George Toh, Vice President & General Manager of; Lenovo‘s Visual Business.
Over the past few decades, computers have evolved from large, heavy devices to sleek powerhouses. This evolution also applies to displays, which have gone from boxes to panels, from having large bezels to being borderless, and from being disposable to multi-purpose display devices.
This change is not only external. Displays now feature technologies such as 2D to 3D conversion, sensors to improve privacy and security, and ways to reduce eye fatigue.
The changes to screens, however, did not happen in a vacuum. According to research by Acuvue, “the average office worker spends approximately 1,700 hours each year in front of a computer screen” which adds up to almost 6.5 hours a day. In recent years, studies have shown that remote and hybrid workers can work longer hours than those in the office. Another study found that remote work at Microsoft triggered a 10% boost in weekly hours.
These changing consumer demands have been crucial to the transformation of the display. Let’s look at some trends that have had an impact on these developments.
Keeping Up with the Evolution of Work
A big shift in consumer demand can be attributed to the rise of remote and hybrid work. Three years after the Covid-19 pandemic forced a new work reality, a 2023 Gallup poll found that 80% of employees who can work remotely said they prefer a remote or hybrid work model.
While laptops may be the equipment of choice for remote and hybrid work environments, the need for screen space has also become more pronounced. This led many workers to choose a large screen or multiple connected displays for more real estate to view more content from different documents at once, review data from different sources at once, or work in different programs at once. In fact, research by Jon Peddie found that using two monitors can improve productivity by one average 42%.
The preference for hybrid and remote work settings has also made virtual, video meetings and chat/collaboration platforms the new standard method of communication between employees. Having more screen real estate or multiple monitors allows workers to watch a video chat meeting and look up the latest data requested in the meeting without switching between windows.
Displays as an enhanced, specialized hub
The move to hybrid also had another effect, increasing the number of peripherals required. Video calling meant the need for cameras, and the hybrid workforce resulted in wireless mice, keyboards, headsets and so on.
Because of this, many monitors are now designed with a wide range of ports, including HDMI, DP, USB-C or Thunderbolt, providing flexibility in setup. This can allow users to wirelessly charge headphones and smartphones through their display, connect two computers to an ultrawide display to use both at the same time, or even daisy chain multiple displays on one computer using one cable. All of this reduces clutter and eliminates the need for multiple external ports.
In addition to connectivity options, displays have evolved from a single design to all options that cover different use cases and needs. Graphic designers, architects, and engineers, for example, often consider screen size, resolution, color accuracy, and 2D and 3D compatibility. Players, on the other hand, prioritize features such as refresh rate, response time and ergonomic comfort.
Displays that go beyond visuals
Displays are constantly evolving, but now they’re on the brink of another transformation — one that will take them beyond conventional functionality and design and fundamentally change the way we engage with content. Artificial intelligence already plays a role in how we interact with displays and how they respond to us, but several concepts could potentially shape the future of optics.
Foldable screens, which have already appeared on smartphones and laptops, are poised to make their way to larger screens. The foldable feature offers flexibility, allowing users to adjust the size of the screen according to their environment and needs. This design could lead to more immersive gaming and media consumption, increased productivity and multitasking, and even new ways to create and interact with content.
As we demand more immersive and interactive experiences, technologies such as gesture recognition and haptic feedback will also become a reality on screens. Using natural hand movements to open and edit documents, feel the texture of surfaces, and experience physical sensations in response to on-screen actions could soon be on the horizon.
Screens have transformed and ultimately reshaped the way we work and play. They have evolved from a single purpose ‘box’ to become an essential part of the creative workplace and home. This evolution will only continue as displays become more dynamic and interactive.
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