Displays

Displays

Good - $230ish

The Dell UltraSharp U2412M 24-Inch Screen LED-lit Monitor is a solid monitor for daily office use. It measures in at 24 inches with a 16:10 aspect ratio at 1920x1200 resolution, adding up to 2.3 million pixels. Connections for legacy DVI sources and newer DisplayPort sources are included.

Remarkable - $560ish

The Dell U2713HM-IPS-LED CVN85 27-Inch Screen LED-lit Monitor is a step up, bigger and higher resolution. 27 inches, 16:9 aspect ratio, 2560x1440 resolution: 3.7 million pixels. DVI, HDMI, and DisplayPort connections ensure compatibility with almost every computer manufactured in the last few years.

Amazing - $1000ish

Don't feel bad for wanting it. I want it too. In fact, I want two, mounted over-and-under.

Don't feel bad for wanting it. I want it too. In fact, I want two, mounted over-and-under.

How much more wide could this display be? None. None more wide.

The LG Electronics UM95 34UM95 34-Inch Screen LED-Lit Monitor is a jaw-dropping display. Do not buy this display unless you're sure your video card can drive it. If it can, you're in for a treat. Its 34-inch ultrawide 21:9 aspect ratio with 3440x1440 pixel resolution adds up to almost 5 million pixels. This display can do the job of 2 lesser displays.

Windows Laptops

Windows Laptops

Good

For a basic office worker, we recommend the ThinkPad T440s as a workhorse PC laptop. At a minimum, order the following options:

  • Processor: 4th Gen Intel Core i5-4200U Processor (3MB Cache, up to 2.60GHz)
  • Operating System: Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Downgrade Windows 7 Professional 64
  • Microsoft Productivity Software: Do not order Office Home and Student.
  • Display: 14.0" FHD IPS With WWAN
  • Memory: 8G 4G Base + 4G (1 SoDIMM)
  • Hard Drive: 500GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm, 2.5"
  • Wireless: Intel Dual Band Wireless 7260AC with Bluetooth 4.0

Remarkable

For an executive, artist, or advanced user, we also recommend the ThinkPad T440s, but this time with the solid state drive for improved performance. At a minimum, order the following options:

  • Processor: 4th Gen Intel Core i7-4600U Processor (3MB Cache, up to 2.60GHz)
  • Operating System: Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Downgrade Windows 7 Professional 64
  • Microsoft Productivity Software: Do not order Office Home and Student.
  • Display: 14.0" FHD IPS With WWAN
  • Memory: 8G 4G Base + 4G (1 SoDIMM)
  • Hard Drive: 512GB Solid State Drive SATA3
  • Wireless: Intel Dual Band Wireless 7260AC with Bluetooth 4.0

Accessories

Dock: ThinkPad UltraDock
Spare Power Adapter: ThinkPad and Lenovo 65W AC Adapter
Good Display: Dell UltraSharp U2412M 24-Inch Screen LED-lit Monitor
Great Display: Dell U2713HM-IPS-LED CVN85 27-Inch Screen LED-lit Monitor
Keyboard: Logitech Keyboard K120
Mouse: Logitech Corded Mouse (M500)

Thanks to the folks at The Wirecutter for all of their wonderful reviews.