🎧 Displays, Sound & Ports: The Overlooked Essentials (Part 6 of the ‘How Not to Get a Rubbish Computer’ Series)

Cartoon-style illustration of a confused young man wearing headphones, surrounded by desktop and laptop computers showing various ports, with question marks above his head.

When buying a new PC or laptop, most people obsess over RAM and CPUs — but forget about the things that actually affect how you use the machine every day. Your display, speakers, and ports might seem minor, but get them wrong and you’ll regret it.

This is Part 6 of our “How Not to Get a Rubbish Computer” series – real-world advice from a UK-based IT provider, helping you buy smarter.

🔍 Displays: What to Look For

Your screen is what you look at all day. It shouldn’t make your eyes hurt.

Key specs that matter:

  • Resolution – 1080p (Full HD) is the baseline. Go for 1440p or 4K if you do design work, spreadsheets, or anything detailed.

  • Panel type – IPS = best all-rounder. TN = cheap and poor colours. VA = good contrast but often slow refresh.

  • Brightness & anti-glare – If you work near windows or travel, don’t cheap out here.

  • External display support – Many laptops can’t run more than one external screen. If you work with dual monitors, check before you buy.

💡 Tip: A good screen boosts productivity far more than extra RAM in most office environments.

🔊 Sound: Don’t Settle for Tinny

Built-in laptop speakers are usually awful. If you take video calls or stream media, sound matters.

What to check:

Speaker placement (top-facing is better than bottom-firing)

  • Bluetooth support (for headphones or speakers)

  • Presence of a headphone jack – many newer laptops don’t have one

  • Mic quality (especially if you use Teams or Zoom)

💡 Tip: Want professional sound? Use a USB microphone and a proper headset. Skip the built-in mic entirely.

🔌 Ports: Yes, You Still Need Them

New machines love removing ports to look “sleek.” That’s fine until you’re carrying 3 dongles just to plug things in.

Essentials to look for:

  • USB-C with charging + display support – The gold standard now

  • At least 2 USB-A ports – For peripherals like mice, printers, and USB drives

  • HDMI or DisplayPort – Avoid adapters where possible

  • Ethernet (RJ45) – Still vital for stable connections, especially in business setups

  • SD Card Reader – Great for photographers or if you transfer files often

💡 Tip: Check your laptop’s wattage support on USB-C. Not all USB-C ports charge at the same speed or power external displays.

🔮 Future-Proofing Advice

  • Avoid machines with just 2 USB-C ports unless you love carrying dongles.

  • Check compatibility with dual external displays before you buy – many popular laptops don’t support this without expensive docks.

  • Invest in at least 400 nits brightness and a good anti-glare display if you ever work near windows or travel.

📢 Not Sure What to Choose?

Display quality, sound, and port selection make a massive difference to daily usability — but manufacturers rarely highlight them. We’ll help you pick the right machine for your real-world needs, not just flashy specs.

📧 Email us: hello@kalidus.com

🌐 Visit our website: www.kalidus.com

📞 Call us: 01904 952 265

📞 Text us!

📚 Catch Up on the Full Series:

  1. 🖥️ What is RAM? (Part 1)

  2. ⚡ Understanding CPUs (Part 2)

  3. 💾 SSDs vs HDDs (Part 3)

  4. 🎮 Do You Really Need a Graphics Card? (Part 4)

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Next

🎮 Do You Really Need a Graphics Card? (Part 4 of the 'How Not to Get a Rubbish Computer' Series)