Best Monitors for ASU Computer Science Students

What Actually Matters for a CS Student's Monitor

Walk into any SCAI lab at ASU and you'll see the same setup: a laptop connected to an external monitor. The dual-screen workflow isn't just aesthetic — it genuinely changes how fast you can code. Having your editor on one screen and your browser/terminal/documentation on the other means less alt-tabbing and more actual thinking.

But monitor specs are confusing, and manufacturers love to throw numbers at you that don't matter for coding. Here's what actually matters and what doesn't.

Specs That Matter (For Coding)

Resolution: 1080p (1920x1080) is fine for a secondary or budget monitor. 1440p (2560x1440) is the sweet spot — more screen real estate without needing to scale. 4K is overkill for a single coding monitor unless you want to split it.

Size: 24" at 1080p or 27" at 1440p are both excellent choices. At 27" with 1080p, things start looking a little fuzzy. Bigger isn't always better — match resolution to size.

Panel type: IPS panels have accurate colors and good viewing angles. Great for most CS work. TN panels are cheaper but colors shift at angles — fine if you're directly in front of it. OLED is beautiful but overkill for coding.

Refresh rate: 60Hz is totally fine for coding. 144Hz is nice if you also game, but don't pay a premium for it if coding is the primary use.

Eye care features: If you're staring at a screen for 8+ hours, flicker-free and low blue light modes matter more than marketing suggests. Most modern monitors have these.

Specs That Don't Matter Much for Coding

HDR: Useful for content consumption and gaming. Mostly irrelevant for code.

Response time: Matters for gaming. Irrelevant for coding.

Built-in speakers: Almost always bad. Get a cheap Bluetooth speaker instead.

Curved screens: Useful for ultrawide setups. Mixed opinion among developers. Not worth a premium.

Specific Recommendations

Budget Pick: Used Dell U2419H or U2422H (~$80–$120 used)

The Dell Ultrasharp series is the staple of used monitor recommendations for a reason: they're everywhere in the student market, they're genuinely good IPS panels, and they age well. A 24" 1080p Dell Ultrasharp from a graduating ASU senior runs $80–$120 used and will serve you perfectly. Look for these on ASU List and Facebook Marketplace around graduation season.

Sweet Spot: LG 27MN60T or LG 27UP600 (~$150–$200 new, $100–$140 used)

27" 1440p IPS panel at a reasonable price. LG makes reliable panels and the 27" size is comfortable without feeling overwhelming in an apartment workspace. If you find one used from a fellow student, $100–$130 is a fair price.

Dual Monitor Setup on a Budget

Two 24" 1080p monitors beat one big monitor for most coding workflows. Two used Dell 24" monitors at $75–$90 each is a better setup than one fancy 32" 4K monitor at $400. Buy two matching units if you can — the height difference between mismatched monitors gets annoying.

MacBook Users: What to Know

If you're using a MacBook (M-series), you can connect one external monitor natively. The M4 chips support multiple displays now, which fixed a longstanding frustration. For MacBook + single monitor setups: 4K resolution actually makes sense here because macOS scales it beautifully with HiDPI. The LG UltraFine 4K 24" (around $250–$300 new) is popular among ASU CS students with MacBooks.

The Used Monitor Buying Checklist

When buying a used monitor from a student:

1. Check for dead pixels: Display a solid white image, then solid black, then solid red, green, and blue. Dead pixels show up clearly against uniform colors.
2. Check for backlight bleed: In a dark room, display a solid black image. Patches of lighter gray around the edges indicate backlight bleed. Some is normal; excessive bleed is annoying.
3. Verify all inputs work: Test the HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C ports by actually connecting something.
4. Check the stand: Does it tilt, swivel, or adjust height? Is it stable? Missing or wobbly stands are a pain.
5. Ask for the original box and power cable: Not essential, but helpful for transport.

The Setup Beyond the Monitor

A monitor alone doesn't make a great setup:

• Monitor arm: A $25–$40 used Amazon Basics arm improves desk ergonomics significantly. Look for these in student sales.
• USB hub: Most monitors have 2–4 USB ports built in. If not, a $20 hub adds ports for peripherals.
• Cable management: A $10 cable management tray from Amazon makes a cramped desk much cleaner.

Quick Answer

If you want a simple recommendation: find a used Dell Ultrasharp 24" or 27" on ASU List or Facebook Marketplace for $80–$130. It's a reliable panel, easy to find, and the price is right. If you're okay buying new, the LG 27MN60T at around $180 is the best value in its class.