Monitor vs. Television — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 19, 2024
A monitor is a display device primarily used with computers, focusing on image accuracy and refresh rates, while a television is designed for entertainment, featuring tuners and built-in speakers for watching broadcasts and streaming.
Difference Between Monitor and Television
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A monitor is a display screen used mainly with computers, designed to provide high-resolution and accurate color representation. Monitors are essential for tasks requiring precision, such as graphic design, gaming, and professional work. A television, on the other hand, is a display device designed primarily for entertainment purposes. It typically includes built-in tuners for receiving broadcast signals and integrated speakers for audio output.
Monitors generally offer more connectivity options specific to computers, such as DisplayPort and multiple USB ports, allowing for a versatile workspace setup. Televisions usually focus on HDMI ports and may include additional features like smart TV capabilities, enabling access to streaming apps directly from the device.
While monitors prioritize response time and pixel density, televisions emphasize larger screen sizes and a range of viewing angles to accommodate group viewing. This makes televisions ideal for living rooms and shared spaces, whereas monitors are typically used in personal or office environments.
The design and build of monitors often include ergonomic adjustments like height, tilt, and swivel, catering to long-term usage comfort. Televisions are designed with aesthetics in mind, focusing on a sleek appearance to fit home decor, but may lack the ergonomic flexibility found in monitors.
Comparison Chart
Primary Use
Computer display
Entertainment viewing
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Built-in Features
Often lacks tuners and speakers
Includes tuners and speakers
Connectivity
DisplayPort, USB ports
HDMI, smart TV features
Screen Size Focus
Generally smaller, high pixel density
Larger screens, optimized for distance viewing
Ergonomics
Adjustable height, tilt, swivel
Fixed design, aesthetic focus
Compare with Definitions
Monitor
A display device for computers.
She connected her new monitor to her laptop for better resolution.
Television
A display device for watching broadcasts.
They watched the game on their 55-inch television.
Monitor
Device with high refresh rates for gaming.
He upgraded to a 144Hz monitor for smoother gameplay.
Television
Screen with integrated tuners and speakers.
The television could receive over-the-air channels without a set-top box.
Monitor
Display with multiple connectivity options.
The monitor had several USB ports for peripherals.
Television
Screen often equipped with smart features.
Their new television had built-in apps for streaming services.
Monitor
Screen with ergonomic adjustments.
The office installed monitors with adjustable stands.
Television
Display designed with aesthetic appeal.
The slim television fit seamlessly into their modern decor.
Monitor
One that admonishes, cautions, or reminds, especially with respect to matters of conduct.
Television
Device optimized for long-distance viewing.
The large television was perfect for their living room.
Monitor
A pupil who assists a teacher in routine duties.
Television
Television, sometimes shortened to TV or telly, is a telecommunication medium used for transmitting moving images in monochrome (black and white), or in color, and in two or three dimensions and sound. The term can refer to a television set, a television show, or the medium of television transmission.
Monitor
A usually electronic device used to record, regulate, or control a process or system.
Television
An electronic broadcast system in which special providers transmit a continuous program of video content to the public or subscribers by way of antenna, cable, or satellite dish, often on multiple channels
A new sitcom on television.
Monitor
A video display or speaker used in a production studio to check audio or video quality
The sound engineer detected a hiss on the monitor.
Television
Video content, especially short programs, created for or distributed through such a system
Stayed home and watched television.
Monitor
(Computers)A device that accepts video signals from a computer and displays information on a screen; a video display.
Television
An electronic device for viewing television programs and movies, consisting of a display screen and speakers
Sat too close to the television.
Monitor
(Computers)A program that observes, supervises, or controls the activities of other programs.
Television
The industry of producing and broadcasting television programs
Made her fortune in television.
Monitor
An articulated device holding a rotating nozzle with which a jet of water is regulated, used in mining and firefighting.
Television
(uncountable) An electronic communication medium that allows the transmission of real-time visual images, and often sound.
It's a good thing that television doesn't transmit smell.
Monitor
A heavily ironclad warship of the 19th century with a low, flat deck and one or more gun turrets.
Television
(countable) A device for receiving television signals and displaying them in visual form.
I have an old television in the study.
Monitor
A modern warship designed for coastal bombardment.
Television
(uncountable) Collectively, the programs broadcast via the medium of television.
Fifty-seven channels and nothing on television
Monitor
See monitor lizard.
Television
Vision at a distance.
Monitor
To check the quality or content of (an electronic audio or visual signal) by means of a receiver.
Television
To watch television.
Monitor
To check by means of an electronic receiver for significant content, such as military, political, or illegal activity
Monitor a suspected criminal's phone conversations.
Television
Broadcasting visual images of stationary or moving objects;
She is a star of screen and video
Television is a medium because it is neither rare nor well done
Monitor
To keep track of systematically with a view to collecting information
Monitor the bear population of a national park.
