but it is now not nearly as expensive as it once was.
Of course, if you purchase a high-end top of the line model that is quite large, you will end up paying a lot.
However, for smaller televisions that are not as highly advanced, you can get a great deal.
Monitors also come with a longer warranty and the higher end features for playing games.
In years past, the television and the computer monitor were more closely related when it came to pricing, but that has since changed through the years.
If you have thought about using a TV for your monitor, that is a possibility.
However, depending on what you use your computer for, it may not offer the proper results.
Most people choose to have both a monitor and a television in their homes.
Does Having a Good Monitor Matter?
As you will quickly see, the more features your monitor has, the more expensive it will be.
Of course, the question then becomes, “Is a good monitor worth it?”
If you are a person who spends a lot of their day looking at a monitor, chances are the price will be worth it.
However, if you have your computer monitor in the back corner of your office and you only use it from time to time, any monitor will do.
The more complex you get with colors, graphics, and more, the more expensive a monitor you will need.
For simple word processing tasks, the type of monitor will not matter nearly as much.
Decide on the things you are going to use the monitor for and then check the specifications of the monitor you choose to see what makes the most sense for you.
Are Cheap Monitors Bad for Your Eyes?
Many people wonder about the cheaper monitors being bad for your health.
With all of the time spend on computer screens, this is a valid concern among people.
The good news is that there is nothing dangerous about a cheap monitor.
It simply could cause some eye strain.
If your monitor is a bit blurry and not producing images as quickly as you need them, then the monitor could be bad for your eyes.
You will have to adjust your monitor if you could develop eye strain.
Sometimes this can be accomplished by simply adjusting some features or settings on the monitor.
You do not need to purchase a new monitor just to fix the eye strain issue.
Make sure you have adequate lighting in the room you are working on and also pay attention to the distance you sit from the screen.
If you are very close to the screen at all times, this in itself can cause some significant eye strain.
Being aware of these issues is an essential way to keep yourself safe.
What Monitor Is Best for Long Periods of Time Spent on the Computer?
One of the most important features in a monitor that is used for long periods of time is something that has adaptive brightness technology.
The computer screen will adapt to the lighting at the time to make it safer and more comfortable for your eyes.
Our smartphones usually have this type of technology incorporated into them, which helps to reduce eye strain and fatigue.
There are lots of monitors out there with this type of technology, and although they may cost a bit more, they are certainly worth the benefit for your eyes.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of why monitors are so expensive.
Unfortunately, there is not much that can be done to lower the pricing of monitors, but there are some sacrifices you can make when you purchase.
If you stay away from the latest technologies and go for a slightly smaller monitor, you will save quite a bit of money.
If you need a monitor for work and not gaming or entertainment, it will also help to save money.
Monitors will go on sale anytime there is an electronic sale.
If you are not in a rush, keep an eye out for those sales.
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