At a shared desk, start with a monitor whose height and angle each person can reset, rather than choosing by refresh rate alone. Consider a USB-C hub if compatible laptop users need fewer connections, or QHD if you regularly work with a draft and reference material side by side. The Health and Safety Executive also advises looking at screen placement and the wider workstation, not just the monitor.
If colleagues or household members use the same desk to write and edit, a screen that can be repositioned between sessions matters. The Health and Safety Executive advises placing the screen directly in front of the user, with its top about eye level.
If you bring a laptop to the desk and connect shared peripherals, a USB-C hub may reduce connection steps. Check the laptop’s video-output and charging support before relying on a one-cable setup; Dell UK lists hub and power-delivery functions on the P2425HE.
If a vacancy description, notes and a covering-letter draft are often open together, compare the available screen space with your usual layout. Dell UK lists a 23.8-inch QHD option in its P2425DE range, but whether the extra pixels help depends on your preferred display scaling.
For a shared desk, make sure each user can position the screen comfortably before deciding whether a hub or extra space for documents is worth prioritising.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Adjustment between users | Check height, tilt and swivel adjustment on the exact model. For an arm, check its mounting pattern, weight capacity and desk-clamp clearance. | If others use the desk, I need to reset the screen to my seated position without rebuilding the workspace. Around 31% of consumers put adjustment first. |
| Laptop connections | Match the monitor’s video inputs and USB-C functions to the laptop; check charging wattage and the supplied cable if a one-cable setup matters. | When I bring a laptop to the desk, I want to connect it and the shared peripherals with less fuss. Roughly 31% of consumers prioritise connection simplicity. |
| Space for text | Compare Full HD, QHD and taller screen formats at your intended viewing distance; check whether display scaling keeps text comfortable to read. | I often need the vacancy description beside my draft, so I care about how much readable text fits on screen. Around 25% of consumers make text workspace their main concern. |
| Everyday essentials | Check for a usable adjustable stand and a compatible video input before paying attention to secondary features. | If I write letters only occasionally, I want the desk’s basic document setup to work without adding features I will rarely use. Roughly 13% of consumers put those essentials first. |
One person’s screen position may not suit the next. The Health and Safety Executive advises placing the top of the screen about eye level and the display directly in front of the user.
Prioritise height adjustment. If you plan to use an arm, check the monitor’s mounting pattern and weight alongside the arm’s capacity and your desk’s clamp clearance.
A USB-C connector alone does not establish that a laptop and monitor can exchange video, connect peripherals and supply suitable charging power.
Compare the laptop’s documented USB-C functions and power requirements with the exact monitor model before buying.
Otherwise, you may still need a separate charger, dock or compatible cable.
A refresh-rate specification will not resolve a screen that sits too low, too close or off-centre. The Health and Safety Executive’s display screen equipment guidance addresses screen positioning as part of the workstation setup.
Check stand adjustment, device connections and whether the desk allows roughly arm’s-length placement before comparing secondary display features.
Manufacturers describe display modes and eye-comfort features, but those claims do not establish that a monitor will prevent discomfort. Lighting, reflections and screen position remain relevant.
Set up the workstation first, then consider those features as additional preferences rather than substitutes for adjustment.
Dell’s Pro Plus models offer several ways to equip a shared office desk, including adjustable 23.8-inch displays, a USB-C hub option and a QHD variant.
BenQ’s GW2490T is a 23.8-inch Full HD option for desks where different users need to adjust the screen position.
LG’s 24BA models provide examples of adjustable business displays, with connection functions differing between variants.
The ThinkVision T24-40 is a reference point for a compact business monitor with a USB hub.
These monitors offer different screen sizes and display formats for drafting and reviewing a covering letter at a shared desk. Compare their placement and connection requirements with the space and devices you actually use.
No image available
Consider this QHD IPS option if you regularly keep reference text beside a covering-letter draft. For shared use, check that its adjustment range suits each person; if you intend to connect a laptop through USB-C, confirm video and charging compatibility and which cable is supplied.
No image available
A 24-inch option to consider for letter writing at a shared desk. Check how its stand adjusts for each user, and confirm the exact model’s ports and refresh rate before relying on either specification; the available product details conflict on those points, including USB-C connectivity.
No image available
Consider this WQHD IPS model when you want to view a draft alongside other material. Check that the larger screen fits the shared desk at a comfortable viewing distance, and confirm USB-C charging power against your laptop’s requirements before depending on it.
No image available
A Full HD IPS option for routine drafting where changing the screen position between users matters. Check whether its stand provides every adjustment you need, particularly pivot; also confirm the USB-C port’s functions before expecting video output or laptop charging.
No image available
Consider this model if flexible placement is important at the shared desk. Check which mounting option is included and whether its height range works for each user; USB-C display and charging depend on laptop compatibility, and the supplied power adapter should be confirmed.
Place it directly in front of you, with the top of the screen about eye level and the display roughly an arm’s length away, following Health and Safety Executive guidance. Check the keyboard position and lighting as part of the same setup rather than adjusting the screen in isolation.
No: the laptop must support the USB-C functions you plan to use. Check video output and, if you want charging, the laptop’s power requirements against the exact monitor’s power-delivery specification; Dell UK lists up to 90W for the P2425HE, while LG UK lists 65W for the separate 24BA650-B.
No. Manufacturer eye-comfort features can be a preference, but the Health and Safety Executive’s guidance still calls for attention to screen position and the wider workstation, including lighting and reflections.
Choose a size that fits the users and the workstation rather than treating one screen size as the answer. For workplace display screen equipment use, the Health and Safety Executive says employers must assess the workstation as a whole; that includes considering the setup at a shared or hot desk.