Contents

As of May 21st, 2025, these are the monitors we currently recommend:

27" Displays

Dell 27 USB-C Hub Monitor - P2722HE or P2725HE (last two digits refers to manufacture year)

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-27-usb-c-hub-monitor-p2722he/apd/210-bbcm/monitors-monitor-accessories

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-27-usb-c-hub-monitor-p2723de/apd/210-bdlj/monitors-monitor-accessories

Available on UC Procurement Gateway

Price - ~$309.79-$479.99 depending on which supplier you use. Goes on sale 4 times a year for far cheaper than regular price.

If you want one monitor that can be used with everything, the P2722HE has HDMI ports, Display ports, USB-C ports, ethernet and USB ports so it can be used as a hub for laptops, etc... The only downside is cost and you have to order all cables separately.

Resolutions Full HD (1080p) 1920 x 1080 at 60 Hz

Connections (as of 2025 model)

Comes with

Dell 27 USB-C HD Monitor - P2722DC to P2725DC (last two digits refers to manufacture year)

Available on UC Procurement Gateway

Price - ~$352.79-$479.99 depending on which supplier you use.

Companion model to the above, this model trades Ethernet and other ports for higher resolution.

Resolutions - QHD 2560 x 1440 at 60 Hz

Connections (as of 2025 model)

• DisplayPort (DisplayPort 1.2 mode)
• DisplayPort output (DisplayPort 1.2 mode)
• HDMI
• Audio line-out
• USB-C

• USB 2.0 downstream ports (x2 - rear)

• USB 3.0 downstream ports (x2 - side)

• Power connector
• Security-lock slot
• Stand lock feature

Comes with

• 1x Power cable
• 1x DisplayPort cable
• 1x USB Type-C cable

Ideal for Macs (Using USB-C or HDMI) or Windows (Using Displayport or HDMI)

Dell UltraSharp 27 4K USB-C Monitor - U2723Q to U2725QE (last two digits refers to manufacture year, while letters are what ports it has)

Available on UC Procurement Gateway (note the U2721Q and U2722Q have similar specs)

Price - ~$529.19 to $709.99

Next model up in terms of resolution compared to the professional grade monitors.

Resolutions - 4K UHD (2160p) 3840 x 2160 (DisplayPort: 60 Hz, HDMI: 30 Hz)

Connections (as of 2025 model)

variants may also come with (denoted by the letter at the end of the model number)

• Security-lock slot
• Stand lock feature

Comes with

• 1x 1. Power cable
• 1x Thunderbolt 4 passive cable - 1.0 m
• 1x DisplayPort 1.4 cable - 1.8 m
• 1x USB Type-A to USB Type-C upstream cable - 1.0 m

Ideal for Macs (Using USB-C or HDMI) or Windows (Using Displayport or HDMI)

24" Displays

Dell 24 Monitor - P2423H to P2425H

Available on UC Procurement Gateway

Price - ~$184.99 (dell punchout in gateway)

Resolutions - Full HD (1080p) 1920 x 1080 at 60 Hz

Connections (as of 2025 model)

Comes with

may come with

• 1x VGA Cable (Japan only)
• 1x HDMI Cable (shipped with P2219H/P2319H/P2719H, for Brazil only)

Dell UltraSharp 24 Monitor - U2419H to U2425H

One of Dell's most popular items, the U2420H, U2421H, and U2422H all have similar specs but with greater prices

Price - ~$227.84-269.99

Resolutions - Full HD (1080p) 1920 x 1080 at 60 Hz

Connections (as of 2025 model)

Comes with

• 1 x Power cable
• 1 X DP Cable (DP to DP) 1.8 m
• 1 x USB Type-A to USB Type-C Gen 2 cable - 1.0 m

Monitors with Built in Cameras

Dell 27" Video Conferencing Monitor - P2724DEB

Available on UC Procurement Gateway and at Best Buys in Goleta

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-27-video-conferencing-monitor-p2724deb/apd/210-bgmf/monitors-monitor-accessories

Price: $384.85 (gateway price $100 cheaper due to academic discount than list price)

Resolution: QHD (2560 x 1440) at 60 Hz (high resolution)

Connections:

