Buying the right computer monitor for your desktop or docked laptop is an important choice. You’ll work long hours on it, and maybe even stream content for your entertainment needs. You may also use it side-by-side with your laptop as a dual monitor. Making the right choice now will definitely impact your daily life in lots of ways.

The short answer is that 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio is the most common option for computer monitors and TVs today. That’s because it fits best with most modern movie and video content, and also because it makes the typical modern work day easier. You’re doing less clicking and dragging on this aspect monitor, allowing for a more efficient workflow.

What is a widescreen aspect ratio?

A widescreen aspect ratio is the standard 16:9 ratio of most high-definition computer monitors and televisions today. The “16” represents the top and bottom, and the “9” represents the sides. The numbers separated by a colon are the ratio of width to height in any monitor or TV.

A 23-inch by 13-inch monitor (known simply as “27 inch” measured diagonally) has a 16:9 ratio. This is the most common ratio for shooting movies and TV shows.

Most viewers prefer widescreen TVs in the home, and widescreen monitors are also the most popular choice for desktop PCs and external laptop displays. That’s because the wider screen lets you keep more than one window front and center at a time. Plus, it’s easy on the eyes.

What is a standard aspect monitor?

The term, “standard aspect monitor” used to refer to computer displays with the old-style 4:3 aspect ratio more common in TVs before the 2010s. “Standard aspect ratio” is a bit of a misnomer, though, because the wider 16:9 aspect ratio is the new standard for PC monitors.

The first widescreen monitors appeared in the early 1990s, but it took time to supplant their “taller” counterparts in offices around the world.