Tag Archives: retailer

Computer Monitor for small business

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Are you staring at a laptop screen trying to work on a large spreadsheet? An attached monitor may be just the tool you need to increase your productivity. But which one? A good basic monitor sells for around $400, but some the same size might be $1000 more. Why? This guide will explain what you need to know about a computer monitor and help you understand the key features you should consider when making your buying decision.

A computer monitor, screen or display is a piece of hardware that displays the video and graphics information generated by a connected computer. Monitors are like TVs but usually display information at a much higher resolution, showing more detail and making them easier to read.

WHY should I buy a better computer display?

If you have a desktop, then you need one. If you buy a laptop, it is a handy addition (for more information on choosing a desktop or laptop, see our PC guide).

Most laptops and desktop computers can run more than one display, and the display can be spanned across several external monitors. Additionally, a laptop display can be mirrored or “cloned” to appear on an external monitor.

Having one or several monitors expands the workspace for a variety of tasks. An external monitor can deliver improved image quality and much more screen real estate if you have a small laptop.

Getting a new monitor is a bit like getting a new TV. It will look better than the old one with a sharper picture and better colours. Generally speaking, the more you pay for a monitor, the better-quality image you will get.

WHAT do I need to know about computer screens?

The size of a monitor is measured in inches from one corner of the screen to the other, not including the outer casing.

The monitor will require its own power supply and will need a connection cable to connect to a computer.

The connection options include:
  • HDMI – preferred method, same modern standard as a TV. Both a modern PC and monitor should have one. It will carry video and audio and support up to 4K video.
  • DVI – older standard for HD video
  • VGA – old standard using those blue plugs with pins
  • Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type C) – high-speed cable with a very small connector that will carry data, ethernet, power, video, and audio. Sometimes the only video connection port on a smaller laptop. 
  • USB – USB 3.0 is the modern standard, and although it can carry video, it generally does not.
  • Wireless – normally referred to as screen sharing or Miracast.  It uses a direct Wi-Fi connection to stream your PC image normally to a TV.

A monitor may not run to its best ability if you do not load the drivers on your PC for that monitor. Look for some instructions in the box.

You can adjust the settings of the monitor display, although most don’t. If you work with graphics, photos or video, you should explore these adjustments.

Some monitor brands provide software that will turn one monitor into many. When using a very big screen, you can trick the PC into thinking it is looking at different screens even though they are on one screen. Useful when you need to keep certain apps open all the time, and you don’t want to be resizing windows.

HOW do I choose a computer monitor?

Computer monitors can be bought online, at Officeworks and the likes of JB-HiFi and Harvey Norman. Not knowing your particular needs, it is hard to recommend a monitor beyond suggesting a 27-inch monitor with Full HD resolution.

When choosing, you should consider:
  • Size – measured in inches. The screen becomes a much longer rectangle the larger the size. It allows you to do more on one screen. As an alternative, some people may buy two screens to get the same effect.
  • Resolution – The more pixels, the better the picture. 1920 pixels by 1080 pixels is Full HD (1K) or FHD, double that is QHD (2K) and four times is 4K
  • Response times – (preferred by gamers) is the time it takes to change a pixel colour. Shorter is better, and it reduces the blur effect when watching fast action like sport on the screen.
  • Colour reproduction – Panel and processor quality will affect colour reproduction. Better is more expensive but simply look at quality instore before buying. It is important for those working with images that consider a monitor certified as colour accurate.
  • Base Mount – is the base adjustable, and how will that work with the way you will look at it.
  • Thunderbolt 3 laptop power – Some monitors support powering your laptop from the monitor. This same cable will carry the video and USB traffic (keyboard, mouse, USB drive etc.) Thus, only one cable is required for everything simplifying laptop power and connection to all your other devices.
  • Touchscreen – If the monitor supports this feature, you can control actions with your fingers on the screen.
  • Inbuilt speakers – allows sound to be projected from inbuilt speakers in the monitor.
  • Microphone and Camera – If installed it helps with video calling.

HINTS

Visit the Gadgetguy website to see reviews and recommendations on various monitors.

If you need to connect an older cable to a newer port (such as HDMI to VGA), there are adapters for this purpose.

Watch out for specials. As this is such a competitive market they are always around and will save you some money.

SUMMARY – best computer monitor for your small business

Having a good computer monitor will help you be more productive and enable you to see more clearly. When buying, you should have some sort of budget in mind then see the size you can get for the quality and resolution of the picture you need for your job. Ensure you have the right cables and that the display stand will work with your needs.

