If you’re like most people, your desk probably has a monitor. Maybe even two monitors! If you work in an office, there are probably one or two computers that you use to access the company network. Those computers almost certainly have USB ports and don’t need any more to operate. So why do monitors almost always have at least one USB port? Why not something more useful like an Ethernet port? If you answered “so users can plug in their flash drive,” then congrats! You understand why monitors have USB ports. But why stop there? The truth is way more interesting than that, and it reveals a lot about the history of computer hardware in general. Let’s take a look at why monitors have USB ports – and what they tell us about the world of computer technology as a whole.
Why Do Monitors Have Usb Ports?
To connect to a printer
In the modern world of computers, we take it for granted that most devices can be connected to a computer using an Ethernet cable. But that wasn’t always the case. In fact, when personal computers first came about in the late 1970s and early 1980s, they were much more limited in their abilities than they are now. In order to connect a PC to a printer, you needed something called an interface card. These cards are plugged into the expansion bus of your computer and provided you with access to all its functionality.
To connect to a scanner
Another common office device that has a USB port is a scanner. There are some scanners that can scan directly to a computer, but most of them still need an interface card, which connects them to the computer’s expansion bus.
To connect to the internet
USB ports are also useful for connecting your computer directly to the internet. Most computers have built-in Ethernet ports, but there are still plenty of people who prefer using wireless connections instead and USB is their best option.
To charge your phone/phone charger/MP3 player while you work
In addition to all of the above, there’s another reason why monitors have USB ports: they can be used as charging stations for your phone or MP3 player! It doesn’t take much effort or imagination to see how this would be useful in an office environment – and it’s another testament to how far we’ve come since personal computers first came out!
How To Determine Which Size Of Monitor You Need?
How many screens do you want?
If you have a laptop and a desktop computer, you can simply use the same monitor for both. The most common form of this is when you only have one computer and three screens. You can buy an extra monitor to use as an external display, or just use your laptop’s screen as an additional monitor.
How big do you want your main display to be?
When it comes to monitors, there are quite a few different sizes available – but not all of them are created equal! There are three basic types of monitors: CRT (cathode ray tube), LCD (liquid crystal display), and LED (light-emitting diode). CRT monitors use a cathode ray tube to create images on the screen, while LCDs work by passing light through liquid crystals that change the way they reflect light. LEDs emit their own light source directly onto the screen – so they’re very thin and lightweight! If your main display is going to be used for watching movies or playing video games, then a CRT monitor will probably suit you best. However, if it’s going to be used for working on documents or spreadsheets in an office environment, then an LCD monitor might be more suitable for you.
What size does your current monitor currently have?
If your current monitor is too small for your needs, then it might be time to upgrade! But before doing so though – try out some different sizes to see which one best fits your needs. You can use a simple online tool like this one to determine the size of your current monitor, or you can measure the width and height on the back of your current monitor.
How much do you want to spend?
As with most things in life, there’s a huge difference between “affordable” and “cheap” – so be sure to shop around and compare prices before buying! There are plenty of affordable monitors that are still very good quality, and some that are even very high-end!
When do you want it?
If you want a monitor right now, then you don’t want to wait for it! However, if you need one for when it’s needed – then make sure you choose something with as little lag time as possible (i.e., no delay from inputting text into a document). If this is important for your work, then make sure to check out our article on how to get the best lag time from your computer!
What is your budget?
The more expensive the monitor is – the more features it will come with (such as USB ports or higher resolutions). While this isn’t always true – it does happen sometimes – so be sure not to buy something too expensive that doesn’t have all of these features. For example, some monitors come standard with USB ports while others don’t have them at all. If you want to save some money – check out our guide to the best cheap monitors!
What size is your current monitor?
If you have a smaller monitor, then it’s probably time to upgrade! But before doing so though – make sure you measure the width and height of the monitor that you currently have. If it’s too big or too small, then you might be better off with a larger or smaller monitor.
Do you need a new monitor?
If you’re not sure whether or not your current monitor is going to work for your needs, then it could be time to upgrade! But before doing so though – try out some different sizes to see which one best fits your needs. You can use a simple online tool like this one to determine the size of your current monitor, or you can measure the width and height on the back of your current monitor. You might also want to check out our article on how much screen space do I need for my computer?
Bottom line
Monitors have USB ports because they’re essentially small computers. This means that they can be used to create computer farms or host an entire operating system on a single monitor. It also means that they don’t need other hardware like Ethernet ports or VGA ports. Overall, the fact that monitors have USB ports means that the computer hardware landscape is getting simpler. There’s less specialization and more flexibility across the board, which should make it easier to use computers in various contexts.
FAQs:
Q: What is a USB Display?
A: A USB Display is a device that lets you connect your computer to a monitor. It’s essentially a small computer that connects to your monitor and allows you to use it like any other monitor.
Q: How do I know those aren’t fake reviews?
A: To find out if the review site that you’re reading really has reviewers who are qualified, go through their review process. Make sure they have reviewers who write real reviews – and not inoffensive content or affiliate links. Also, make sure they have at least one reviewer who isn’t affiliated with the brand being reviewed!
Q: Do I need an HDMI port or an HDMI cable?
A: You don’t need either of these things for connecting your laptop to a monitor via USB! You can connect it just like you would any other monitor. However, some monitors have HDMI ports built-in – so if this is important for you then make sure to check out our article on the best monitors with HDMI ports.
