Are you a fan of the Microsoft Surface Pro? Can you not get enough of its slim body, lightweight construction, and excellent speed? If so, why not give it a great monitor?
An extra viewing surface may seem unnecessary, but it can give your already great computer a much better display. That is vital for creatives who do a lot of multitasking or professionals who use their computers for work.
There are many great monitors out there, but the following options are perfect for the Surface Pro.
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Who Should Get This
When you connect your Microsoft Surface Pro to a monitor, it becomes a workstation. That makes it great for users who like to multitask. You can easily Skype into a conference call, check your emails, and take notes in OneNote all at the same time.
If you find yourself on a big project, a monitor will allow you to work without putting too much strain on your eyes. You will also be able to easily use a keyboard and mouse, two items that greatly increase productivity. The Surface Pro’s USB ports also make data transfer a synch.
If you like your entertainment on big screens, then a large monitor is the way to go. If you’re okay with using your Surface Pro as is, this post isn’t for you.
Best Monitor for Surface Pro: Our Picks
All of the following monitors have special traits that make them great for your Surface Pro.
1. Dell Ultrasharp U2715H
- Best For: Overall
- Key Features: IPS monitor. Ultra-slim design and ergonomic build. Anti-glare screen. Bright coloration.
- Screen Size: 27 inches
- Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440
The Ultrasharp U2715H is an excellent monitor for people who need precision. The 27-inch screen, one of the largest on the market, comes with a sharp 1440p IPS panel that enables you to work or play thanks to the crisp colors and unmatched viewing angles.
To back that up, the monitor comes with a wide range of different ports as well as a fully adjustable stand. The non-reflective coating works like a dream, and the 16:9 aspect ratio looks great regardless of what you’re doing on the screen.
This monitor is on the more expensive side. However, you definitely get a lot for the price. The premium cost won’t be for everyone, but it’s a solid investment if you need a monitor for your Surface Pro.
2. Acer G257HL
- Best For: Style
- Key Features: Modern appearance. Excellent power and performance. High quality picture and resolution. Comfortable to use.
- Screen Size: 31.5 inches
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440
If you’re after a more modern monitor with a clean look that will fit into any home, room, or office, the Acer G257HL is a great way to upgrade without losing aesthetics. It’s an incredibly slick device that utilizes a full HD zero-frame screen and innovative IPS technology.
Beyond that, the monitor comes with excellent performance, a sturdy stand, as well as a full LED backlight display. You can also fully tilt the screen between 5 and 15 degrees, a factor that allows you to create a comfortable viewing experience.
This is a complete monitor, with the only drawback being that the on-screen display controls need to be a bit more intuitive. However, that’s a minor complaint compared to the sheer amount of features.
3. LG 27UD68P
- Best For: Display
- Key Features: Bright, consistent picture quality. Well-made. Tough build. Plenty of inputs. Compact design.
- Screen Size: 27 inches
- Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160
This LG monitor is a good-looking device that you can use with either the included stand or a VESA 100. Those options are extremely useful, as is the cable clip that actively cuts down on clutter around the monitor. Everything stays tight and looks great.
Beyond the appearance, the monitor makes the list because it comes with strong internal specs and a great resolution. The thin borders add another level to the look, the color accuracy, and white balance are top tier, and the build itself is extremely durable.
The screen is undoubtedly strong, but do know that it’s not the best option if your lighting isn’t ideal. The colors can look a bit odd in a dark room, but that washing won’t be an issue if things stay bright around the monitor.
4. Asus ZenScreen
- Best For: Portability
- Key Features: Auto-rotation display. Full HD screen. Asus Eye care technology. Flicker-free. Hybrid-signal solution.
- Screen Size: 15.6 inches
- Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080
If you’re in the market for a more unique monitor to go with your Surface Pro, the ZenScreen is a terrific choice. It’s a completely portable monitor that you can easily use at home, in a coffee shop, or anywhere else your heart desires.