Internet Plan and Provision

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Just like at home you need to choose an internet provider for your business.  The exception to this is if you run your business from home and can use your existing Internet account. This guide will help you understand the lingo and suggest what to look for in an internet broadband plan.

An Internet or Broadband Plan is a service agreement you have with an internet retailer to provide you with access to the internet. The plan is normally paid by the month.

WHAT are my choices in connecting to the internet?

How can you physically connect to the internet?  Either by a fixed connection (a wire) via the NBN – National Broadband Network – sold to you via a retailer like Telstra, TPG, etc. or via a wireless solution, most likely over mobile phone networks like Optus.  For example, Optus offers mobile data (internet) to a mobile phone or by a wireless broadband modem.

Generally speaking wireless solutions are more expensive but give you more flexibility in access from anywhere there is coverage.

HOW do I choose which internet plan from retailers?

Internet retailers will offer you various connection plans and these will include the following terminology:

How to choose an Internet provider?

  1. Data usage

    This is how much data you may use in a month and is usually expressed in a measure of GB or GigaBytes.  1 GB of download would be equivalent to watching 1 movie on Netflix or about 13,000 emails. How much you need will depend on how many are using your connection and what they are sending and receiving.  The good news is most providers offer an unlimited plan.

  2. Speed

    This may be represented as NBN50 or NBN100.  This refers to how quickly you can send and receive data.  The bigger the number the faster.  Remember in your small business you may be sharing this connection with others so what might be fine at home may not be enough at work.  There is also a difference between download and upload speeds. For example, if the plan is represented as 50/20 it means you will get 50 download speed but only 20 upload speed.  The implication here is if your business sends many large files to clients that 20Mbps (million bits per second) may not be enough.  For those technically minded there are 8 bits in a byte. So to send a 1GB file on a 20Mbps link would take a minimum of almost 7 minutes. Most small offices should be considering a 100/40 plan and even a 250/100 plan if you will use a lot of cloud-based services and video conferencing.

  3. Dynamic vs static IP address

    Think of this like always putting your keys in the same spot (static) versus variable locations (dynamic). You always find your keys but if you always put them in the same spot they are easier to find. It is more cost-effective for internet providers to offer a dynamic address.  However, as a business, if you have an onsite email, web server, or are transferring files out to others a static address is better.

  4. Phone service

    Most providers will either package a phone service or have various options.  In this world of mobiles, you need to consider if that is important to you and at what sort of functionality you require like group hunting (ability to try different numbers till someone answers)

  5. 4G/5G Backup

    This is a service offered by some providers where in the unlikely event the fixed internet goes down you will still have access via the mobile phone network most likely at a slower speed.

  6. Contracts

    Some will offer no lock-in contracts others will offer contracts.  Generally if you lock into a contract you may get a better upfront deal however you cannot change easily if a better deal comes along.  Some providers will also allow you to change plans as your circumstances change.

  7. Customer service

    All is good until something goes wrong.  What hours can you get support?  Is the service prompt (some offer businesses a priority). What country will the call be answered in?

WHEN should you consider a wireless solution? 

If you run a small business out of a truck or small van this would be the obvious choice.  You could do this by either using a hotspot from your phone or have a dedicated mobile broadband device with a separate sim card.  If you run an office that has difficult access for a fixed connection or you move regularly you can also consider a wireless broadband solution. This is a modem that uses either the 4G or 5G mobile phone network but is designed to support more users and has a more cost-effective plan than wireless broadband.

HINT

How do you work out what deals are available?  The good news is there are some great websites like Finder and Whistleout that will allow you to set parameters around what you need and they will present back to you the best deals available from various internet providers. 
https://www.finder.com.au/broadband-plans/business-broadband-plans
https://www.whistleout.com.au/Broadband

There is a lot to consider, but our advice is to evaluate the impact of a slow speed connection, unreliable connection, or time to resolution and what cost/impact that will have on your small business when choosing your provider.  Ask others or check internet forums if they have had bad or good experiences with internet providers especially in the area your business is located. Experience can change by location.

If you already have an internet provider don’t hesitate to shop around for a better intern plan as many businesses are on old uncompetitive plans.

SUMMARY – Reliable Internet plan deal

Reliable internet at a speed and capacity that suits your small business is your goal.  A few minutes comparing deals may save you hundreds of dollars.