Monitored the political views of the people.
Television
A receiver that displays television images;
The British call a tv set a telly
Monitor
To test or sample, especially on a regular or ongoing basis
Monitored the city's drinking water for impurities.
Television
A telecommunication system that transmits images of objects (stationary or moving) between distant points
Monitor
To keep close watch over; supervise
Monitor an examination.
Monitor
To direct.
Monitor
To act as a monitor.
Monitor
Someone who watches over something; a person in charge of something or someone.
The camp monitors look after the children during the night, when the teachers are asleep.
Monitor
A device that detects and informs on the presence, quantity, etc., of something.
Monitor
(computing) A device similar to a television set used as to give a graphical display of the output from a computer.
The information flashed up on the monitor.
Monitor
A studio monitor or loudspeaker.
Monitor
(computing) A program for viewing and editing.
A machine code monitor
Monitor
A student leader in a class.
Monitor
(nautical) One of a class of relatively small armored warships with only one or two turrets (but often carrying unusually large guns for a warship of its size), usually designed for shore bombardment or riverine warfare rather than open-ocean combat. from 1862
Monitor
(archaic) An ironclad.
Monitor
A monitor lizard.
Monitor
(obsolete) One who admonishes; one who warns of faults, informs of duty, or gives advice and instruction by way of reproof or caution.
Monitor
(engineering) A tool holder, as for a lathe, shaped like a low turret, and capable of being revolved on a vertical pivot so as to bring the several tools successively into position.
Monitor
A monitor nozzle.
Monitor
(transitive) To watch over; to guard.
Monitor
One who admonishes; one who warns of faults, informs of duty, or gives advice and instruction by way of reproof or caution.
You need not be a monitor to the king.
Monitor
Hence, specifically, a pupil selected to look to the school in the absence of the instructor, to notice the absence or faults of the scholars, or to instruct a division or class.
Monitor
Any large Old World lizard of the genus Varanus; esp., the Egyptian species (Varanus Niloticus), which is useful because it devours the eggs and young of the crocodile. It is sometimes five or six feet long.
Monitor
An ironclad war vessel, very low in the water, and having one or more heavily-armored revolving turrets, carrying heavy guns.
Monitor
A tool holder, as for a lathe, shaped like a low turret, and capable of being revolved on a vertical pivot so as to bring successively the several tools in holds into proper position for cutting.
Monitor
A monitor nozzle.
Monitor
Display consisting of a device that takes signals from a computer and displays them on a CRT screen
Monitor
Someone who supervises (an examination)
Monitor
Someone who gives a warning so that a mistake can be avoided
Monitor
An iron-clad vessel built by Federal forces to do battle with the Merrimac
Monitor
Electronic equipment that is used to check the quality or content of electronic transmissions
Monitor
A piece of electronic equipment that keeps track of the operation of a system continuously and warns of trouble
Monitor
Any of various large tropical carnivorous lizards of Africa and Asia and Australia; fabled to warn of crocodiles
Monitor
Keep tabs on; keep an eye on; keep under surveillance
Monitor
Screen designed for precise color accuracy.
The graphic designer used a monitor with high color fidelity.
Common Curiosities
Which device is better for gaming?
Monitors are generally better due to higher refresh rates and lower input lag.
Do monitors have built-in speakers?
Some do, but many monitors do not include speakers, unlike most televisions.
Are televisions suitable for graphic design?
Monitors are more suitable for graphic design due to their color accuracy and resolution.
Do monitors come with smart features?
Generally, no. Smart features are typically found in televisions.
What is the main difference between a monitor and a television?
Monitors are primarily for computer use with high image accuracy, while televisions are designed for entertainment with built-in tuners and speakers.
Can a television be used as a monitor?
Yes, but it may not offer the same image precision and refresh rates as a dedicated monitor.
Are televisions more ergonomic than monitors?
No, monitors often have adjustable stands for better ergonomics.
Which device has more connectivity options for computers?
Monitors usually have more computer-specific connectivity options like DisplayPort and USB ports.
Which device is better for a home office setup?
Monitors are better suited for home office setups due to their ergonomic and connectivity features.
Can you stream content on a monitor?
Yes, with an appropriate device like a streaming stick or computer.
Are televisions designed for close-up viewing?
No, they are optimized for viewing from a distance.
Can you watch TV on a monitor?
Yes, but you may need an external tuner or streaming device.
Do monitors have larger screen sizes than televisions?
Televisions typically come in larger screen sizes compared to monitors.
Do monitors have built-in tuners?
Typically, no. Monitors do not come with built-in tuners.
Which device is more suitable for group viewing?
Televisions are more suitable for group viewing due to their larger screens and wider viewing angles.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