This interesting screen comes with a bright, 15.6 HD display that’s anti-glare and extremely bright. It has a hybrid signal solution too, meaning it just needs a single USB to work. The screen is also flicker-free and comes with auto-rotation so you can work in different ways.
The best thing about this monitor is also going to be a drawback for some. You gain some excellent features with the portability, but you also lose some durability. Be careful when bringing this around.
5. AOC 34-inch
- Best For: Curved
- Key Features: Large, vibrant display. HDMI, USB, and display ports. Low input lag. 3-sided frameless design.
- Screen Size: 34 inches
- Refresh Rate: 144 Hz
- Resolution: 3440 x 1440
This AOC monitor is the perfect choice for people who like to go big. The 34-inch, curved screen shows everything in stunning detail and completely immerses you into the user experience through the 144 Hz refresh rate and 3-sided design. The viewing angles are excellent too.
On top of that, you get a rapid 1ms response, amazing colors that go over 115 percent sRGB, as well as FlickerFree and LowBlue modes. The stand is also fully adjustable, which is a nice touch for people who like to completely customize the way they work or relax.
This monitor is a bit more user intensive than other models. The interface is going to take some getting used to, and you’ll have to put in a bit of work to find your preferred settings. Once you do, it’s an amazing device.
6. Razer Raptor
- Best For: Picture
- Key Features: Sturdy aluminum build. Easy controls. Simple menus. Fast refresh rate and smooth resolution. Crisp image.
- Screen Size: 27 inches
- Refresh Rate: 144 Hz
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440
The Razer Raptor is a simple monitor that streamlines a ton of powerful traits and excellent specs into a modern package. The strong device, aimed at showing more advanced programs, has a 27-inch IPS-grade display that absolutely pops thanks to the 144 Hz refresh rate.
Backing that up is the incredibly impressive 95 percent DCI-P3 color gamut and the HDR400 support. You see every color in incredibly vivid detail. The aluminum base is sleek and powerful, while the cable management works to keep every workspace clean.
That being said, the HDR mode does have a few kinks. You’ll experience some backlight flicker when using that mode, and you can’t adjust the backlight until you switch out of it. Minor complaints, but it’s something to know.
How to Choose a Monitor for Microsoft Surface Pro
Here are some features to be aware of before purchasing as an external monitor for your Surface Pro.
Screen Size
The bigger the screen, the better. That not only helps your work, but it also provides you with better viewing angles.
Refresh rate
A monitor’s refresh rate determines your display’s color sharpness. You want a monitor with 60Hz or more, depending on your type of work.
Price
Surface Pro is quite expensive, especially the latest Surface Pro 7. As such, make sure your monitor falls into your budget.
Processor
The processor you choose determines the number of external displays you’ll need. For instance, if you use a Core M processor, you will only need one or two external displays.
However, the issue with that is such displays have a maximum refresh rate of 30Hz and come with the same resolution. An Intel Core i7 or i5 processor requires one display with a max screen resolution of 4096×2304 and a max refresh rate of 60HZ.
Adaptor
Surface Pro has only a mini DisplayPort and USB-C. Unfortunately, the monitors in the market these days require HDMI or DisplayPort. To use the premium monitors, you must buy adaptors or quality cables to ensure there’s no disruption or signal loss.
How to Use Surface Pro with Two Monitors
Choose the duplicate option when you first set up your second monitor. If you click the Extend option, it’s normal to see Windows extend beyond your Surface Pro’s right edge and onto the second monitor.
If you want to make changes, go to the Control Panel on the Desktop app and find the Personalization category. From there, extend in any direction you wish.
If you want to do something like fetch the Start menu, use your mouse to point and click in the lower-left corner of either monitor.
Conclusion
Using a Surface Pro alongside a monitor is an exciting experience, especially for those that crave taking their work onto a bigger screen. All of the laptops in the guide help make that vision a reality and do so with fantastic results.
What do you think about our list? Did we leave out a model you think should be on here? Tell us what you think in the comments section, and we’ll get back to you.