• 1x HDMI (HDCP 1.4)
• 1x DP 1.4 (HDCP 1.4)
• 1x DP-out with MST
• 1x RJ45 Ethernet port, 1GbE
• 1x 3.5mm combo headphone with microphone jack
• 1x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C (Alt mode with DP 1.4 upstream, up to 90W power delivery)
• 1x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-B upstream
• 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A downstream
• 1x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C downstream with up to 15W power delivery
• 1x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A downstream with BC1.2 (2A max)

• 1x HDMI (HDCP 1.4)
• 1x DP 1.2 (HDCP 1.4)
• 1x DP-out with MST
• 1x RJ45 Ethernet port, 1GbE
• 1x 3.5mm combo headphone with microphone jack
• 1x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C (Alt mode with DP 1.2 upstream, up to 90W power delivery)
• 1x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-B upstream
• 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A downstream
• 1x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C downstream with up to 15W power delivery
• 1x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A downstream with BC1.2 (2A max)

• 1 x Thunderbolt 3 (input)
•  3 x USB-C (USB 3.1 gen 1, 5 Gbps)

Connection Substitutes

VGA to HDMI

For computers with only VGA, you will need a cable similar to this:

https://www.amazon.com/Monitor-FOINNEX-Connecting-Laptop-HDTV-Male/dp/B071SHJ1S3/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1527108464&sr=8-4&keywords=vga-to-hdmi+adapter

DVI to HDMI

Adapter

For computers with only DVI, you will need an adapter similar to this:

https://www.amazon.com/Rankie-Adapter-Gold-Plated-Converter-2-Pack/dp/B00ZMVGTA2/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1527108573&sr=1-4&keywords=DVI+to+HDMI

Cable

If you rather have a cable substitute:

https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-CL3-Rated-Bi-Directional-HDMI/dp/B00BBF3LYA/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1527108573&sr=1-6&keywords=DVI+to+HDMI

Mini-Displayport to HDMI

Adapter

https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-DisplayPort-Adapter-Black/dp/B00DRK2ZIK/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1527108930&sr=8-5&keywords=mini-displayport+to+hdmi&dpID=417FU1fag4L&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

Cable

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Mini-DisplayPort-HDMI-Cable/dp/B0134V3KIA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1527108930&sr=8-3&keywords=mini-displayport+to+hdmi&dpID=41v%252Bw7qyPrL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

Mini-Displayport to Displayport

Cable

https://www.amazon.com/DisplayPort-Moread-Gold-Plated-Thunderbolt-Resolution/dp/B01N5RY8D7/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1527109023&sr=8-6&keywords=mini-displayport+to+displayport

Why Dell monitors?

We recommend the Dell monitors due to the UC Agreement with them as well as having the Warranty Coverage in case issues come up, the warranty coverage can be leveraged to get it replaced.

Alternative Monitor selection

There is no restrictions in getting other brand monitors at this time, provided said brands are not listed under The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) (see below).

We just found Dell monitors to be a little bit easier to work with and reasonable quality.

Dell also clearly labels their monitors in terms of their quality and connectivity https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000131468/identifying-dell-monitor-types-by-their-model-number

Other brands you may want to consider:

• LG
• Viewsonic
• Samsung
• Lenovo

Things to consider...

Compatibility

Not every monitor works with every operating system, especially in terms of advanced features such as dual display, Ethernet, or USB ports. Always check system requirements before purchasing a monitor.

Lenovo, Microsoft and several other brands require OS specific drivers. You need to install software for them to display properly, but its really hard to install software without a display or a display that is badly distorted from using default drivers.

Dual Display

A really common issue with cheaper brands and cheaper monitors in mid range brands is that they assume you will only use a single monitor at a time.

For example on many Lenovo and Acer models, two HDMI or two USB-C for example will not work, one monitor will be blank.

A common work around for the above is to either use a HDMI for one monitor and some other connection such as USB-C for the other.

Resolution

When getting a monitor, you have to consider Display Resolution.

Most Windows/Linux/PC machines don't go beyond the resolution of 1920x1080 (The standard HD definition) unless the graphics chipset will support it or using a GPU that supports higher resolution.

Macs can use higher resolutions, sometimes up to 2560x1440.

Why is Resolution important?

Resolution is important on how you can work with a document.

For those who need big desktop space, higher resolutions means more space to work with.

The drawback to higher resolutions, depending on the screen size, can also mean smaller text, which can be harder on the eyes to read.

Do I need a 4K Monitor?

For most cases, not really.

Unless you are into image processing or using a Mac and need the Ultra High Definition (4K) resolution, a standard High Def (1920x1080) monitor will do just as well.

Can I use a TV or Projector as a Huge Monitor?

Not recommender outside of digital signage or conference rooms maintained by trained AV techs. Contacting support before purchase is highly recommended. 

• Monitors have faster response times, TVs often have an annoying delay between hitting a key and seeing it on the screen
• Your computer may not recognize your TV as a monitor. Known issues include:
  
  • Not waking TV up when coming out of sleep mode resulting in having to unplug the TV
  • Displaying the incorrect color balance, resolution, area of display, or some combination thereof.
  • Refusing to display output despite having compatible cables
• monitors generally have more pixels per inch than televisions so monitors will give you less eye strain
  
• TVs have longer focal lengths because they are made to be seen from further away
  • Some technologies used in certain types of TVs and projectors appear unfocused if seen from too close.
  • Some technologies used in certain types of TVs and projectors may damage your eyes if seen from too close due to excessive light or other EM radiation.
  • "front-row-at-the-movie-theater" effect
• Earthquake, fall and other danger. 
  • Large TVs and projectors are heavy enough that they need to be secured to a wall, ceiling or strong mount point.
  • If left unsecured they can cause injuries or even death if they tip over
  • Many walls are made out of particleboard, plaster, or drywall. Special mountings and fasteners are needed to avoid being pulled out due to equipment weight.
  • Please consult your lab manager and CAL OSHA regulations before buying a TV or projector for a lab. 
  • LCDs dissolve when many industrial cleaners are used on them
  • Magnetic fields distort some TV technologies and may result experimental interference
  • Power draw may be too much for a given electrical circuit if combined with other lab equipment. Blown fuses have occurred.

Connections

Having the right connections is important when you are getting a monitor.

VGA

VGA is the old standard connection, which looks like this:

Most older computers or monitors have this connection.

If you have a newer computer, you will need an adapter to be able to connect to older monitors using this.

DVI

DVI is another old standard connection which looks like this:

A lot of computers still use this connection standard, as do some monitors.

Computers with DVI connections can be adapted to VGA, Displayport or HDMI if the monitor does not have a DVI connection, but usually you will have to purchase the adapter/cable seperately.

Displayport (Mini-Displayport)

Displayport in another connection type for video as shown here:

The normal Displayport shown on the Left, while Mini-displayport shown on the right (Thunderbolt 1 and 2 are the Apple terms for their version of Displayport, while Thunderbolt 3 to 5 are a completely different form factor)

Some computers will use Displayport in either fashion and just requires the appropriate cable to connect to it.

Displayport on computers can be adapted to connect to monitors with VGA, DVI or HDMI, however the adapter only works when it is connected to the computer, not the monitor.

Displayport can also allow for daisy-chaining, which is basically, if a monitor has displayport connection, you can connect another displayport monitor to that monitor instead of having to directly connect to the computer.

HDMI

HDMI is another connection standard, mostly used by TVs, but some computers have this connection as shown here:

This connection often allows for Audio as well as Video.

Computers with HDMI can connect to DVI and VGA monitors using an adapter or cable made to connect HDMI to VGA/DVI .

HDMI also has version definitions, such as Version 2.1 is used to connect to 4K (Ultra High Definition) displays.

In most cases, unless you are using a Ultra High Definition screen, a normal HDMI cable is fine for most use.

Thunderbolt 3 to 5 (USB-C form factor)

Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 5 are the names Apple uses for USB-C form factor connection as shown here:

Please note that USB-C, Thunderbolt 3, 4 and 5 all have different specs and abilities despite all using the same form factor

There are a few adapters that can convert the computer's USB-C connection to VGA, DVI, Displayport or HDMI

USB-C theoretically can daisy chain, but has caveats. In most cases, if you need to daisy chain cables, you will have to pay more for a Thunderbolt 3, 4 or 5 cable.

Please note that while later generations are backwards compatible, the reverse is not always true, and some older products marketed as USB-C do not work well with newer computers.

More than one person has purchased a "USB-C dock" and found it barely works with newer macbooks, or a "USB charging" cord that barely charges.

When in doubt, look up the exact port your computer has and get the same or newer for the cables/accessories.